New Haven Independent

The celebratory tone of Wednesday’s meeting was heightened with the presentation of checks to the recipients of the 2006 grants awards; their programs were outstanding in a highly competitive process.

H.O.P.E., a program at St. Raphael Health Systems, won the major award. It is an acronym for “Having an Opportunity to Prepare for Employment” and Provides welfare-to-work skills training for mothers of young children, in addition to life skills i.e. conflict resolution, community re-entry, and, when needed, GED preparation. An employee mentor assists the individual during the program and beyond. Outcome measurements have already validated the program; it, too, is in its 10th year.

The Girls Scouts, Connecticut Trails Council’s 10 New Haven sites will utilize their grant funds to implement “uniquely ME”, providing 200 girls, ages 8-14, with a series of gender-specific and culturally sensitive activities during the academic year and spring vacation recess. Their focus will be on healthy eating, healthy relationships, and intergenerational communication skills. They will train additional volunteers, in the program curriculum, to ensure sustainability.

The Girl Scouts’ Housatonic Council grant will allow Milford girls to participate in a “Financial Readiness for Girls” program to prepare them to manage, budget, spend, invest and donate money. They have developed a curriculum called “CentsAbility” that will culminate in a Financial Fair with the assistance of adult experts in their fields. Youth Continuum will introduce “Girls FIRST” (Fitness, Image, Relationships, Self-Esteem and Trust) for 24 girls ages 15-23. The targeted group include single mothers and victims of abuse, homelessness and poverty. All are enrolled in education programs and are working at least part-time.

Soul-O-Ettes Drill Team will be proud of their new uniforms, provided by W&G Funds as they compete, nationally, in Louisville, Kentucky. The program impacts several high risk neighborhoods, providing the girls with pride and positivism.

LEAP (Leadership, Education and Athletics In Partnership) will continue to provide the sole girls-only recreational basketball program in New Haven. Skills on the court translate into self-esteem, confidence, fitness and coordination in addition to values.

Neighborhood Music School’s funding will target Latina mothers and their 9-13 year old daughters in a Modern Jazz Dance Program in the Hill and Fair Haven neighborhoods.
Dwight Hall at Yale W.Y.S.E. (Women and Youth Supporting Each Other) will support 25 girls at Sheridan Middle School with individual college student mentors and address critical topics of sexual violence, dating abuse, pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, decision making and planning for the future. Field trips are another element.

‘r kids, inc., will use its grant for a “Mother’s Mentoring Program” that is specifically designed for those who are being reunited with their children by providing parenting skills and advice, assistance in problem solving, facilitation with community resources and role models. These mentors will be trained by the organization and be available
24/7 for one year. It is designed to help 6-8 mothers who collectively have 14 children.

Nancy Alexander, incoming chair of the fund, served as chair of the grants committee. She succeeds Helene Robbins, Shelly Saczynski and Diane Wishnafski. The professional liason to the group is Sharon Capetta; member Mary Jane Burt acts as liason to the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Board of Directors.

Spotted in the crowd of Millionairesses were Louise Endel, Gladys Timpson, Jana Shea, Patti Scussel, Lindy Lee Gold, Connie Royster, Shirley Jackson, Dr. Carolyn Mazure, Nancy Cassella, Eugenie Gentry, Rosanne Zudekoff, Lucy Sirico, Stacey Rose (new member), Mary Pat Healey, Jane Shaw, Mary Arnstein, Will Ginsberg, Laura Berry, and many more. They could not have been happier with the results of their new status, enabling all of the incredible programs that strengthen the lives of women and their children. Instead of asking how their lives would change if they had $1million, they asked how they could change the lives of others…….
ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD!