The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Foundation awards $100K in COVID-19 response
TORRINGTON — The Torrington Savings Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants in a special cycle that opened in April to respond specifically to the immediate needs of those directly affected by the pandemic. The regular annual grant cycle for the Foundation will begin to accept applications starting Aug. 3, according to a statement.
Awards of up to $10,000 were granted to those organizations working on the frontlines of the pandemic. These critical funds will be used for basic needs such as rent, food, infant supplies, utilities, counseling, medication, and childcare, according to the statement.
Covid-19 related grants by category made by the Foundation include:
Frontline Worker Support & PPE: FISH NWCT; Foothills Visiting Nurse & Home Care; Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center; The Arc of Litchfield County; McCall Foundation; Basic Needs & Hardship Fundin; United Way of NW CT; Prime Time House; Salvation Army; New Opportunities, Inc.; NWCT YMCA; The Community Kitchen of Torringto; Friendly Hills Food Bank; Northwest Hills Community Church; Family Strides; Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center;
Northwest Connecticut Arts Counci; Child Car; YMCA Camp Mohaw; Kids of Summer Foundation.
Foundation Co-President, John E. Janco said, “The Torrington Savings Bank Board and Management Team made the decision to establish a Foundation in 2018. Our primary goal was to support our local communities. I cannot think of a better way to achieve that goal than to support these vital, front line organizations during this Pandemic crisis.”
For more foundation updates including application guidelines for nonprofit applicants, please visit TorringtonSavings.Bank/foundation.
Grants provide workbased summer of learning
LITCHFIELD — Thanks to the support of the American Savings Foundation and the Frederick W. Marzahl Memorial Fund, the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) is providing a six-week Work-Based Learning Summer Program for 40 at-risk and disadvantaged boys and girls from Waterbury, according to a statement.
Grants of $24,000 from the American Savings Foundation, $10,000 from the Frederick W. Marzahl Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee,
and in-kind contributions from CJR, have funded this unique summer program, which includes vocational training in culinary arts, video and media production, horticulture and landscaping, and entrepreneurial skills development. The youth have worked at CJR’s Waterbury Campus, located at 80 Prospect St., since July 6, and the program will continue through August 7. A number of COVID-19 precautions have been incorporated into the program to ensure the safety of participating young people and staff members, according to the statement.
“The students’ educational experience began the week of June 8, with a standardized application and interview process for various positions,” according to the statement. “Boys and girls participated in resume development, as well as interviewing and employment-readiness training. Each of the four study areas associated with the “work” component of the program are using an entrepreneurship model to develop specific “products” associated with culinary arts, media production, and horticulture and landscaping. A fourth entrepreneurial skills development class is working with the other program components to market their products and
develop promotional materials. All of the young people are participating in a weekly financial literacy course and collaborating on projects while developing specific skill sets relevant to the four job areas. All students are being paid stipends for their participation in the program.
“We have never been more pleased to be able to provide this work-based learning summer experience for at-risk adolescents who are associated with CJR’s programs in Waterbury,” said CJR president and CEO Daniel Rezende. “Our staff has been extremely diligent and creative about adapting and implementing this educational program to
ensure the safety of all involved. With all the educational challenges associated with COVID-19, it has never been more important for at-risk young people to have a highly-structured, strength-based summer program that helps them add to their educational, work and social skills,” he said. “This experience helps students develop practical skills while facilitating their growth as responsible and contributing participants in the classroom, in their homes, and eventually, in the workplace.”
Founded in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) provides care, treatment, education and family support for vulThe
nerable at-risk, special needs and troubled young people so they may become productive and fulfilled members of their homes, schools and communities. Today, the organization’s combined programs serve approximately 1,500 boys and girls annually at 11 sites throughout Connecticut.
Bar foundation accepting grant applications
Applications for 2021 IOLTA/IOTA/CFGIA/ JBGIA grant funds to 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations whose principal purpose is providing legal services to the poor in Connecticut are now available from the Connecticut Bar Foundation, according to a statement.
deadline for submitting completed grant applications is Sept. 18. To receive an application, email Liz Drummond, Assistant Director, at liz@cbf-1.org.
The Connecticut Bar Foundation does not discriminate nor will it permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, or intellectual, mental or physical disability, according to the statement.
For further information, contact Liz Drummond, Assistant Director, Connecticut Bar Foundation at liz@cbf-1.org.