Map available for Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Hunt

Click here for restaurant week information posted earlier Monday.

Umbrella to host HOPE Family Justice Center kickoff in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will host a campaign kick-off event from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at BAR for the HOPE Family Justice Center of Greater New Haven. 

The public is invited to discover the Greater New Haven community plans to offer comprehensive services and support those affected by domestic violence. 

RSVP by Oct. 22 to j_johnson@bhcare.org. 

The HOPE Family Justice Center will consist of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. 

The center will provide one place where victims can go to talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation.

The Family Justice Center model has been identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the United States Department of Justice. 

There are many documented and published outcomes in the Family Justice Center model including reduced homicides, increased victim safety and reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children. 

The HOPE Family Justice Center initiative is a community project and anyone who is interested to learn more or get involved should contact Project Coordinator Julie Johnson at 203-780-2033 or j_johnson@bhcare.org. 

Follow HOPE Family Justice Center at www.facebook.com/NewHavenFJC and www.twitter.com/NHFJC_CT.  If you need immediate domestic violence assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. 

Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. 

Learn more at www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Learn skills for special education advocacy at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk to help caregivers of students with special needs advocate for their loved ones' education at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Kevin Daly, Health Care Information Specialist with PATH Parent to Parent/Family Voices of Connecticut, will lead “The ‘Soft Skills’ of Special Education Advocacy,” a presentation for parents of students with disabilities who want to sharpen their advocacy skills. 

Topics include: best practices for school-home communications; how to get involved in the decision making process; how to prepare for school meetings (including PPT and 504); obtaining a free copy of your child’s school records; where to find help when you need it.

Daly has worked as a special education advocate with hundreds of Connecticut families for over 20 years.

PATH/FVCT is a statewide grassroots parent organization that has been around for over 30 years. PATH/FVCT is dedicated to offering excellence in emotional and informational support to families, promote partnerships with families of diverse backgrounds and collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations to improve services and policies that serve our children. 

PATH/FVCT has the support of two of the largest networks of families of children with unique abilities and special health care needs.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Businesses help purchase bulletproof gear for Ansonia Police Department

Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale holds a ballistic shield during a press conference in August in his office.

ANSONIA - The Rev. John Hinson and his wife, Maude, want to thank local businesses for their generosity toward purchase of life-saving equipment for the police department. 

Hinson is pastor of First Baptist Church and the couple organized Honor Ansonia Blue, the third annual Police Appreciation Day to honor and support the department.

Maude Hinson said Farrel-Pomini Corp. purchased a $3,500 ballistic shield, and People's United Bank donated $1,500 to the effort. 
She said the money went toward covering expenses for last week's Honor Ansonia Blue event at the church. That allowed funds to be used toward purchase of life-saving gear, she said.
The fund-raising goal is $40,000. 

Read about the event here in the Valley Voice newsletter.

Concert, chili contest, 2nd annual Diamond Dig to benefit Valley Goes Pink

DERBY - The 9th Annual Valley Goes Pink invites the community to another exciting week of events filled with a concert, chili, and carats.

The Valley Goes Pink will host a Rock the Valley Pink concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St., Shelton, featuring Social Convention. 
A $20 donation includes admission and a free drink.

Bad Sons Beer Company, 251 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, will host a chili contest between first responders from the Valley at 6 p.m. Oct. 23. 
A $25 donation includes tasting and a vote. Cash bar for craft beer.

And from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 25 Marks of Design, 389 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton, will host its second annual Diamond Dig. Take your chances at winning precious gemstones, including a 1-carat diamond. 
Cost is a $40 donation for each bucket.

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and showcase partnering organizations.

For more information on how you can go Pink, including a calendar of events, visit griffinhealth.org/pink, like us on Facebook or contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at development@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7504.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Greater Valley Chamber holding treasure hunt for restaurants

*Shared from a Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Facebook event page.

The Naugatuck River Valley is bursting with flavorful restaurants. 

​We invite you to check them out and dine with us during the eighth Annual Greater Valley Restaurant Week with a twist!

This year we are launching a seven-week contest called the Greater Valley Restaurant Hunt where you can not only enjoy all of the hidden gems our region has to offer; but you can also enter to win the Grand Prize a necklace from Marks of Design (valued at $600) or one of several other prizes of gift certificates to the participating restaurants!

Special thanks to our sponsors: Marks of Design, Shelton, Dental Associates of CT, Lincoln Tech Culinary Program and Pine Brook Design.

Restaurant Hunting Season opens today (Oct. 15) and runs through Nov. 30!

Participating restaurants are listed here.