BHcare seeks donors for Under the Tree Project to support clients

Every year, BHcare’s Under the Tree Project brings joy to individuals and families in our programs by matching donors with clients and fulfilling a holiday wish under $50.

We still have 409 adults and children hoping to be adopted.

Your support shows them they’re not alone.

Sign up today and help bring hope to someone who needs it.

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Hewitt Foundation donates $1M for EmPATH unit at Griffin Hospital in Derby

An EmPATH unit that will offer a new approach in behavioral health is planned at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

DERBY - A $1 million gift from The Hewitt Foundation has enabled the establishment of Connecticut's first Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) Unit at Griffin Hospital.

This pioneering unit represents a bold step forward in addressing the growing demand for mental health crisis services, offering specialized help to Connecticut residents in desperate need of specialized care. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 41% of adults in Connecticut have experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression, while 121,000 adults are living with serious mental illness.

“The Hewitt Foundation is honored to support Griffin’s pioneering efforts in behavioral health crisis care,” said Harry P. DiAdamo, treasurer of the Hewitt Foundation. “We encourage individuals, foundations, and businesses to join us in making this vision a reality and in ensuring a healthier future for those desperately in need of focused and compassionate help.”

With a shortage of behavioral health services statewide, individuals in emotional crisis are often brought to hospital emergency departments (EDs) by crisis centers, law enforcement, and well-meaning family members. 

However, EDs are limited in their ability to provide the therapeutic care required, leaving many without the specialized support they urgently need.

“Over the past three years, mental health crisis cases at Griffin Hospital’s Emergency Department have surged by 50%, with one in seven patients seeking crisis care,” said Maria Dawe, MD, Chair of the Griffin Health Psychiatry Department. “This influx not only overwhelms our capacity - it delays care for all patients.

“The EmPATH Unit will expand services for community members in psychiatric crisis with a compassionate, dignified and patient-focused approach in a specially designed and reserved environment. This approach exclusively focuses on improving and expediting positive outcomes.”

An EmPATH Unit represents a new approach in behavioral healthcare, offering a calming therapeutic space for patients in emotional crisis. Unlike traditional EDs, this unit prioritizes rapid, personalized care in a soothing 4,300 square-foot environment that includes a large, open common space with high ceilings, natural light, exterior views, and soothing décor. 

Staffed by psychiatrists, social workers, and trained nurses, the EmPATH Unit will feature sensory rooms with patient-controlled lighting and music, which will act as a safe space to help regulate emotions, tables for socializing, a nourishment station for snacks, shower room, and physician consultation and family rooms for visitors.

The evidence for this approach is compelling. Similar pioneering units across the country have stabilized 75% of patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in less than 24 hours, reducing the need for hospitalization, and decreased crisis readmissions by 25%, all while eliminating many of the traumatic aspects of traditional emergency psychiatric care.

Recognition opportunities for visionary donors 

Additional support is needed to fully realize Griffin’s transformative vision. 

By joining this effort, donors have a rare opportunity to be part of a revolutionary approach to mental health care that will serve as a model throughout Connecticut and beyond. Donors will also have a special opportunity to be recognized within this innovative space through naming options, including the main treatment area and individual healing rooms.

To view an insightful video and learn more about the EmPATH Unit as well as naming opportunities, visit griffinhealth.org/supportempath or contact Griffin Hospital Development Fund Executive Director Kristy Jelenik at kjelenik@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7539.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

20 receive scholarships at Boys & Girls Club of LNV awards night Thursday

SHELTON -The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley proudly awarded nearly $46,000 in scholarships to 20 deserving members during its 2025 Scholarship Awards Night on May 14.

After nearly two decades of leading the Scholarship Committee, longtime Club Director and board member Linda Welch officially passed the baton to Brian Marcucio, fellow board member and Alumni Hall of Fame inductee. 

Inspired by his time as a Youth of the Year judge, Marcucio stepped into the role with enthusiasm and led the evening with heartfelt energy and inspiration.

Welch’s impact continues to be felt through the Coram Gardens Civic Association Scholarship, the Club’s longest-standing endowment, established 35 years ago in 1991. 

She and her husband James were instrumental in directing proceeds from the sale of the Coram Gardens Civic Association property to the Boys & Girls Club. To date, the scholarship has contributed nearly $218,000 to the Club’s youth, including $9,400 awarded this year.

Thanks to the generosity of our dedicated donors and endowment partners, these scholarships help our graduating Club kids take the next step toward bright, successful futures. Donors — your support continues to change lives, and we thank you for believing in our youth.

This year’s scholarship support came from a mix of long-standing and new sources, including:

• Celebrate Shelton Community Impact & Opportunity Scholarship (NEW in 2025)

• Marcucio Scholarship Fund (NEW in 2025)

• Jimmy Olayos Jr. Scholarship

• Fred Dapp Scholarship

• Juliana Mazza Memorial Scholarship

• Karen & Twan Bentlage Scholarship Fund

• Beth Fortin Family Foundation

• George & Beatrice Ryan Scholarship (via Valley Community Foundation)

• Raymond P. Lavietes Trust

• George & Margaret Smith Scholarship

• Coram Gardens Civic Association Scholarship

2025 Scholarship Recipients:

• Hailey Overton

• Veronica Bialczak

• Gabrielly Ribeiro

• Leneri Snow

• Marilyne Gilbert

• Raisa Karim

• Samuel Rondon

• Mikayla Simon

• Amaryllis Medina

• Brandon Palmer

• Brynn Roscoe

• Evie Montalvo

• Alicia Curry

• Emily Vargo

• Bailey Wheeler

• Ava Bottone

• Carly Cipriano

• Kalie Cipriano

• Emily Wallace

• Alleyanna Figueroa

As Marcucio kicked off the scholarship presentations, he quoted the late Jimmy Olayos Jr. — whose legacy continues through his namesake award — and said, “Let’s have a big day!”

To support our scholarship fund or learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit bgc-lnv.org/donate. View the Facebook photo album here.

This is shared from the club's Facebook page.

Congratulations and best of luck to all of the scholarship recipients! 

Sharing memory of a moving event in 2019 for organ donors, recipients

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Valley United Way names Pacowta President, Chief Professional Officer

Michael E. Pacowta

The Valley United Way board of directors today announced that Michael E. Pacowta has been named President and Chief Professional Officer. 

Pacowta brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for positive change within the organization’s five-town region of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. 

He succeeds Interim President and Chief Executive Officer David Kennedy, who retired on Jan. 9.
“The board of directors is thrilled that Mike will lead VUW. He will focus on building fundraising momentum to strengthen our partner agency’s impact within the community,” said board chair, Karen Stockla. “Mike first joined as Area Director in August 2022 and has consistently displayed the qualifications and expertise needed to drive the organization towards providing lasting change for the Valley.”
Stockla added, “While we are excited about this new chapter of growth for VUW, the Board is grateful for David Kennedy’s leadership and guidance during the past three years. This was especially true during the pandemic, where he was instrumental in raising funds as part of the Valley Community Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which supported community members who were severely impacted by Covid-19.”
Pacowta said, “I am excited to lead VUW by working with our generous donors, corporate and agency partners, volunteers, staff, board of directors, and community members to better understand and address the many challenges within the Valley. I believe strongly in the work that our organization carries out and am certain that through our collaboration, we will be successful in delivering greater investment to improve the lives of those most in need.”

Pacowta has a long-established presence in the Valley, serving as President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce from 1991-94, and as Mayor of Shelton from 1985-91.
He also served for several years as President of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and, immediately before joining VUW, held the position of Employment Specialist with TheWorkplace, Inc.

For more information about the Valley United Way, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact  Pacowta, President and Chief Professional Officer, at 203-538-6349.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

Haynes Construction to hold blood drive in Seymour

 

Ansonia High School students, staff support Toys 4 Kids drive

 

This is shared from Ansonia Public Schools' Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) highlights bookplates

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Wood family. 
The photo shows H. Holton Wood Book Plates (label). They were glued to the inside front cover of a book, particularly a book donated by the Wood family to the Library. These bookplates and many like them were a way to acknowledge who the donor was. 
The Library has several of the books donated by the Wood family in its collection. H. Holton Wood died May 10, 1912.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Shelton woman, 32, seeks liver donor to help save her life

Recuperation journey: March is National Kidney Month

March is a busy month full of important national observances. Join us as we observe National Kidney Month! 

The Transplant Life Foundation will highlight stories and important facts and figures all through March to point out a critical need for kidney donation. #NationalKidneyMonth #ShareYourSpare

*Shared from the Transplant Life Foundation Facebook page.

Derby native named development officer of Boys & Girls Club

 Lenskold

SHELTON - Diane Potkay Lenskold, a Derby native, has joined the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley as its new Development Officer. 

She comes to the Boys & Girls Club with more than seven years’ development experience and more than five years’ experience marketing for wealth managers.
“Diane is a perfect complement to our leadership team,” said Shaye Roscoe, Executive Director. “She understands the importance of developing professional relationships with our supporters built on trust and good communication. Diane’s work will be essential in advancing our Boys & Girls Club mission and strengthening our relationships among donors.”
Lenskold said, “I will work tirelessly to support our donors and to help the Boys & Girls Club continue to flourish so they can continue to help kids and their families throughout the Valley."
Most recently, she served as Business Manager and Director of Development for Today’s American Catholic Publishing Co. in Farmington, where she worked with the Board of Directors to re-energize the company, its mission, and vision while managing fundraising annual appeals and individual solicitations for major gifts. 
Lenskold worked with both Yale University and the Culinary Institute of America, where she developed and implemented goals and strategies for individual giving and capital campaigns.

Lenskold holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and took graduate classes at the University of New Haven School of Business. She and her brothers grew up playing sports for Derby High School, and in 2016 Diane was inaugurated into Derby’s first class of the Athletic Hall of Fame. 

This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.