For the People

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.

We're continuing our look back at some of the most important For the People segments of 2025 and we'll start with: Preservation Connecticut - which turned 50 this year. Tune in and check out how they're going to continue sustaining and preserving critical buildings, sites, even social and cultural practices that helped shape the state we live in. Then we'll replay our visit with the Women's Mentoring Network. This nonprofit serving Fairfield County and beyond, is providing foundational skills for individuals to secure better employment options and encouraging individuals to seek educational opportunities as they look to become economically empowered.   And we'll close replaying our introduction of Art Pharmacy - an organization becoming active in Connecticut enabling personalized social prescribing services with healthcare, university, corporate, and government partners to address the nation's most intractable health challenges.

Before we start rolling out our look back at some of the key segments For the People presented during 2025, we've got a new and important subject to open the show: DataHaven - the New Haven-based research non-profit recently released its latest community well-being survey, and it presents some really interesting counterpoints, bad news, and good news about how Connecticut is feeling  So, tune in and learn if you're feeling like thousands of your neighbors and other state residents as we head for 2026. Then we'll start our look back at how For the People has helped inform, educate, entertain, and engage you throughout 2025, with a reply of an interview with SCORE of Western Connecticut. No matter where you live, SCORE chapters and volunteers are waiting to advise you on ways to successfully launch or grow your business - all at virtually no cost to you Our second encore segment features our introduction of cARTie - a nonprofit mobile art museum bus bridging inequities in education and arts access by partnering with local community organizations to provide families and children with exciting art and museum adventures.

In case you missed it, two of our state's regional Council of Government or COG offices recently hosted a public webinar presenting the final Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for Southwest Connecticut - and there are still ways for you to offer public comment about it. So we visited the Western Connecticut Council of Governments to learn more about the basics on the plan, the resources required to make improvements, and to help you understand this climate action plan better, so you can weigh in with informed questions and comments.

We recently visited the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center - a nationally accredited nonprofit in New Haven that empowers adults 18 and over with autism and other developmental disabilities to live independent, self-determined lives. We met the center's director, and got to chat with two inspiring residents on the spectrum who recently completed a journey to Africa where they both participated in climbs on Mt. Kilimanjar- Africa's tallest peak - and the world's largest free-standing mountain. So, tune in and get their perspectives on the trip and their views from the mountain!

First, we headed out to the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center - a nationally accredited nonprofit in New Haven that empowers adults 18 and over with autism and other developmental disabilities to live independent, self-determined lives. We'll meet and hear from the center's director, and chat with two inspiring residents on the spectrum who recently completed a journey to Africa where they both participated in climbs on Mt. Kilimanjaro …Africa's tallest peak and the world's largest free-standing mountain! Tune in and get their perspectives on the trip and their views from the mountain. And in case you missed it, two of our state's regional Council of Government or COG offices recently hosted a public webinar presenting the final Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for Southwest Connecticut - and there are still ways for you to offer public comment about it. So we are bringing in the Deputy Director, Western Connecticut Council of Governments to learn more about the basics on the plan, the resources required to make improvements, and to help folks throughout the region understand this climate action plan better, so they can weigh in with informed questions and comments.

For the People is reconnecting with folks from the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation to tell you about an upcoming holiday event they are holding, and to chat with a Hulley scholarship recipient about how this nonprofit is making a major difference in his pursuit of a career in the arts.

Tune in as we pick up our conversation with a representative from PACE - Peoples Action for Clean Energy. There's a lot to know about the clean energy sector locally, and a number of issues at the national level that could negatively impact progress we are making here in Connecticut, so stick around to learn what you can do about it.

Check out our discussion about the serious implications of driving while impaired with representatives from MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving - and our partners at the CT State Police. We'll share all the reasons why you should just say no to driving after you party, and some of the alternatives to help protect you and everyone else out on the roads this holiday season and into 2026.

Today we're going to discuss the serious implications of driving while impaired with representatives from MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving - and our partners at the CT State Police. We'll share all the reasons why you should just say no to driving after you party, and some of the alternatives to help protect you and everyone else out on the roads this holiday season and into 2026. Then we'll pick up our conversation with a representative from PACE - Peoples Action for Clean Energy. There's a lot to know about the clean energy sector locally, and a number of issues at the national level that could negatively impact progress we are making here in Connecticut, so stick around to learn what you can do about it. And we'll close reconnecting with folks from the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation to tell you about an upcoming holiday event they are holding, and to chat with a Hulley scholarship recipient about how this nonprofit is making a major difference in his pursuit of a career in the arts.

We have come to understand that high-quality early care and education is one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support children's long-term success. However, CT Voices' new analysis of ECE data from 2014 to 2024 shows that the system has struggled to meet demand. So, we're bringing in the co-authors of the latest Connecticut Voices for Children 2025 State of Early Childhood report to continue our conversations on this important topic.

As we arrived at the final day of National Family Caregivers Month this November, we're circling back with our partners at AARP Connecticut to unpack some key points from the organization's latest report on Family Caregiving. Nearly three out of every 10 Connecticut residents are family caregivers, and the numbers are growing - so stay tuned and learn what you need - or may need to know about this important public health trend.

We're bringing you a bird's eye view of new career opportunities and training as we bring in a panel to talk about Connecticut's own Drone Academy - a pilot program developed in collaboration with The WorkPlace, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and Career Resources to create a technology-oriented career pathway for out-of-school youth, aged 18-24, within the growing unmanned aerial vehicles/drone industry sector. 

We're going to open with a bird's eye view of new career opportunities and training as we bring in a panel to talk about Connecticut's own Drone Academy - a pilot program developed in collaboration with The WorkPlace, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and Career Resources to create a technology-oriented career pathway for out-of-school youth, aged 18-24, within the growing unmanned aerial vehicles/drone industry sector.  Then as we hit the final day of National Family Caregivers Month this November, we're circling back with our partners at AARP Connecticut to unpack some key points from the organization's latest report on Family Caregiving. Nearly three out of every 10 Connecticut residents are family caregivers, and the numbers are growing - so stay tuned and learn what you need - or may need to know about this important public health trend. And finally, we have come to understand that high-quality early care and education is one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support children's long-term success. However, CT Voices' new analysis of ECE data from 2014 to 2024 shows that the system has struggled to meet demand. So, we're bringing in the co-authors of the latest Connecticut Voices for Children 2025 State of Early Childhood report to continue our conversations on this important topic.

For the People is circling back with the New England Rural Health Association. We'll recap their recent conference which was held here in Connecticut, and learn about how our state may benefit from the organization's recently announced Rural Health Transformation Program. Rural communities are closer than you think, so tune in and find out why their health needs are so unique.

We're reconnecting with our community partners at Abilis, and celebrating the opening of the agency's first medical model residential home in Fairfield County for adults with complex medical needs and developmental disabilities. Tune in and hear about the journey toward completion of this fully accessible residence and why Connecticut will need a lot more of them in the near future.

One of the last things you need to worry about if you or a loved one needs expensive durable medical equipment or certain medical supplies is out of pocket costs. So, we want to introduce you to the founder of Wheel It Forward, an innovative Fairfield County nonprofit that provides a durable medical equipment lending service and more - all at no direct cost.

One of the last things you need to worry about if you or a loved one needs expensive durable medical equipment or certain medical supplies is out of pocket costs. So to open the show today, we want to introduce you to the founder of Wheel It Forward, an innovative Fairfield County nonprofit that provides a durable medical equipment lending service and more - all at no direct cost. Then we'll reconnect with our community partners at Abilis, which is celebrating the opening of its first medical model residential home in Fairfield County for adults with complex medical needs and developmental disabilities. Tune in and hear about the journey toward completion of this fully accessible residence and more. And we'll close circling back as promised with the New England Rural Health Association. We'll recap their recent conference which was held here in Connecticut, and learn about how our state may benefit from the organization's recently announced Rural Health Transformation Program. 

Meet the leader of LifeBridge Communty Services - a Bridgeport based human services nonprofit. During these uncertain times, and with the holidays quickly approaching, we want to help highlight the critical behavioral health resources that may be helpful to those in the LifeBridge service community.

Catch the latest buzz from our friends at the Backyard Beekeepers Association. Thie next session of Bee School is taking applications now, so if you've ever entertained an interest in keeping and raising these important pollinators, tune in!

As much as we may dread the onset of winter driving conditions, there are a number of ways to help ensure we all make it through alive. So, we are inviting back our resource at the CT DOT to get us up to speed on what to know so you and you loved ones are getting around safely on our roads and highways until spring.

As much as we may dread the onset of winter driving conditions, there are a number of ways to help ensure we all make it through alive. So, we are inviting back our resource at the CT DOT to get us up to speed on what to know so you and you loved ones are getting around safely on our roads and highways until spring. Then we'll hear the latest buzz from our friends at the Backyard Beekeepers Association. Thie next session of Bee School is taking applications now, so if you've ever entertained an interest in keeping and raising these important pollinators, tune in! And we'll close talking with the leader of LifeBridge Communty Services - a Bridgeport based human services nonprofit. During these uncertain times, and with the holidays quickly approaching, we want to help highlight the critical behavioral health resources that may be helpful to those in the LifeBridge service community.

While data touches out lives in so many ways, virtually every day - you may not really even think about it until it's gone. So we're bringing back one of the leaders from the Connecticut Data Collaborative to talk about what's going missing, what her team is doing about it, and to invite you to be part of the upcoming Data For Democracy Conference - even if you have no idea how data impacts your life, job, or community.