Valley Community Foundation awards $22K in grants to local groups

The Valley Community Foundation announced it has awarded a total of $22,000 in its annual Community Grants Program to 11 community groups serving the Valley. 

These grants will support youth programs, athletics, and more in the region.

Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO, said, “As business-as-usual operations begin to resume throughout the state, there are many volunteer groups and nonprofits with limited staff that continue to do incredible work in our community. 

Although the needs are ever-growing and continuously changing, we are proud to support these meaningful endeavors with $22,000 in total grant funding to support our Valley’s five towns.”

Steven Wolfe, Director of the All-America Valley Basketball Club, said, “This grant enables us to provide free basketball uniforms, shirts, reusable masks and other supplies to kids in the communities that we serve while we continue to work towards a more inclusive, affordable, equitable model for club play. VCF’s support allows us to comply with health and tournament protocols as well as regulations governing youth basketball sports competition. Without this funding, we would have been unable to provide our players with these items, which would further burden already distressed households with additional expenses.”

Applications for the Valley Community Grants Program are considered through a request for proposal process. 

These grants are responsive to community groups that are volunteer or nonprofit in nature, serve Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and/or Shelton, and have less than two full-time or four part-time staff. 

Community Grants range from $250 to $2,500, and can be for new or recurring programs to support civic and community engagement efforts. More details about the application process are available on www.valleyfoundation.org.

2021 Community Grant Recipients:

All-America Valley Basketball Club – To support the club's participation in a 10-week competitive basketball tournament. $2,500

Annual Thanksgiving Basket Committee – To support families in need with a basket of food for Thanksgiving. $2,000

Troop 3 – Derby Boy Scouts of America – To support an Eagle Scout project to build a vegetable garden at St. Mary-St. Michael School. $1,950

Girl Scout Troop 60030 – To support improving the community gardens in Seymour. $1,750
Girl Scout Troop 60544 – To support a Gold Award Project to refurbish a War Memorial in Seymour. $2,000

Massaro Community Farm – To support a series of garden workshops. $2,000
Seymour Historical Society – To support Seymour Historical Society’s virtual programming. $1,200 Southford Falls Quilters, LLC – To support the 2021-2022 Southford Falls Quilters programs. $2,100

St. Thomas Church – To support the St. Thomas bereavement and caregivers programs and the Parish Nurse ministries. $1,500

Valley Parish Nurse Program – To support the Valley Parish Nurse outreach and education programs at multiple churches. $2,500

Youth Conservation Corps – To support the Walk Through History Program at the Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary in Oxford. $2,500

About the Valley Community Foundation

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

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help to support the quality of life in the Valley, please visit the website at www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President, Sharon Closius, at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.  

Learn to prevent falls at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering a free fall prevention program June 9, featuring fall risk assessments, fall prevention techniques, and exercises to help improve balance./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program from 9 a.m.-noon June 9 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. 

For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. 

This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

American Legion Post 16 in Shelton to host resource fair in May

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host fall prevention program Friday

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program from 9 a.m.-noon Friday at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma.

Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther, 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host fall prevention program

Griffin Hospital is offering a free fall prevention program Sept. 25 at the hospital, featuring fall risk assessments, fall prevention techniques and exercises to help improve balance./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 25 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. 

For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther, 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Pedal for PCRC fundraiser Sunday to feature new activities

SHELTON  -The Parent Child Resource Center is well on its way to a new goal of raising $80,000 for children’s behavioral health programs and services that provide life-changing services to children and families in Connecticut with “Pedal for PCRC,” which will be held Sunday at PerkinElmer, 710 Bridgeport Ave. 

Free kids’ bicycle helmets will be distributed to the first 250 kids who register. 

The 4th annual “Pedal for PCRC” has new features including a Kids Ride, Walk, Health Fair, “Activity Spree” (https://www.facebook.com/ActivitySpree), and Cycling Expo. Although this event has grown exponentially each year, there has previously been no chance for PCRC clients and general community members to participate in PCRC’s signature event. 

Now, this event is open with opportunities for people of all ages.  

The Kids Ride and Walk have a two-mile course located in the secured upper parking lot at PerkinElmer, which is monitored by hired security and volunteers. This allows a chance for kids to ride their bikes and support PCRC, with their parents or guardians able to walk or ride with them. 

The course is open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for entry at any time during this period. 
There is a $25 entry fee for the Kids Ride & Walk.

In support of the Kids Ride and Health Fair, the Valley Parish Nurse Program of Griffin Hospital (http://www.griffinhealth.org/About-Us/Community-Initiatives-Outreach-Benefit/Valley-Parish-Nurse-Program.aspx) has donated helmets to PCRC to allow free helmets for the first 250 kids who register. 
This includes a proper helmet fitting, helmet care, and safety education. 
Trained individuals and groups will assist the nurses with the helmet fitting that expects a large turnout with the variety of activities available for kids and their families at the fundraiser. 

'Activity Spree' planned

The Health Fair and “Activity Spree” are open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Health Fair will be offering free health screenings, including free vision screenings for children and adults by Health Eyes Vision Alliance and complimentary spinal screenings by Southern Connecticut Chiropractic. 
The Fair will also be attended by ConnectiCare, Valley Parish Nurse Program, COSTCO, YMCA, Hawley Lane Shoes, and more TBA. 

The “Activity Spree” offers more than 15 activities, workshops, and demonstrations for all ages, including yoga, face painting, drum circles, a Mickey Mouse bounce house, and marketing technology demonstrations. 

The list of providers to date includes The Kidnetic Clubhouse (Shelton’s upcoming Children’s Museum), BringtheHoopla, CrazyFun Facepainting and Body Art, JumpBunch Naugatuck, Phoenix Yoga Studio, Cloud Media Marketing, Fred Astaire of Orange, Housatonic Valley Crossfit, TITLE Boxing Club of Milford, and Mark Zarrillo, rhythm-based music for meditation and inspiration. 
General admission for the Spree is $10.

“Pedal for PCRC” will have the three usual Street Rides, including 15, 30 and 62-mile loops, with the largest route traveling throughout Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and Southbury. 
The registration fee for a rider is $25; we ask that riders raise $75 through individual fundraising, such as gaining support from friends and family. 
PCRC has documents that may assist you with your fundraising. Contact Veronica Parsloe at 203-954-0543 x130 or vparsloe@LNPVCRC.org for outlines of routes and details about riding.

Event Website & Registration: http://pcrc.kintera.org/pedal2015

Alternate Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/pedal-for-pcrc-2015

The ride will conclude with a “Thank You” BBQ by David M. Grant Caterers and beer provided by Two Roads Brewing, Southport Brewing and Black Hog Brewing. Food and beverages will be sold at cost for all guests who are not riding.

We would like to thank our sponsors: PerkinElmer, Ned Miller Agency, Griffin Hospital, Fletcher-Thompson, The Exchange Club of Shelton, Sikorsky, DHL&S, Robinson+Cole, Qualifacts, Better Packages, People’s United Bank, Aquarion, DiMatteo Insurance Group, and Pereira Engineering, Devil’s Gear Bike Shop of New Haven, WPLR, and E Strait Design.  

Please follow our social media:

Facebook: Pedal for PCRC

Facebook: PCRC’s Activity Spree

Twitter: @PedalforPCRC

Google +: Parent Child Resource Center

For information on sponsoring, riding, walking, running a workshop or demonstration at the “Activity Spree,” or exhibiting at our Health Fair, contact Veronica Parsloe, 203-954-0543 ext. 130 or Vparsloe@LNVPCRC.org.

This is a press release from PCRC, the leading provider of behavioral health services to children and families in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Programs, including the Child Guidance Clinic, Valley Kids Belong programs, Child First, Triple P In-Home services, Early Childhood Consultation Partnership, Therapeutic Mentoring Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and the Prevention through Early Intervention Program, help children and their families so that they may develop to their fullest potential.

Griffin Hospital in Derby hosts clinic for parents

Safety is the key to child car seat use 

The Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley car seat checkup van.

DERBY - Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurses and Community Outreach Program held a child car seat clinic last week. 

Firefighter Joe Kara of Enfield makes sure this child fits properly in a seat as Griffin Hospital security employee Michael Riccio, in background, reviews a checklist.

The nurses and other certified car seat technicians did a great job making sure parents and grandparents understand the proper use and installation of car seats. 

Please read my story posted here in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

Clinic at Griffin Hospital in Derby trains parents, installs car seats

Some of the child car seats distributed to parents and grandparents Wednesday during a car seat safety clinic run by Griffin Hospital's Valley Parish Nurses.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host prom safety awareness night

Panel to address underage drinking, distracted driving 
DERBY - Juniors and seniors at Valley high schools and their parents are invited to the fifth annual Prom Safety Awareness Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 7 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

“Underage drinking and distracted driving increases during prom season and the most powerful tool against these risk factors is parents,” said Cathleen Kellett of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program. 


The free event features a panel of emergency medical technicians, police officers, a physician from Griffin Hospital's Emergency Department, and a local teen drunk driving survivor. 

The panel will discuss various aspects of their job in relation to teen drunk and distracted driving in the Valley. There also will be a question and answer session.

Griffin Hospital will provide refreshments and participating students will receive free gift cards for Dunkin' Donuts and be entered into a grand prize drawing for prom ticket bids.
This event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP by March 28 to Dee, 203-924-7614 or kopecs@att.net.
Please provide your name, phone number, town, and number of guests.

The event is sponsored by The Valley Community Foundation, Shelton Youth Service Bureau, Ansonia Youth Service Bureau, Valley Parish Nurse Program, and Griffin Hospital.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host fall prevention program

Griffin Hospital will host a free fall prevention program,including fall prevention assessments and balance and leg exercises. / Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, The Valley Parish Nurse Program, and The Agency on Aging of South Central CT will host a free Fall Prevention Program from 9 a.m.-noon March 27 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: assessing their fall risk; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; and teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year.
For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death, and hospital admissions for trauma.

Those who fall - even if not injured - develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities, reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther, 203-732-1523 or ejonest@griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Halloween fun found at Griffin Hospital in Derby

My husband and I attended an open house at Griffin Hospital Sunday that was in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Valley Parish Nurse program. 

These are three of about a dozen decorated pumpkins displayed in the hospital corridor that caught our attention.

Not sure if it is a competition among the departments that made them, but I love the creativity! 

Valley Parish nurses sponsor safety event at Mead School in Ansonia

Valley Parish nurse Cathi Kellett of Shelton poses Wednesday next to the Griffin Hospital Safe Kids van outside John C. Mead Elementary School in Ansonia. She was there coordinating a safety program for International Walk to School Day. 

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.