Support groups meet in area towns

Recovery group meets Fridays in Portland

PORTLAND — New Life Journey is a faith based recovery support community comprised of people from all walks of life who recognize that although our experiences shape and mold us, we are not limited to or defined by our stories. Recovery is not a term exclusive to substance abuse — it is applicable to all humans at their various levels of evolution and stages of life.

The group meets Fridays at 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church 345 Main Street, Portland. For more information email: Admin@NewLifeJourneyCT.com.

Hope and Support Groups to meet

DURHAM/MIDDLEFIELD — A new service for those who have a loved one struggling with substance abuse or addiction is being offered in the Durham/ Middlefield area.

Hope and Support Groups provide a safe and confidential space for parents, guardians and all others dealing with a loved one’s disease of substance abuse or addiction. The group is led by two trained facilitators, a licensed professional and a paraprofessional with lived experience.

Recognizing that this disease affects entire families, the group provides a forum to share openly while receiving peer support, information and the compassion that everyone deserves thus breaking the stigma and isolation created by the disease. The group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main Street, Middlefield. Parents, guardians, siblings, partners and all others living with a loved one’s substance abuse disorder or addiction are invited to attend.

This service is provided by TriCircle, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides resources for people and families affected by substance use disorders. Through education, research and community engagement they are dedicated to providing the tools that build strong futures.

Recovery support group meets in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — New Life Journey is a faith based recovery support community, comprised of people from all walks of life who recognize that although experiences shape and mold them, they are not limited to or defined by their stories. The group meets on Fridays from 7-8:30 p.m. at First Church, 190 Court Street, Middletown. For more information, email Admin@NewLifeJourneyCT.com.

Young widows, widowers can attend support group

MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex Health Cancer Center and Middlesex Health Hospice and Palliative Care are holding a support group for young widows and widowers. Meetings will be held at the Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Center. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, contact Doreen Gagnon at 860-358-2053 or doreen.gagnon@midhosp.org, or Sherry Russenberger at 860358-6091 or sherry.russenberger@midhosp.org.

Adult education offers free classes

MIDDLETOWN — Adult education offers free classes for area residents ready to earn their high school diploma. High school completion options include online classes and GED.

English classes for non-English speaking residents are also available for all proficiency levels. Enrollment is ongoing and there is never a charge for area residents. Day and evening classes are available at 398 Main Street, Middletown. Call or stop by for more information, 860343-6044.

Fuel assistance applications available

Operation Fuel’s winter energy assistance program began Dec. 3, when its statewide network of over 100 fuel banks, also known as intake sites, begin accepting energy assistance applications. Connecticut families and individuals who are struggling financially and need emergency energy assistance should call 211 to find their closest fuel bank.

According to the United Way's most recent ALICE Report, more than 500,000 Connecticut households cannot afford the cost of basic needs; and as home living expenses continue to rise, Operation Fuel expects to see an increased need for energy assistance this winter.

“Operation Fuel wants to ensure that households struggling with home energy costs, have access to heating, electricity and water assistance and are able to stay warm and safe in their homes this winter. As we are all susceptible to extreme weather, we must ensure that those who are even more vulnerable to colder temperatures, children and the elderly especially, have access to our programs. This holiday season, we are asking Connecticut residents to consider making a donation to Operation Fuel. The assistance can very well help your neighbor or a relative,” explained Operation Fuel Executive Director Brenda Watson.

Operation Fuel provides yearround emergency energy assistance throughout Connecticut to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in a financial crisis. For more information on Operation Fuel, or to make a donation, go to www.operationfuel.org.

Donations also can be mailed to Operation Fuel, 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-240, Hartford, CT 06106. Utility customers can donate to Operation Fuel through the nonprofit’s Add-aDollar program when paying their utility bills. Operation Fuel uses 100 percent of the donations made to the Add-a-Dollar program for energy assistance.