Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Recuperation journey: Fun in the sun


This morning I put the flowers in the shade. At about 2:30 I looked outside and there was Gerald checking out the front yard. 

I was able to grab a pic through the door before he took off. 

I hope he's hydrating in this heat!

Cabrera, Rochelle welcome $350K for nonprofits in Valley, Hamden


State Rep. Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Sen. Jorge Cabrera, D-Hamden, and state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia, Derby today welcomed $350,000 in state funding over the next two years for local community organizations and nonprofits.


The funds will be used to support youth development, prevent youth violence, and assist fathers in the region. 


These funds, secured by Cabrera and authorized under the biennial state budget passed earlier this month, are an important investment in the well-being of the Valley community, according to Cabrera.

"Nonprofits are vital to our communities and I am proud to secure these funds for organizations doing great work across the Valley," said Cabrera. 

"From Valley Save Our Youth providing our young people with safe opportunities to engage with their peers, to TEAM offering many crucial human services people rely on, to Hamden Fixing Fathers, an exciting new nonprofit helping fathers, specializing in supporting dads and keeping families strong and connected, these nonprofits and community organizations will be able to continue to benefit those they serve in ways they have come to expect and appreciate thanks to these additional funds. I am deeply grateful for all these organizations do for our community."


Rochelle said these funds will help secure positive futures for the Valley’s next generation.

“This new funding will touch lives and shape futures. Fostering a strong future begins with building up our children and ensuring they have enriching programming and the supports necessary to set them up for success," said Rochelle. "TEAM and Valley Save Our Youth both have strong track records of meeting the needs of our residents, families, and children. I am so grateful for all these organizations do for the Valley and to be able to assist them in our common mission to support our children."


Valley Save Our Youth will receive $75,000 in the 2022 and the 2023 fiscal years for Youth Services Prevention.

TEAM, based in Derby, will receive $50,000 in both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. 

Hamden Fixing Fathers will receive $50,000 in both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The 2022 fiscal year starts on July 1, 2021. 

Throughout the summer and fall, the state will begin releasing funding for these youth development and youth violence prevention programs.


Valley Save Our Youth is a nonprofit organization that provides programs to keep children active and involved in their communities.


TEAM is a human services agency that seeks to strengthen the Valley community through education, support and empowerment. 

It provides economically disadvantaged residents with basic needs and case management, employment, and training support, elderly services, and Meals on Wheels, Early Childhood and Head Start and more. 


Hamden Fixing Fathers, which will receive a total of $100,000 over the next two years, specializes in helping fathers strengthen their bond with their children and their families while educating them on the importance of their role in their family. 


They provide programs to assist fathers in breaking through past personal trauma, navigating parenthood and staying involved while co-parenting.



This is a press release from the lawmakers' offices.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky


Steamy morning waning gibbous moon, 64 percent illumination.