BHcare to hold A Chance to Shine fundraiser June 7 at Quarry Walk in Oxford

OXFORD - BHcare’s A Chance to Shine Fundraising Walk and Free Community Celebration will be held June 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Quarry Walk.  

This event will benefit all BHcare’s programs, which include The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, Parent Child Resource Center, Alliance for Prevention and Wellness, BHcare’s mental health and substance use services and Hope Family Justice Center.

At the heart of the event is our Walk to Remember, held in memory of Lori Jackson and all those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, mental illness, or addiction. We also walk in honor of the survivors who continue to persevere, heal, and thrive. 

The cost for registration is $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 5 -18 and children 4 and under are free. Register at achancetoshinect.org. 

The walk will be followed by a FREE community celebration with fun for the whole family. 

The day will feature live music by Fat Molasses Band, inflatables, touch-a-truck, face painting, raffles, lawn games and more! 

At 1 p.m., a kids’ bike parade around the green will be led by Joe Furey, Co-Chief Meteorologist at WTNH News 8 with free helmets, lights, locks and reflectors for those who preregister for the parade. 

Guests can also enjoy the wonderful shops and dining options located throughout picturesque Quarry Walk; you even have an opportunity to view it all from above on a scenic helicopter tour! There is something for everyone!

“We have a long, lasting relationship with BHcare that literally started with a handshake,” said Tom Haynes, owner, Haynes Development. “Since 2017, the event has raised over $1.3 million and impacted nearly 105,000 clients.”

“Thanks to the support of sponsors like Haynes Development and our event participants, we can continue to expand our services and programs to reach even more people in our communities,” said Roberta J. Cook, President/CEO, BHcare. “A Chance to Shine is a day to celebrate hope, healing, and community. We invite you to bring the whole family and your four-legged friends for a day that truly makes a difference.”

We will also hold an online auction where you can bid on tickets to professional sporting events, vacation homes, golf foursomes, wine tastings, restaurant certificates and more while supporting BHcare. The online auction runs from June 2-16. Register to bid at givebutter.com/c/ACTS2025/auction.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Haynes Development, and our media sponsor WTNH News 8. 

For more information, to register for the walk, kids’ bike parade or for sponsorship opportunities, visit achancetoshinect.org.

BHcare provides a comprehensive and integrated system of care with wrap-around services for adults, children and families struggling with mental health, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors.

Last year, BHcare provided services for more than 15,000 clients throughout the Greater New Haven area. 

Visit BHcare.org for more information.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Seymour Congregational Church to host Blue Christmas worship service

"No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. Please join us. You matter. You are loved.

"Special music will be shared by Stephen Peter Rodgers and Sean O’Reilly."

This is shared from the church Facebook page.

Vigil in Shelton to honor survivors, remember victims of domestic violence

SHELTON - Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring light to an issue that affects all of our communities. 

Every nine seconds, a woman is abused in the U.S. 

One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services and Hope Family Justice Center of New Haven will hold an annual vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 38 Canal Street E.

UCDVS and HFJC aim to bring hope to those affected, offer support to survivors and stand as a community committed to change. Every voice and every light matters in the fight to end domestic violence.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time for us to come together as a community, to remember those who have lost their lives, to acknowledge the survivors, and to reiterate our unwavering support for those who have faced or are facing domestic violence in their homes and their lives,” said Esperina Stubblefield, Director of Domestic Violence Services, BHcare.

Geralyn O'Neil-Wild, Chief Operating Officer of CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence will be guest speaker followed by the recognition of police officers. 

Officer Joshua Cash of the Derby Police Department and Officer Jenny Ribeiro of the Ansonia Police Department will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence.

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services visit www.BHcare.org. If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, nearly 6,000 domestic violence victims, survivors and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help, and hope.

HFJC, a program of BHcare, is a collaboration of multiple community providers under one roof providing free wraparound services for domestic violence survivors and their families. 

Victims of domestic violence receive support, healing and pathways to empowerment.


This is a press release from BHcare.

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.

Save the date: A Chance to Shine annual event slated June 1 in Oxford

A Chance to Shine is an annual event to benefit all BHcare programs. The funds raised will help countless children, adults, and families in the community as they strive to recover from mental illness, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors.

Beacon Falls Public Library to host program on dogs of Chernobyl

Stephen Quandt, Feline Behaviorist, returns with his program about the descendants of the pet dogs left behind after the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986.

This is shared from the Beacon Falls Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Historical Society director encourages reflection on MLK holiday

By Daniel Bosques

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as an opportunity for all of us to stop and reflect on our own thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. 

In the spirit of Dr. King’s unwavering and messages of hope, perseverance, enacting peaceful change, and equality for all, we have a responsibility to our fellow Americans to take a personal inventory of ourselves. 

Are we individually doing our part to show love, compassion, fairness, and acceptance to our neighbors? 

Do we demonstrate strength of character, respectful responses to opposing viewpoints, intolerance of unfair policies? Do we show love to others through our words and our deeds? 

Taking a moment to stop and think about our individual answers to these questions just might lead to the self-awareness that may act as a catalyst for necessary change. 

There has never been a time in our collective American history that Dr. King’s messages of equality and hope have not been relevant. As a nation, we have come a long way from our tarnished history of slavery, oppression, Jim Crow segregation, and the overt mistreatment of large populations of Americans. 

However, we must acknowledge that we still have very far to go in reaching the type of country that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Recent events in our country have forced Americans to face a stark reality that they had long been oblivious of (or complacent to ignore) - that is, that people of color in this country continue to face racism in many facets of their lives; most disturbingly, systemically.

While the current state of our nation may be discouraging for some, we must embrace the fact that as Americans, each one of us is empowered to make the changes we wish to see in our society. We might start by taking today to revisit the eloquent, awe-inspiring, and world-changing words of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.

To hear five of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speeches, click here.

The lessons of the past can serve as the answers to creating a better future that includes all Americans. 

Seymour Pink Team to run 2020 Marine Corps Marathon in D.C.

Sharing info from the Seymour Pink May newsletter:

2020 Marine Corps Marathon

Team Seymour Pink is going back to D.C.! Seymour Pink will once again be a Charity Partner with the Marine Corps Marathon for the 45th running of the Marine Corps Marathon plus the 10K and 50K. Fingers crossed - the race will be held on Oct. 25, 2020. If you want to be part of "the People's Marathon" weekend with Team Seymour Pink, registration is still open. Get More Information HERE.

Seymour Pink lawn signs spread message of hope across U.S.

*I got mine! 

Recuperation journey: Our Seymour Pink sign was delivered

Seymour Pink helped my family financially and emotionally when I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2011. 
The nonprofit's mission is to unite a community against breast cancer by raising funds and awareness. 
Founded by the one and only Mary Deming - a retired Seymour High School teacher and Valley native - the organization holds a huge place in my heart. 
I was happy to see that my sign was delivered this morning and I had to take a photo.
I encourage people to order a sign and make a donation to Seymour Pink!

This post on the organization's Facebook page from March 18 unveiled the initiative:

"In trying, challenging times, we all look for ways to ease stress, to bring comfort and hope for a better day.

In an effort to join TOGETHER, even though we cannot gather together, Seymour Pink will be offering these complimentary lawn signs as a way for us to be united in our resolve, that TOGETHER we will get through these difficult and trying times!

EACH day brings us opportunities to come together in SPIRIT, to continue to be there for others by spreading HOPE and PROMISE that on the other side of this, we will be TOGETHER again, joining hands and hearts as one!

It is our hope that these lawn signs will bring all of us HOPE and PROMISE that TOGETHER we will get thru this more UNITED than ever.

Our lawn signs are FREE (however donations will be kindly accepted)
-First come, first serve
(delivery of signs will begin on or about this coming Wednesday April 1st)
-We will deliver to your front lawn- no contact
-LIMITED supply in our initial production
-If you live outside of the Lower Naugatuck Valley (Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Beacon Falls, Oxford) we will set up a pick up location with designated day and time-practicing ALWAYS our social distancing (details for pick up to follow)

Be safe, be healthy, we will get through this TOGETHER!

****These signs have been sponsored by a very generous ANONYMOUS donor! Thank you for your generosity!

We also want to thank Grand Concepts of Seymour for their partnership in this idea.

PLEASE contact us at seymourpink09@aol.com to reserve your lawn sign.

We will get through this TOGETHER!"

Seymour Pink offering lawn signs to demonstrate unity, spirit

In trying, challenging times, we all look for ways to ease stress, to bring comfort and hope for a better day.

In an effort to join TOGETHER, even though we cannot gather together, Seymour Pink will be offering these complimentary lawn signs as a way for us to be united in our resolve, that TOGETHER we will get through these difficult and trying times!

EACH day brings us opportunities to come together in SPIRIT, to continue to be there for others by spreading HOPE and PROMISE that on the other side of this, we will be TOGETHER again, joining hands and hearts as one!

It is our hope that these lawn signs will bring all of us HOPE and PROMISE that TOGETHER we will get thru this more UNITED than ever.

Our lawn signs are FREE (however donations will be kindly accepted)
-First come, first serve
(delivery of signs will begin on or about this coming Wednesday April 1st)
-We will deliver to your front lawn- no contact
-LIMITED supply in our initial production
-If you live outside of the Lower Naugatuck Valley (Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Seymour, Beacon Falls, Oxford) we will set up a pick up location with designated day and time-practicing ALWAYS our social distancing (details for pick up to follow)

Be safe, be healthy, we will get through this TOGETHER!

****These signs have been sponsored by a very generous ANONYMOUS donor! Thank you for your generosity!

We also want to thank Grand Concepts of Seymour for their partnership in this idea.

PLEASE contact us at seymourpink09@aol.com to reserve your lawn sign.

We will get through this TOGETHER!

Sharing message from Seymour Pink Founder/President Mary Deming

Dear Friends of Seymour Pink,   First, and most importantly, I hope you are doing well and safe during this incredibly difficult time of uncertainty. We are experiencing such a rapid change in our normal day-to-day activities. Our typical day to day routines have been altered drastically. For most, if not all of us, nothing seems “normal.”   For Seymour Pink our mission has not changed. We will continue to financially assist those victimized by the breast cancer diagnosis as best we are able to do.  Unfortunately, with the social distancing that we MUST all practice, our income will be greatly impacted over these next few months. As a result, so will our available funds we rely on to help financially assist our breast cancer patients   As much as we would like nothing more than to return to hosting our fundraisers, in order to raise funds to support our mission, practicing social distancing and the guidelines set in place by Federal, State and Local officials is an ABSOLUTE MUST!   Although these are difficult times, unpredictable times, they are TEMPORARY times! EACH day brings us opportunities to come together in SPIRIT, to continue to be there for others by spreading HOPE and PROMISE that on the other side of this, we will be TOGETHER again, joining hands and hearts as one!   To all of our incredibly dedicated volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and our brave and courageous breast cancer survivors, we are forever grateful for your commitment to Pink.   From all of us at Seymour Pink, to each and every one of you, may you stay safe, and healthy! Mary Deming Founder/President Seymour Pink, Inc. www.seymourpink.com seymourpink09@aol.com SEYMOUR PINK |  www.seymourpink.com  ‌  ‌

Tickets offered for Christmas show at Toyota Oakdale Theatre

*Sharing this from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc J. Garofalo:

You are cordially invited to A Christmas Cantata at 7 p.m. Jan. 3, 2020.

It will be performed on stage at Toyota Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford. 

Free tickets for anyone 5 years and older can be obtained at Derby Town Clerk's Office from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2 and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. 

For more information call or email - 1.888.466.9846 or visit www.christmascantata.us

Happy New Year!

Story of Auschwitz survival is topic of Derby Public Library discussion

DERBY - Derby Public Library will hold its monthly Lunchtime Book Discussion at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 28.
August’s featured book is “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris.
This is a story of hope and survival against incredible odds and the power of love.
Based on a true story, the wrenching yet riveting tale of determination to survive the camp is a moving testament to the power of kindness, ingenuity, and hope.
It is a testament to the human spirit and the power of love to bloom in even the darkest places.

Lunchtime Book Discussions are held the last Wednesday of the month and are free and open to the public.
Multiple copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk.

Drop-ins are welcome; no registration required. The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

For information call 203-736-1482.


This is a press release from Kathy Wilson, head of circulation, Derby Public Library.

Recuperation journey: Survivors at Shelton Relay called Hope Heroes

SHELTON - Saturday was a day to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer and to celebrate survivors at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of the Naugatuck Valley.
The two-day event was held at the Shelton Riverwalk.

Survivors were treated to a lunch and given pins that say "Hope Hero." 
A big thank you goes to the committee members who have worked hard for the past year to organize the Relay for Life activities.