Month: January 2018

Moore Secures Youth Program Grant for Trumbull Nature Center

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Moore Secures Youth Program Grant for Trumbull Nature Center

TRUMBULL—Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport, Trumbull, Monroe) welcomed a $25,000 two-year state grant for the Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center Inc. (TNAC), to help enhance the organization’s commitment provide nature-rich experiences to youth from Trumbull and Bridgeport.

The center is one of 14 nonprofits in the Greater Bridgeport area to receive a Youth Service Prevention (YSP) grant from the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch. Organizations are nominated by members of the General Assembly’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC), of which Bridgeport’s Sen. Moore is a member.

“By investing in organizations like TNAC, we are also investing in our children and the future of our community,” Sen. Moore said. “Their programs provide youth with unique opportunities to learn about the environment, help develop core life skills, and have some fun too.”

“The Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center are grateful for Senator Moore’s support and the two-year, $25,000 funding to be granted under the Youth Services Prevention program,” said Sheryl Baumann, Consulting Director at Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center. “This grant will provide environmental education to youth from the Trumbull and Bridgeport communities.”

TNAC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, located in Trumbull, CT. Their goal is to expand STEM and sustainability education outreach by providing an increasing number of school and camp field trips, family and children programs, and Cub and Girl Scout badge earning opportunities to the Fairfield County, Connecticut region, including underserved communities. Much of the TNAC development is afforded through public/private partnerships.

TNAC provides many different opportunities for outdoor and art experiences, including:

  • Hands-on Science Field Trips, serving hundreds of students each year
  • Educational programs for families on a wide variety of topics for families, including Astronomy, Fossils, Geocaching, and art projects
  • Boy and Girl Scout Badge Programs
  • Collaboration with other local organizations, such as the Trumbull Library System, the Trumbull Historical Society, Trumbull Community Women, and the Long Hill Garden Club

New Haven Legislators Welcome $339k in State Grants for Local Youth Programs

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New Haven Legislators Welcome $339k in State Grants for Local Youth Programs

NEW HAVEN—Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), and New Haven Democratic State Representatives Toni Walker, Robyn Porter, and Juan Candelaria welcomed $339,875 in state funding for youth programs in Greater New Haven. The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch awards YSP grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for youth programs. Organizations are nominated by members of the General Assembly’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC), of which Sen. Winfield, Reps. Walker, Porter, and Candelaria are members.

“Securing this funding was crucial for us because we understand how important it is for children to feel supported and empowered, especially in communities like New Haven where our youth face so much adversity,” Sen. Winfield said. “We need these programs to continue in order to build a better future for our community with our children at the forefront.”

“These nonprofit organizations provide children with additional programs that will enhance their educational and social skills, ultimately improving their quality of life,” said Rep. Walker, the House Chair of the Appropriations Committee. “The organizations that receive this funding are just a few of many that do amazing work throughout New Haven and the legislature must continue to fund organizations like them.”

“These organizations are the backbone of our city,” said Rep. Porter. “When students and residents need a helping hand, initiatives like Believe in Me Corp., Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Program, New Haven Reads Community Book Bank, Kidz Kook Association Inc., r’Kids Inc., and VETTS Inc., are there to give our children the tools they need to achieve educational success and help families improve their lives. Securing this funding allows these programs to continue being the building blocks of our community.”

“Bregamos Community Theater and Arte, Inc. contribute greatly to the quality of life in New Haven,” said Rep. Candelaria. “Their programs provide opportunities that cannot be understated, offering the city’s young people the chance to participate in a wide variety of activities that keep them engaged and motivated.”

FY18 YSP recipients in Greater New Haven:

Arte Inc.
BIMEC Believe in Me Corp
Bregamos Theater
Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Program
Kidz Kook Association, Inc.
New Haven Reads Community Book Bank
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
PAL New Haven
r’ Kids, Inc.
Solar Youth
Sullivan Basketball Academy
VETTS, Inc

“New Haven Reads is enormously grateful for the support of Senator Gary Winfield and the New Haven delegation,” said Kirsten Levinsohn, Executive Director of New Haven Reads. “This grant award is critical in enabling us to continue to support students in our community to become skilled and confident readers. The ability to read can change the life of a child and this grant will help our students achieve their goals.”

“With each child, the world begins anew,” said Randi S. Rubin Rodriguez, Executive Director of r’ Kids, Inc. “‘r’Kids is very grateful to have legislators who understand the challenges our vulnerable children and families face and dedicate their energies in so many ways to making our community a healthy community for today as well as our future. Prevention saves dollars!”

“These funds will be used to support the College Advising Program that embeds well-trained, dedicated, near-peer college advisers in high schools that serve significant numbers of low-income and first generation college-going students,” said Chaka Felder-McEntire, Founder of Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Program. “The goal of the program is to increase the number of high school students who enter and complete postsecondary education.”

“We are taking baby steps right now, but our plan is to expand this into something special,” said Tyrese Sullivan, Director of Sullivan Basketball Academy Mentoring Program. “We’ve received tremendous feedback from the community, but the biggest issue has been resources. Fundraising is so difficult, and I hate to ask the parents to reach into their pockets because they are already so stretched.”

Bridgeport Legislators Announce Local Recipients of Youth Services Prevention Grants

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Bridgeport Legislators Announce Local Recipients of Youth Services Prevention Grants

BRIDGEPORT—Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport), and Representatives Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport), and Ezequiel Santiago (D-Bridgeport), are happy to announce that 14 nonprofit organizations that provide direct services and programming to youth in the Greater Bridgeport area have been selected to receive state Youth Service Prevention (YSP) grants totalling $328,125 for 2018.

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch awards YSP grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for youth programs. Organizations are nominated by members of the General Assembly’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC), of which Bridgeport’s Sen. Moore, Sen. Gomes, Rep. Rosario, Rep. Santiago, Rep. Andre Baker, and Rep. Charlie Stallworth are members.

“These nonprofits are working hard every day to shape the future of our communities by providing essential services to our children and teens,” Sen. Moore said. “By investing in programs like Green Village Initiative and the Buddy Jordan Foundation, we are ensuring that young people in our community have the tools they need to develop their potential, build confidence, excel academically, and accomplish their goals.”

“From Family ReEntry to Stratford PAL and countless others, there are so many great organizations doing necessary work to keep our youth on the right track and address some of the most difficult issues they face,” Sen. Gomes said. “This funding will only enhance these programs to have a lasting impact on our communities.”

“I am pleased with the collective work our members have done to secure funding under the Youth Service Prevention Program for these outstanding organizations,” Rep. Rosario, Chair of the BPRC, said. “These respective programs make a significant impact in the lives of our young constituents and contribute to brighter and stronger futures. I am proud to be able to lead our caucus in moving our priorities forward and working with each one of them.”

“All of these organizations do indispensable work in the community and have a track record of excellence and touching lives young and old,” Rep. Santiago said. “Caribe Youth League and the Orcutt Boys & Girls Club have been providing many programs over the years that stress individual excellence, as well as being part of a team. This is money well spent and a direct investment in future success.”

FY18 YSP recipients in Greater Bridgeport:

Bridgeport Caribe Youth League
Buddy Jordan Foundation
CHAMP Community Hands in Action Mentoring Program
Family ReEntry Organization Inc.
Green Village Initiative
Haitian Women’s Association
McGiviney Center
Orcutt Boys & Girls Club
Original Works Inc.
Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center Inc.
Stratford PAL
The Walker E Luckett Jr. Foundation
The Village Initiative Project
United Mentoring Academy Inc.

“We are so grateful for Senator Moore’s nomination and ongoing commitment to food justice in Bridgeport,” said Cristina Sandolo, Executive Director of Green Village Initiative. “This funding will allow us to bolster the impact of our Youth Leadership Program, grow over 5,000 pounds of healthy produce at Reservoir Community Farm for the neighborhood, and reach hundreds of students and gardeners through farm field trips and workshops.”

“Family ReEntry’s Transitions Youth Mentoring program provides a variety of mentoring services to young men who are incarcerated at the Manson Youth Institution, located in Cheshire. The program recruits mentors from many walks of life who volunteer their time to help guide and support young men during their incarceration and assist them as they prepare for release into the community,” said Randy Braren, Director of ReEntry initiatives. “We are deeply appreciative of Senator Gomes for his support of our work, and for his advocacy on behalf of the field of reentry and of its contribution to a safer Connecticut.”

“The Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center are grateful for Senator Moore’s support and the two-year, $25,000 funding to be granted under the Youth Services Prevention program,” said Sheryl Baumann, Consulting Director at Patrons of the Trumbull Nature & Arts Center. “This grant will provide environmental education to youth from the Trumbull and Bridgeport communities.”

Flexer Concerned Community College Consolidation Plan Will Harm Students

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Flexer Concerned Community College Consolidation Plan Will Harm Students

Senator Flexer argues that consolidation would harm education and local identity


Heather Vogt, Student Government Association President at QVCC, testifies in opposition to a plan to consolidate Connecticut’s community college system into one college with multiple campuses.

HARTFORD, CT – Senator Mae Flexer, a proud graduate of Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) in Danielson and member of the QVCC Foundation, questioned a proposal that would consolidate Connecticut’s community college system into a single college with multiple campuses. As Vice Chair of the General Assembly’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, Flexer argued that the consolidation proposed by Connecticut’s Board of Regents for Higher Education would diminish the quality of education that QVCC students receive while also weakening the local identity.

“I am proud to have a diploma from Quinebaug Valley Community College hanging on my wall. If this proposal were in effect when I graduated, I would not be able to say that,” said Senator Flexer. “This proposal would consolidate our multiple community colleges into a single college with many campuses. No other state has ever consolidated a system of this size into just one institution. We must proceed with great caution before we risk losing institutions that meet the unique needs of students, businesses and whole communities throughout our state. I don’t believe this plan will generate the cost savings that the Board of Regents is looking for, but I do believe it will sever the community relationships that make our community colleges great.”

“To cut the ‘non-student-facing’ positions would be detrimental to our students. There is not a position at our school that is not student facing,” said Heather Vogt, Student Government Association President at QVCC. “I’ve worked with our Director of Marketing, who got me an internship. Other directors have helped me solve problems and further my education. These positions are easily accessible because of their location on campus, and also because of the relationships they have built with students like me. Without those relationships I’d be just another name on a list. The consolidation just isn’t going to do what they think. It isn’t a students-first plan and ultimately I do not believe it will save as much money as is being said.”

“I feel that this consolidation is going to negatively affect students. We are already running lean staff at all the community colleges and having a net reduction in staff is ultimately just going to reduce the quality of education,” said Devon Harris, a graduate of QVCC. “Students need more than just an education. We need guidance and mentorship. The people that give that to us are the people that are going to be removed under this plan. Senator Flexer really represented the northeast corner in her statements today, and we thank her for her advocacy.”

Sen. Gerratana E-news: Get Your Free Flu Vaccine This Saturday!

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East Hartford Legislators Invite Public to Coffee Hour

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East Hartford Legislators Invite Public to Coffee Hour

Thursday, February 1 at 8 AM / Triple A Diner

Sen. Tim Larson and State Representatives Henry Genga, Jason Rojas, and Jeff Currey are inviting East Hartford residents to join them at an upcoming coffee hour prior to the start of the legislative session. Residents are encouraged to bring their questions, concerns, and ideas about state issues. Coffee will be served.

WHAT: Coffee Hour w/ East Hartford State Legislators

WHEN: Thursday, February 1, from 8 – 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Triple A Diner, 1209 Main Street, East Hartford

Senator Larson E-News: Increased Coyote Sightings, Here’s What You Should Know

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Senate Democrats Call for Public Hearings to Review General Assembly’s Sexual Harassment Policies

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Senate Democrats Call for Public Hearings to Review General Assembly’s Sexual Harassment Policies

The Senate Democratic Caucus today issued a call for public hearings by the Legislative Management Committee examining the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policies. Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) will make a formal request of the other legislative leaders at next week’s budget meeting.

“As a society, we have seen sexual harassment exposed across all types of industries and all levels of government,” said Senator Looney. “The Connecticut General Assembly should be a place in which sexual harassment does not exist and a place where strong protections are in place for everyone who enters the capitol grounds. The members of the Senate Democratic Caucus and I believe that it is critically important to hold hearings in public so that we can examine best practices from across the country, hear from experts in the field and receive input from legislators, staff and the public.”

Recognizing that it is extremely difficult for individuals to come forward and report inappropriate behavior, especially in a public hearing, the Senate Democrats are seeking to establish a process in which testimony may be submitted anonymously to the committee.

“The Connecticut General Assembly can and should be a national leader when it comes to our sexual harassment policies; anything less is unacceptable,” said Senator Duff. “Public hearings will provide us with a significant opportunity to reexamine the General Assembly’s policies in an open and transparent manner. If we have a problem in the General Assembly, we should know about it; and if we have a problem we need to immediately address it.”

The Office of Legislative Management last updated the sexual harassment policies in July of 2014 after consulting with outside counsel and experts.

Senate Democrats Call for Public Hearings to Review General Assembly’s Sexual Harassment Policies

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Senate Democrats Call for Public Hearings to Review General Assembly’s Sexual Harassment Policies

The Senate Democratic Caucus today issued a call for public hearings by the Legislative Management Committee examining the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policies. Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) will make a formal request of the other legislative leaders at next week’s budget meeting.

“As a society, we have seen sexual harassment exposed across all types of industries and all levels of government,” said Senator Looney. “The Connecticut General Assembly should be a place in which sexual harassment does not exist and a place where strong protections are in place for everyone who enters the capitol grounds. The members of the Senate Democratic Caucus and I believe that it is critically important to hold hearings in public so that we can examine best practices from across the country, hear from experts in the field and receive input from legislators, staff and the public.”

Recognizing that it is extremely difficult for individuals to come forward and report inappropriate behavior, especially in a public hearing, the Senate Democrats are seeking to establish a process in which testimony may be submitted anonymously to the committee.

“The Connecticut General Assembly can and should be a national leader when it comes to our sexual harassment policies; anything less is unacceptable,” said Senator Duff. “Public hearings will provide us with a significant opportunity to reexamine the General Assembly’s policies in an open and transparent manner. If we have a problem in the General Assembly, we should know about it; and if we have a problem we need to immediately address it.”

The Office of Legislative Management last updated the sexual harassment policies in July of 2014 after consulting with outside counsel and experts.

Sen. Moore E-News:How You Can Be Civically Engaged

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