For The People

February is here and that means it's Choose Love Awareness Month - so we'll check in with Scarlett Lewis to discuss recent developments with her Choose Love Movement and the global expansion of important, effective programming in schools, businesses, communities and beyond that was inspired after losing her son in the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy. Then we'll hit the road with Bike Walk Connecticut to learn how this nonprofit is  changing the culture of transportation through advocacy and education to make bicycling and walking safe, feasible and attractive for a healthier, cleaner Connecticut. And we'll close with the first of a two-part chat with the award-winning CEO of Connecticut Housing Partners. Hear how this nonprofit has been working for over 30 years to end housing insecurity, address income inequality and prevent homelessness by creating and preserving safe, affordable housing, and resident services.

We're starting and ending our program up in the air - opening with our top birding resource Audubon Connecticut celebrating this environmental nonprofit's 125th anniversary in 2023, as well as the acquisition of its latest open space parcel on Stratford Point, and a new series of workshops to help you understand and appreciate the importance of all our feathered friends. Then we'll address the serious challenges facing more and more renters across the state. We're brining in two representatives from Cap The Rent CT, a grassroots cause working to create fair and equitable laws to help protect renters from predatory rent increases and evictions. And we'll close back up in the air as we welcome the Salisbury Winter Sports Association inviting everyone to witness the thrill of ski jumping, and the insanity of human dog sled racing at next weekends 97th Annual Jumpfest right here in Litchfield County.

This week is the 2023 CT League of Conservation Voters annual summit. So, For the People is previewing what attendees have in store, and hopefully motivating you to participate while learning how to help protect our state's air and water quality, open spaces, and the sustainability of our environment for generations to come. Then we'll sit down with Jane Doe No More, a state-based non-profit empowering survivors of sexual crimes to find their voice, advance their healing, and educate others. We'll catch up on what the organization has been doing, and highlight a brand new resource for men suffering in silence after experiencing sexual abuse. And we'll wrap circling back one final time with the Marijuana Policy Project. The first full week of legal cannabis access in the state has passed registering more than $2 million in sales, so we'll review what's next for one of the groups that played a big role in getting us to where we are today.

While it's early January, the good work and efforts surrounding community agriculture never really stops at Green Village Initiative. So we're opening today's program where we left off last week with Part 2 of our chat with GVI's executive director about what's happening today at the farm, and what's in store as she and her team dig in for 2023. Then, meet the CT Age Well Collaborative and learn how this organization and its team co-creates, educates, innovates, celebrates and evaluates best practices, projects and policies to shape more aging, dementia, and disability-inclusive communities while leading the state's livable communities initiative  And we're introducing a true grassroots cause, Recovery for All Connecticut, a statewide coalition of labor, community, and faith organizations representing hundreds of thousands of people — black, brown, and white — standing united in a long-term mission to eliminate systemic inequalities and rebuild a better Connecticut.

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.

If you'll be visiting with aging loved ones this holiday season, our expert from Assisted Living Services will be discussing the most important things to look for and know if you believe someone you know may be in failing health, suffering from depression, or may just need some experienced guidance as they age in place. Then, if you are shocked by the rising cost of your healthcare coverage, we're bringing in a commissioner from the CT Insurance Dept. and the state's Healthcare Advocate to help us understand some of the major drivers behind escalating insurance expenses. And we're closing with the new director at Connecticut Main Street Center - to learn more about how the agency is providing education, training, resources and technical assistance, while functioning as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.

Our guest from Connecticut's Office of the Arts is picking up the conversation we started over the summer now that the agency is preparing to celebrate our 2022 Connecticut Arts Hero finalists. We'll hear who this year's Arts Heroes are, and let you in on how to be part of the celebration. Our next segment with the President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation takes up the importance of accurately documenting race, ethnicity, and language when delivering appropriate and optimal health care to everyone across the state. Finally, we're replaying a recent chat about financial literacy, community outreach, and financial management with Connex nonprofit Credit Union. We'll learn ways young people, college students and adults can manage their money and credit more effectively - along with a few tips that might save your child or college student from getting into financial rough waters.

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 continue our latest series drilling into the latest Valley Community Index - a collaborative project involving the Vally Community Foundation, Griffin Hospital, the Naugatuck Valley Health District and DataHaven - 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 tox

There have been 35,000 deaths in the U.S. so far this year from gun violence, following 45,000 deaths in 2020 and 2021! So we're bringing in a long-time gun owner who happens to be a trauma surgeon for CT Children's Medical Center for a cool, calm, and politics-free conversation about how we can start trending down these horrific losses, so many involving children. Then we're circling back with the Connecticut bureau of the Natural Resources Conservation Service - a division of the US Department of Agriculture - to get the latest on the programs and financial and technical assistance they're offering to farmers and private landowners through their brand new website. And you probably heard that the 5th Circuit recently ruled that DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - was unconstitutional, and new DACA applications will no longer be allowed. So if you are or know one of the 1 million-plus undocumented Dreamers living without legal status, we're reconnecting with our resource at Immigration Help to f

Meet the Connecticut Cancer Foundation a premier nonprofit that has supported over 8,000 families struggling with the disease, along with devoting millions to cancer research. We'll hear about their No Shave CT activities and get a preview of what's to come for the foundation's celebrity-studded gala early next year. Then we'll be talking with an environmental expert from H2M architects + engineers about the water we drink and that flows through our households and communities — and the increasing risks of the various contaminants that could impact our personal and public health.  And we'll close with Goodwill of Western and Northern CT which is locating and recruiting veterans facing homelessness to better support them in finding stable places to live, new jobs and careers, and a number of other services - and how you can support local service members at Goodwill's Stand Up for Veterans on November 18.

We're wrapping up our October Domestic Violence Awareness Month series with a couple of true front line responders when a domestic violence victim or witness reaches out for help.  We'll be visiting the Newtown Emergency Communications Center and Police Department to speak first with a respected emergency telecommunications leader, as well as a police sergeant heading up Newtown's new community policing division to explain what to expect in those first few crucial moments when you call 9-1-1 for help. Then we're heading up to CT Electric Car Charging Systems to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company who helped install the state's first electric vehicle charging stations, and is on track to hook up hundreds more in the coming years. We'll chat with the company owner as well as a number of key state and federal officials in attendance - so stay tuned.

In this next segment of our series during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're going to talk to CT Paid Leave's CEO about benefits that may be available for domestic violence victims and their immediate caregivers, along with discussing other ways this new benefit can assist others across Connecticut. Then we're going to hear about a brand new health system now serving much or western Connecticut with mental health and behavioral crisis and other related issues - as we chat with the new boss at McCall Behavioral Health Network. The Kennedy Center has rebranded - and is now known as The Kennedy Collective. So we'll bring in their leader to get the backstory leading up to this historic name change, and what's in store for current and future Kennedy Collective clients, staff, and supporters in the future.

We're continuing our month-long Domestic Violence Awareness Month series with the the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) - the state’s leading voice for victims of domestic violence and those organizations that serve them. We'll discuss the vital role law enforcement officers play in domestic violence response and help promote the coalition's new CTSafeConnect resource. Then, on October 20, four exceptional women will be honored at the 29th Annual Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame Ceremony and Celebration. So we're chatting up  the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame’s Executive Director about the event and how you can get in on celebrating these and all women across our state. And we'll wrap touting New Haven Promise - a nonprofit that is building a culture in local public schools in which students aspire to attend and graduate from college; providing financial incentives and support for those students; and facilitating their return to live, work and serve in the greater New Haven communit

We're continuing our month-long Domestic Violence Awareness Month series with The Center for Empowerment and Education - the regional Domestic and Sexual Violence resource for Upper Fairfield and Lower Litchfield county. We'll focus on this year’s theme #Every1KnowsSome1, and hear about The Center's upcoming events and workshops to help spread awareness.  Then, our midpoint is just going to be a couple of guys sitting around talking seaweed - with the grandfather of the U.S. commercial seaweed industry. Dr. Charlie Yarish back to open your eyes, and maybe make you hungry to learn more about how seaweed can help solve an amazing number of environmental, economic, health and food shortage challenges. And we're closing highlighting Waterbury Bridge to Success (BTS) bringing over 90 community and civic leaders, educators and organizations together empowering Waterbury’s youth to be successful in school, career, and life. We'll preview their upcoming workshop tour of partners putting the spotlight on access to r

October is here and with it comes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. So we're launching a weekly series to help promote greater awareness on the subject, as well as reminding victims about the wealth of resources and support professionals out there ready to help you get your life back and stay safe. Today we'll learn about the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC), and how they are focusing on the aspect of financial abuse. Is someone controlling you with their financial capabilities? If so, tune in. Then we'll chat with two very dedicated representatives who were instrumental in forming the Connecticut American Legion Foundation. We'll discuss the important civic-minded programs the foundation is already supporting, as well as explaining how you or your employer or community group can get behind building and expanding many other American Legion sponsored initiatives. And we'll close on a musical note with the director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, which is in the process of choosing a new c

We're wrapping up our National Recovery Month coverage with Recovery Network of Programs - not only celebrating their 50th Anniversary - but more than ever,  committed to empowering those who need it get the compassionate, personalized support they deserve to improve their lives. We're also closing out Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September with United Way CT and an individual who has lived to talk about his suicide experience. So far in 2022, nearly 112,000 Connecticut residents have reached out to United Way of Connecticut’s 211 mental health crisis team - so we're going to help you get the support you need if you are thinking about suicide. And we'll close with the founder of Mikey’s Way Foundation - we'll discuss how this nonprofit is helping enrich the lives of children suffering with life-threatening illnesses - and invite you to laugh out loud for the cause at the upcoming Mikey's Way Night of Comedy showcase.

It's National Recovery Month, so in the first of a couple of related segments we're checking in 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. Then, as misinformation continues to pervade conversations about election and voting security, we'll circle back to have another very enlightening, and maybe a bit concerning conversation with our source from the Election Cybersecurity Initiative at USC's Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy. And then we'll reconnect on the issue of the crisis in nursing staffing here in the state and across the nation, while celebrating the 42nd Annual RN Student Day with the newly consolidated CT Center for Nursing Workforce.

We're going to be touching on three subjects today that could very well involve you or someone you know and love. We're going to open with a representative from Griffin Health to talk a little bit about Long COVID and how that health system is working to diagnose and address it. Then we'll circle back with our local friends from the Lupus Foundation of America to learn how it is supporting research and the day to day needs of our neighbors grappling with this insidious illness. We'll also tell you how you can help by being part of the 2022 Walks To End Lupus. And we'll wrap with Wheeler Health, which just opened a groundbreaking outpatient program addressing youth mental health response and care in several of their offices including Waterbury. Could your child or one you know benefit from this initiative? Stay tuned and find out.

As promised earlier this year — we're heading out to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. The only AZA-accredited zoo in the state - it features one of Connecticut's remaining fully operational carousels, a farmyard, picnic areas, a massive antique greenhouse, and so much more.  As we meander through the  Beardsley Zoo with Director Gregg Dancho and zoo educators, we'll visit and learn about the latest spider monkey residents, the soon-to-open Andean Bear Habitat, we'll learn about the zoo's Sky Hunters program, how its working to save and sustain the endangered monarch butterfly, and we'll preview this fall's coolest evening activity: the massive Beardsley Zoo Glow Wild exhibit.