Friday, October 23, 2020

Rochelle: COVID Relief Fund grants available for nonprofit arts groups

 


Nonprofit arts organizations can now apply for one-time COVID Relief Fund for the Arts grants and matching funds between $5,000 and $750,000.

The Connecticut Office of the Arts will accept applications between Oct. 23 and Nov. 3.
The $9 million in grants are being made available through the federal CARES Act.
Funding is available for performing arts centers, performing groups, and schools of the arts.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process here.
You can read the Governor's announcement here.


This information is shared from a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby.



Recuperation journey: Peanut fun


I caught you! 

Occasionally - like today - I put peanuts in this shrub for the birds to take. 

That's because I noticed a while ago they were using it as a hiding place for peanuts our neighbor had put out for them. Now of course they hang around waiting for a treat or two.

Seymour Community Center readies reopening of Fitness Room

Seymour Community Center
Fitness Room
Re-Opening on November 9!
and it's free!
REOPENING GUIDELINES
We are happy to announce that the fitness Room at the Community Center will reopen and be available to Seymour Residents & Senior Center Members by appointment only.

Each 45 minute time slot may be used by anyone residing in the same household - ID Required), registrant(s) must clean all equipment at the end of their timeslot)
Our Equipment
  • 2 treadmills
  • 2 stationary bikes
  • Rower
  • All-in one gym
  • Weight rack (1-30 pounds)
  • Body Bars
  • 42" flat screen TV
free_weights_closeup.jpg

The community center is located at 20 Pine St., Seymour.


This is shared from the center's Facebook page.

Valley Community Foundation awards $170K in scholarships


Whether at home conducting remote learning, via a hybrid model, or attending full-time and in-person, the start of a new school year looks very different for students pursuing higher education during the pandemic. 


With the 2020-2021 academic year under way, the Valley Community Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded more than 160 scholarships totaling $170,000 from its 75 scholarship funds. 

While many of these students are entering their first year of higher education this fall, some awards provide renewable tuition assistance for up to four years.

 

“For many Valley residents, establishing a scholarship not only pays tribute to their family but it can also memorialize their name at a local high school,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO. 

“Whether it’s participation on a sports team, the longevity of family history, or memorializing lifetime friendships that were made, establishing a scholarship to benefit local high schools is an investment in our community’s future and reflects the value of higher education.”

 

For years, VCF has worked with the Valley’s high schools to manage and administer scholarship funds. Rather than a high school holding the scholarship money in a CD or savings account, scholarships are established, managed, and invested with VCF. 

The high school continues to select the recipients of various scholarships, but the staff saves time and money by not administering individual savings accounts. Additionally, the money is invested in a large investment pool that has historically yielded a better return, which increases the size of the fund and the distributable amount over time.

 

Scholarship funds are often created in memory of someone special. 

Depending on preference, the scholarships can support any area of academic need, including tuition, room and board, or books. Donors can simply select eligibility requirements for the scholarship based on a student’s field of study, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, financial need, background, or geography. Some scholarships give a single award to support a graduating senior pursuing higher education while others can be renewable through college.

 

If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund in honor or in memory of a loved one that can benefit a local graduating senior each year, contact Sharon Closius, Valley Community Foundation President & CEO, at 203-751-9162 or visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

 

About The Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 



This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.


Derby Public Library slates virtual Teen Advisory Board meetings

DERBY - Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to a Virtual Teen Advisory Board meeting from 3:30-4:30 p.m Nov. 4 and 18.


Attendees are encouraged to voice their ideas for improving and expanding young adult library services and teen programming. 


Focus will include participant input that contributes to the library fulfilling its mission of quality-of-life enhancements in: knowledge; entertainment; and citizenship. 

Zoom access link will be provided via email three days prior to meeting date. Sign up at the library’s Events Calendar at www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  


For more information call 203-736-1482.



This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.