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.
Continuum of Care - AAA Northeast - Encore Replay: Western CT Food Farmacy
Nov 12, 2023
Show notes
Since 1966 the nonprofit Continuum of Care has been serving adults diagnosed with mental illness and severe developmental and intellectual disabilities. The agency is preparing for its Holiday Bazaar that will help fund a brand new and comprehensive program that will save taxpayers millions addressing homeless individuals diagnosed with one or more of these issues - so tune in and see how you can help. Then, we're bringing in the Managing Director, Public and Government Affairs for AAA Northeast to get you up to speed on issues from pedestrian and driving safety post Daylight Saving - to a new addition to our 'Slow Down, Move Over' law, a new mobile EV emergency charging unit, and what to know if you'll be traveling this Thanksgiving. And we'll celebrate the recent opening of the western Connecticut 'Food Farmacy' by replaying part of a spring series focusing on a first-of-its-kind collaboration between United Way of Western CT and Nuvance Health on this community-based site designed to connect folks diagnosed with obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and/or hypertension to fresh healthful foods.
SCORE of Western CT - Put CT Grown On Your Plate - Eversource Energy Assistance Programs
Nov 05, 2023
Show notes
Hear from the leader of SCORE of Western CT about all the free and confidential resources for you whether you are a business owner who wants to take things to the next level, you're ready to break out on your own as an entrepreneur, or if you are a business person who's willing to share your talents and expertise as a mentor or coach. Then, we'll connect with Connecticut's Agriculture Commissioner and a state Ag Ambassador to talk about how easy, healthy, and economically feasible it is to 'Put CT Grown On Your Plate' for the fall and winter holidays - and every day! And we'll close with a rep from Eversource addressing the cost of energy and how that utility is offering a range of programs to assist folks with paying their energy bills.
Waveny Lifecares - CT DOT Fall Update - Gifts of Love
Oct 29, 2023
Show notes
Meet the CEO of Waveny LifeCare Network and hear how this regional nonprofit is delivering a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to seniors with diverse therapeutic programs, services and living options. Waveny is celebrating 50 years of service and an important new partnership going into 2024, so tune in and learn all about them. Then it's time to check in with our source at the CT DOT on subjects from Halloween traffic safety, to enhancements and fare increases on state bus and rail lines, a couple of important construction updates, and how the DOT will be making state roads more friendly for all through the 'Complete Streets' initiative. And we'll close with Gifts of Love - a regional nonprofit supporting struggling working families by responding to provide basic living needs including food assistance, household items, and clothing; and fighting food insecurity. We'll also let you know how to support Gifts of Love, including attending their upcoming 'Fall In Love' fundraiser.
'AARP & You' Pt. 3 Fraud Protection - CT Housing Partners - CT DDS STEP Program
Oct 22, 2023
Show notes
We're closing out our 3-part series 'AARP & You' - tapping expert sources from the national AARP network to provide critical information to better protect everyone in Connecticut. In this segment, you'll learn the 3 most important things to immediately do if you are the victim of fraud. Then we're circling back with CT Housing Partners CEO and one of their developers to provide some insight into Connecticut's much maligned 8-30g statute related to affordable and workforce housing. And we're connecting with the Commissioner of Connecticut's Dept. of Developmental Services to hear more about the recently launched STEP (Supporting Transformation to Empower People) program to shift and expand the continuum of supports to serve as many individuals in the most independent settings possible.
Impact Fairfield County - Thin Line Peer Support Team - CT Women's Hall of Fame
Oct 15, 2023
Show notes
Meet Impact Fairfield County - a women's collective giving organization funding large transformational grants for qualified nonprofits. The next application period opens October 16, so if you are involved with or volunteer for, get services from a nonprofit that operates or programs in Fairfield County, listen in and learn more. Then we're introducing Thin Line Peer Support Team, Inc, a non- profit providing peer-to-peer mental health assistance to first responders, active military, and veterans as well as facilitating access to more comprehensive mental health resources including drug and alcohol programs. Hear about their first major fundraiser - Walk the Line - and how you can help or come out and support the cause in person. Then, we're circling back with the CT Women's Hall of Fame - delivering educational resources bringing Connecticut women’s history to life for current and future generations. The Hall is planning its Induction Ceremony and 30th Anniversary Celebration October 26 - so check out our chat and learn more about it!
Liberation Programs Pt. 2 - United Way of Connecticut ALICE Update - Greater Bridgeport Symphony
Oct 08, 2023
Show notes
During International Overdose Awareness Week we featured the first of a two-part interview with the leader of Liberation Programs, which serves about 1,000 people a day in our region with addiction recovery and mental health support initiatives. Now, we're continuing that conversation. Then we're turning our attention back to ALICE - Asset Limited Income Constrained & Employed. United Way of Connecticut has just released its latest report focusing on several key points involving ALICE households...maybe yours is one of them. Then, we'll initiate a spirited conversation with The Greater Bridgeport Symphony's new guest conductor Eduardo Leandro talking about his musical journey and next week's 78th Season Opening concert - themed 'Connecting Communities.'
'AARP & You' Pt. 2 Veteran Fraud Prevention - The "READI Set…Music Conference'' - CT Social Equity Council
Oct 01, 2023
Show notes
Can you believe veterans, active-duty service members and their families are nearly 40% more likely to lose money to scams and fraud? So, for the 2nd part of our latest series "AARP & You" we'll go to a veteran and AARP expert to help share how to identify and combat veterans-related scams. Then we'll connect with the CT Office of the Arts to tout the October 7 READI Set Music Conference, a dynamic one-day event in New Haven celebrating the state's vibrant music scene and empowering artists and musicians with industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and a platform to showcase their artistry. Finally, we'll reconnect with Connecticut's Social Equity Council, which recently announced the launch of a community reinvestment survey that will use information in conjunction with feedback from upcoming community conversations, to develop a reinvestment plan that will bring much needed resources back into communities negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.
'AARP & You' Pt. 1: Fraud Protection - VCF Health & Wellness Forum - CTData / Multigenerational Households
Sep 24, 2023
Show notes
AARP has something for everybody - and we'll prove it as we kick off our latest series 'AARP & You' - a three-pert deep dive into issues that could affect us all, including ways to help protect yourself from imposters stealing your identity, supporting our veterans, and a few important things you need to know regarding gift cards. Then we'll reconnect with the Valley Community Foundation and pick up on a conversation with the Valley Health District as those agencies collaborate on an upcoming free health & wellness forum. And we'll close circling back with the CT Data Collaborative, which just released a surprising and concerning new report about the upward trend of multigenerational households. Why is that so important? Stay tuned and find out!
CTC's Women of Innovation - Bigelow Tea Community Challenge / Bridge House - Lupus Foundation Norwalk Chapter
Sep 17, 2023
Show notes
The Connecticut Technology Council's Women of Innovation event is the state's first women in tech awards, which now includes over 800 women as winners and finalists. So we'll touch base with CTC's new Executive Director to get the latest on how the CTC can help if you are in a tech or STEM field - and how you can help support Connecticut's Women of Innovation. Then, we'll welcome back Cindi Bigelow to talk about this year's Bigelow Tea Community Challenge and meet representatives from one of the nonprofits this 35-plus year tradition helps fund - Bridge House, a supportive and empowering community for adults with persistent mental illness. And we'll wrap with two spokespeople from Norwalk's Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, promoting its research and services to improve life now for people living with lupus, and touting the upcoming fund and awareness-raising Walk to End LupusNow, coming to Norwalk in October.
Children in Placement - The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs / YNH Children's Hospital - Abilis
Sep 03, 2023
Show notes
This morning we're reconnecting with Children in Placement to discuss their critical work with young people. Since 1979, CIP has advocated for the best interests of Connecticut’s abused and neglected children throughout the child welfare and judicial systems by securing them safe homes, supportive services, and a stable transition into adulthood. Then we'll meet a representative From The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs organization - which grew out of the Sandy Hook tragedy to bring these truly exceptional animals into the lives of people who need them most. We'll hear about how Exceptional Sidekick is now partnering in a growing program to serve young patients and their families at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. And we'll close catching up with the CEO of Abilis, inviting you to their upcoming Walk/Run for Abilis, and explaining how this nonprofit has been serving people with disabilities in lower Fairfield County for over 70 years.
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