SEN. MAHER, REP. CONSTANTINE WELCOME $50,000 GRANT SUPPORTING WILTON YOUTH COUNCIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2026

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) and State Representative Savet Constantine (D-Wilton) recently welcomed the release of a $50,000 grant supporting the Wilton Youth Council (WYC) to support local youth and fight loneliness.

With youth experiencing high levels of loneliness and disconnection, impacting mental and physical health as well as social and emotional wellbeing, the grant is designed to help Wilton Youth Council develop programming and opportunities to better connect community members. The WYC would develop education and skill-building events meant to support youth, parents and the community as a whole.

WYC is dedicated to promoting the well-being of Wilton’s students by empowering youth, parents and the community. Programming enhances the lives of local residents, helping students grow, parents connect and community organizations collaborate effectively.

Proposed projects include sponsoring speakers, holding parent workshops and holding events helping connect members of the public. The funds will be used from the fall of 2026 to the summer of 2027 for programming.

The grant and initiative come as WYC, Wilton Pride and the Wilton Library recently installed a new community created mural at the Wilton Library telling residents “You Are Not Alone.”

“Amid our state’s continued focus on youth mental health, it is imperative that we develop new opportunities to connect members of the public and bring them together – isolation can have serious, negative impacts and making sure youth know their presence is welcome is a huge step in supporting them,” said Sen. Maher. “I look forward to seeing the new projects, events and initiatives that this grant funding will support to build a strong sense of togetherness in our community.”

“During my 15 years as a PTA volunteer, I saw firsthand how important it is to support students, parents, and families as children navigate school, adolescence, and the ever-changing pressures of modern life,” said Rep. Constantine. “Our young people need more than academic preparation to thrive; they need connection, belonging, resilience, and the confidence to know that they matter. As technology continues to shape their world, we see the loneliness and disconnection that can come with too much time behind a screen. This grant will help Wilton Youth Council create meaningful opportunities for students, families, and the community to reconnect and help our children grow into happy, healthy, and successful adults.”

“This grant strengthens our ability to address the needs of our youth, supporting key initiatives and new programming around a core building block of youth well-being – mattering and belonging,” said Kim Hall, chair of Wilton Youth Council.

Caption: A sign at the Wilton Library reads “You Are Not Alone,” a message of community support.