For the People

Meet the CEO of Waveny LifeCare Network and hear how this regional nonprofit is delivering a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to seniors with diverse therapeutic programs, services and living options. Waveny is celebrating 50 years of service and an important new partnership going into 2024, so tune in and learn all about them.

Then it's time to check in with our source at the CT DOT on subjects from Halloween traffic safety, to enhancements and fare increases on state bus and rail lines, a couple of important construction updates, and how the DOT will be making state roads more friendly for all  through the 'Complete Streets' initiative.

And we'll close with Gifts of Love - a regional nonprofit supporting struggling working families by responding to provide  basic living needs including food assistance, household items, and clothing; and fighting food insecurity. We'll also let you know how to support Gifts of Love, including attending their upcoming 'Fall In Love' fundraiser.

We're closing out our 3-part series 'AARP & You' - tapping expert sources from the national AARP network to provide critical information to better protect everyone in Connecticut. In this segment, you'll learn the 3 most important things to immediately do if you are the victim of fraud.

Then we're circling back with CT Housing Partners CEO and one of their developers to provide some insight into Connecticut's much maligned 8-30g statute related to affordable and workforce housing.

And we're connecting with the Commissioner of Connecticut's Dept. of Developmental Services to hear more about the recently launched STEP (Supporting Transformation to Empower People) program to shift and expand the continuum of supports to serve as many individuals in the most independent settings possible.

Meet Impact Fairfield County - a women's collective giving organization funding large transformational grants for qualified nonprofits. The next application period opens October 16, so if you are involved with or volunteer for, get services from a nonprofit that operates or programs in Fairfield County, listen in and learn more.

Then we're introducing Thin Line Peer Support Team, Inc, a non- profit providing peer-to-peer mental health assistance to first responders, active military, and veterans as well as facilitating access to more comprehensive mental health resources including drug and alcohol programs. Hear about their first major fundraiser - Walk the Line - and how you can help or come out and support the cause in person.

Then, we're circling back with the CT Women's Hall of Fame - delivering educational resources bringing Connecticut women’s history to life for current and future generations. The Hall is planning its Induction Ceremony and 30th Anniversary Celebration October 26 - so check out our chat and learn more about it!

During International Overdose Awareness Week we featured the first of a two-part interview with the leader of Liberation Programs, which serves about 1,000 people a day in our region with addiction recovery and mental health support initiatives. Now, we're continuing that conversation.

Then we're turning our attention back to ALICE - Asset Limited Income Constrained & Employed. United Way of Connecticut has just released its latest report focusing on several key points involving ALICE households...maybe yours is one of them.

Then, we'll initiate a spirited conversation with The Greater Bridgeport Symphony's new guest conductor Eduardo Leandro talking about his musical journey and next week's 78th Season Opening concert - themed 'Connecting Communities.'

Can you believe veterans, active-duty service members and their families are nearly 40% more likely to lose money to scams and fraud? So, for the 2nd part of our latest series "AARP & You" we'll go to a veteran and AARP expert to help share how to identify and combat veterans-related scams. 

Then we'll connect with the CT Office of the Arts to tout the October 7 READI Set Music Conference, a dynamic one-day event in New Haven celebrating the state's vibrant music scene and empowering artists and musicians with industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and a platform to showcase their artistry.

Finally, we'll reconnect with Connecticut's Social Equity Council, which recently announced the launch of a community reinvestment survey that will use information in conjunction with feedback from upcoming community conversations, to develop a reinvestment plan that will bring much needed resources back into communities negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

AARP has something for everybody - and we'll prove it as we kick off our latest series 'AARP & You' - a three-pert deep dive into issues that could affect us all, including ways to help protect yourself from imposters stealing your identity, supporting our veterans, and a few important things you need to know regarding gift cards.

Then we'll reconnect with the Valley Community Foundation and pick up on a conversation with the Valley Health District as those agencies collaborate on an upcoming free health & wellness forum.

And we'll close circling back with the CT Data Collaborative, which just released a surprising and concerning new report about the upward trend of multigenerational households. Why is that so important? Stay tuned and find out!

The Connecticut Technology Council's Women of Innovation event is the state's first women in tech awards, which now includes over 800 women as winners and finalists. So we'll touch base with CTC's new Executive Director to get the latest on how the CTC can help if you are in a tech or STEM field - and how you can help support Connecticut's Women of Innovation.

Then, we'll welcome back Cindi Bigelow to talk about this year's Bigelow Tea Community Challenge and meet representatives from one of the nonprofits this 35-plus year tradition helps fund - Bridge House, a supportive and empowering community for adults with persistent mental illness.

And we'll wrap with two spokespeople from Norwalk's Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, promoting its research and services to improve life now for people living with lupus, and touting  the upcoming fund and awareness-raising Walk to End LupusNow, coming to Norwalk in October.

This morning we're reconnecting with Children in Placement to discuss their critical work with young people. Since 1979, CIP has advocated for the best interests of Connecticut’s abused and neglected children throughout the child welfare and judicial systems by securing them safe homes, supportive services, and a stable transition into adulthood.

Then we'll meet a representative From The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs organization - which grew out of the Sandy Hook tragedy to bring these truly exceptional animals into the lives of people who need them most. We'll hear about how Exceptional Sidekick is now partnering in a growing program to serve young patients and their families at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital.

And we'll close catching up with the CEO of Abilis, inviting you to their upcoming Walk/Run for Abilis, and explaining how this nonprofit has been serving people with disabilities in lower Fairfield County for over 70 years.

We're welcoming back Rebecca Kowalski who co-founded the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation to honor her son Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski - one of the 20 student victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We'll hear about how their programs have been ramping back up since the COVID era, and remind you about how to get your kids involved, or to support the cause at a couple of cool upcoming events.

Then we'll have an important and informative chat with Dr Deidre Gifford who runs Connecticut's OHS - the Office of Health Strategy. She will be unpacking a number of the enlightening rankings - good and bad - about our state's healthcare delivery systems and related issues that affect and impact the health of everyone across Connecticut.

And we'll close on this first day of International Overdose Awareness Week with the first of a two-part interview featuring the leader of Liberation Programs, which serves about 1,000 people a day in our region with a range of addiction recovery and mental health support initiatives.

Meet the founder of the nonprofit JoeAbate  Foundation, and learn how it's supporting families with babies in the Yale New Haven Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, as wll as creating micro-internships to help students discover career possibilities. We'll also invite you to the nonprofiit's upcoming Light Up the Night fundraiser.

Then we'll be inviting you to join or support the Probus Club of Greater New Haven, which is seeking new members to support an incredible variety of service projects the club takes on. We'll also explain how the Probus Club can help you get rid of unused bicycles and musical instruments that might be cluttering up your closets, garages, or storage areas.

Then we'll hear about Energize Connecticut's Green STEP Summer Training Program, which just graduated 100 young people credentialed and prepared to go to work in Green commerce. We'll let you in on how to get your school system involved, and about Energize Connecticut's fall plans for expanding this program to after school.