A Litchfield County teacher wants to test the idea that when parents own a home and live closer to work, there’s a trickle-down effect on the performance of their children.
Nicole Walsh has started Redefin, The Coalition for Redefining Homeownership, as a nonprofit organization.
Redefin has created a no-cost education solution for employers who are building work-to-life programs. These programs, developed with today’s economy in mind, will help employers better understand the value and possibilities of home ownership and how to decrease absenteeism, tardiness and stress, according to Walsh, who works in the Plymouth public schools.
Redefin originated as a program aimed at increasing student success. As an educator, Walsh sought to influence children beyond the classroom. In doing her own homework, she found that owning a home can help. For instance, research by Habitat for Humanity has shown a connection between home ownership and rising reading and math scores as well as rising high school and college graduation rates. The data also spots improved behavior.
“Long commutes to work negatively impact worker morale and productivity,” Walsh says. “And by helping employees find an affordable home close to the workplace, business owners may see decreased absenteeism, tardiness and stress, while boosting employee dependability and retention.”
Walsh plans to test a home ownership program with adults and students. She is eager to see whether the Habitat for Humanity research can be substantiated using a local group. However, she is also eager to use the research as a means to empower homeownership and thereby enhance school achievement, workplace morale, and general lifestyles.
Redefin is holding a seminar in Southington about home buying and finance on Oct. 29. “The seminar is open to anyone and we hope to gather strong information for many of our future programs,” Walsh said.
For information, contact Redefin, 860-888-4696, www.redefin.org.
Grant helps jobs programs
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions has awarded a $300,000 grant to Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford to expand its work supporting partnerships designed to prepare workers and jobseekers for sustainable jobs.
The two-year grant allows the collaborative to intensify its workforce partnerships in three industries — advanced manufacturing, energy and utilities and health care. In particular, the collaborative will address two key issues for lower-income workers — lack of prerequisite basic skills and lack of hands-on experience.
Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford is a funders’ collaborative that includes American Savings Foundation, Capital Workforce Partners, Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Nutmeg Foundation and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.
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Tourney aids scholarship
The Zuzolo Financial Group raised more than $13,000 through a golf tournament to benefit the Eric Amenabar Memorial Scholarship fund. Amenabar, a member of The Zuzolo Financial Group, died in July 2010.
Amen bar’s family founded the scholarship as a way to honor his life and his memory. The scholarship fund provides college scholarships to seniors enrolled in the Academy of Finance at East Hartford High School, where Amenabar had graduated.
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In brief…
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has made a $15,716 grant to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. The funding helped the hospital purchase specialized pediatric equipment for its community clinics. Also, the charities provided Mt. St. John in Deep River with a $3,895 grant in support of its vocational enrichment programs. Mt. St. John is a comprehensive residential treatment facility for young men who have behavioral, emotional, family and educational challenges as well as other at-risk situations … TicketNetwork has presented a check for $10,000 to the South Windsor Community Foundation to finalize the construction of a new indoor batting/ pitching facility in South Windsor … The Hartford Club is partnering with the Marine Corps League to bring the U.S. Marine Corps Boxing Team to the Hartford Club to take on Connecticut boxers in sanctioned matches Nov. 4. Proceeds will go to support Connecticut Marines and their families and to help underwrite the cost for these Marines and their spouses attending the 236th annual Marine Corps Ball to be held at the Armory on Nov. 12 … The Walmart Foundation has awarded $10,000 to The Connection Fund, a nonprofit human service and community development organization with offices and programs in Hartford. The cash award is part of the retailer’s Associates Choice program where Walmart employees nominate charities to receive financial support for programs that provide help to individuals and families in need. The Connection, founded in 1972, serves 6,000 children and adults in need each month throughout Connecticut. In Greater Hartford, it provides supportive housing, community justice, behavioral health, and women and children’s programs … The Middlesex United Way recently made a $5,000 donation to support Red Cross relief work in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. During its response to the storm, the Red Cross worked out of an operations center in Middletown.
