Project at Wesley Village in Shelton nears completion

'Lifestyle Transitions' memory support community being built

SHELTON - Phase two construction is nearly completed at Lifestyle Transitions, a specialized assisted living and memory support community on the Wesley Village campus. 

The Shelton senior living campus, which opened the memory care neighborhood in the northwest wing of their Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community in January of 2015, is adding an additional eight studio-suite apartments, a sunroom, and an enclosed outdoor courtyard. 

The project will be completed this summer, with apartments available this month.

Unique to Wesley Village, “Lifestyle Transitions” offers a mission-based, relationship-centered approach to care, as well as: affordable pricing, a wander-protection system, 24-hour staffing with caregivers trained by the Alzheimer’s Association, on-site physician services, engaging activities, a variety of apartment styles for individuals or couples, education and support services for residents and families, and a specialized design to maximize independence. 

The community is designed to support residents with cognitive impairment by engaging them in life and activities within the larger Wesley Heights community and providing encouragement, friendship, and a feeling of security. It also focuses on developing daily routines for successfully managing individualized physical, social and cognitive challenges.

Deposits are being accepted for all apartment styles, including new studio-suite apartments, which will be available Aug. 12. 

For more information or to inquire about open house events, contact Lisa Bisson, 203-225-5024. 

Wesley Village is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus also offers assisted and independent living, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 

To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Family event at park in Milford to mark ADA's 25th anniversary

Bodie's Place, 725 North St., Milford / Photo from organization's website

MILFORD - Bodie’s Place at Eisenhower Park is the place to be Aug. 9 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Bodie’s Place is an accessible, community playground located in the park at 725 North St.

The family-friendly, fun event will run from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

It will feature entertainment by folk guitarist Robert Messore from 10:30 a.m.-noon. He will entertain children with sing-along songs. 

There also will be a demonstration of wheelchair tennis from 10:30-11:30 a.m., face painting, animal balloons, and refreshments.

For information, contact Lisa Vaccino, 203-876-7427 or Carmen Correa, 203-934-7077.

The celebration is sponsored by the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC). It will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 by former President George H.W. Bush.

The landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against the disabled and affords them the same opportunities available to those who are not living with a disability.

The West Haven-based Center for Disability Rights-CT is one of the event’s collaborators. 

Marc Anthony Gallucci, CDR executive director, said, “This 25th anniversary is a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that the Americans with Disabilities Act has had in the lives of millions of persons with disabilities.”

In addition to CDR the following collaborators are working to make the event a success: West Haven Community House’s Community Connections, City of West Haven, City of Milford & Concerned Citizens for People with Disabilities, Inc., Agency on Aging, and Bodie’s Place of Milford.


Note: My husband and I are members of the Center for Disability Rights in West Haven. The organization's catchment area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Ansonia schools post Pre-K information

* Shared from the Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page

Conroy of Seymour appointed to Medicaid oversight council

HARTFORD - House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, has appointed state Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, to the state Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight as an advocate for persons with substance abuse disabilities.

“Theresa Conroy is a strong advocate for individuals and families that are struggling with the disease of addiction,” Aresimowicz said. 

“She is one of the first state policy-makers to face the state’s opioid epidemic head on and will be a great addition to the council.”

“I want to thank Majority Leader Aresimowicz for this new challenge,” Conroy said. “Making sure all Connecticut residents who are insured through Medicaid Managed Care have access to quality care is an important goal.”

The Council on Medical Assistance Program was established under Connecticut statute (CGS 17b-28) as a collaborative body consisting of legislators, Medicaid consumers, advocates, health care providers, insurers and state agencies to advise DSS on the development of Connecticut's Medicaid Managed Care program and for legislative and public input to monitor the implementation of the program.

Due to the large volume of work the Council addresses, committees have been established – Complex Care, Consumer Access, Quality Improvement, Women's Health, and Care Management. 

The full Council and each committee meet once a month. The Council holds public hearings, issues surveys and holds provider forums to assess the impact of Medicaid Managed Care.

The next meeting of the full Council on Medical Assistance Program is at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18, in Room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

This is a press release from Conroy's office. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby names new co-chairs for Valley Goes Pink

Jodi Dawley, left, and Sue Petrizzo, both of Shelton, will co-chair the 6th annual Valley Goes Pink campaign to benefit the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby./ Contributed photo
DERBY - Two women from Shelton will lead the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s signature breast cancer campaign this October.

Jodi Dawley, of Real Estate Two, and Sue Petrizzo, community advocate and former Executive of Mott’s North America, are the co-chairs for the Griffin Hospital’s 6th Annual Valley Goes Pink campaign.

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 all partnering organizations.

Breast cancer detection is near and dear to Petrizzo and Dawley, a breast cancer survivor.

“Early detection is key,” Dawley said. “It saved my life and it can save your life too.”

“Breast cancer awareness is at the heart of The Valley Goes Pink,” Petrizzo said. “I get screened every year so that any incidence of breast cancer can be found and treated effectively. If it’s time for you to have regular mammograms, then schedule yours today!”

Dawley and Petrizzo replace former co-chairs, Susan Coyle, of Real Estate Two, and Patricia Tarasovic, of the Valley United Way, who remain active members of the Valley Goes Pink committee.

Coyle and Tarasovic began the Valley Goes Pink initiative six years ago while raising funds to build the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

The Valley Goes Pink has raised more than $260,000.

Throughout October, Valley residents, business and community groups are invited to join the campaign and “Go Pink” by hosting a variety of unique fundraising events and marketing programs. Local businesses can “Pinkify” their office with ribbons and lights, host dress down days, sell pink bracelets and other pink merchandise, host Pink Parties with friends, or organize a bake sale or auction.

For information on how you can “Go Pink,” including a calendar of events, visit griffinhealth.org/thevalleygoespink or contact Petrizzo, 203-400-1068 or petrizzopink@yahoo.com, or Dawley, 203-521-2233 or dawleypink@yahoo.com. You can also follow Valley Goes Pink events on Facebook at facebook.com/thevalleygoespink.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton hosting drive-in movie tonight

SHELTON - A free movie, The Box Trolls, will be presented tonight at Veterans Memorial Park, 38 Canal St. East near the Riverwalk.

The event is sponsored by the Shelton Youth Service Bureau.
Movies start about 8:30 p.m.

Bring your own refreshments (no alcohol, please), seating, and bug spray.

All movies are rated PG.



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