Publication: In Your Northwest Corner
Originally Published November 30, 2021
Putting Local Children in Focus
The Community Foundation has created a Regional Early Childhood Alliance (RECA). RECA is an informal network that values, supports, and strengthens organizations, structures, and systems to improve the lives of children and families throughout Northwest Connecticut.
RECA was informed by Our Children Our Future, a report funded by the Northwest CT Community Foundation Draper Foundation Fund and the Northwest CT Community Foundation Northwest Building Healthier Communities Fund.
Read Our Children Our Future
The Community Foundation created this report to better understand the cause and effect of various developmental obstacles that may prevent some local children from reaching their potential.
“Our hope is that all community stakeholders will use Our Children Our Future to take steps to address these findings, develop partnerships with others to create new strategies for supporting our children and families, and to advocate for local, state and federal policy changes that will improve child and family outcomes,” said Guy Rovezzi of the Northwest CT Community Foundation.
RECA is currently holding a series of Caring for the Caregivers events that bring together early childhood educators and childcare providers to build relationships and practice techniques that address trauma, relieve stress, and improve resilience.
This #GivingTuesday—Keep the Love Local
#GivingTuesday is a global day of local giving, held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Just as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday kicks off the season of giving, inspiring people to give back in impactful ways to important causes.
"Northwest CT nonprofits count on #GivingTuesday as part of their annual fundraising efforts for essential operating costs," said Nicole Carlson Easley of Northwest CT Community Foundation.
"Gifts made during #GivingTuesday provide for many of the essential services nonprofits provide, helping to create a better quality of life for all of us."
This #GivingTuesday, celebrate your #unselfie and Keep the Love Local—Make a gift to Northwest CT Community Foundation Nonprofit Agency Funds. Nonprofit Agency Funds are established by local nonprofits to support the work they do in improving our communities.
And, learn more about local nonprofits and the work they do to make our Northwest Corner such a wonderful place to call home, explore the Northwest CT Community Foundation Nonprofit Searchable Database.
Supporting Critical Needs in Local Communities
In the late Fall, the Northwest CT Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofits serving some of the area's most economically distressed residents and providing for basic necessities—food, warmth, clothing, fuel assistance and shelter.
In 2021, the Northwest CT Community Foundation Draper Foundation Fund and the Northwest CT Community Foundation Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund
awarded 42 local nonprofits critical needs grants totaling $81,150, including: Community Kitchen of Torrington, Caring for Bethlehem, Cornwall Social Services, FISH of Northwestern CT, Food Rescue, Kent Social Services, Litchfield Department of Social Services, Town of Canaan Emergency Relief Food and Fuel, and Winchester Youth Service Bureau.
"Thank you for the generous year-end grant you awarded our organization," said Pastor Kevin Mongeau of Hands of Grace.
"We see so many families in need every year. We truly appreciate your partnership in helping those who are struggling."
