For the People

We want to help you get all the exercise in that you need in one weekend, while helping support great causes like ARI of Connecticut. Celebrating 20 years, their Walk for Independence benefits individuals receiving residential, day, employment, medical and other support. Make it a feel good weekend and join them April 26 at Cove Island Park and meet many of the nearly 100 individuals that will benefit from your support. 

We want to help you get all the exercise in that you need in one weekend, while helping support great causes starting with the Cornelia deLange Syndrome Foundation. tune in and hear how this often hard to diagnose condition affects newborns and their families - and how the CdLS Foundation is supporting thanks to folks participating in the April 25 Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation Walk to Fight Rare Diseases.

This segment focuses on how strengthening our regional workforce can help address challenges veterans are facing as we check in with Joe Carbone at The WorkPlace. Learn why his agency just received a $150,000 grant that will go straight to tackling veteran homelessness and mental health in Connecticut.

We'll open it up today on the subject how strengthening our regional workforce can help address challenges veterans are facing as we check in with Joe Carbone at The WorkPlace. Learn why his agency just received a $150,000 grant that will go straight to tackling veteran homelessness and mental health in Connecticut.Then we'll help you get all the exercise in that you need in one weekend, while helping support great causes starting with the Cornelia deLange Syndrome Foundation. Stick around and hear how this often hard to diagnose condition affects newborns and their families - and how the CdLS Foundation is supporting thanks to folks participating in the April 25 Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation Walk to Fight Rare Diseases.Then we'll close with ARI of Connecticut. Celebrating 20 years, their Walk for Independence benefits individuals receiving residential, day, employment, medical and other support. Make it a feel good weekend and join them April 26 at Cove Island Park and meet many of the nearly 100 individuals that will benefit from your support. 

One of our long-standing traditions here on For the People is to continue focusing on and promoting Connecticut Grown - whether it's in the world of agriculture or aquaculture. And as in year's past, we brought our microphone to the recent Ag Day celebration at the state Capital. So as you get ready for your own celebrations this Sunday, tap into conversations with our state Agriculture Commissioner, and a number of farmers and organizations helping them be successful and sustainable, including Jones Winery, the CT Council on Soil and Water Conservation, CtAgFairs, CitySeed, the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association, and reps on pollinators and PFAS from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

For the People is circling back to the subject of food insecurity and how demand for assistance is still increasing in a discussion with the director of CT Foodshare. As we head into spring, it was important to keep listeners thinking about hungry children and families in our own neighborhoods, and how to help make the most difference by supporting the cause.

We're continuing our year-long series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer, by getting to know Chris Bassette and her operation - Killam & Bassette Farmstead. Hear how she and her husband are bringing up Connecticut's next-gen farmers while running a diversified agriculture operation featuring produce, eggs, pork, chicken, and tobacco, a CSA program, farm stand, multiple farmers' markets, farm dinners and more.

If you're driving out of Derby heading north along the Housatonic, we want to draw your attention to that bright blue and white building and the great folks who run and support St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley's Thrift Shoppe & Food Bank. Check out how they turn thousands of second hand items into an amazing outpouring to address food insecurity across the Naugatuck Valley region.

If you're driving out of Derby heading north along the Housatonic, we want to tell you about that bright blue and white building and the great folks who run and support St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley's Thrift Shoppe & Food Bank. Check out how they turn thousands of second hand items into an amazing outpouring to address food insecurity across the Naugatuck Valley region.Then we'll continue with our year-long series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer, by getting to know Chris Bassette and her operation - Killam & Bassette Farmstead. Hear how she and her husband and Connecticut's next-gen farmers are running a diversified agriculture operation featuring produce, eggs, pork, chicken, and tobacco, all of which they market through their CSA program, farm stand, multiple farmers' markets, farm dinners and more. Finally, we'll circle back to the subject of food insecurity and how demand for assistance is still increasing as we bring back the director of CT Foodshare. As we head into spring, it's important to keep thinking about hungry children and families in our own neighborhoods. So, tune in and we'll tell you how to help make the most difference.

Check out our chat with a Griffin Health's Physical Medicine specialist, previewing a free series of talks on Body Mechanics and Adaptive Equipment to help aging adults across the Naugatuck Valley prevent injury while raking, shoveling and gardening. We'll also talk about how supportive/adaptive equipment can help seniors maintain independence.

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

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

Today, we'll sit down with the person heading up Connecticut's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging. They've got a few scenarios to discuss that can help folks on Medicare better understand how scammers can cleverly begin taking advantage of them, and some other good advice to help folks better understand this segment of health care coverage.Then, we'll visit with the new acting executive director at the Center for Family Justice. We'll find out what that agency has been doing to step up their game under their  leadership to better protect and support families in crisis across the region - and let you know how you can help support that effort.And we'll close chatting with a Griffin Health's Physical Medicine specialist, previewing a free series of talks on Body Mechanics and Adaptive Equipment to help aging adults across the Naugatuck Valley prevent injury while raking, shoveling and gardening. We'll also talk about how supportive/adaptive equipment can help seniors maintain independence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This week we'll bring you an advocate, an ombudsman - and in-between - a little fly fishing. We're starting off with the Connecticut Healthcare Advocate, whose team is fighting to get your health insurance to cover what it's promising while educating  consumers about policies and terminology so you can better understand the healthcare plan you're depending on.Then we'll introduce a Connecticut spokesman for The Mayfly Project. This unique organization is lining up volunteers who are also fly fishing enthusiasts, to bring a summer-long social and recreational fishing experience to foster kids - that also helps them develop better resilience and leadership skills.And we'll wrap things up bringing back the Connecticut Cannabis Ombudsman. Her office has been busy Serving as a "vigilant guardian" for medical marijuana users, ensuring their needs are prioritized amid the growth of the adult-use market. Our discussion involves supporting legislation aimed at improving policies and practices related to the cannabis industry and all qualifying medical cannabis users.

For the People is bringing it home this week with our partners at the CT Dept. of Agriculture celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The second segment of our year-long series 'Women Farmers In Focus' introduces Yoco Roots and its founding farmer Corina Hayes - whose roots in agriculture date back several generations. Check out how she's cultivating culturally-relevant herbs and produce while engaging our next generation of young farmers!

For the People is connecting with a representative from Bridgeport's Hall Neighborhood House - a nonprofit serving underprivileged East Side residents for 140 years. Find out how this deeply-rooted neighborhood gathering place is addressing social, financial, recreational, and health needs across their service area, and how you can help them do even more.

Don't think our society has a major challenge to face when addressing youth social media addiction? Then, this segment may be kind of shocking as we bring in a Southern CT State University professor and expert on youth social media addiction to deliver some well researched scientific facts, discuss some disturbing trends that are only getting worse - along with suggesting some possible solutions.

Don't think our society has a major challenge to face when addressing youth social media addiction? Our first segment this morning may be kind of shocking as we bring in a Southern CT State University professor and expert on youth social media addiction to deliver some well researched scientific facts, discuss some disturbing trends that are only getting worse - along with suggesting some possible solutions.Then we'll visit a representative from Hall Neighborhood House, serving underprivileged Bridgeport East Side residents for 140 years. Fnd out how this community nonprofit is addressing social, financial, recreational, and health needs across their service area, and how you can help them do even more.And we'll close with Part 2 of our series celebrating 2026 - the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Meet Corina Hayes at Yoco Roots - whose roots in agriculture date back several generations. Listen and learn how she's cultivating culturally-relevant herbs and produce while engaging our next generation of young farmers.

Tune in as we reconnect with our business development partners at reSET, Connecticut's nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization. reSET is accepting applications now for its Spring 2026 Impact Accelerator. So, stick with us to find out how you can accelerate your business dream with this proven successful initiative.

Join us as we connect with the head of the Valley Community Foundation to talk about their recently launched 25 for the Next 25 - a forward-looking initiative designed to strengthen the organization's discretionary funds and expand its planned giving community in advance of the foundation's 25th anniversary in 2029. 

Connecticut's historic Goodspeed Opera House has been a fixture on the region's entertainment scene since 1877, and this summer we'll learn how the Goodspeed will be making history again as its leaders welcome young thespians to their first ever SummerSong theater program.

Today we'll begin with a bit of theater. Connecticut's historic Goodspeed Opera House has been a fixture on the region's entertainment scene since 1877, and this summer we'll learn how the Goodspeed will be making history again as its leaders welcome young thespians to their first ever summer theater camp.Then we'll connect with the head of the Valley Community Foundation to talk about their recently launched 25 for the Next 25 - a forward-looking initiative designed to strengthen the organization's discretionary funds and expand its planned giving community in advance of the foundation's 25th anniversary in 2029. And we'll close with our business development partners at reSET, Connecticut's nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization. reSET is accepting applications now for its Spring 2026 Impact Accelerator. So, stick with us to find out how you can accelerate your business dream with this proven successful initiative.

Hear from a representative from Access Health CT the Connecticut health insurance marketplace. If you are experiencing confusion about what's going on in the world of health insurance in 2026, or are on the fence about whether you need it or can afford it, we'll try to bring you the answers you need to ensure you'll be able take care of yourself in the event of an illness or injury.

For the People is welcoming back a representative from Read To Grow to learn about how this nonprofit has been championing literacy and early childhood education and development. And we'll find out more about Read to Grow's own Bookmobile and where you can go to experience all the fun and learning it has to offer.

February is 'Choose Love Month' - so we'll connect once again with the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement - to find out how this global nonprofit seeking to make our world a better place is continuing to innovate as it honors the memory and bravery of one of Sandy Hook Elementary School's young shooting victims.

February is 'Choose Love Month' - so we'll connect once again with the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement - to find out how this global nonprofit seeking to make our world a better place is continuing to innovate as it honors the memory and bravery of one of Sandy Hook Elementary School's young shooting victims.Then, we'll be welcoming back a representative from Read To Grow. We'll hear about how this nonprofit has been championing literacy and early childhood education and development - and we'll find out more about Read to Grow's own Bookmobile and where you can go to experience all the fun and learning it has to offer.And we'll close with a representative from Access Health CT the Connecticut health insurance marketplace. If you are experiencing confusion about what's going on in the world of health insurance in 2026, or are on the fence about whether you need it or can afford it, we'll try to bring you the answers you need to ensure you'll be able take care of yourself in the event of an illness or injury.

This segment represents the first of our monthly 'Women Farmers In Focus' series promoting the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Get to know the first of about a dozen Connecticut women farmers that For the People will be featuring throughout 2026 as we engage with Jen Halfinger of Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils in Higganum!

Meet our new Connecticut State Troubadour. Besides learning more about him, we'll tap into all the creative ways he hopes to promote and provide musicians and songwriters with greater visibility, as well as ensuring these musical creatives are able to be so much more than starving artists when it comes to getting fairly compensated for gigs.

Did you know 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Connecticut has a lot to celebrate when it comes to our venerable women farmers, so we're connecting with the Commissioner of the state's Department of Agriculture to cover a number of related subjects - and to help us kick off our year-long series focusing on local women farmers.

Did you know 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Connecticut has a lot to celebrate when it comes to our venerable women farmers, so we'll be connecting with the Commissioner of the state's Department of Agriculture to cover a number of related subjects - and to help us kick off our year-long series focusing on local women farmers.Then we'll raise collective voices and introduce our new Connecticut State Troubadour. Besides learning more about him, we'll tap into all the creative ways he hopes to promote and provide musicians and songwriters with greater visibility, as well as ensuring these musical creatives are able to be so much more than starving artists when it comes to getting fairly compensated for gigs.And, as promised, we'll bring you the first of our monthly 'Women Farmers In Focus' series promoting the International Year of the Woman Farmer getting to know the first of about a dozen Connecticut women farmers that For the People will be featuring throughout 2026. So put down roots for a few more minutes and enjoy a visit with Jen Halfinger of Halfinger Farms and Dancing Daffodils in Higganum!

We're continuing with our celebration of the YMCA's 175th Anniversary visiting with a couple of representatives from the Northern Middlesex YMCA. This centrally located Y has a lot to offer, along with a chance for hearty supporters to to take the plunge for a purpose by participating in their 12th Annual Chill for Change.

Whether you work or volunteer at a nonprofit, or just like supporting them - we're going to introduce you to the Connecticut philanthropic entrepreneur who brought us 'Shopping Anyway' - an innovative app that assists nonprofits with a place to list all their needed goods while helping kind people looking to make an impact with a place to find non-profits to support.

For the People is sharing a ton of accurately sourced details about insurance as we welcome the Connecticut Insurance Department's Interim Commissioner, who will be covering a range of related subjects and reminding you about his department's brand new online Consumer Information Center.

Today's For the People is going to put heavy focus on - and share a ton of accurately sourced details about insurance with the Connecticut Insurance Department's Interim Commissioner, who will be covering a range of related subjects and reminding you about his department's brand new online Consumer Information Center.Then - whether you work or volunteer at a nonprofit, or just like supporting them - we're going to introduce you to the Connecticut philanthropic entrepreneur who brought us 'Shopping Anyway' - an innovative app that assists nonprofits with a place to list all their needed goods while helping kind people looking to make an impact with a place to find non-profits to support.And we'll close continuing with our celebration of the YMCA's 175th Anniversary visiting with a couple of representatives from the Northern Middlesex YMCA. This centrally located Y has a lot to offer, along with a chance for hearty supporters to to take the plunge for a purpose by participating in their 12th Annual Chill for Change.

For the People is visiting with a couple of old friends representing the CT Food System Alliance. If you work in a restaurant, grocery, educational or institutional food service, we need you to be part of the Local Food Count - a New England initiative tracking local food spending to build a stronger and sustainable local food system while working toward a regional goal of 30% food self-sufficiency by 2030.

Check out our chat with associate professor Lauren Tucker about her work and her graduate elective class at Southern Connecticut State University. They have taken up a mission to add easier-to-use switches on toys that are then presented to teachers to use in their classrooms. Listen and learn why these modifications are so important.

For the People is proud to join the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA in celebrating 175 years of community building in 2026, as we welcome their current executive to discuss the organization's past and where it's headed. Tune in and find out why the Y is far more than a gym - it's a lifeline, a gathering place, and a trusted partner through both life's challenges and its celebrations.

For the People is proud to join the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA in celebrating 175 years of community building in 2026, as we welcome their current executive to discuss the organization's past and where it's headed. Tune in and find out why the Y is far more than a gym - it's a lifeline, a gathering place, and a trusted partner through both life's challenges and its celebrations.Then, we'll chat with associate professor Lauren Tucker about her work and her graduate elective class at Southern Connecticut State University. They have taken up a mission to add easier-to-use switches on toys that are then presented to teachers to use in their classrooms. Listen and learn why these modifications are so important.And we'll close visiting with a couple of old friends representing the CT Food System Alliance. We'll have an informative conversation about the New England State Food System Planners Partnership Local Food Count - a New England initiative tracking local food spending to build a stronger food system while working toward a regional goal of 30% food self-sufficiency by 2030.

Check out our conversation about breast cancer research, how one student at Fairfield University worked closely with her professor to discover how natural plant-derived compounds can help combat breast cancer, and how she will soon be presenting her findings on a national stage. 

As we have been reporting - demand for youth mental health care is rising, and families are facing long wait times.  So we'll chat with a leader at McCall Behavioral Health Network about how they're utilizing a new grant to address treatment delays and shortfalls by expanding access for youths ages 8–17 who are at risk of emotional distress, self-harm, or substance use.

We're opening our 2026 For the People program year with our community partners at AARP Connecticut. We'll clue you in on how you can access funds for a quick turnaround project to improve livability and quality of life in your community, and hear about AARP's agenda for the 2026 state legislative session.

We're opening our 2026 For the People program year with our community partners at AARP Connecticut. We'll clue you in on how you can access funds for a quick turnaround project to improve livability and quality of life in your community, and hear about AARP's agenda for the 2026 state legislative session.Then, as we have been reporting - demand for youth mental health care is rising, and families are facing long wait times.  So we'll chat with a leader at McCall Behavioral Health Network about how they're utilizing a new grant to address treatment delays and shortfalls by expanding access for youths ages 8–17 who are at risk of emotional distress, self-harm, or substance use.And we'll close with a conversation about breast cancer research, and how one student at Fairfield University worked closely with her professor to discover how natural plant-derived compounds can help combat breast cancer, and how she will soon be presenting her findings on a national stage. 

This week we're wrapping up our look back at some of the key segments For the People presented during 2025. We don't do a lot of singing on the award-winning For the People, and when we do it's usually singing praises for great organizations and today is no different as we replay interviews and songs we captured during our visit with some talented and inspiring singers inviting you to lend your voice to the coed Coastal Mix Barbershop Chorus. Then, earlier last year, we covered groundbreaking news in the Naugatuck Valley addressing mental health crisis response in a whole new way. We engaged two representatives from Griffin Hospital to talk about the health center's development of their since opened EmPATH behavioral health unit - providing more effective, compassionate care for individuals who come to the ER experiencing a mental health crisis. So we'll bring you replays of those conversations back-to back.