For the People

How did a group of women and cancer survivors establish a decade-long tradition of recognizing heroes in the fight against cancer? For the people called on a couple of organizers for the 10th annual Women Leading the Way to Wellness Luncheon luncheon benefiting the American cancer Society and delivering important information to attendees about awareness, advocacy, and early detection that could save your life, or the life of somebody you love!

Which local nonprofits will be learning this week if they are receiving up to $100k in transformational grants? On May 8, Impact Fairfield County - one of the County’s leading female giving organizations - will be awarding five finalists transformational grants for as much as $100,000. So, tune in and learn more about these nonprofits and this collective giving organization whose mission is to empower women to engage in local philanthropy.

On May 8, Impact Fairfield County - one of the County’s leading female giving organizations - will be awarding five finalists transformational grants for as much as $100,000. So, tune in and learn more about these nonprofits and this collective giving organization whose mission is to empower women to engage in local philanthropy.Then, meet a couple of organizers for another great event that's just around the corner - the 10th annual Women Leading the Way to Wellness (WLWW) luncheon benefiting The American cancer Society and delivering important information to attendees about awareness, advocacy, and early detection that could save your life, or the life of somebody you love!Finally, batting clean-up for our first program in May is the new Co-CEO from Goodwill of Western & Northern CT. She'll be reminding everyone why getting your spring cleaning done can help job seekers, support homeless veterans, individuals with alternate abilities who just want to be part of our communities, and so much more...

For the People is welcoming back our source at AAA Northeast to focus on the rapidly increasing incidents of pedestrian / cyclist tragedies, legislative initiatives related to traffic safety, EV trends, gas price escalation, and some good news about getting you the air travel refunds you may have coming.

As Connecticut charts its course toward election season, For the People caught up with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas to discuss civics education, civic engagement and several things voters need to know as they consider participating in early voting for the August 13th primaries and November Presidential Election.

This week, we're visiting with Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas to discuss Civics Education, Civic Engagement and the SOTS CEO program, as well as a few things voters need to know as they turn attention toward participating and early voting for the August 13th primaries and the November Presidential Election. Then we'll welcome our source at AAA Northeast to focus on the rapidly increasing incidents of pedestrian / cyclist tragedies, legislative initiatives related to traffic safety, EV trends, gas price escalation, and some good news about air travel refunds. And we'll replay our first segment of the New Year from back in January with CHDI - the Child Health & Development Institute. Learn about their initiative to integrate trauma-informed comprehensive school mental health supports into the existing community-based network of care, as well as their helpful Connect4Families Toolkit.

Back in late February we rolled into the Mohegan Sun convention facility to spend some time talking with folks who are part of the growing medical and legal consumer cannabis industry participating in the 2024 Connecticut Cannabis Expo. So relax, breathe deep, and groove to our chats with the event's founder, Advance Telemedicine, Gold Coast Farm, the CT Social Equity Council, Cannacticut, the CT Cannabis Small Business Alliance and the folks from Fat Cat Select Seeds.

Click here if you would like to listen to or download individual interviews from our April 14, 2024 program. For the People is helping you get help from - and support Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, which offers victims of domestic violence and sexual assault free, confidential services in a safe, caring environment; while striving to raise awareness through community education and outreach. Check out our conversation and plan to be at the agency's Out of the Shadows Awards dinner!

Click here if you would like to listen to or download individual interviews from our April 14, 2024 program. This week, the award-winning For the People gets to celebrate some other very deserving award winners. We'll connect with with the manager of energy efficiency programs at Eversource, whose EnergizeCT initiative just captured its 9th national ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. So listen and find out how that translates into even more potential energy savings for consumers.

Click here if you would like to listen to or download individual interviews from our April 14, 2024 program. This week, the award-winning For the People gets to celebrate some other very deserving award winners. Listen and learn about the growing All In Alliances movement with NVP - the Naugatuck Valley Project - and TEAM Inc. This collective fighting for social justice, food security, and a place for everyone just received the 2024 Citizen Planner Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association.

This week, the award-winning For the People gets to celebrate some other very deserving award winners in their own right. First up, we'll chat with reps from two of the dozens of agencies that have joined growing All In Movement here in Connecticut: NVP - the Naugatuck Valley Project and TEAM Inc. who were just recognized with the 2024 Citizen Planner Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association.Then we'll connect with with the manager of energy efficiency programs at Eversource, whose EnergizeCT initiative just captured its ninth national ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award.And we'll close inviting you to get help from - and to help support Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, which offers victims of domestic violence and sexual assault free, confidential services in a safe, caring environment; while striving to raise awareness through community education and outreach.

For the People is picking up the baton and reviewing the Greater Bridgeport Symphony's latest season as the orchestra prepares for its final show April 13 featuring the music of Beethoven. Tune in and find out how schools and businesses can help ensure the sustainability of this local musical and cultural arts treasure!

For the People connected with AARP Connecticut to get briefed on the latest scams and tactics that are beating folks out of billions of dollars. Learn how to protect yourself from celebrity impersonation, and how bad actors are taking actual voices of folks you know and using artificial intelligence (AI) to help make their lies very believable.

Check out For the People's conversation with Connecticut's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). They're working hard to eliminate discrimination, to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons - and they want to invite you to a couple of events so you can learn how they can go to work for you!

This program features a conversation with Connecticut's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). They're working hard to eliminate discrimination, to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons - and they want to invite you to a couple of upcoming events so you can learn more about how they can go to work for you!Then we're connecting with AARP Connecticut to get briefed on the latest scams and tactics that are beating folks like us out of billions of dollars. We'll talk about how to protect yourself from celebrity impersonation, and how bad actors are taking actual voices of folks you know and using artificial intelligence (AI) to help make their lies very believable.And we'll close reviewing the Greater Bridgeport Symphony's latest season as they orchestra prepares for their final show coming up April 13 featuring the music of Beethoven, and how you and your schools and businesses can help ensure the sustainability of this local musical and cultural arts treasure.

We harvested a bounty of great interviews from our recent visit to Connecticut Agriculture Day at the Capitol. Why is CT Grown so important? Stick around and learn why as we chat with folks from the Association of CT Ag Fairs, the UConn's Sea Grant Aquaculture Program, the regional USDA Rural Development Office, the School Nutrition Assoc. of CT, the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Assoc., the Solid Ground program at UConn, Food Share, and even Agricultural Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, himself!

Every day thousands of Connecticut veterans and their families experience homelessness or are at risk to become homeless. So, we're reconnecting with Homes for the Brave - working and growing to serve more vets and their loved ones with a range of critical supports and services, and inviting you out for a few laughs to benefit the agency at its 8th Annual 'For Veterans, By Veterans' Comedy Night.Then we're replaying a visit we had in early January with the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford - discussing how the Center is looking to encourage students and others to pursue careers in public service by providing a forum for the discussion of ethics in government; the importance of civil discourse in politics; and citizen involvement in public service.And we'll close inviting you to the 18th Annual Walk for Independence to benefit ARI - one of the smallest providers of services for adults with developmental disabilities in the state. Learn how ARI's uniquely intimate program provides a “family like” environment and more individualized approach to services and supports based on each individual’s needs and interests.

It's a good bet most folks are unaware March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month - a time to acknowledge the challenges of problem gambling. But for those living with a gambling issue, we're connecting with an expert on the subject helping to remind you that hope and recovery are possible through Wheeler Health network’s Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program. Next, we'll hear from Connecticut's Insurance Commissioner about some of the trends affecting the insurance products you may be paying for, and how his office is working with other states collaboratively to ensure folks are getting the best possible coverage for the rates they pay. And we'll wrap inducting a brand new member of our massive For the People network of regional nonprofit partners - Filling in the Blanks - founded by mothers and community activists serving 200 sites throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties by delivering over 2 MILLION weekend meals to children in low-income households.

Today we'll help you form some perspective on severely disengaged and disconnected youth in Connecticut. A growing coalition of organizations has just released a series of recommendations to state policymakers to address the 119,000 Connecticut youth in need of guidance and support to get back on track. So stick around and learn how you can help inform your state lawmakers about supporting Opportunity Youth.And since it's March - our friends from Jersey Mike's are back to chat about their Month of Giving - one of the most satisfying philanthropic campaigns around - along with Jersey Mike's Day of Giving on March 27, which returns 100% of all sales to their select charity. We'll also bring in a rep from Make-A-Wish the exclusive Connecticut recipient of all the proceeds from Jersey Mike's Month AND Day of Giving.Then, we'll wrap it up hearing from Connecticut's Chief Manufacturing Officer and how his team is helping manufacturers take advantage of market opportunities to grow their businesses with programs ranging from fast-track workforce training to funding and research to help state manufacturers compete and grow globally or remain sustainable entities within their market sectors.

We're heading back to the Y - The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. We'll chat with their new CEO about this tried and true charitable, not-for-profit, community service organization that remains dedicated to putting principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all the 25 communities they serve. Meet the founder and director of Ruth's House, a home in Shelton, CT and will provide a loving home for young single mothers that encourages and equips them to make positive changes in their lives, care for their children and build their own futures. And we'll close replaying a mid-winter interview with the leader of AdvanceCT - a private nonprofit economic development organization driving job creation and new capital investment through business attraction, retention, and expansion.

Since For the People provided WBDC's founder with her first radio interview oh so many years ago, we brought her back, in part, to announce and invite women to apply for the Women's Business Development Council's brand new IGNITE grant program, and to come out to the upcoming Women Owned Business Day at the Connecticut Capital. Then, we're welcoming two Beardsley Zoo educators to talk about a number of cool programs happening this spring - as well as focusing on FrogWatch 2024 - which is currently enlisting folks who want to help scientists better understand how these noisy amphibians provide a bellwether for our environmental health. And we'll close telling you all about Ann's Place - providing comfort, support, and financial resources to those living with cancer and their loved ones. Their CEO is dropping in to explain how this compassionate nonprofit is serving the region with professional counseling, support groups, wellness activities and educational resources - all at no charge.

We're visiting a co-founder of the nonprofit Annie C. Courtney Foundation - assisting families and individuals touched by all aspects of the child welfare system. Did you know as many as half of our youths exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26 and many more are unstably housed. Stick around and learn how you can help Annie C. do something about it.Then we're pivoting to the leader of the McCall Behavioral Health Network to learn about a brand new program to fast-track individuals reaching out for mental health and crisis support to the expert care they need - most often the day of - or within a day of that call for help.And we'll close getting briefed on a number of important issues the Connecticut Psychological Association wants you to know about - that will occupy part of the speedy agenda during the 2024 state General Assembly short session.

February 11 isn't just Super Bowl Sunday - maybe more importantly it's 2-1-1 Day here in Connecticut, the day when we celebrate and recognize 2-1-1-Infoline, which had its humble beginnings right here in our state and last year, provided assistance to 1.7 million people.Then, we're heading to the Elm City to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The New Haven Legal Assistance Association, which offers free, high-quality legal services to people living in poverty in greater New Haven. We'll tell you all about it, and how you may be able to access free legal help from their NHLAA team.Then we'll head to visit with the Valley Community Foundation and talk about how that organization is maximizing the power of "Valley-ness" to support and assist hundreds of organization working to take the best care of residents in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

It's CHOOSE LOVE AWARENESS MONTH, so we're going to talk about how you can choose love as defined by the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement and its founder Scarlett Lewis - who is on a mission to create safer and more loving communities through proven programs suited for all stages of life and everybody from you and your family, to your entire community and even your workplace.Then we're introducing the new director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Assoc.- which is dedicated to connecting people to the land in order to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces. We'll also learn how their experienced conservation professionals are delivering programs on Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, Environmental Education, Land Conservation, and Public Policy.Then we'll touch base with LIV IT UP - a regional grassroots nonprofit providing support services and programming for neurodiverse adults by offering opportunities to enjoy enriched and fulfilled lives. The nonprofit promotes independence and building friendship and community through activities like volunteering , social gatherings, Broadway trips, yoga, therapeutic horseback riding, art classes, and concerts.

We're bookending For the People with folks and nonprofits working to address and reduce violence in our communities. First we'll meet the Program Manager at CT Violence Intervention and Prevention who is Connecticut's only representative to the first ever Community Violence Intervention Leadership Cohort at the University of Chicago who is prepping for her upcoming graduation at the White House. Then we're circling back with the Salisbury (CT) Winter Sports Association - which is poised for their 98th Annual JumpFest, the oldest Ski Jumping Competition in New England. But it's not just about ski jumping, this is truly a community and regional festival spanning 3 days in the Litchfield Hills, so tuned in and make plans to be there. And we'll close with the father and son co-founders of the nonprofit Chick Rosnick Boxing Club - dedicated to teaching the art of boxing to boys and girls so its participants can advocate against bullying, learn alternatives to violence and gang culture, and be instilled greater discipline, good character, and good citizenship.

With An estimated 7 million Americans struggling with gambling addiction, we contacted our source with the nonprofit Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling to discuss a proposal to secure federal funds to treat and research gambling addiction.Then we're welcoming back AARP Connecticut to review some of the high points of their 2024 Legislative Agenda, and to remind local communities and qualified agencies that the next round of AARP Community Challenge grant applications is now open, and features several new areas of focus for applicants in 2024.And we'll close touching base with the CT Green Bank - America's 1st Green bank has just released its Annual Report, so we'll review a few of the agency's accomplishments from the past year, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the C-PACE program, and clue you in on a new way that the agency's Solar MAP program is expanding to support affordable housing developers.

This week marked the one-year anniversary of Connecticut launching its legal adult-use cannabis marketplace, so we'll connect with a spokesperson from the agency overseeing that program to look back on year one, and give us some insight on how this marketplace will be expanding in 2024.This year's CT Voices for Children State of Early Childhood report is responding to the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care and a Continuation of Spotlighting Disenfranchised Populations, so we're bringing in the report's two authors to unpack why its details and recommendations are so important.And we're circling back with Sustainable CT to talk about how that agency is committed to equity, and to creating communities where all are welcome and have the opportunity to thrive. We'll put out the recruiting call for summer fellows - and help celebrate Connecticut's first Gold Level certified SustainableCT community.

Our first guest of the new year is from CHDI discussing their newly launched CONNECTing Schools to Care IV Students initiative to integrate trauma-informed comprehensive school mental health supports into the existing community-based network of care - as well as connecting you to their helpful Connect4Families Toolkit.Then we'll introduce to you the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford. Learn how the Rell Center is promoting ethics in government; civil discourse in politics; and how the Center is looking to encourage students and others to pursue careers in public service.And we'll welcome back the CT League of Conservation Voters. If you've been hearing about eliminating fuel burning vehicles on state roadways or you have growing concerns about our environment, we'll invite you to be part of the CTLCV 2024 Environmental Summit coming up in a couple of weeks.

Our New Year's Eve program is visiting a few of our most informative and special segments, including our mid-July chat with the CEO of the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center talking about how his team is delivering a wide range of physical, mental, dental and wellness services to neighborhoods that need it the most. We'll also celebrate the opening of the center's new Dixwell Q-House.Then we'll replay our chat about the East Coast Greenway - stretching 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida - and how far along Connecticut is in completing its section, offering a safe place for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and more of all ages and abilities to commute, exercise, and visit new destinations.Finally, we'll encore our visit with the Education Diversity Coordinator from the CT Dept of Education and the state's commitment to fortify our teaching force while expanding the diversity of educators for the benefit of all the children and youths who will be learning from them.

Hey, it's not too late to consider giving someone you know one of the most special and unique gifts ever - tuition to Bee School which comes with membership to the Back Yard Beekeepers Association (BYBA), so we'll feature an association member who will be sharing knowledge about beekeeping, and is dedicated to educating beekeepers and promoting the benefits of beekeeping to the public. Then, it's time to look back and take stock, to look forward and make plans as 2024 makes us all a year older. Perhaps those plans involve supporting an aging loved one, or if you are an older Connecticut resident, disrupting ageism and ableism. So, we're bringing back the director of the The Connecticut Age Well Collaborative to talk more about how her agency is supporting that effort in 2024.And finally, we'll dispense a few gifts of wisdom to entrepreneurs and business community members across the region from the leader of AdvanceCT - a private nonprofit economic development organization that drives job creation and new capital investment in Connecticut through business attraction, retention, and expansion, in close cooperation with state, regional, and local partners.

Holidays mean visiting with loved ones - and if you notice developing issues related to aging, we'll connect you with experts from Assisted Living Services and one of Connecticut's Area Agencies on Aging to explain the little-known Adult Family Living-Foster Caregiver Program that can help loved ones continue aging in place at home.Then we're revisiting Connecticut's groundbreaking mattress recycling program with the state's Mattress Recycling Council and the director from one of the states regional recovery authorities to help educate consumers about where to go and what to do when you're ready to recycle your bedding.And we'll close meeting some folks from Harbor Watch - a program of Earthplace in Westport - who just finished hosting their Annual Student Symposium on local water quality findings. So, we'll hear about that and some of the activities at Earthplace's nature center.

For the People hits the road again, landing at thge region's first of its kind Food Farmacy of Greater Danbury - that's Farmacy with an 'F'. We'll visit folks who helped create this unique public health program as well as the facility to help support it and hundreds of families it's already serving since it opened a few weeks ago.Then we'll head from the 'Hat City' to the Park City for a candid conversation with the director and curator of Bridgeport's Barnum Museum. We'll discuss how the 'Barnum' recently received its rightful place on the National Register of Historic Places - after a disastrous 20-year journey that had more twists, turns, and unfortunate detours as the life of P.T. Barnum himself!

Our on site visit to this year's Green Village Initiative Harvest Fest was bittersweet.While it preceded a major change for this urban agricultural nonprofit that has done so well supporting equity, community, anti-racism, wellness, knowledge-sharing, and youth mentorship, along with responding hunger and promoting food justice - the festival also provided an opportunity to meet and learn about numerous individuals in greater Bridgeport who have learned from and benefited as a result of their ties to GVI. So stay tuned and get ready to meet some of these enterprising individuals as well as hearing about the coming changes from the nonprofit's leadership.

The Child Health and Development Institute's latest research produced a blueprint for strengthening Connecticut's behavioral health workforce for our children, so tune in and be among the first to learn how this report can help fast-track the help our kids need! Then....we'll hear how grants from the Connecticut Health Foundation will support advocacy efforts to expand health care coverage to more immigrants and to ensure that those who are eligible can get covered.And hey, it's National Adoption Month. So, if you think you can be the best part of a child's challenging life, For the People is welcoming a rep from Wheeler’s Foster Care programs to discuss the options, support and benefits you can receive.

Since 1966 the nonprofit Continuum of Care has been serving adults diagnosed with mental illness and severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. The agency is preparing for its Holiday Bazaar that will help fund a brand new and comprehensive program that will save taxpayers millions addressing homeless individuals diagnosed with one or more of these issues - so tune in and see how you can help.Then, we're bringing in the Managing Director, Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast to get you up to speed on issues from pedestrian and driving safety post Daylight Saving - to a new addition to our 'Slow Down, Move Over' law, a new mobile EV emergency charging unit, and what to know if you'll be traveling this Thanksgiving.And we'll celebrate the recent opening of the western Connecticut 'Food Farmacy' by replaying part of a spring series focusing on a first-of-its-kind collaboration between United Way of Western CT and Nuvance Health on this community-based site designed to connect folks diagnosed with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and/or hypertension to fresh healthful foods.

Hear from the leader of SCORE of Western CT about all the free and confidential resources for you whether you are a business owner who wants to take things to the next level, you're ready to break out on your own as an entrepreneur, or if you are a business person who's willing to share your talents and expertise as a mentor or coach.Then, we'll connect with Connecticut's Agriculture Commissioner and a state Ag Ambassador to talk about how easy, healthy, and economically feasible it is to 'Put CT Grown On Your Plate' for the fall and winter holidays - and every day!And we'll close with a rep from Eversource addressing the cost of energy and how that utility is offering a range of programs to assist folks with paying their energy bills.

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.

This week, we're introducing the CT Violence Intervention Program - CTVIP. This nonprofit practices trauma-informed care and unconditional care with every youth they come in contact with, providing a one-stop shop for at-risk youth and generally at-risk victims of violence throughout the New Haven region.Then we're checking in with State Senator Tony Hwang to discuss some of the most important outcomes from the 2023 General Assembly session, as well as a couple of issues still simmering that are likely to come up again in 2024.And we'll close replaying a segment featuring a unique nonprofit called Histoury - this organization hosts fun and educational tours helping folks in Fairfield County show off or learn about styles of architecture, community development, and the events and people that shaped these places.

If you are a small or medium size business, a start-up or entrepreneur who is ready to rock and roll, we've got a representative of the CT Small Business Development Center to let you in on everything the SBDC can do for you.Then we'll help parents, friends and loved ones of adolescents and teens facing possible mental health challenges access an important new resource from the CT Council of Family Service Agencies - free youth mental health screening and fast-track referrals for support to anyone who may need it across the state.And we'll close as Black Philanthropy Month arrives this August by bringing in the founder of Waterbury's Black Giving Circle, which is ramping up recruiting and is seeking a whole new group of younger new members who want to to cultivate charitable giving within the Black community.

We're inviting you back out to the Reservoir Community Farm to attend next weekend's Green Village Initiative (GVI) First Urban Farming Extravaganza connecting farmers and gardeners to engage in beginner and intermediate hands-on workshops with the goal of growing knowledge and interconnection, rooted in our shared goal to feed our loved ones and communities.Next — are you aware that right now, Connecticut lacks about 89,000 units of housing that are affordable and available to its lowest income renters, and the toll an escalating eviction crisis is taking on our economy, workforce, public health, education systems and quality of life? To get a better scope on the damage, we're bringing in a key research fellow at CT Voices for Children to unpack their latest report on the eviction crisis and how we'll need to address it.And we're closing introducing the CEO of the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center network to talk about how they are delivering a wide range of physical, mental, dental and wellness services to neighborhoods who need it the most. We'll also celebrate their newest project - the Dixwell Q-House.

This morning we're going to bookending our show promoting programs that will be directly or indirectly addressing two key recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action and student load debt. We're opening by briefing educators, nonprofit representatives and community members about the upcoming Sacred Heart University symposium on Creating Antiracist Solutions, that will be addressing the recent SCOTUS decision on affirmative action.Then we'll help celebrate 190 years of supporting and helping local young people address and overcome challenges that may have life-altering implications as we visit with the Children's Center of Hamden.And we'll wrap with a chat focusing on anyone saddled with student loan debt who just saw a planned student loan debt forgiveness program struck down by SCOTUS. We'll also provide some highly valuable advice and assistance courtesy of AAA Northeast Bank's Director of Student Lending.