For the People

We'll open it up today on the subject how strengthening our regional workforce can help address challenges veterans are facing as we check in with Joe Carbone at The WorkPlace. Learn why his agency just received a $150,000 grant that will go straight to tackling veteran homelessness and mental health in Connecticut.Then we'll help you get all the exercise in that you need in one weekend, while helping support great causes starting with the Cornelia deLange Syndrome Foundation. Stick around and hear how this often hard to diagnose condition affects newborns and their families - and how the CdLS Foundation is supporting thanks to folks participating in the April 25 Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation Walk to Fight Rare Diseases.Then we'll close with ARI of Connecticut. Celebrating 20 years, their Walk for Independence benefits individuals receiving residential, day, employment, medical and other support. Make it a feel good weekend and join them April 26 at Cove Island Park and meet many of the nearly 100 individuals that will benefit from your support.

One of our long-standing traditions here on For the People is to continue focusing on and promoting Connecticut Grown - whether it's in the world of agriculture or aquaculture. And as in year's past, we brought our microphone to the recent Ag Day celebration at the state Capital. So as you get ready for your own celebrations this Sunday, tap into conversations with our state Agriculture Commissioner, and a number of farmers and organizations helping them be successful and sustainable, including Jones Winery, the CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation, CtAgFairs, CitySeed, the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association, and reps on pollinators and PFAS from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

For the People is circling back to the subject of food insecurity and how demand for assistance is still increasing in a discussion with the director of CT Foodshare. As we head into spring, it was important to keep listeners thinking about hungry children and families in our own neighborhoods, and how to help make the most difference by supporting the cause.

We're continuing our year-long series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer, by getting to know Chris Bassette and her operation - Killam & Bassette Farmstead. Hear how she and her husband are bringing up Connecticut's next-gen farmers while running a diversified agriculture operation featuring produce, eggs, pork, chicken, and tobacco, a CSA program, farm stand, multiple farmers’ markets, farm dinners and more.

If you're driving out of Derby heading north along the Housatonic, we want to draw your attention to that bright blue and white building and the great folks who run and support St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley's Thrift Shoppe & Food Bank. Check out how they turn thousands of second hand items into an amazing outpouring to address food insecurity across the Naugatuck Valley region.

If you're driving out of Derby heading north along the Housatonic, we want to tell you about that bright blue and white building and the great folks who run and support St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley's Thrift Shoppe & Food Bank. Check out how they turn thousands of second hand items into an amazing outpouring to address food insecurity across the Naugatuck Valley region.Then we'll continue with our year-long series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer, by getting to know Chris Bassette and her operation - Killam & Bassette Farmstead. Hear how she and her husband and Connecticut's next-gen farmers are running a diversified agriculture operation featuring produce, eggs, pork, chicken, and tobacco, all of which they market through their CSA program, farm stand, multiple farmers’ markets, farm dinners and more. Finally, we'll circle back to the subject of food insecurity and how demand for assistance is still increasing as we bring back the director of CT Foodshare. As we head into spring, it's important to keep thinking about hungry children and families in our own neighborhoods. So, tune in and we'll tell you how to help make the most difference.

Check out our chat with a Griffin Health’s Physical Medicine specialist, previewing a free series of talks on Body Mechanics and Adaptive Equipment to help aging adults across the Naugatuck Valley prevent injury while raking, shoveling and gardening. We'll also talk about how supportive/adaptive equipment can help seniors maintain independence.