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.

Meet the new acting executive director at the Center for Family Justice and find out what that agency has been doing to step up their game under their leadership to better protect and support families in crisis across the region. You'll also learn how you can help support that effort.

We're sitting down with the person heading up Connecticut's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging. They've got a few scenarios to discuss that can help folks on Medicare better understand how scammers can cleverly begin taking advantage of them, and some other good advice to help folks better understand this segment of health care coverage.

Today, we'll sit down with the person heading up Connecticut's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging. They've got a few scenarios to discuss that can help folks on Medicare better understand how scammers can cleverly begin taking advantage of them, and some other good advice to help folks better understand this segment of health care coverage.Then, we'll visit with the new acting executive director at the Center for Family Justice. We'll find out what that agency has been doing to step up their game under their leadership to better protect and support families in crisis across the region - and let you know how you can help support that effort.And we'll close chatting 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.

For more than 25 years, For the People has been a partner and supporter of Connecticut's Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter and in this Special Report we mark the next chapter in that relationship bringing our microphone to the floor of their 44th Winter Conference held recently at Wesleyan University. We'll talk a lot about sustaining and growing the number of farms and farmers here in our state, and how various organizations are doing just that. So sit back and hear all about Reboot Eco, Solid Ground, CT Veteran Grown, The CT Farm Energy Program, The New Connecticut Farmer Alliance, Land For Good, the UConn Extension, the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, and of course the executive Director at CT NOFA will join us as well!

This report welcomes back a familiar voice - Eduardo Leandro, Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. We'll chat about the next GBS performance which will present classics and never-before-heard music in "Horizons Of The Earth" at the University of Bridgeport.

We're unpacking the implications from AARP’s latest Vital Voices survey, that show affordability concerns are growing for Connecticut residents age 45 and older. How could a perfect storm of financial pressures result in driving some of our most productive residents and workforce member to move away? Tuned in and find out!

On April 16, UConn Waterbury is inviting you to the 4th Annual WISHfest — a day dedicated to cultivating innovation, inclusion, and a healthier future for the community. So in this segment, we're connecting with the UConn Dean coordinating the event, which features keynote talks from neurodiversity champion Temple Grandin and CBS Survivor star Rachel LaMont.

On April 16, UConn Waterbury is inviting you to the 4th Annual WISHfest — a day dedicated to cultivating innovation, inclusion, and a healthier future for the community. So we'll connect with the UConn Dean coordinating the event, which features keynote talks from neurodiversity champion Temple Grandin and CBS Survivor star Rachel LaMont.Then we'll unpack the implications from AARP’s latest Vital Voices survey, that show affordability concerns are growing for Connecticut residents age 45 and older. How could a perfect storm of financial pressures result in driving some of our most productive residents and workforce member to move away? Tuned in and find out!And we'll close with another familiar voice - Eduardo Leandro, Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. We'll chat about the next GBS performance which will present classics and never-before-heard music in Horizons Of The Earth at the University of Bridgeport.

We're reconnecting with Connecticut's Cannabis Ombudsman. Her office has been busy Serving as a "vigilant guardian" for medical marijuana users, ensuring their needs are prioritized amid the growth of the adult-use market. Our discussion involves supporting legislation aimed at improving policies and practices related to the cannabis industry and all qualifying medical cannabis users.

For the People is pleased to help introduce a Connecticut spokesman for The Mayfly Project. This unique organization is lining up volunteers who are also fly fishing enthusiasts, to bring a summer-long social and recreational fishing experience to foster kids - that also helps them develop better resilience and leadership skills.

In this segment, For the People is welcoming the Connecticut Healthcare Advocate, whose team is fighting to get your health insurance to cover what it's promising while educating consumers about policies and terminology so you can better understand the healthcare plan you're depending on.