Podcasts about naugatuck valley

There's groundbreaking news in the Naugatuck Valley both literally and figuratively - and we'll bring in the first of two representatives from Griffin Hospital to talk about it as the health center ramps up development of an innovative behavioral health unit to provide more effective, compassionate care for individuals who come to the ER experiencing a mental health crisis. Then, in the final segment of our Mental Health Awareness Month series, we'll introduce you to Team Woofgang & Co., a nonprofit founded by three Fairfield mothers of adults with alternate abilities looking to provide daily purpose for them as they were about to leave their state provided educational programs.  And we'll close by giving you a spectacular preview of the 2025 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, which is already expanding its programming across the New Haven region - and will culminate in hundreds of programs, concerts, exhibits, talks, and more in the coming weeks - most of them absolutely free!

We're keeping things flowing with our first segment, as we visit the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) to continue our series about the ongoing Kinneytown Dam removal project. How could the removal of one deteriorating dam have regional - even global environmental implications? Tune in and find out.

We're keeping things flowing with our first segment, as we visit the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) to continue our series about the ongoing Kinneytown Dam removal project. How could the removal of one deteriorating dam have regional - even global environmental implications? Stay tuned and find out. Then, we're connecting with ConnCORP - the Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program - which is focused on economic development and providing opportunities to New Haven's underserved residents. ConnCORP just launched its 'State of Black Business' survey, so we'll explain how you can participate - and why it's so important.  And we're closing with two leaders from Liberation Programs, a key substance abuse and prevention agency serving Fairfield County. We'll talk about a bill they are supporting in the statehouse this session that has the potential to save thousands of lives in the state, as well as how they are working with schools to help ensure kids never venture down the road to substance use.

If you live on or anywhere near the Naugatuck river, you are potentially impacted by the detrimental environmental harm being caused by the Kinneytown Dam. So we're connecting with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to get the details you need to know, and inviting you to be part of the solution at an important public info session next week that will be mapping out the dam's removal process.

Check out the first part of a mini-series featuring RVNAhealth - a private, nonprofit organization serving nearly 3 dozen neighboring communities. Hear how RVNAhealth has been providing exceptional home and community health care services, supports public health and safety, and has promoted the highest quality of life for over 100 years.   Then - if you live on or anywhere near the Naugatuck river, you are potentially impacted by the detrimental environmental harm being caused by the Kinneytown Dam. So we're connecting with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to get the details you need to know, and inviting you to be part of the solution at an important public info session next week that will be mapping out the dam's removal process. And we'll closed with an information-packed conversation with a co-founder and researcher representing MitoCure. This nonprofit exists to educate communities about Mitochondrial Disease and to generate financial support for the most promising research for a cure, by providing 100 % of all donations directly to research efforts around the world. Learn more about the cause, the important work being done to find a cure, and we'll invite you to a cool fundraiser at the end of September to benefit the cause.

We want to lure you out to Oxford on June 1 for one of the Naugatuck Valley and Shoreline's biggest celebrations benefiting BHCare - A Chance to Shine. The funds raised at this huge family event and the online auction happening now will help countless children, adults and families in your community as they strive to recover from mental illness, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors.

Today we're going to open luring you out to Oxford on June 1 for one of the Naugatuck Valley and Shoreline's biggest celebrations benefiting BHCare - A Chance to Shine. The funds raised at this huge family event and the online auction happening now will help countless children, adults and families in your community as they strive to recover from mental illness, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors. Then we'll pivot to learn more about a health issue impacting over 30,000 individuals across the state - epilepsy - with two knowledgeable reps from the Epilepsy Foundation of CT touting their upcoming golf tourney and this summer's Camp Courage - and we'll meet a rep from BioHaven who will help see if you are qualified for that company's two latest epilepsy studies. And we'll close with Read to Grow. Over nearly the past quarter century, Read to Grow has helped promote and sustain healthy reading habits and literacy for tens of thousands of children and families. Stay tuned and learn how you can get involved.

It was nearly 100 years ago when the shooting death of Seymour First Selectman Ray Gilliard occurred in his Town Hall office. He called the telephone operator, said he had been shot, described his assailants, and asked for police and a doctor to be dispatched. Then, the line went dead. The outcome of the investigation shocked virtually everybody in town. Telling the story is Naugatuck Valley historian Robert Novak.

For victims of interpersonal violence, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, the Center for Empowerment & Education provides support services while empowering individuals to find their voice and choose their path toward healing as they rebuild their lives. Tune in and hear all about it. Then we're going to check-in with our partners at AARP-CT to learn about a number of successful initiatives they supported going into the 2023 state Legislative Session. These are programs of importance to many - whether you're old enough for AARP membership or you love and care for someone who is. And if you live in the lower Naugatuck Valley, and you'd like to know more about - or talk about - transportation challenges and proposed solutions, we'll preview an upcoming info session coming up in Shelton that you might just want to be part of...

We're checking in with the founder of UR Community Cares, one of the state's coolest and under promoted community building nonprofits. We'll let you in on where this service organization has been popping up lately connecting neighbors to neighbors and providing support to seniors and others who may need an occasional hand around the house. Then we'll resume our series looking at the health and quality of life in the lower Naugatuck Valley using the Valley Community Foundation's latest Index as seen through the eyes of the regional Chamber of Commerce leader. How does the quality and health of Valley commerce affect the welfare of everyone living in the region? Stay tuned and find out! And we'll close catching up with Abilis, which is continuing to expand its network of partnerships providing even more opportunities for alternately-abled residents of lower Fairfield County inclusive employment opportunities to help make everyone involved feel productive and welcome in their community.

Meet the director of New Reach, a nonprofit organization committed to making homelessness in Connecticut rare, brief and non-recurring. New Reach recently received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund - the largest private gift in the organization's history - so we'll get a few insights on how the grant is going to be utilized to better address homelessness in the region. Then we'll resume our series looking at the health and quality of life in the lower Naugatuck Valley using the Valley Community Foundation's latest Index report, as seen through the eyes of the regional Health District Director. And while it's early January, good work surrounding community agriculture never really stops at Green Village Initiative, a recent Connoisseur Cares program honoree. So, we'll close with the first of a two-part visit chatting up GVI's executive director about what's happening at the farm right now, and what's in store as she and her team dig in for 2023.

We're introducing a new program serving New Haven with a representative from Continuum of Care discussing the recently launched COMPASS initiative that's training and equipping teams of social workers and peer support to respond to crisis interventions and mental health emergencies. Then we'll pick up where we left off a couple of weeks ago, drilling into the latest Valley Community Foundation's Community Index, by bringing in the CEO of Team Incorporated to discuss challenges involving early childhood care and housing in the lower Naugatuck Valley. And we'll close replaying a recent chat with Aware Recovery Care to remind you about their unique, successful in-home recovery program along with the critical roles played by loved ones as part of the recovery team - and not just the ones shouldering the entire challenge.

We're opening replaying a chat with End Hunger Connecticut, which earlier this year convened a round table of policy makers and experts discussing the future of the state's summer meals program, and what's in store for kids in cafeterias all over the state the coming school year. Then we're going to kick off a series of discussions about the lower Naugatuck Valley and some of the many factors affecting its health, economies, and overall quality of life. Our guest from the Valley Community Foundation will check in to brief us on the latest Valley Community Index, and begin steering us toward the points we'll continue addressing as this series progresses here on For the People. Then, we'll begin a conversation about the complex issue of toxins in our foods. Recently representatives from the CT Agriculture Experiment Station and the University of Mass at Amherst released an important report on toxins in our food, and we're bringing in one of the report's principal authors to begin a discussion on how these toxins get there, and what we can begin to do about it.

Meet the community engagement specialist from BHCare discussing several of the public health crises his agency is responding to throughout the Naugatuck Valley, shoreline and greater New Haven areas - and how you can help support their efforts by attending their June 4 A Chance to Shine celebration and benefit at Quarry Walk in Oxford. Then it's time for our annual visit with Connecticut's Council on Environmental Quality, which just released its annual report on Connecticut's environment. Listen and learn about how our state is progressing, where we're backsliding, and how residents can get involved to help make their community and state more environmentally sustainable. Then we're touting another fund and awareness-raising activity - we'll help get you into the water with Swim Across America, or get involved as a volunteer for their 16th upcoming open water swim to benefit the Connecticut-based Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy.

Waterbury is a significant hub for Connecticut's rail network. The Waterbury Line connects people in Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley to New Haven, New York and all points in-between. The recently upgraded Waterbury Line boasts many features that improve operations and our customers' experience.  Join Rich Andreski and guests from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and the CTDOT Office of Rails to hear about the exciting improvements made to the Waterbury Line.

The Valley Indy is attempting a public service project by giving every candidate for office in Ansonia, Derby & Seymour the opportunity to explain why they're running. Ansonia Aldermen have been given the additional opportunity to film video interviews about their candidacies -- something that's never been attempted in the lower Naugatuck Valley before. But -- candidates have to be able to make themselves available.

We're circling back to the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, which is serving thousands of families in greater New Haven and the Naugatuck Valley. We'll discuss their all important preventative tool -  community outreach and education, its Hope Family Justice Center, and how to help by participating in the 2021 Strength-4-Survivors challenge. Then we'll visit with Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement - to get the latest news on this global social emotional learning initiative, and how you can participate all through February - Choose Love Awareness Month. And we'll hear about how well our state is doing protecting members of our LGBTQ communities from discrimination - especially comparedd to other states. We're bringing in the legal director for the Human Rights Campaign to talk about why we're doing so well and what we could do better as we unpack the organization's 7th national State Equality Index.

Sharon Closius of The Valley Community Foundation talks about ValleyGivesBack.org, the foundation's "planned giving initiative." John Zseller talks about the 1920 Society Fund, a new way to support Scouting in the lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Connecticut is a safe blue state in national elections, yet in 2016, a significant number of residents supported Donald Trump.  And some of them plan to vote for him again. This hour we hear from Connecticut Public Radio reporter Ali Oshinskie, who’s been talking to Trump voters in the Naugatuck Valley. We also check in on Massachusetts where voters will have the chance to decide whether to support ranked choice voting, a system that’s been used in Maine since 2018. We hear from a Boston Globe reporter. And—have you gotten your flu shot? This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic already on the rise, getting the flu shot could be more important than ever. GUESTS: Ali Oshinskie - Connecticut Public Radio’s Naugatuck River Valley reporter and a corps member from Report For America. Matt Stout - Politics reporter for the Boston Globe Dr. Jessica Abrantes Figueiredo - Chief of Infectious Disease at St Francis Hospital in Hartford Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut is a safe blue state in national elections, yet in 2016, a significant number of residents supported Donald Trump.  And some of them plan to vote for him again. This hour we hear from Connecticut Public Radio reporter Ali Oshinskie, who’s been talking to Trump voters in the Naugatuck Valley. We also check in on Massachusetts where voters will have the chance to decide whether to support ranked choice voting, a system that’s been used in Maine since 2018. We hear from a Boston Globe reporter. And—have you gotten your flu shot? This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic already on the rise, getting the flu shot could be more important than ever. GUESTS: Ali Oshinskie - Connecticut Public Radio’s Naugatuck River Valley reporter and a corps member from Report For America. Matt Stout - Politics reporter for the Boston Globe Dr. Jessica Abrantes Figueiredo - Chief of Infectious Disease at St Francis Hospital in Hartford Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of “Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,” Rebbeca Toms of The Valley United Way joins the broadcast to talk about two important issues:   This year’s ‘Harvest House,’ which is taking place virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 “ALICE Report,” which gives a glimpse of how local families are doing locally (spoiler alert: many of us are one emergency away from financial ruin) Links: Info about Harvest House: https://valleyunitedway.org/harvest-house/ Read the ALICE Report: https://alice.ctunitedway.org/downloadreport/ Select ALICE lower Naugatuck Valley, CT info: https://www.scribd.com/document/478962215/ALICE-Valley-Data  

In this clip from a July Valley Indy podcast, Ansonia corporation counsel John Marini and economic development director Sheila O'Malley talk about forming a regional economic development corporation to help the lower Naugatuck Valley.

Sharon Closius, president and chief executive officer of The Valley Community Foundation, talks about what Naugatuck Valley residents can do to help neighbors & nonprofits that will be hurt by the looming COVID-19 economic impact.

'Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast' returns with an interview highlighting the community garden program in the lower Naugatuck Valley. I'm joined by guests Becca Toms, a communication specialist with Valley United Way, and Corey Thomas, the education director at Massaro Community Farm. Toms and Thomas explain how the "Grow Your Own" campaign started, how it is combating food insecurity in the lower Valley, and how you can get involved. Click this link to learn more about community gardens. https://valleyunitedway.org/grow-your-own/ FYI, the episode starts with a message reminding the public about the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund, a hugely important local initiative. See the images below for more info, and visit ValleyFoundation.org to learn more.

Sharon C. from the Valley Community Foundation outlines ways to stay safe, healthy and secure during our time of local, national and worldwide crisis. Find places to be treated, locations of drive-through clinics and economic resources for families in need.  Check out the VCF website below to find more information on supporting needs and volunteer opportunities. Stay tuned for upcoming live interviews! https://www.valleyfoundation.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3808985/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-tamburrino-msba-01762555/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-carey-m-s-ab1377a2/

Naugatuck Valley leaders are expected to show up in large numbers at a press conference at 10 a.m. in Hartford Monday to advocate for more improvements to the area’s Waterbury branch train line. A public hearing on a bi-partisan Valley bill aimed at the same goal is scheduled for 11 a.m. in front of the state legislature’s transportation committee. Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller is one of the many elected officials scheduled to be there. On Friday, Miller sat down for a ‘Navel Gazing’ podcast interview with The Valley Indy in his office to talk about transportation. Sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org.

Sharon Closius, the president and CEO of The Valley Community Foundation, returns to the podcast to talk about "Valley Gives Back," a planned giving initiative from her organization. Closius runs down what planned giving is, and how the average Naugatuck Valley resident can use ValleyGivesBack.org to help the nonprofit groups and organizations that do so much good every day. Just press play to listen!

Sharon Closius, the president and CEO of The Valley Community Foundation, returns to the podcast to talk about "Valley Gives Back," a planned giving initiative from her organization. Closius runs down what planned giving is, and how the average Naugatuck Valley resident can use ValleyGivesBack.org to help the nonprofit groups and organizations that do so much good every day. Just press play to listen!

The updated Valley Community Index is scheduled to be unveiled at a public forum 8 a.m. Oct. 22 at Scinto Auditorium, 3 Corporate Drive in Shelton. The document gives a snapshot of the Valley and provides a wealth of data -- data that can be used to improve life in the Naugatuck Valley. In this episode of ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,’ Valerie Knight-DiGangi, a program officer with The Valley Community Foundation, gives an overview of the index and how it can be used to benefit your neighbors. This episode is sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org  Music courtesy of The Bad Slugs.

The updated Valley Community Index is scheduled to be unveiled at a public forum 8 a.m. Oct. 22 at Scinto Auditorium, 3 Corporate Drive in Shelton. The document gives a snapshot of the Valley and provides a wealth of data -- data that can be used to improve life in the Naugatuck Valley. In this episode of ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,’ Valerie Knight-DiGangi, a program officer with The Valley Community Foundation, gives an overview of the index and how it can be used to benefit your neighbors. This episode is sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org Music courtesy of The Bad Slugs.

This morning John Voket and the award-winning For the People will touch base with Connecticut's groundbreaking Partnership for Long-Term Care & tell you how the agency can help you plan for future long-term care needs without depleting all of your assets. Then we'll head to the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) to learn how they're promoting private philanthropy to address long-term public good in the lower Naugatuck Valley..  Finally, we welcome an inspiring team from the nonprofit Alexander Jordan Jamieson Foundation, which is fighting the battle against clinical depression and suicide through music by providing lessons and instruments to young people battling depression.

The Flood of 1955 devastated the Naugatuck Valley 64 years ago this month. In this episode of 'Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,' you'll hear the voices of people who there, including the late Ed Cotter of Derby and Charles Seccombe. The episode features the work of former Valley Indy reporter Jodie Mozdzer Gil, now an assistant professor of journalism at Southern Connecticut State University. Before leaving The Valley Indy, Gil put together a web project that mapped the flood damage and included interviews with eyewitnesses. Click play to hear Gil talk about how she put the project together. Gil's project is now a part of The Electronic Valley.  The episode includes clips from a radio documentary from WAVZ, which was based in New Haven.   Intro music courtesy of The Bad Slugs.

The Flood of 1955 devastated the Naugatuck Valley 64 years ago this month. In this episode of ‘Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast,’ you’ll hear the voices of people who there, including the late Ed Cotter of Derby and Charles Seccombe. The episode features the work of former Valley Indy reporter Jodie Mozdzer Gil, now an assistant professor of journalism at Southern Connecticut State University.

Does the lower Naugatuck Valley in Connecticut need five sewer plants a stone's throw from each other? Rick Dunne spills his guts!

Valley Democrats Stephan Behuniak and Tarek Raslan discuss the Naugatuck Valley election results with Republicans Kurt Miller and David Papcin. Reporters Eugene Driscoll and Ethan Fry constantly interrupt. Sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org

Connecticut Republican Party chairman J.R. Romano says he is encouraged by a meeting of young Connecticut Republicans scheduled for the lower Naugatuck Valley.  In an interview with Dan Lovallo, Romano talks about the meeting and the GOP's chances in November. Podcast photo credit: Nerthuz / iStock / Getty Images Plus

In this episode of Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast, Valerie Knight-DiGangi of the Valley Community Foundation talks about two grant opportunities available for organizations in the Naugatuck Valley. Then Paul Velardi, chairman of the Ansonia Recreation Commission, talks to The Valley Indy about a new funding opportunity available there. The commission wants to hear ideas from the public regarding recreation programs. They'll fund a few of those ideas with $500 grants to get them off the ground. Listen for more info. Sponsored by ValleyGivesBack.org.

We conclude our two-part interview with Rick Dunne, the executive director of the Valley Council of Governments, with a discussion on ground contamination at O’Sullivan’s Island in Derby and a study just about to start on regionalizing sewer services in the Naugatuck Valley (it could, maybe, save money).

This week host John Voket opens celebrating Connecticut's 3rd Annual Connecticut Social and Emotional Learning Awareness Week by hearing how a mom's worst nightmare can inspire compassion in action across the country. Next, we check in with Connecticut Hospice, which is launching a first of its kind federal study to learn how medical marijuana helps ease patients' pain, anxiety and other discomforts. And we'll wrap up asking you to make a strike against domestic violence at the 29th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services at BHcare - serving thousands of mostly women and children across south central Connecticut and the Naugatuck Valley.

In this very special crossover episode, the Valley Indy replays an interview 2 Dudes Talking Disney did with famous celebrity John Ratzenberger. 2 Dudes is another lower Naugatuck Valley podcast. Prior to Ratzenberger's interview, the Valley Indy reporters review the most popular stories of the week. Then the reporters review the most popular Valley Navel Gazing episodes of 2016. Donald Trump makes an appearance. Things end on a dark note when Ethan questions the legitimacy of 'The Valley Indy Christmas Special's high rank on the list.

This week host John Voket visits Spooner House - serving the greater Naugatuck Valley region's hungry and homeless this holiday season and year-round. Then we'll introduce Golden Opportunities, which is looking to boost its ranks of very special volunteers who provide seniors with critical social interactions. Then we'll return to the issue of hunger, and try to explain why so many state residents are going hungry everyday with a representative of Foodshare.

Congressman Rosa DeLauro has strong opinions about hunger in America, farm programs, crop insurance and food safety. Her views offer insight into the challenges that lawmakers and farm groups will face whenever a new farm bill is scheduled for debate on the House floor. DeLauro represents Connecticut's Third District, which stretches from the Long Island Sound and New Haven to the Naugatuck Valley and Waterbury. She serves in the Democratic leadership as co-chair of the Steering and Policy Committee, and is the ranking member on the Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, where she oversees investments in education, health, and employment. She also serves on the subcommittee responsible for FDA and agriculture, where she oversees drug and food safety. In this week's Open Mic, DeLauro also discusses her objections to the Trans Pacific Partnership and fears that food safety will be compromised by the agreement.Rosa DeLauro