Griffin Health supports TEAM's Valley Flood Relief Fund

 

Hope and Healing for Our Neighbors

Griffin Health is supporting and spreading the word about TEAM Inc.'s Valley Flood Relief Fund, which provides direct assistance to Valley individuals and households impacted by the flood, including but not limited to modest levels of support for their personal health and safety, shelter, and/or other basic living needs.

If you can help, please visit www.griffinhealth.org/valleyflood to support our neighbors in need.

Shared from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page.

Community health improvement plan workshop slated at Ansonia Armory

 

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Valley Council for Health and Human Services to honor 4 at annual meeting via Zoom

The Valley Council for Health and Human Services will hold its annual meeting via Zoom at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6.

Three individuals have been chosen to receive the Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, and one for the Richard O. Belden Award.

Here are descriptions of what the award is about.  Attached is why each was chosen.

 

The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award will be presented to an individual for extraordinary service as an employee in the non-profit community who has made a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. The award is named in honor of Lewis Savitsky a long-time employee of Valley United Way who was active not only with Valley United Way, but also with multiple groups in the community.

This award will go to Susan Agamy, Spooner House- Elizabeth Laden, Griffin Health- and Nancy Cahoon, BHcare.

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The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award is for an individual or organization outside the non-profit sector whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of residents in the lower Naugatuck Valley. It is being presented for the first time in 2008 in honor of the late State Representative Richard O. Belden and his high standards of ethics and community involvement throughout his long and storied life.

This award will go to Corey Shoop, Wines and More! in Milford.

 

Corey and his team continuously make efforts to support community organizations that serve the Valley and beyond. 

He has been integral to the Rape Crisis Center of Milford’s fundraising efforts throughout the pandemic and has continued the relationship beyond. 

Wines and More! is always looking for new ways to get involved in community organizations in its area, and its support has helped raise funds to increase services to victims of sexual assault and their families in the Valley towns of Ansonia, Seymour, Derby, and Shelton that RCC serves. 

We are very grateful for Corey and his team and they deserve the recognition!

This is a press release from Valley Council for Health and Human Services. 

 

Valley Council to hold annual awards meeting Dec. 7 via Zoom

 

Valley United Way, Massaro Farm partner for Grow Your Own garden initiative

Valley United Way announced last week a new partnership with Massaro Community Farm of Woodbridge in managing the 13 neighborhood gardens of the Grow Your Own program within the five-town region of Lower Naugatuck Valley.

When Grow Your Own started at Valley United Way over four years ago, a few gardeners and garden beds were producing fresh vegetables as the Valley was exploring how to address food insecurity.  

Now, the garden sites throughout Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton contain more than 100 raised beds and have produced over 1,000 pounds of produce for community members and local food pantries.  

As coronavirus has revealed the increased need for food in the community, Valley United Way sought to create a partnership with a local non-profit who could ensure the gardens were managed, and volunteers supported, in order to reach their full potential.  

Massaro Community Farm, a nonprofit educational farm that has focused on food insecurity for over 10 years, was a natural fit.  

David Kennedy, Interim President/COO of Valley United Way commented, “It’s a very common practice for United Ways to turn to non-profits in their community with a proven skill set to take on programs after United Way has incubated them.  

"Such an action allows a United Way to better focus on its primary mission and work.  In the case of Valley United Way, that means raising money to support our community’s network of exceptional non-profits, all with an eye towards making our community as strong and healthy as it can be.” 

Eager to get started, Massaro will provide organic seedlings raised at their farm and will work with community volunteers to fill the garden beds with an assortment of vegetables.  Tomatoes, lettuces, peppers, and cucumbers will be part of the collection that is planted in the gardens to help feed communities. 

Caty Poole, Executive Director at Massaro, who is also a member of the Food Security Task Force of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, has seen firsthand the needs of the community in the farm’s work with food pantries. "Now, when demand for hunger relief is at an all-time high, Massaro Community Farm is pleased to manage the Grow Your Own program to help ensure as much food as possible reaches families who need it most," Poole said.

Looking forward to the partnership, Kennedy said, “Valley United Way is so grateful to Caty Poole and her team at Massaro for being willing to take on the oversight of this project. The Farm’s expertise and experience, will ensure that the Grow Your Own project will have its best season ever this year - and get more fresh food to our communities during these hardest of times.”  

Kennedy pointed out that “the Grow Your Own project would not be possible this growing season without the underwriting of a very generous and long-standing donor of Valley United Way, the Raymond P. Lavietes Foundation. For decades, Mr. Lavietes and the Foundation have been passionate about Valley United Way’s work. We are so grateful to the Foundation’s directors for their support; without them, we could not be doing the work we do.”  

Beaver Brook garden in Ansonia.

A list of gardens and their locations can be found at www.valleyunitedway.org/grow-your-own. Anyone who wants to learn about volunteering at the neighborhood gardens can contact Corey Thomas, Education Director at Massaro Farm:  Education@massarofarm.org  or call 203-736-8618.  

All volunteers are required to be in good health, wear masks, and to practice social distancing behaviors while working in any of the gardens.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Food security discussed at Valley United Way event in Shelton

From left: David Morgan, President and CEO, TEAM, Inc., Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, Patricia Tarasovic, vice president, community engagement, Valley United Way, Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan at Monday's event focusing on food security. 
The press conference was held at Valley United Way offices in Shelton.
Representatives of five food banks described their work serving the Valley's needy.
 Morgan and Tarasovic co-chair the Food Security Task Force of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.  


Stay tuned for a story in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Newsletter features Valley Council awards, Valley music students honored

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features a recap of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services' annual meeting in Shelton, and awards presented to music students by Banko's music store.

Thanks for reading,

Patti and Ralph

Participants sought for Leadership Greater Valley 2017

Leadership Greater Valley, a premier program from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Valley United Way and Valley Council of Health & Human Services, is now accepting applications from individuals in corporate, non-profit and government organizations for the Class of 2017.

There is no shortage of good ideas in the world. We believe it takes more than good ideas to change the world. It also takes skill, vision and heart. Do you know yourself? A better question is: Have you thought about the way you come across as a leader? Do you like what you see? Do others?

Whether you are new to the area, or have a renewed interest sparked by a new job, new inspiration, or new phase of life, Leadership Greater Valley can connect you to the people, places and possibilities in Greater Valley.

Want to expand your professional network, climb your career ladder faster, or engage in a meaningful civic endeavor? Leadership Greater Valley provides the skills you need to become a more effective, connected and collaborative leader, and the inspiration to connect your values with real-world projects.

Class size is limited and already filling quickly. Be sure to return your application right away for the opportunity to become one of the Valley's elite, one of just over 300 - a Graduate of Leadership Greater Valley.

Space is limited for this program! Sign-up today! Applications Due: September 1. Register Now

Valley Council honors community service providers at breakfast in Shelton

Pictured from left: Diane Stroman, Bertha Belden, William C. Nimons, Jimmy Tickey, Suzanne Reilly, Sharon Closius, John Ready, Beth Colette, Ben Florsheim, Valerie DiGangi, Patricia Tarasovic. /Photo by Fred Ortoli

SHELTON - The Valley Council for Health and Human Services held its Annual Breakfast Meeting and Community Awards Presentation last month at Brownson Country Club.

Each December the Valley Council recognizes community service providers for their positive impact and significant contributions to the community. 

Diane Stroman, Chair and Executive Vice President of TEAM, Inc. and Patricia Tarasovic, Vice Chair and Director of Valley United Way's Volunteer Center, presented awards honoring Valley Community Foundation, William C. Nimons, and Suzanne Reilly. 

Bertha Belden accompanied the chairs and incoming Vice Chair Susan Agamy in presenting the awards. Diane Stroman was honored to receive the Outgoing Chair Award. 

Jimmy Tickey, representing U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, and Ben Florsheim, representing U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, recognized the award recipients and presented them with certificates of recognition.  Honorees also received a proclamation from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s office. 

The meeting and awards presentation was sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation. 

This is a press release from the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.

Valley Council for Health and Human Services launches logo contest

The Valley Council for Health and Human Services is giving its current logo (see above) a makeover and wants your ideas that visually communicate community, collaboration, empowerment and diversity.

The logo is not just creative, but strong, lasting and can grow with the organization over time. 

The new logo should address the graphic needs of social media and other marketing purposes.

Contest Guidelines
Timeline:
Contest Start Date: Aug. 23, 2016
Questions and Answers: Questions may be posted to the contest’s Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/vchhso/events
Submission Deadline: Nov. 4, 2016
Finalist Selection: Nov. 22, 2016
Voting Period: Dec. 6, 2016 through Dec. 13, 2016 (tentative)
Winner Announcement: Jan. 2, 2017

Eligible participants: There are no eligibility limitations. The contest is open to all.

People can have great ideas but not possess the technical skills or equipment to develop the finished product. The Valley Council anticipates that the winning design will be recreated by local graphic professionals.

Desired Logo Criteria:
1. Community-focus: must have appeal to the general community both current and future. The logo should speak to their interests and needs in a universal way that is easy to understand.
2. Relevant: should convey the desire to identify needs and/or solve community problems
3. Distinct: convey a strong and unique impression. In dealing with logo symbolism, form, typography and color, it is almost impossible to be completely unique. The Valley Council would like distinction from other community social services providers.
4. Memorable: to leave an impression as to be recognizable in the future
5. Simple: flat format is desired to be clean and high-impact; works well either in color or black and white (examples of flat format)
6. Staying power (10+ years of relevance): more strategic and timeless than trendy
7. Meaning: imaginative and abstract, yet simple, for audience interpretation is desired over being literal.

Intellectual Property
1. Entrants affirm their submissions are their own original work, have not been copied from others or from previous designs, including their own, and do not violate the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity.
2. Submissions become the sole property of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services (Valley Council) and may be used for any purposes, including, but not limited to, display on websites, business cards, letterhead, posters, and other materials.
3. The Valley Council shall have the right to adapt, edit, modify, or otherwise use the winning submission in part or in its entirety in whatever manner it deems appropriate.
4. The Valley Council reserves the right to choose not to use the winning entry as described in these contest guidelines.
5. The Valley Council reserves the right to use any other entry for promotional or business purposes in the future.
6. If the winner is determined to have violated any rules, he/she will be required to forfeit or return the prize, even if the determination is made after the prize has been awarded.

Submission
We understand that you may have terrific ideas but not the technology needed to develop the design fully. 
As noted above and if needed, the winning design will be professionally recreated to meet the Council’s needs.

Electronic submissions are preferred in PDF or JPEG formats.

NOTE: The completed Contest Entry Form must be included with your submission.

Submissions may be sent at any time prior to the Nov. 4, 2016, submission deadline to: valleycouncillogo@gmail.com.

If you are unable to submit your design electronically, it may be mailed to:

Valley Council – Logo Contest
54 Grove St.
Shelton, CT 06484

Determination of Winner and Prize
1. Entries will be judged on their visual appeal, adherence to the concept prompting the contest, quality of design, and ease of reproduction for the purposes stated above.
2. Three finalists will be selected by a panel comprised of members of the Valley Council.
3. The finalists will be announced at the Valley Council annual meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 6, 2016.
4. The winning entry will be selected by the community through online voting between Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, 2016.
5. The winning entry will be announced at the Jan. 2, 2017 meeting of the Valley Council.
6. The prize for the winning entry is one $250 VISA prepaid gift card.
7. The winner will be notified via email or telephone call and announced on the Valley Council’s Facebook page and website, and through press releases.

Disclaimer
1. The Valley Council is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, or otherwise unusable entries, including entries that are lost or unusable due to computer, Internet, or electronic problems.
2. The Valley Council reserves the right to cancel or modify the contest and award the prize by alternate means if fraud or technical failure is determined at any time by the Valley Council, including after the submission window has closed.
3. The Valley Council is not liable, for the purpose of winner and prize notification and delivery, in the event the contest winner has provided incorrect, outdated, or otherwise invalid contact information.

Information shared from the Council's website.  

VSAAC to host youth mental health forum at Ansonia High School

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action council will host a forum entitled “Mental, Emotional, & Behavioral Disorders in Young People" at 6:30 p.m. April 5 at Ansonia High School. 

Guest speaker Dennis Embry, Ph.D., President, PAXIS Institute, will discuss the mental, emotional, and behavioral epidemic that touches one out of two young people by age 18, with lifetime effects for every Connecticut family and community. 

 “For the first time in North America, more children have mental illnesses than physical illnesses...”  Canadian Broadcast Corp., DOC ZONE CBC-TV, July 25, 2014.

Learn how Connecticut can be the first state to launch a public health prevention strategy to protect all children.

For more information, contact VSAAC at 203-736-8566.

This event is funded by Valley United Way and supported by Valley Council for Health and Human Services.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and surrounding communities. 

For more information, visit www.VSAAC.com. 

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Shoreline, Greater New Haven, and Lower Naugatuck Valley communities. 

For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Valley Council recognizes nonprofit, volunteers at Shelton breakfast

Photo by Fred Ortoli

Pictured from left, Diane Stroman, Valley Council for Health and Human Services chair, Jim Fedak, founder, Master's Table Community Meals,  Nick Gentile, community volunteer, Harry Burlakoff, owner, Minute Man Press in Shelton, Patricia Tarasovic, Council co-chair. 

SHELTON - The Valley Council for Health and Human Services recently held its Annual Breakfast Meeting and Community Awards Presentation at Brownson Country Club. Each year the Valley Council recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution to the community. 
VCHHS Chair Diane Stroman and Co-Chair Patricia Tarasovic presented awards honoring Masters Table Community Meals, Harry Burlakoff, and Nick Gentile. 

Jimmy Tickey, campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-New Haven, recognized the award recipients and presented them with a special citation. 

The breakfast meeting and awards presentation was sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation.  
  

Visit Valleycouncil.org to read more about the winners.

Congratulations to all the awardees!


This is a press release from the Valley Council for Health and Human Services. 

Diabetic foot care topic of talk at Shelton Senior Center

SHELTON - A free program, "Diabetic Foot Care," will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St.

The Valley Senior Services Council is sponsoring the presentation by Dr. David S. Sharnoff. 

The council is part of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services.

A light dinner will be served. RSVP required; call 203-924-9324.



This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.