For the People

Our first field report in weeks finds us at Newtown's first-ever drive-up COVID-19 testing center. Check our chat with a PhysicianOne representative, the community's lead health official and First Selectman talking about testing and more.

Then we'll celebrate all the front line responders and kick off National EMS week with a small town EMS volunteer and a municipal fire official about how they work with dispatchers and medical professionals to save lives 24/7 and especially during the pandemic.

And we'll close with a medical expert representing Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers. We'll get a crash course on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / TMS and how it could help mitigate depression or anxiety as a result of the coronavirus emergency or other life challenges.

Today we'll start by introducing the co-founder of 4-CT, a a non-profit that unites donors with nonprofit programs that are struggling through the COVID-19 situation - and learn about local musicians uniting in song to help raise awareness for 4-CT projects.

And we'll close touting the virtual 25th Annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas - bringing you artistic exhibits, food experiences, cell phone-guided walking tours, the NEA Big Read, and Ideas programming with a theme of “Democracy: We the People” all free and online.

In between we'll check in with the American Lung Association to review their 2020 "State Of The Air" report and try to figure out why the state is doing so poorly protecting and preserving the very air we breathe.

Today we continue our deeper dive showcasing how local agencies and human service programs are maintaining, surviving, and continuing to serve in a COVID-19 world.

First, we'll reach out to anyone who is feeling anxious, angry, sad, scared or alone during the current pandemic - to bring you an information packed and hopefully stress reducing conversation with the Executive Director of NAMI Connecticut.

Then we'll learn about a Connecticut company owner who created a not-for-profit program - masksforcitizens.com - to get masks to regular folks who need them while reducing the need to divert PPE away from medical workers and responders. 

And we'll close with the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. We'll hit a few high points of the CEQ's annual report to the Governor - aimed at keeping environmental preservation and protection efforts in focus even while he's dealing with the COVID-19 emergency.

Today we continue our deeper dive showcasing how local agencies and human service programs are maintaining, surviving, and continuing to serve in a COVID-19 world.

Home confinement doesn't compare to childhood cancer patients and their families struggling with cancer and coronavirus. So meet the founder of Circle of Care, providing assistance to meet the unique and challenging needs of pediatric cancer treatment statewide. 

Then we'll check in with Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County to tout their innovative programs to help young people chart a financially literate course for life.

And we'll close with a broader glimpse of COVID-related need with the Fairfield County Community Foundation, which set up a Are you experiencing reductions in services from a local nonprofit that's pressed to make  COVID-related cutbacks?

Check our chat with the Fairfield County's Community Foundation​,, which is ramping up a COVID-19 Resiliency Fund to help dozens of critical nonprofits survive through this unprecedented public health emergency.

Today we continue our deeper dive showcasing how local agencies and human service programs are maintaining, surviving, and continuing to serve in a COVID-19 world.

We'll let you know how Eversource is keeping utility services operational, how you can save a few bucks even if you're using more energy these days, and how the utility is helping keep critical nonprofits operational during this health emergency.

Then we'll check in and see how everyone is doing at the Beardsley Zoo - while learning how zoo staffers are supporting your kids education through a ton of virtual learning programs.

And we'll find out how the Bridgeport Rescue Mission is maintaining its mission to feed and protect families already living on the edge facing domestic violence, poverty, and hunger. 

Today we continue our deeper dive into explaining how some local agencies and initiatives are maintaining, surviving, and continuing to serve in a COVID-19 world.

We'll get a crash course on why diapers matter especially during this coronavirus emergency, and learn how and why you should reach out and help the Diaper Bank of CT.

Then we'll check in with AARP CT to learn about a robust new online resource  'AARP Community Connections,' and a few other important initiatives AARP is working on.

And we'll replay a recent interview with the new CEO of Boys and Girls Village, serving more than 800 clients from over 50 communities in at-risk situations.

Today we'll begin a deeper and more comprehensive dive into talking with and discussing how local agencies and initiatives are maintaining, surviving, and continuing to serve in a COVID-19 world.

We'll open with ARI of Connecticut, and learn how they're continuing to serve a population of disabled individuals and their families in Fairfield County - while moving forward with a virtual fundraiser to help sustain those services.

Then we'll chat with a rep from the CT League of Conservation Voters to review a number of concerns as rollbacks to environmental protection and preservation initiatives threaten our air, water, and the very spaces where we can still seek refuge from the pandemic.

And we'll close with the CT Food Bank to learn how they're pivoting to respond to a massive increase in need, how you can still make a difference by donating or lacing up for the Race Against Hunger Virtual 5k Run and Walk.

Today we'll meet a Connecticut neighbor walking Route 1 from border to border on Memorial Day Weekend to fortify her new nonprofit - the Veterans Wellness Center of America.

Then we'll reach out to the Center For Family Justice to share important information for those facing or surviving domestic and family abuse situations during the current coronavirus outbreak. 

And our guest from NFIB the The National Federation of Independent Business will begin unpacking how new state and federal support programs will offer help and hope as the COVID-19 situation ravages small businesses and the economy.

Today's Special Report was produced from the recent Northeast Organic Farming Association's 2020 OrganiConn conference at Wesleyan University in Middletown. We caught up with NOFA's director, the event's keynote speaker, as well as a number of other guests promoting organic practices and programs that can help enhance our state's environment and public health - while engaging 'back to the land' entrepreneurs and our youngest citizens to dig in and enjoy everything they can raise and eat from their own farm, personal, school, or community garden.

We'll learn why Jersey Mike's Month of Giving and their March 25th Day of Giving is a key contributor to Make-A-Wish CT, and how those donations are making a difference.

Then we'll visit The Workplace to hear about new programs to help re-train or get veterans situated into clean, high-paying and secure advanced manufacturing and other career positions with the agency's 'Platform 2 Employment program.

And since it's National Poison Prevention Week we'll check in with Safe Kids Worldwide to talk about preventing prescription medication poisoning.