For the People

If you live in or near the Meriden / Wallingford area, we want to introduce you to the fine folks at Master's Manna, a very busy nonprofit working to tackle hunger insecurity and supporting individuals and families facing financial challenges. Then we'll catch up with our friends at ARI, to invite you to participate in or sponsor their 19th Annual Walk for Independence. We'll also bring in a member of the Stamford Police Dept. to discuss how officers in that community are training to work more successfully and effectively with alternately abled and neurodivergent individuals they may encounter in the line of duty or elsewhere. And we'll wrap things up with some important news and solid advice in the first of a two-part chat with the Commissioner of the state's Dept. of Consumer Protection on the heels of Consumer Protection Week. You'll probably be surprised how many ways this agency touches our lives, and protects us all from scammers and bad actors.

Connecticut's Northeast Organic Farming Association - or CT NOFA - held their 43rd Winter Conference last weekend at Eastern CT State University, and For the People was there to put together a live Special Report that digs into everything from worms and bugs to a proposed state Constitutional Amendment and making agriculture more sustainable and equitable - especially for veterans, minority community members, and new Connecticut farmers. So stay tuned and hear from participants including She Worms Composting, the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), CT NOFA's Director of Advocacy, the CT Land Conservation Council, Phocas Seeds, CT REsource & Conservation Development, and the New CT Farmer Alliance.

The CT Data Collaborative just released an important report on "How New Federal DOT Policy Would Disadvantage Connecticut, Especially Our Urban Centers.” So, we'll unpack that as well as examining highlights from CTData's latest annual report. Data was never so timely and important - find out why!

Meet the entire leadership team from Impact Fairfield County. We'll talk about their 2nd Impactful Conversation of the 2024-2025 grant year on the topic of “Gaining Space for Mental Wellness,” exploring how peer pressure, isolation and attachment to technology are shaping children, families and local communities, and let you know how to get involved in - or support future activities.

Thanks to an amazing $5 million endowment announced just days ago, the transformation of Greenwich Library from a traditional library into a comprehensive cultural and educational center will pick up where Connecticut's most visited library left off with its recent "Reimagine" renovation project. So we'll call on the Library Director to expand on this news - and to let patrons and the public know what's in store for the future.

Thanks to an amazing $5 million endowment announced just days ago, the transformation of Greenwich Library from a traditional library into a comprehensive cultural and educational center will pick up where Connecticut's most visited library left off with its recent "Reimagine" renovation project. So we'll call on the Library Director to expand on this news - and to let patrons and the public know what's in store for the future.Then we'll welcome the entire leadership team from Impact Fairfield County. We'll talk about their 2nd Impactful Conversation of the 2024-2025 grant year on the topic of “Gaining Space for Mental Wellness,” exploring how peer pressure, isolation and attachment to technology are shaping children, families and local communities, and let you know how to get involved in - or support future activities.And we'll wrap things up with the CT Data Collaborative. The agency just released an important report on "How New Federal DOT Policy Would Disadvantage Connecticut, Especially Our Urban Centers.” So, we'll unpack that as well as examining highlights from their latest annual report.

We want to introduce a couple of members from the Chi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. This local chapter is dedicated to giving back, and they're hosting a FREE Annual Youth Symposium March 8 to empower and inspire youth ages 8-18 through engaging workshops, music, and community connection. So tune in and we'll let you in on how to get involved.

We're circling back with a couple of folks from reSET - which is providing coworking space, accelerator, and mentoring programs, while supporting entrepreneurs responding to community challenges. reSET just acquired New Haven based Collab, so we'll find out why, and how this newly fortified nonprofit is going to work advancing Connecticut’s future.

PreservationCT - formerly the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is turning 50 this year, so we'll kick off a series of interviews with its representatives to learn more about how this agency is going to continue sustaining and preserving critical buildings, sites, even social and cultural practices that helped shape the state we live in.

PreservationCT - formerly the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is turning 50 this year, so we'll kick off a series of interviews with representatives to learn more about how they're going to continue sustaining and preserving critical buildings, sites, even social and cultural practices that helped shape the state we live in.Then we're circling back with a couple of folks from reSET - providing coworking space, accelerator, and mentoring programs, while supporting entrepreneurs responding to community challenges. reSET just acquired New Haven based Collab, so we'll find out why, and how this newly fortified nonprofit is going to work advancing Connecticut’s future.And we'll close with a couple of members from the Chi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. This local chapter is dedicated to giving back, and they're hosting a FREE Annual Youth Symposium March 8 to empower and inspire youth ages 8-18 through engaging workshops, music, and community connection. So stick around and we'll let you in on how to get involved.

Meet two leaders from Liberation Programs, a key substance abuse and prevention agency serving Fairfield County. We'll talk about a bill they are supporting in the statehouse this session that has the potential to save thousands of lives in the state, as well as how they are working with schools to help ensure kids never venture down the road to substance use.

We're connecting with ConnCORP - the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program - which is focused on economic development and providing opportunities to New Haven’s underserved residents. ConnCORP just launched its 'State of Black Business' survey, so we'll explain how you can participate - and why it's so important.

We're keeping things flowing with our first segment, as we visit the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) to continue our series about the ongoing Kinneytown Dam removal project. How could the removal of one deteriorating dam have regional - even global environmental implications? Tune in and find out.

We're keeping things flowing with our first segment, as we visit the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) to continue our series about the ongoing Kinneytown Dam removal project. How could the removal of one deteriorating dam have regional - even global environmental implications? Stay tuned and find out.Then, we're connecting with ConnCORP - the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program - which is focused on economic development and providing opportunities to New Haven’s underserved residents. ConnCORP just launched its 'State of Black Business' survey, so we'll explain how you can participate - and why it's so important. And we're closing with two leaders from Liberation Programs, a key substance abuse and prevention agency serving Fairfield County. We'll talk about a bill they are supporting in the statehouse this session that has the potential to save thousands of lives in the state, as well as how they are working with schools to help ensure kids never venture down the road to substance use.

We're continuing our regular visits with CT Foodshare. How is the current state of affairs impacting hunger in our state, who are the ones most at risk for hunger insecurity, and what can you do to try and help as many of our kids and families access a sufficient and nutritious supply of food? We'll unpack these issues and more - stay tuned.

Check out what the leader of the CCM Foundation for Youth has to say about supporting and advising on strategies related to Young People First and the associated crisis of youth disconnection in the state's educational system. You'll learn how declining education funding at the state level has resulted in a negative impact on taxpayers at the local level.

Meet Kids Helping Kids - an organization that has inspired over 1,500 students to participate in youth-led service projects in their communities. Their upcoming 'Hope Day' mental health fair is bringing together numerous mental health resources - so, we'll tell you all about it, and how to get involved!

We're leading off with two important segments focusing on Connecticut's young people, and starting with Kids Helping Kids - an organization that has inspired over 1,500 students to participate in youth-led service projects in their communities. Their upcoming 'Hope Day' mental health fair is bringing together numerous mental health resources - so, we'll tell you all about it.Then, we'll chat with the leader of the CCM Foundation for Youth - supporting and advising on strategies related to Young People First and the associated crisis of youth disconnection in the state's educational system. Stay tuned and learn how declining education funding at the state level has resulted in a negative impact on taxpayers at the local level. And we'll close continuing our regular visits with CT Foodshare. How is the current state of affairs impacting hunger in our state, who are the ones most at risk for hunger insecurity, and what can you do to try and help as many of our kids and families access a sufficient and nutritious supply of food? We'll unpack these issues and more - stay tuned.

Get to know our partners from the Thin Line Peer Support Team - which is working hard providing one-on-one connections to help our first responders and military service members address issues including depression and PTSD. Tune in and find out how you can help by sponsoring or playing in their upcoming golf tournament!

For the People is circling back with AARP Connecticut to unpack some of the most important elements of the organization's 2025 Legislative Agenda. These are not just initiatives that are important to older residents, so stay tuned and learn how these issues impact you.

CT NOFA's 43rd Winter Conference is coming up, featuring a series of virtual workshops in the lead up to a full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 1. So, we're connecting with NOFA's leader to learn all about it and tell you how to get involved.

CT NOFA's 43rd Winter Conference is coming up, featuring a series of virtual workshops February 25-27 in the lead up to a full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 1. So, we'll open connecting with NOFA's leader to learn all about it and tell you how to get involved. Then, we'll circle back with AARP Connecticut to unpack some of the most important elements of the organization's 2025 Legislative Agenda. These are not just initiatives that are important to older residents, so stay tuned and learn how these issues impact you. And we'll close with our partners from the Thin Line Peer Support Team - which is working hard providing one-on-one connections to help our first responders and military service members address issues including depression and PTSD. Tune in and find out how you can help by sponsoring or playing in their upcoming golf tournament!

Join us as For the People explores how the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the lives of your kids and children's lives across Connecticut and the nation as we connect with the real live authors of a brand new report from Connecticut Voices for Children.

We're living in interesting political times, so we'll tap into a conversation with the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service that will help you better appreciate why your voice and presence in some type of public service may be more critical today than ever.

If you've been gripped by the tragedy and loss stemming from the Los Angeles wildfires, there's an opportunity for you to be a hero to fire and disaster victims and others right here at home by becoming a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer - tune in and we'll tell you all about it.

If you've been gripped by the tragedy and loss stemming from the Los Angeles wildfires, there's an opportunity for you to be a hero to fire and disaster victims and others right here at home by becoming a Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer - stay tuned and we'll tell you all about it.Then, we'll re engage with the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service. We're living in interesting political times, so we'll engage a conversation that will help you better appreciate why your voice and presence in some type of public service may be more critical today than ever.And, we'll explore how the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting the lives of your kids and children's lives across Connecticut and the nation by tapping the authors of a brand new report from Connecticut Voices for Children.

In this first of an ongoing series, help celebrate half a century of open government and the many ways our state's Freedom of Information Act helps make that happen as it turns 50 years old in 2025. How can our FOIA help you become a better citizen? Tune in and find out!

If you care about kids, you can't miss this eye-opening conversation with LOVE146 that will help frame what we're facing here in Connecticut when it comes to child trafficking, and what you can do to prevent it and help these exploited children have a better life.

Did you ever look at yourself as playing an important role in our collective history? In this segment, we're going to explain why your story is our story - and introduce you to History Chip, the organization that's going to help you tell it.

Did you ever look at yourself as playing an important role in our collective history? Today we're going to explain why your story is our story - and introduce you to History Chip, the organization that's going to help you tell it. Then we're going to host an eye-opening conversation with LOVE146 that will help frame what we're facing here in Connecticut when it comes to child trafficking, and what you can do to prevent it and help these exploited children have a better life. And we'll also celebrate half a century of open government and the many ways our state's Freedom of Information Act helps make that happen as it turns 50 years old in 2025. How can our FOIA help you become a better citizen? Tune in and find out!

Find out how well hundreds of state residents did tapping the recent 'Get Your Refund CT' program at United Way of CT, and learn about the latest available information and resources to help you get your 2024 income tax returns filed fast and free!

Meet a representative from UConn's Diversified Livestock Extension, whose aim is to support and grow our state's livestock industry. Whether you're maybe thinking about keeping a few chickens, you're already a farmer looking to diversify into livestock, or you're just curious about the state's thriving livestock industry - we've got lots to talk about.

We connected with the Commissioner from CT's Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection for an update on the agency's 20BY26 initiative. She'll explain a number of the DEEP's goals under this program, as well as touching on subjects from winter parks activities to resources so you can manage your ice melting substances in a more environmentally-friendly way.

We're reaching out to the Commissioner from CT's Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection for an update on the agency's 20BY26 initiative. She'll explain a number of the DEEP's goals under this program, as well as touching on subjects from winter parks activities to resources so you can manage your ice melting substances in a more environmentally-friendly way. Then we'll meet a representative from UConn's Diversified Livestock Extension, whose aim is to support and grow our state's livestock industry. Whether you're maybe thinking about keeping a few chickens, you're already a farmer looking to diversify into livestock, or you're just curious about the state's thriving livestock industry - we've got lots to talk about. And we'll close learning how well hundreds of state residents did tapping the recent 'Get Your Refund CT' program at United Way of CT, while sharing some information and resources to help you get your 2024 income tax returns filed fast and free!

Here's a chance to get familiar with the regional director from SCORE of Western CT. If you are an aspiring business owner, or you just want to enjoy greater success in a business you own or operate, SCORE can offer everything from information-packed webinars to expert one-on-one business counseling. Tune in and find out how to tap into SCORE for your business.

In this segment we're touching base with one of the organizers of the Salisbury Winter Sports Assoc. 2025 Jumpfest. This family-friendly winter festival in Connecticut's northwest corner is a perfect weekend destination full of activities and the excitement of Olympic-style ski jumping - and we'll tell you all about it!

Check out our discussion about some of the most effective job development programs available through The WorkPlace, including early school-based career development initiatives as well as support for older workers and those returning to the workforce from incarceration.

We're opening with a discussion about some of the most effective job development programs available through The WorkPlace, including early school-based career development initiatives as well as support for older workers and those returning to the workforce from incarceration. Then we'll touch base with one of the organizers of the Salisbury Winter Sports Assoc. 2025 Jumpfest. This family-friendly winter festival in Connecticut's northwest corner is a perfect weekend destination full of activities and the excitement of Olympic-style ski jumping - and we'll tell you all about it. And we'll close with a regional director from SCORE of Western CT. If you are an aspiring business owner, or you just want to enjoy greater success in a business you own or operate, SCORE can offer everything from information-packed webinars to expert one-on-one business counseling. Tune in and find out how to tap into SCORE for your business.

If you know - or are the parent or caregiver of a young woman - and you want to help expose them to a world of opportunities, then tune in to hear our latest conversation with one of the top representatives from the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. They've got a free and fun educational event coming up soon in New Haven, so we'll tell you all about it, and why 2025 might be the year to consider getting a young person you know involved with the Girl Scouts of CT.

If you know - or are the parent or caregiver of a young woman - and you want to help expose them to a world of opportunities, then tune in to hear our latest conversation with one of the top representatives from the Girl Scouts of Connecticut. They've got a free and fun educational event coming up soon in New Haven, so we'll tell you all about it, and why 2025 might be the year to consider getting a young person you know involved with the Girl Scouts of CT.Then - in a special extended segment - we'll be turning to the difficult subject or childhood abuse by previewing an upcoming session of Newtown Talks - an engaging and enlightening series at Edmond Town Hall. On January 16, actor and survivor Anthony Edwards, and author Steven Mills will be on stage discussing this topic - and we'll bring you a preview of that event by welcoming them both to help break down the paralyzing stigmas around reaching out for help.

This holiday week we are diving into new interviews with several women leaders in their own areas of expertise who are helping you try to set a better course for the New Year. This segment features the co-founder of Circle of Care to find out how this organization is continuing to ease the burdens that families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis face every day - and how you can help make a positive difference by supporting the cause.

This holiday week we are diving into new interviews with several women leaders in their own areas of expertise who are helping you try to set a better course for the New Year. This segment features the leader of the McCall Behavioral Health Network. Youth self harm and suicidal ideations are at an all time high among Connecticut's adolescents, teens and young adults - so we'll have what may be a life saving or life changing conversation that might just address what you, your family, or a young person you know is going through as the organization establishes its latest adolescent and youth services office in Waterbury.

This holiday week we are diving into new interviews with several women leaders in their own areas of expertise who are helping you try to set a better course for the New Year. This segment features Scarlett Lewis - founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement - who will unpack how the Choose Love formula and model can help you through the transition into 2025.

This holiday week we are diving into new interviews with several women leaders in their own areas of expertise who are helping you try to set a better course for the New Year. We'll begin with Scarlett Lewis - founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement - who will unpack how the Choose Love formula and model can help you through the transition into 2025. Then we'll catch up with the co-founder of Circle of Care to find out how this organization is continuing to ease the burdens that families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis face every day - and how you can help make a positive difference by supporting the cause. And we'll close with the leader of the McCall Behavioral Health Network. Youth self harm and suicidal ideations are at an all time high among Connecticut's adolescents, teens and young adults - so we'll have what may be a life saving or life changing conversation that might just address what you, your family, or a young person you know is going through as the organization establishes its latest adolescent and youth services office in Waterbury.

This replay of a previously broadcast segment features a rep from the Connecticut State Comptroller's Office unpacking the details of Connecticut's totally free ArrayRX Discount Drug and Prescription program, that can deliver up to 80% savings to any state resident for many of their pharmaceutical needs. Then - since a lot of local families and businesses experienced life-changing experiences during recent flooding, and there was so much confusion around insurance coverage for damage - we'll replay our conversation with an expert from the CT Insurance Dept. to help you understand whether it's time for you to consider obtaining flood insurance. And we're replying an encore of a segment of a chat we had recently with AAA Northeast - getting us up to speed on all the important things we need to know as vehicle owners and pedestrians steer their way through late fall and toward the cold and snowy winter weather ahead.

We're replaying the 1st and 2nd parts of a recently broadcast series featuring RVNAhealth - a nonprofit health network serving nearly 3 dozen neighboring communities. In this segment, you'll hear how RVNAhealth has been providing exceptional home and community health care services, supporting public health and safety, and promoting the highest quality of life for over 100 years. Then, we'll switch gears to a previously recorded segment with Bridges Healthcare, the state-designated local mental health authority for Milford, Orange and West Haven - also serving Stratford and other surrounding communities. Learn how this nonprofit is successfully providing comprehensive, innovative, and effective mental health, addiction recovery, and integrated healthcare services to individuals of all ages.Then, we're on to the second part of our mini-series featuring RVNAhealth. Check out how your philanthropy and volunteerism can continue helping RVNAhealth provide exceptional home and community health care services across nearly 3 dozen neighboring communities - like they've been doing for over 100 years.

We're checking in with the Connecticut Epilepsy Advocate Foundation to learn about several key issues that this local nonprofit is highlighting - the high cost of prescriptions, veterans health benefits to name just a couple.

In this segment we're talking about Data with the state Office of Policy and Management's Data and Policy Analytics Division. Even if you are somewhat unfamiliar with how to use - and learn from - data, your input on the Connecticut State Data plan is crucial - and we'll explain why you should log in and take their survey before the December 9 deadline.

Sadly, childhood trauma and traumatic events do not take holidays off. So this week we are reminding you about Adam's House, which provides an inclusive program that has already helped hundreds of youths and families come to grips with the grief associated with the loss of a loved one.

Sadly, childhood trauma and traumatic events do not take holidays off. So this week we are opening by reminding you about Adam's House, which provides an inclusive program that has already helped hundreds of youths and families come to grips with the grief associated with the loss of a loved one.Then we'll return to talking about Data with the state Office of Policy and Management's Data and Policy Analytics Division. Even if you are somewhat unfamiliar with how to use - and learn from - data, your input on the Connecticut State Data plan is crucial - and we'll explain why you should log in and take their survey before the December 9 deadline.And we're closing by checking in with the Connecticut Epilepsy Advocate Foundation to learn about several key issues that this local nonprofit is highlighting - the high cost of prescriptions, veterans health benefits to name just a couple.