The award-winning ‘For the People’, produced by John Voket, focuses on issues related to aging, veterans, youth, education, health and human services, public safety, workforce and consumer issues and the environment. Broadcast segments and guests explore concerns facing communities we serve, and detail how individuals and communities may respond to address and/or mitigate those concerns.
CT Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities - AARP Scam Alert - Greater Bridgeport Symphony
Apr 07, 2024
Show notes
This program features a conversation with Connecticut's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). They're working hard to eliminate discrimination, to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons - and they want to invite you to a couple of upcoming events so you can learn more about how they can go to work for you! Then we're connecting with AARP Connecticut to get briefed on the latest scams and tactics that are beating folks like us out of billions of dollars. We'll talk about how to protect yourself from celebrity impersonation, and how bad actors are taking actual voices of folks you know and using artificial intelligence (AI) to help make their lies very believable. And we'll close reviewing the Greater Bridgeport Symphony's latest season as they orchestra prepares for their final show coming up April 13 featuring the music of Beethoven, and how you and your schools and businesses can help ensure the sustainability of this local musical and cultural arts treasure.
Making the rounds at CT Ag Day 2024
Mar 31, 2024
Show notes
We harvested a bounty of great interviews from our recent visit to Connecticut Agriculture Day at the Capitol. Why is CT Grown so important? Stick around and learn why as we chat with folks from the Association of CT Ag Fairs, the UConn's Sea Grant Aquaculture Program, the regional USDA Rural Development Office, the School Nutrition Assoc. of CT, the Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Assoc., the Solid Ground program at UConn, Food Share, and even Agricultural Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, himself!
Homes for the Brave - Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service - ARI of Connecticut
Mar 24, 2024
Show notes
Every day thousands of Connecticut veterans and their families experience homelessness or are at risk to become homeless. So, we're reconnecting with Homes for the Brave - working and growing to serve more vets and their loved ones with a range of critical supports and services, and inviting you out for a few laughs to benefit the agency at its 8th Annual 'For Veterans, By Veterans' Comedy Night. Then we're replaying a visit we had in early January with the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford - discussing how the Center is looking to encourage students and others to pursue careers in public service by providing a forum for the discussion of ethics in government; the importance of civil discourse in politics; and citizen involvement in public service. And we'll close inviting you to the 18th Annual Walk for Independence to benefit ARI - one of the smallest providers of services for adults with developmental disabilities in the state. Learn how ARI's uniquely intimate program provides a “family like” environment and more individualized approach to services and supports based on each individual’s needs and interests.
Wheeler’s Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program - CT Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais - Filling in the Blanks
Mar 17, 2024
Show notes
It's a good bet most folks are unaware March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month - a time to acknowledge the challenges of problem gambling. But for those living with a gambling issue, we're connecting with an expert on the subject helping to remind you that hope and recovery are possible through Wheeler Health network’s Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program. Next, we'll hear from Connecticut's Insurance Commissioner about some of the trends affecting the insurance products you may be paying for, and how his office is working with other states collaboratively to ensure folks are getting the best possible coverage for the rates they pay. And we'll wrap inducting a brand new member of our massive For the People network of regional nonprofit partners - Filling in the Blanks - founded by mothers and community activists serving 200 sites throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties by delivering over 2 MILLION weekend meals to children in low-income households.
Opportunity Youth - Jersey Mike's Month of Giving / Make-A-Wish CT - CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer
Mar 10, 2024
Show notes
Today we'll help you form some perspective on severely disengaged and disconnected youth in Connecticut. A growing coalition of organizations has just released a series of recommendations to state policymakers to address the 119,000 Connecticut youth in need of guidance and support to get back on track. So stick around and learn how you can help inform your state lawmakers about supporting Opportunity Youth. And since it's March - our friends from Jersey Mike's are back to chat about their Month of Giving - one of the most satisfying philanthropic campaigns around - along with Jersey Mike's Day of Giving on March 27, which returns 100% of all sales to their select charity. We'll also bring in a rep from Make-A-Wish the exclusive Connecticut recipient of all the proceeds from Jersey Mike's Month AND Day of Giving. Then, we'll wrap it up hearing from Connecticut's Chief Manufacturing Officer and how his team is helping manufacturers take advantage of market opportunities to grow their businesses with programs ranging from fast-track workforce training to funding and research to help state manufacturers compete and grow globally or remain sustainable entities within their market sectors.
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA - Ruth's House - Encore: AdvanceCT
Mar 03, 2024
Show notes
We're heading back to the Y - The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. We'll chat with their new CEO about this tried and true charitable, not-for-profit, community service organization that remains dedicated to putting principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all the 25 communities they serve. Meet the founder and director of Ruth's House, a home in Shelton, CT and will provide a loving home for young single mothers that encourages and equips them to make positive changes in their lives, care for their children and build their own futures. And we'll close replaying a mid-winter interview with the leader of AdvanceCT - a private nonprofit economic development organization driving job creation and new capital investment through business attraction, retention, and expansion.
WBDC's IGNITE Grant Program - Beardsley Zoo's FrogWatch - Ann's Place
Feb 25, 2024
Show notes
Since For the People provided WBDC's founder with her first radio interview oh so many years ago, we brought her back, in part, to announce and invite women to apply for the Women's Business Development Council's brand new IGNITE grant program, and to come out to the upcoming Women Owned Business Day at the Connecticut Capital. Then, we're welcoming two Beardsley Zoo educators to talk about a number of cool programs happening this spring - as well as focusing on FrogWatch 2024 - which is currently enlisting folks who want to help scientists better understand how these noisy amphibians provide a bellwether for our environmental health. And we'll close telling you all about Ann's Place - providing comfort, support, and financial resources to those living with cancer and their loved ones. Their CEO is dropping in to explain how this compassionate nonprofit is serving the region with professional counseling, support groups, wellness activities and educational resources - all at no charge.
Annie C. Courtney Foundation - McCall Behavioral Health Network - Connecticut Psychological Association
Feb 18, 2024
Show notes
We're visiting a co-founder of the nonprofit Annie C. Courtney Foundation - assisting families and individuals touched by all aspects of the child welfare system. Did you know as many as half of our youths exiting foster care experience homelessness by age 26 and many more are unstably housed. Stick around and learn how you can help Annie C. do something about it. Then we're pivoting to the leader of the McCall Behavioral Health Network to learn about a brand new program to fast-track individuals reaching out for mental health and crisis support to the expert care they need - most often the day of - or within a day of that call for help. And we'll close getting briefed on a number of important issues the Connecticut Psychological Association wants you to know about - that will occupy part of the speedy agenda during the 2024 state General Assembly short session.
2-1-1 Day - New Haven Legal Assistance Association - Valley Community Foundation
Feb 11, 2024
Show notes
February 11 isn't just Super Bowl Sunday - maybe more importantly it's 2-1-1 Day here in Connecticut, the day when we celebrate and recognize 2-1-1-Infoline, which had its humble beginnings right here in our state and last year, provided assistance to 1.7 million people. Then, we're heading to the Elm City to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The New Haven Legal Assistance Association, which offers free, high-quality legal services to people living in poverty in greater New Haven. We'll tell you all about it, and how you may be able to access free legal help from their NHLAA team. Then we'll head to visit with the Valley Community Foundation and talk about how that organization is maximizing the power of "Valley-ness" to support and assist hundreds of organization working to take the best care of residents in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.
Choose Love Movement - CT Forest & Park Association - LIV IT UP
Feb 04, 2024
Show notes
It's CHOOSE LOVE AWARENESS MONTH, so we're going to talk about how you can choose love as defined by the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement and its founder Scarlett Lewis - who is on a mission to create safer and more loving communities through proven programs suited for all stages of life and everybody from you and your family, to your entire community and even your workplace. Then we're introducing the new director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Assoc.- which is dedicated to connecting people to the land in order to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces. We'll also learn how their experienced conservation professionals are delivering programs on Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, Environmental Education, Land Conservation, and Public Policy. Then we'll touch base with LIV IT UP - a regional grassroots nonprofit providing support services and programming for neurodiverse adults by offering opportunities to enjoy enriched and fulfilled lives. The nonprofit promotes independence and building friendship and community through activities like volunteering , social gatherings, Broadway trips, yoga, therapeutic horseback riding, art classes, and concerts.
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