For the People

For the People is welcoming back our community partners from the Annie C. Courtney Foundation, providing connections for thousands local kids seeking foster care with trainings, support groups, referral services, and recruitment of families for children who need them. We'll focus on Annie C's New Beginnings initiative and ways that you can help the cause better care for kids who are aging out of foster care eligibility.

In this segment we head to The Elm City to check-in with the founder of cARTie - a traveling art classroom that recently found its forever home and greatly expanded space for creatives in the heart of New Haven's Westville Village. We'll get caught up on everything cARTie and prep you for their upcoming Fall Festival. Hang around and discover all the reasons you should get to know cARTie better!

If we had a baton we'd wave it. But we have something even better - the Conductor and President of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony are previewing the upcoming GBS season honoring great American composers and classics. Tune in and find out how you can attend and enjoy one or all of the symphony's upcoming offerings.

If we had a baton we'd wave it. But we have something even better - the Conductor and President of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony are previewing the upcoming GBS season honoring great American composers and classics. Tune in and find out how you can attend and enjoy one or all of the symphony's upcoming offerings.Then we go from the Park City to The Elm City to check-in with the founder of cARTie - a traveling art classroom that recently found its forever home and greatly expanded space for creatives in the heart of New Haven's Westville Village. We'll get caught up on everything cARTie and prep you for their upcoming Fall Festival. Hang around and discover all the reasons you should get to know cARTie better!The we welcome back our community partners from the Annie C. Courtney Foundation, providing connections for thousands local kids seeking foster care with trainings, support groups, referral services, and recruitment of families for children who need them. We'll focus on Annie C's New Beginnings initiative and ways that you can help the cause better care for kids who are aging out of foster care eligibility.

Bridgeport's Southwest Community Health Center is a growing public health agency providing high quality, accessible medical, dental and behavioral health services to individuals and families - especially the uninsured who reside in the medically underserved Southwest Bridgeport community. Find out if they offer a health care service you may need or learn about their upcoming annual gala. We'll explain how and why you should consider supporting the cause through this event, direct donations, or volunteering.

Since the early 1950s, Stamford-based ARI has consistently been ahead of the curve developing programs and facilities and helping destigmatize and integrate alternately abled and neurodivergent young people and adults into the community and our regional workforce. So, tune in and learn all about ARI and the agency's upcoming benefit event that will give y'all a chance to break out your cowboy boots!

As we move through September - Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - hear from a local lawmaker who was a driving force behind the state establishing its Transforming Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. You'll learn how that committee is now partnering with United Way of Connecticut and others to publicize both the immediate resources available for the families of young people experiencing mental health emergencies, as well as a network of mental health intake centers especially for young people established through our guest's dedicated work.

As we move through September - Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - we'll touch base with a local lawmaker who was a driving force behind the state establishing its Transforming Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. We'll hear how that committee is now partnering with United Way of Connecticut and others to publicize both the immediate resources available for the families of young people experiencing mental health emergencies, as well as a network of mental health intake centers especially for young people established through our guest's dedicated work.Then we'll re-connect with Stamford based ARI. Since the early 1950s, ARI has consistently been ahead of the curve developing programs and facilities and helping destigmatize and integrate alternately abled and neurodivergent young people and adults into the community and our regional workforce. We'll also tell you all about ARI's upcoming benefit event that will give you a chance to break out your cowboy boots.And we'll close with a rep from the Southwest Community Health Center. This growing public health agency is providing high quality, accessible medical, dental and behavioral health services to individuals and families - especially the uninsured who reside in the medically underserved Southwest Bridgeport community. Their annual gala is coming up, so we'll tell you how and why you should consider supporting the cause through this event, direct donations, or volunteering.

Tap into our latest informative conversation with The Connecticut Project. Since 2025, The Connecticut Project has been advocating for the state to protect the more than 32,000 residents who have lost SNAP due to federal cuts and changes, so we'll be focusing on what's to like and what's not to like for working class people who participated in the recent statewide one-time SNAP grocery card plan.

We're welcome back our friends from the Women's Mentoring Network - providing the foundational skills for women to secure quality employment and pursue their educational goals - all at no cost. We'll discuss how you could play an important role in the work they are doing, or support the cause at the nonprofit's upcoming gala coming up later this week in Greenwich.

We're rolling with Wishes on Wheels, a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing families, the trucking community, and supporters together to raise awareness, hope, and funds for children facing life-threatening illnesses. On September 27, Wishes on Wheels is hosting their annual Truck Convoy and Family Fun Day, so we'll talk with a rep from the nonprofit to let you in on how to attend or get involved.

We're going to open the show rolling with Wishes on Wheels, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing families, the trucking community, and supporters together to raise awareness, hope, and funds for children facing life-threatening illnesses. On September 27, Wishes on Wheels is hosting their annual Truck Convoy and Family Fun Day, so we'll talk with a rep from the nonprofit to let you in on how to attend or get involved.Then, we'll welcome back our friends from the Women's Mentoring Network - providing the foundational skills for women to secure quality employment and pursue their educational goals - all at no cost. We'll discuss how you could play an important role in the work they are doing, or support the cause at the nonprofit's upcoming gala coming up later this week in Greenwich.And we'll wrap things up featuring an informative conversation with The Connecticut Project. Since 2025, The Connecticut Project has been advocating for the state to protect the more than 32,000 residents who have lost SNAP due to federal cuts and changes, so we'll be focusing on what's to like and what's not to like for working class people who participated in the recent statewide one-time SNAP grocery card plan.

We're connecting with an organizer for Boobstock 2026. Boobstock is a 100% volunteer-run charity music festival held annually in Deep River. Since 2013, Boobstock has brought together musicians, families, and friends for a day of live music — all in the name of supporting breast cancer patients at Middlesex Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Stick with us and learn how you can attend!

Tune in and hear from the founder of Connecticut's own Women's Business Development Council. For 29 years, the WBDC has been the leader in entrepreneurial training and financial education for women, delivering programs and services that result in economic development and financial security for individuals and businesses. Their Catalyst Symposium event is coming up, so stick around and we'll tell you all about how the WBDC can help you - guys too!

Let's talk recycling - specifically about recycling gas cylinders  — you know, the ones typically used for camping, cooking, DIY projects, filling balloons and other household tasks. Nearly a year ago, Connecticut began partnering with the Cylinder Collective, and we're going to fill you in about how this stewardship program  makes it easy to support recycling these cylinders easily and efficiently, thereby reducing our impact on the environment. 

We're opening talking about recycling - specifically about recycling gas cylinders. Nearly a year ago, Connecticut began partnering with the Cylinder Collective, and we're going to fill you in about how this stewardship program  makes it easy to support recycling these cylinders easily and efficiently, thereby reducing our impact on the environment. Then we'll bring back the founder of Connecticut's own Women's Business Development Council. For 29 years, the WBDC has been the leader in entrepreneurial training and financial education for women, delivering programs and services that result in economic development and financial security for individuals and businesses. Their Catalyst Symposium event is coming up, so stick around and we'll tell you all about how the WBDC can help you - guys too!Then, we'll be connecting with an organizer for Boobstock 2026. Boobstock is a 100% volunteer-run charity music festival held annually in Deep River. Since 2013, Boobstock has brought together musicians, families, and friends for a day of live music — all in the name of supporting breast cancer patients at Middlesex Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Stick with us and learn how you can attend!

Meet a couple of representatives from Bridges Healthcare, a regional mental health authority for Milford, Orange, West Haven, Stratford and greater New Haven. We'll discuss how Bridges is supporting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month activities and invite you to walk or wheel your way to their upcoming 35th Annual Folks on Spokes & Step Forward event.

We're in the thick of back to school season and Labor Day is approaching, so we're connecting with our partners at the CT Dept. of Transportation to review some important safety reminders, and let you in on their upcoming Drive Sober Campaign. We'll also cover a number of other projects our state DOT is heading up. 

We're in the thick of back to school season and Labor Day is approaching, so we're connecting with our partners at the CT Dept. of Transportation to review some important safety reminders, and let you in on their upcoming Drive Sober Campaign. We'll also cover a number of other projects our state DOT is heading up. Then we'll bring in a couple of representatives from Bridges Healthcare, a regional mental health authority for Milford, Orange, West Haven, Stratford and greater New Haven. We'll discuss how Bridges is supporting Suicide Prevention Awareness Month activities and invite you to walk or wheel your way to their upcoming 35th Annual Folks on Spokes & Step Forward event.And due to a scheduling issue, we're closing with a replay of an early summer chat featuring the Curator of Education at Beardsley Zoo to help you discover all the incredible things happening at Connecticut's only zoo. There's a lot more than one day trip worth of excitement happening, and we want you to know all about it so you can dive into all the fun at the zoo, too!

For the People is reconnecting  with community partners at McCall Behavioral Health Network. We'll talk about how that regional provider was recently accepted into the World Trade Center Health Program, becoming a provider of coordinated behavioral health and primary care services for eligible 9/11 responders and survivors in Connecticut. 

Part 2 our Special Report on eBikes continues with two representatives from UConn Health Waterbury Hospital - one who has been a volunteer medical first responder for decades, along with a nurse who manages of the hospital's Emergency Dept. We'll pick up the conversation detailing their experiences and perspectives as they see eBike, moped, and scooter collisions rapidly escalating across the region they serve.

In Part 1 of a For the People Special Report is focusing on eBikes with a lot of critical information aimed at parents and those providing eBikes for younger riders, as well as riders who want to be as safe as possible when operating alongside other motor vehicles on Connecticut's roadways. We'll open talking with a Newtown Police officer who will talk about current laws related to eBikes and some potent observations of what he is seeing on local roadways.

Today we'll be bringing you a For the People Special Report focusing on eBikes with a lot of critical information aimed at parents and those providing eBikes for younger riders, as well as riders who want to be as safe as possible when operating alongside other motor vehicles on Connecticut's roadways. We'll open talking with a Newtown Police officer who will talk about current laws related to eBikes and some potent observations of what he is seeing on local roadways.Then our Special Report on eBikes continues with two representatives from UConn Health Waterbury Hospital - one who has been a first responder for decades, along with a nurse who manages of the hospital's Emergency Dept. We'll pick up the conversation detailing their experiences and perspectives as they see eBike, moped, and scooter collisions rapidly escalating across the region they serve.Then, in our final segment, we'll reconnect with community partners at McCall Behavioral Health Network. We'll talk about how that regional provider was recently accepted into the World Trade Center Health Program, becoming a provider of coordinated behavioral health and primary care services for eligible 9/11 responders and survivors in Connecticut. 

Part 2 of our Special Report continues with one of CEDF's own clients, the CEO and founder of Divine Strategic Solutions. This consulting firm partners with nonprofits, municipalities, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership, improve operations, and build long-term sustainability. Our guest has lots of advice to offer for nonprofits regarding practical alternate funding sources, so if you have anything to do with a nonprofit, listen in!

Check out the first of a two-part For the People Special Report celebrating National Nonprofit Day by focusing on how nonprofits are diversifying their funding. We called on the VP and CFO at Connecticut's Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) to explain how her organization not only helps small businesses, but also nonprofits through affordable financing, targeted training, and one-on-one coaching.

We're connecting with the President of Stamford's Downtown Special Services District to learn the role the agency plays in placemaking and fostering personal connection. Hear how Stamford Downtown is fully engaged in boosting its community's profile and economic potential with creative programs including public art installations, upbeat public block parties, and highlighting the city's many thriving restaurants.

We're connecting with the President of Stamford's Downtown Special Services District to learn the role the agency plays in placemaking and fostering personal connection. Hear how Stamford Downtown is fully engaged in boosting its community's profile and economic potential with creative programs including public art installations, upbeat public block parties, and highlighting the city's many thriving restaurants.Then, we've got the first of a two-part For the People Special Report celebrating National Nonprofit Day by focusing on how nonprofits are diversifying their funding. We called on the VP and CFO at Connecticut's Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) to explain how her organization not only helps small businesses, but also nonprofits through affordable financing, targeted training, and one-on-one coaching.Then Part 2 of our Special Report continues with one of CEDF's own clients, the CEO and founder of Divine Strategic Solutions. This consulting firm partners with nonprofits, municipalities, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership, improve operations, and build long-term sustainability. Our guest has lots of advice to offer for nonprofits regarding practical alternate funding sources, so if you have anything to do with a nonprofit, listen in!

For the People is continuing our monthly series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer - with Lori Cochran Dougall of the Westport Farmers Market and the newly formed Connecticut Farmers Market Association. Our engaging discussion is focusing on how farmers markets across the state provide a vital public-facing opportunity for farmers to sell what they grow and produce directly to you.

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers RIDES+ initiative is just one of six inspired grassroots, volunteer programs in need your support. So check out For the People's segment with the IVCG's leader and a passionate volunteer who are looking for others willing to share their rides with folks who need transportation to critical medical appointments.

The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers RIDES+ initiative is just one of six inspired grassroots, volunteer programs in need your support. So check out our segment with the IVCG's leader and a passionate volunteer who are looking for others willing to share their rides with folks who need transportation to critical medical appointments.Then, we're continuing our monthly series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer - bringing back Lori Cochran Dougall of the Westport Farmers Market and the newly formed Connecticut Farmers Market Association. We'll have an enlightening discussion focusing on how farmers markets across the state provide a vital public-facing opportunity for farmers to sell what they grow and produce.And we'll close by replaying an earlier interview focusing on the important safety practice that is Call Before You Dig. This week brings us August 11, so we'll remind you why thinking about and reaching out to 8-1-1 before you excavate will help keep you safe, and on the right side of the law.

This segment introduces a representative from APEX Community Care - a nonprofit working across several western Connecticut communities advocating for and providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health and substance use disorders. Find out how APEX is actively promoting education and prevention, while supporting clients' families and loved ones.

Hear from a childhood education expert from The Connecticut Project, which just released findings from the fourth CT RAPID Survey collaboration focusing on early literacy and early relational health. Learn how community members  are participating in daily reading and bonding with their young children, and the challenges some of them face.

For the People recently learned about the UnGroup Society - a forward-thinking, community action network that develops, promotes, and supports collaboration and unity to reduce gun violence for all residents of Waterbury and beyond. So tune in as we talk with the UnGroup Society's leader about the important work they're doing.

For the People recently learned about the UnGroup Society - a forward-thinking, community action network that develops, promotes, and supports collaboration and unity to reduce gun violence for all residents of Waterbury and beyond. So tune in as we talk with the UnGroup Society's leader about the important work they're doing.Then we'll introduce a childhood education expert from The Connecticut Project, which just released findings from the fourth CT RAPID Survey collaboration focusing on early literacy and early relational health. Learn how community members  are participating in daily reading and bonding with their young children, and the challenges some of them face.And we'll close connecting with a representative from APEX Community Care. This nonprofit works across western Connecticut advocating for and providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health and substance use disorders, actively promoting education and prevention, while supporting their families and loved ones.

For the People is catching up with cARTie - and it will be so much easier now that they've expanded from their rolling gallery and activity bus to their very own brick and mortar location in Westville Village. We'll hear about, and invite you to be part of the entire new line-up of activities cARTie will be offering, so stick around and check it out!

We're introducing a new community partner - the Rock the Walls Foundation. This nonprofit is creating one of the nation's most comprehensive resource hubs for survivors of domestic abuse by uniting critical education, support, and healing in one safe, welcoming community — powered by music and advocacy. 

For the People is bringing you the next segment of our monthly series celebrating 2026 - The International Year of the Woman Farmer. We're visiting with the mother / daughter team of Diana Paproski and Stephanie Paproski-Kearns, who help support the thriving agritourism and innovative diversity of services provided by Castle Hill Farm. 

For the People opens with the next segment of our monthly series celebrating 2026 - The International Year of the Woman Farmer. We'll be visiting with the mother / daughter team of Diana Paproski and Stephanie Paproski-Kearns, who help support the thriving agritourism and innovative diversity of services provided by Castle Hill Farm. Then we're introducing a new community partner - the Rock the Walls Foundation. This nonprofit is creating one of the nation's most comprehensive resource hubs for survivors of domestic abuse by uniting critical education, support, and healing in one safe, welcoming community — powered by music and advocacy. And we'll close catching up with cARTie - and it will be so much easier now that they've expanded from their rolling gallery and activity bus to their very own brick and mortar location in Westville Village. We'll hear about, and invite you to be part of the entire new line-up of activities cARTie will be offering, so stick around and check it out!

For the People is sewing seeds of excitement as we help celebrate our state's 116th Plant Science Day. We'll chat with the Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to find out why this long-running free public activity is so popular, along with a few other important environmental and health related projects being conducted by Experiment Station scientists.

In this report, For the People is talking with a stuntman at @TrumbullBMX who is seeing a whole new world of opportunity for alternately abled, neurodivergent, and sight compromised young people, by introducing them to the world of BMX racing.

We're hitting the road to Trumbull to meet a trio of representatives at the Thrive Wellness Center to discuss how this nonprofit is taking an amazingly holistic approach to anyone facing cancer - as well as providing guidance and support for their loved ones.

We're hitting the road to Trumbull for our first segment to meet a trio of representatives at the Thrive Wellness Center to discuss how this nonprofit is taking an amazingly holistic approach to anyone facing cancer - as well as providing guidance and support for their loved ones.Then we'll hang around Trumbull and talk with a stuntman who is seeing a whole new world of opportunity for alternately abled, neurodivergent, and sight compromised young people, by introducing them to the world of BMX racing.And we'll wrap things up sewing seeds of excitement as we help celebrate our state's 116th Plant Science Day. We'll chat with the Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to find out why this long-running free public activity is so popular, along with a few other important environmental and health related projects being conducted by Experiment Station scientists.

As stats involving gun suicides escalates to disturbing new heights, we are re-engaging around the subject of mental health, crises, and suicide. Our guest from Mental Health Connecticut is ready to join our chorus of voices promoting hope and the fact that you are not alone. And we'll invite you to support suicide prevention at the 'Bear With Us Music Fest' - a very special musical event coming soon to Bethel.

Meet a rep from EnergizeCT, who called in to explain the organization's Community Energy Boost Grant, a new funding initiative designed to support communities in their efforts to promote cost-saving energy efficiency programs and solutions. Check it out and see if your home or business qualifies.

As far as AARP Connecticut is concerned, 13 is a really lucky number because it represents the number of community-building projects that will be funded by more than $100,000 in grants aiming to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move, and stay connected in their neighborhoods. So, tune in and learn whether one or more of these projects are coming to your community!

As far as AARP Connecticut is concerned, 13 is a really lucky number because it represents the number of community-building projects that will be funded by more than $100,000 in grants aiming to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move, and stay connected in their neighborhoods.And while we're on the subject of grants, we'll introduce a rep from EnergizeCT to explain the organization's Community Energy Boost Grant, a new funding initiative designed to support communities in their efforts to promote cost-saving energy efficiency programs and solutions.And we'll close re-engaging around the subject of mental health, crises, and suicide. Our guest from Mental Health Connecticut is ready to join our chorus of voices promoting hope and the fact that you are not alone. And we'll invite you to support suicide prevention at the 'Bear With Us Music Fest' - a very special musical event coming soon to Bethel.

Dive into a chat with the Curator of Education at Beardsley Zoo and discover all the incredible things happening at Connecticut's only zoo all summer long. There's more than one day trip worth of excitement happening, and we want you to know all about it so you can dive into all the fun at the zoo, too!

Meet the Commissioner from the Office of Early Childhood (OEM). She's going to discuss the establishment and purpose of the state's recently announced Early Childhood Endowment and its three areas of focus, as well as unpacking details of the state-funded Early Start CT program.

As we head into July, we're continuing our celebration of 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer - by introducing Erin Sepe Pirro of Pirro Farm. If you think it's all about  raising fruits and veggies - we'll talk with this woman farmer about her lifelong passion for sheep and everything they can provide.

As we head into July, we're continuing our celebration of 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer - by introducing Erin Sepe Pirro of Pirro Farm. If you think it's all about  raising fruits and veggies - we'll talk with this woman farmer about her lifelong passion for sheep and everything they can provide.Then, we'll engage the Commissioner from the Office of Early Childhood (OEM). She's going to discuss the establishment and purpose of the state's recently announced Early Childhood Endowment and its three areas of focus, as well as unpacking details of the state-funded Early Start CT program.And we'll close diving into a chat with the Curator of Education at Beardsley Zoo to help you discover all the incredible things happening at Connecticut's only zoo all summer long. There's more than one day trip worth of excitement happening, and we want you to know all about it so you can dive into all the fun at the zoo, too!

For the People is visiting with the 2026 Ringmaster of Bridgeport's legendary Barnum Festival. All the excitement comes to a head this coming weekend with several community activities and celebrations - so, we'll let you know how you can get in on all the fun!