Horizons Domestic Violence Services, a program of Community Health Center, Inc., has received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. New Horizons is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will provide critical support for New Horizon’s clients, including rent payments, security deposits, utility payments, motel bills for emergency shelter, children’s day care and camp needs and transportation costs.
New Horizons provides a 24-hour emergency shelter for victims fleeing domestic abuse, as well as community education, support groups, individual counseling and consultation with CHC’s health care providers.
“This grant will help New Horizons continue to provide comprehensive domestic violence services to the more than 1,450 victims of abuse we work with each year,” said Michele Waldner, program director at New Horizons. CHC delivers service in 173 locations statewide, offering primary care in medical, dental and behavioral health services
Grant Funds Return To School
Connecticut residents who have some college credits will receive assistance in finally earning a degree as a result of Lumina Foundation’s Adult Degree Completion Commitment.
Lumina will provide $800,000 in support to a partnership with the Manufacturing Institute that aligns Connecticut’s educational and career pathways with the National Association of Manufacturers-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System. The partnership aims to significantly increase the number of adult students in Connecticut and several other states who earn industry-recognized Advanced Manufacturing skills certifications through pathways spanning from high school to community colleges and four-year institutions.
The grant is part of a significant new commitment by Lumina to advance adult degree attainment through a series of interconnected projects that aim to engage, motivate and help students who previously have gone to college earn their degrees. An estimated 37 million Americans ages 25–64 — more than 20 percent of the working age population — have attended a college but never earned a degree or credential.
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Foodshare Celebrates Donors
Foodshare recognized the efforts of the food industry which donates thousands of pounds of goods to the fight against hunger on Sept. 21 with its eighth annual Convoy of Caring and recognition breakfast.
A total of 21 companies participated, with trucks lining up at the Rocky Hill Marriott beginning at 4:30 a.m. for the 21-mile journey to the Foodshare distribution facility in Bloomfield. The trucks were loaded with an estimated 74,198 pounds of donated food, part of the 2.4 million pounds the companies have donated so far this year.
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Money Conference Planned
YWCA Hartford Region will host its ninth annual Money Conference for Women, a free event to help women take charge of their financial futures and put them in the driver’s seat on the road to financial success. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 23, from 7:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Keynote speaker is Michelle Singletary, author and nationally syndicated columnist. The conference features workshops given by financial experts including budgeting, investing, retirement planning, and home ownership. In addition, there will be a financial expo including a variety of financial service providers. The honorary chair is State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier.
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Brown Rudnick Makes Grants
Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation Corp. has announced grants to three Hartford area charities:
• The Village For Families & Children (now owner of subsidiary Gray Lodge, Shelter for Women). The grant will continue support for Gray Lodge, with programs for about 100 young pregnant and parenting women, including GED programs.
• Compass Youth Collaborative. This is a new grantee which operates 3 COMPASS community schools in partnership with Hartford public schools. These schools provide academic enrichment programs (before, during and after school and on weekends) which create relationships between families, faculty and the community. The 2010-11 grant will support two academic enrichment programs at these schools.
• And Reach Out & Read. This long-time grantee is focused on early childhood literacy and health, connecting the two through pediatric visits during which children receive a free book and parents are encouraged to read to their child. Brown Rudnick provides general legal counsel services to the organization on a pro bono basis.
The foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt entity established by Brown Rudnick LLP, and supports inner-city education in communities where the law firm has offices.
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Grant Supports Debates
The Bushnell has received a $40,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation to directly support Bushnell costs related to the presentation of Connecticut gubernatorial and senatorial debates to be held at The Bushnell in October.
The debate between gubernatorial candidates Tom Foley and Dan Malloy will occur on Monday, Oct. 4; U.S. Senate candidates Richard Blumenthal will debate Linda McMahon on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Both debates will be held in The Bushnell’s Belding Theater.
“We believe these debates are important to the integrity of the democratic process,” said Bob Forrester, president of Newman’s Own Foundation.Â
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CPAs Stage Food Drive
Borgida & Co. of Manchester is staging its fifth annual fall food drive throughout October with all items going to the MACC Food Pantry. Non-perishable food items and personal care items may be dropped off at the CPAs offices at 360 East Center St., Manchester from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Monday — Friday or at Main Pub Restaurant, 306 Main St., daily, noon — 6 p.m.
