Community Access

We spoke with Sarah DiMeo-Carabetta from Acts 4 Ministry about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program at Travelers. Acts 4 Ministry, which started in 2002, provides essential items like clothing, housewares, and furniture to those in need. They have collected and redistributed over 10,000 square feet of goods. Sarah shares a personal story about a single mother and her daughters, which inspired their "Sleep Well" program, providing over 3,000 new beds to children.

We spoke with Perkin Simpson from Generation Power CT, formerly known as Operation Fuel. Perkin explains their mission to assist individuals with energy, fuel, water, and electricity bills, and provides education and advocacy. They experienced a record number of applications, with nearly 4,000 in nine days, leading to some being denied due to lack of funds. Generation Power CT serves all of Connecticut, helping people in 165 of the state's 169 towns.

We spoke with Cat Clark from the Racquets for Life Foundation (RFL) about their Birdies for Charity program. RFL provides after-school and summer tennis programs for Hartford Public Schools students, including a graduation ceremony where participants receive rackets and balls. They also support individuals with disabilities, such as Asian A with cerebral palsy and a girl on the autism spectrum. Kat shares her personal background in tennis and the foundation's plans for future events.

We spoke with Sarah McDonagh from the Bridgeport Rescue Mission explains their services, including a food pantry, housing programs, and addiction recovery, noting higher needs in Bridgeport compared to state averages. They also operate a free community health clinic in partnership with Sage. Sarah emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma around addiction and invites the community to support their upcoming event on July 28.

We spoke with Megan Wells from RISP Inc., a Bloomfield-based nonprofit focused on youth development, veteran assistance, and community needs. RISP hosts tournaments across New England, raising funds for various organizations. The program emphasizes the importance of sports in building skills like communication and teamwork. They also plan to launch "Beyond the Bases," a year-round initiative to develop athletic skills and community involvement in Bloomfield and surrounding towns.

We spoke with Carrie Taylor from the Windsor Historical Society about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus to donations made before the Travelers Championship ends. Carrie emphasizes the relevance of local history, highlighting Windsor's status as Connecticut's first English settlement in 1633 and its ongoing history. Upcoming events include a Benjamin Franklin talk and a national read-aloud of the Declaration of Independence on July 8. Carrie encourages community engagement and civic participation, promoting events like the town-wide celebration on July 2.

We spoke with Lauren Messner from the We Before Me Foundation discusses their mission to make youth hockey accessible, particularly through scholarships and an intramural program with Covenant Preparatory Academy. The foundation, founded by Duncan Fletcher, aims to provide equal opportunities for all players, including equipment, ice time, coaching, and tournament expenses. They plan a fundraiser at New Park Brewing on September 24.

We spoke with Dave Kinahan and Lauren Messner from Connecticut CASA, an organization that trains volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers, like Dave, work closely with the child, family, and other stakeholders to ensure the child's best interests are met. Donations support the training and supervision of these volunteers. CASA has over 150 active cases in Connecticut, primarily serving children aged 10 to 18.

We spoke with Steve Boyle about the origins of 2-4-1 Sports, a nonprofit promoting multi-sport participation, which transitioned to a nonprofit in 2021, expanding its reach significantly. They emphasize the importance of not specializing in one sport early and the benefits of social-emotional learning through sports. Steve highlights their work in underserved areas, including Baltimore and Hartford, and their various sports programs, such as Ultimate Team Handball and fencing.

We spoke with Andrew Montgomery about Sarah's Hope, a charity launched in memory of his daughter Sarah, who passed away from a rare blood cancer. Sarah's story gained attention through her TikTok updates, and the charity aims to raise $100,000 over five years, with $30,000 already raised. The charity is linked to Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund, where Sarah received treatment. An upcoming event, Art Harmony and Hope, will be held on July 11 to raise funds and honor Sarah. The event will feature local artists, a band, and catering, with sunflowers as the theme, symbolizing Sarah's favorite flower.

We spoke with Kevin Prue from Donate Life Connecticut. Kevin explains that Donate Life Connecticut focuses on organ donation awareness and increasing registrations to save lives. He shares his personal story of receiving a liver transplant on Thanksgiving Day 2022, highlighting the quick regeneration of the liver. Kevin emphasizes the importance of awareness and fundraising, noting that Donate Life Connecticut keeps overhead low to maximize impact.

We spoke with Kathryn Schubert from the Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. Connecticut Humane Society offers various services, including pet food assistance, free vaccine clinics, and emergency veterinary funds to help pet owners. They are currently experiencing high adoption rates, particularly for cats and kittens. Volunteers are needed for tasks like cleaning and socializing animals.

We spoke with Ryan Pettengill from the Dear Jack Foundation about their focus on supporting adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer, aged 15-39, through quality of life support, mental health resources, and community building. Ryan shares his personal connection to the cause, highlighting the lack of support for AYA patients and the importance of community. The foundation uses 85% of donations for programs like wish granting, retreats, and virtual support, emphasizing the need for mental health support post-treatment.

We spoke with Steve Morris from the Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford about the organization's mission to improve literacy among adults, serving 19% of Hartford's population who read at or below the second-grade level. The nonprofit, established in 1972, offers classes in English, reading, writing, and citizenship preparation, with 100-125 volunteers annually. Steve highlighted a success story of a veteran who overcame illiteracy and built a bookshelf to display his reading achievements. The organization serves over 500 students annually and encourages community engagement and volunteerism.

We spoke with Jennifer O'Neill from Caritas Immigration Legal Services about their work providing legal assistance to low-income immigrant families in Central Connecticut. Caritas, formed in 2022, addresses the lack of affordable, trustworthy legal services for immigrants, many of whom are vulnerable to scams. They offer consultations, information, and legal representation. Jennifer shares a personal story about a mother seeking status for her children after being scammed by a private attorney. Donations to Caritas support their mission, funding services like information provision and legal consultations.

We spoke with Larisa Kottke from Leadership Greater Hartford at the Travelers Championship. Leadership Greater Hartford aims to develop and connect leaders to strengthen Greater Hartford, focusing on community leadership. Their programs, including training for nonprofit board members, foster collaboration across various sectors. Larissa highlights the importance of local impact and shares success stories of alumni leading nonprofits and state agencies.

We spoke with Lisa Lappe from The New Britain Museum of American Art, the oldest museum of American art in the nation, houses over 9,000 pieces of art spanning three centuries. The museum offers various social programs, including "Museum After Dark" events with themed parties like the annual "Mad Party" that attracts around 600 people in costume. The museum also hosts free community days on the third Saturday of each month and a Chalk Art Festival in July. Donations to the museum support these programs and contribute to community well-being.

We spoke with Brianna Dunlap from South Park Inn, a 40-year-old homeless shelter in Hartford, about their services, including emergency shelter, veteran programs, and respite care for hospital discharges. The shelter currently operates at 80% capacity, rising to 100% in winter. They emphasize holistic support, including documentation assistance, sobriety programs, and mental health services. Brianna highlighted the importance of community support, especially with rising food costs, and shared a success story about a guest named Harold who has been successfully housed and is thriving.

We spoke with Nadine Thomas from Underground New England, an organization combating human trafficking in Connecticut since 2012, about the prevalence of trafficking across the state and the services they offer, including mental health, medical care, and housing for survivors. Donations directly support these services, helping survivors rebuild their lives. The organization also provides resources for reporting trafficking and encourages support through their website.

We spoke with Father Jeffrey Romans, Chairman of the Pastors Advisory Committee for the Archbishop's annual appeal, explains the Archdiocese of Hartford's role in supporting 93 parishes and over 160 local charities through the Vicaria Outreach Program. Last year, the appeal distributed over $1 million to these charities. Donors are encouraged to make their contributions before Sunday to receive the bonus match.

We spoke with Janice Castle from the Clay Arsenal Community Development Corporation (CDC) at the Travelers Championship. Janice explains that Clay Arsenal, a neighborhood in Hartford, is named after its historical significance and soil. The CDC, certified under the Governor's Poverty Reduction Act, aims to eradicate concentrated poverty by focusing on access to opportunity, including education, jobs, and housing. They also invest in neighborhood improvement to enhance quality of life without displacing residents.

We spoke with Harry Bellucci, Executive Director of Hartford PAL, at the Travelers Championship. Hartford PAL, which stands for Police Activities League, provides free after-school and summer programs for youth in Hartford, focusing on sports, education, and community engagement. Harry highlights the success of their programs, including a STEM program, a culinary program that has become very popular, and a theater program run by Hartford Stage. He also mentions their efforts to bring PAL to local elementary schools to make their services more accessible. Donations to Hartford PAL help fund these programs, ensuring children have access to opportunities similar to those in suburban areas.

We spoke with Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More, about her organization's mission to support victims of sexual crimes. Started 20 years ago, the foundation aims to improve societal reactions to victims and educate on consent and bystander intervention. Donations fund free programs in schools and self-defense classes for women and girls. Donna highlighted the removal of the statute of limitations on sexual crimes with DNA evidence in Connecticut, thanks to her case. She emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about sexual crimes and empowering victims.

We spoke with Bridget Quinn from the Hartford Public Library about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus on donations to charities, including the Hartford Public Library, thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. The library uses the Library of Congress classification system and has expanded its digital collections and services, including HPL Studios for podcasting and video production. They offer educational programs, workforce readiness, and community resources like the Hartford History Center. Donations support these initiatives and are matched by the Zachs Family Foundation.

We spoke with Cody Foss from Kind Works Inc. about their mission to inspire kindness through community art at the Travelers Championship. Kind Works, a nonprofit from Bethel, Connecticut, aims to connect communities and promote self-kindness. They emphasize the importance of kindness in combating social isolation and mental health issues, highlighting the ripple effect of small acts of kindness. Cody shared their initiatives, including educational workshops, mural campaigns, and community art projects like kindness tokens. They also announced upcoming events: a bell hanging on July 16, a stepping stone workshop on July 30, and a Teacher Appreciation Day on August 19.

We spoke with Emily about Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW). NOW, a nonprofit since 2011, provides free sports opportunities and scholarships for youth in the Northeast 395 Connector area, serving 10 towns. They offer life skills, social-emotional support, and programs like Mindful Munchkins for young children. Donations support scholarships and low-cost programs, including soccer clinics and nutrition courses. Upcoming events include a Tuesday night soccer clinic and a best soccer clinic in July.

We spoke with Dawn Saczynski from RJ's Goals, a foundation created in memory of Dawn's son RJ Giammattei, who passed away at 27. RJ's Goals aims to provide soccer balls to children, having donated to various organizations including the Brantford Soccer Club, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, and New Haven Parks and Rec. Dawn shares that the foundation has grown through word of mouth and community outreach, and they are currently participating in Birdies for Charity. They also plan to collaborate with American Outlaws, a soccer fan group, for World Cup watch parties.

We spoke with Alison Dvorak, Senior Resources Agency on Aging about their work supporting older adults and caregivers in Eastern Connecticut. Allison explains their services, including senior nutrition programs, caregiver support, and Medicare assistance. They manage federal and state funds to provide resources like transportation, home health aides, and groceries. Allison highlights their Service Navigation program, which helps individuals find the right resources. They also discuss special funds like Angel Fund and Daisy Fund, which assist with unmet needs. Allison emphasizes the importance of community awareness and fundraising, mentioning their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program.

We spoke with Renee LaBonte from the Southeast Connecticut Community Center of the Blind about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus match for donations. The center aims to build community for the blind and low vision individuals, providing various recreational activities like birding by ear, chair yoga, and sports. Renee highlights the importance of community support and shares her personal story of developing accessible chair yoga with the help of a yoga instructor.

We spoke with Michelle D'Amore from Ronald McDonald House about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. Ronald McDonald House provides essential services to keep families together during their children's medical crises, reducing the length of hospital stays and alleviating stress. They offer support for the entire family unit, including siblings, through various activities. Michelle highlights the significant reduction in depression among families who stay at Ronald McDonald House. They have three locations in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and volunteers are crucial to their operations.

We spoke with Ashley Dunn from New Horizons, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities in Unionville, Middlebury, and Canton. New Horizons provides barrier-free housing and community support, celebrating 40 years of operation. They offer transportation services to ensure residents attend appointments.

We spoke with Tara Gill from Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, an after-school program for girls in third to eighth grade that focuses on self-esteem, teamwork, and the importance of movement, culminating in a 5K run. Tara highlights the program's growth in Connecticut, serving about 750 girls across various counties and celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

We spoke with Matt Heller from Friends of Feeney, a nonprofit founded by Eric Feeney, a teacher in West Hartford, to support local children and families experiencing tragedy. Since becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2019, they have provided over $315,000 to 151 families. The organization offers direct financial assistance to families affected by the loss of a loved one, significant illness, serious injury, or displacement. All board members and volunteers are unpaid, ensuring maximum support for their mission.

We spoke with Liz Styblo from Capital Squash Inc. at the Travelers Championship for Birdies for Charity. Capital Squash is a non-profit after-school program in Hartford that combines an hour of squash with an hour of academic tutoring for students. Liz emphasizes the program's commitment to helping students become well-rounded individuals, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 21 out of 25 graduates attending college. Volunteer opportunities include on-court assistance, academic tutoring, and providing snacks.

We spoke with Dawn Whalen, the executive director of Rebuilding Together Hartford, about their organization's work. Rebuilding Together Hartford focuses on no-cost home repairs for Hartford homeowners with incomes around 50% of the area median income. They serve a wide range of people, including homeowners with small children, senior citizens, veterans, and those who have lost a spouse. Last year, they had 200 volunteers on National Rebuilding Day and are aiming for a $50,000 goal through the Travelers Birdies for Charity program.

We spoke with Shelly Pope, Executive Director of Shepherd Meadows Equestrian Center in Bristol, about their equine-assisted services, which include adaptive riding, hippo therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. The center, celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves individuals from age 4 to 94, with a focus on unmounted therapy. They offer group programs and open barn days.

We spoke with Andrew Montgomery, raising funds for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber in honor of his daughter Sarah, who had a rare and aggressive blood cancer, aims to raise over $100,000 for Dr. Andy Lane's research. Andrew's first fundraising event raised over $20,000, and they have already raised over $2,000 through Birdies for Charity.

We spoke with Jeff Bravin, Executive Director of the American School for the Deaf (ASD), and his interpreter, Heidi. ASD offers a range of programs including a statewide birth-to-three program, K-12 education, residential treatment for students with emotional and behavioral challenges, a summer camp in Salisbury, Connecticut, an online academy, community sign language classes, and interpreting services.

We spoke with Sivan Hines, President of Hartford Promise, about the organization's mission to provide college opportunities for Hartford students regardless of financial circumstances. Since its inception in 2016, Hartford Promise has awarded over $10 million in scholarships, with 500 graduates and 450 current students. The program offers comprehensive support, including individual college coaching, and serves 120-125 students annually, each eligible for up to $100,000.

We spoke with Anne D'Orvilliers, Chair of Medical Aid to Haiti Inc., about their efforts to provide healthcare in Haiti. Medical Aid to Haiti has been operating for over 16 years, supporting a hospital near Port-au-Prince that offers various medical services, including maternal health, surgery, ophthalmology, and dental care.

We spoke with Kelly Dougherty, Partnerships and Communications Coordinator at Hands on Hartford, about their community programs. Hands on Hartford, a 57-year-old nonprofit, serves Hartford with 11 programs focusing on food security, housing assistance, and health support. Their Gather 55 restaurant offers meals for $3 or through volunteer work during the day and transforms into a fine dining experience with guest chefs on the first Wednesday of each month, with tips and profits supporting their programs.

We spoke with Patrick Owens, Executive Director from Horizons at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut. The program, funded by Travelers' $4 million donation, serves 150 students from Hartford with six weeks of summer enrichment, including academics and various activities. The program is fee-free, thanks to $500,000 raised annually, with additional support from the Birdies for Charity program. Success stories include a student attending Westminster and another speaking at the Connecticut Science Center.

We spoke with Izzy Post Ruhland, the Marketing Director of the Enfield Fourth of July celebration, about the upcoming event. The celebration, which marks the 250th birthday of the United States, will take place from July 10-12. It features concerts, kids' activities, a parade, car show, road race, and fireworks, with the latter being the highlight, produced by Zambelli International.

We spoke with Matt Fleury, President and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center, about the center's community support and upcoming exhibits. The Science Center, a partnership between the state, philanthropists, and donors, has welcomed over 5 million visitors in 17 years. This summer, the center will feature a major shark exhibition, including a life-size megalodon, and an outdoor kids' space funded by Andy and Joyce Vandell and the Bronstein family.

We spoke with Krissy Dorsey, Executive Director of the CJK Foundation, about their involvement in the Travelers Championship. The CJK Foundation, which aims to make mental health accessible, receives a 15% match on donations thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. The foundation focuses on community support and provides financial assistance for mental health treatment, including co-pays and sliding scale therapy.

We spoke with Carrah Kalat, Aetna's Chief Marketing Officer. Last year, Travelers donated $4 million to area charities, with $2.8 million from the Birdies program, matched by Webster Bank and Aetna, which offers a 15% match on donations. Over 220 charities are participating this year. Aetna's involvement reflects their commitment to community support, having been deeply rooted in Connecticut for over 173 years. The program allows donations to be matched, enhancing the impact of charitable contributions.

We spoke with Jennifer Levine, Director of External Relations at Hartford Stage, about their upcoming collaboration with TheaterWorks Hartford on the production of "Sweeney Todd." The show, directed by Rob Ruggiero, will run from June 5 to July 5.

We spoke with Tamer Mourad, Vice President and Director of Training at Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, about their work and the impact of donations. Fidelco, which has been breeding German Shepherds since the 1960s, provides guide dogs to visually impaired individuals through community placements, where trainers travel to clients' homes.

We spoke with Kara Capone, CEO of Mercy Housing and Shelter, about their work in Hartford. Established in 1983, Mercy Housing aims to help people transition from homelessness to stability. The demand for their services has surged post-COVID due to an affordable housing crisis.

We spoke with Shaun Heffernan, Executive Director of Camp Rising Sun, about how the camp offers a free, therapeutic summer experience for children with cancer and their siblings, including activities like horseback riding and swimming.

We spoke with Mark Moriarty, CEO of First Tee Connecticut, about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. First Tee Connecticut introduces golf and life skills to young people aged 5 to college, emphasizing the importance of learning and fun.