The Umbrella teams with police, advocates to reduce domestic violence

Creation of Family Justice Center eyed
The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services recently held a two-day planning session for a new Family Justice Center in New Haven. 

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp

The local police, prosecutors, civil legal service providers, and community-based advocates met to put together a plan to decrease domestic violence in the community. 

A Family Justice Center is the co-location of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. 

The core concept is to provide one place where victims can go to talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation.

The Family Justice Center model has been identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the United States Department of Justice. 
There are many documented and published outcomes in the Family Justice Center model including reduced homicides, increased victim safety and reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children. 
New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said in a recent interview his priorities include “starting a family justice center to tackle domestic violence and building more community trust in his cops.” 

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal have also all openly supported the creation of a Family Justice Center.

The Family Justice Center initiative is a community project and anyone who is interested to learn more or get involved should contact Project Coordinator Julie Johnson at 203-780-2033 or j_johnson@bhcare.org. 

Following The New Haven Family Justice Center at www.facebook.com/NewHavenFJC and www.twitter.com/NHFJC_CT.  If you need immediate domestic violence 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, more than 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help, and hope. 

Learn more at www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.

Here's how to properly display the American flag

I saw this on Facebook and thought I'd share:

First field trip to grocery store was a success

Well that was fun.
I took my first foray out into the real world since my surgery (not counting medical appointments) this afternoon. 

It was good to get out, but I quickly got tired going around the grocery store. 

On a happy note I bumped into a sweet friend who has been showering me with moral support thanks to the wonders of Facebook. It was good to see her and her hubby!

And I remembered to pick up a bar of dark chocolate "for the family," so all is well.

Shelton club member named 2017 Connecticut Youth of the Year

Teen wins organization's highest honor

SHELTON - The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley has announced that Sabrina Maldonado, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley's 2017 Youth of the Year, has been named 2017 Connecticut Youth of the Year. 

Youth of the Year is the highest honor the Boys & Girls Club organization can bestow upon a member. 

Sabrina Maldonado

Sabrina traveled to Hartford Wednesday to join 13 other youth in competition for the state title. The young men and women spent the day in interviews with a panel of judges comprised of local business executives.

Sabrina joined the Boys & Girls Club as a shy 10-year old and has grown into a confident young woman who earned our Raymond P. Lavietes Unit's 2016 Girl of the Year award. As the Connecticut state Youth of the Year, Sabrina will now travel to New York in June for the Northeast Region competition.

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. 

Each year, one exceptional Club member is selected to be the National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nation’s young people. 

The journey to being named National Youth of the Year begins locally and progresses to the state, regional, and national levels. 

To achieve the title of Youth of the Year on any level, Club members must embody the values of leadership and service; academic excellence; and healthy lifestyles. 

They should exemplify the critical impact that Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of young people.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit us at www.BGC-LNV.org. 


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

Newsletter highlights kidney transplant, Ansonia High band, Shelton athletes

Dear readers,

Our latest newsletter is now out. 
It features my transplant update, Ansonia High School band practicing for Sunday's Memorial Day Parade, and Shelton student athletes' college signing ceremony. 

Please click here to read all about it.

Thanks and have a safe Memorial Day weekend. 

~ Patti

Spooner House in Shelton thanks walk supporters

Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make our 20th year a big success! You helped us raise $17,514 for the hunger and homeless initiatives at Spooner House! Though the impact made is enormous, our goal was to raise $20,000 for the 20th year of our Walk! There is still time to help us reach our goal. If you haven't made a donation yet, you still can. The 2017 Walk online fundraising page will be open until Monday, May 29: Make A Donation Here

Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, is operated by Area Congregations Together.

Celebrate Shelton to host summer concerts, food trucks