When it comes to homelessness, the prevailing image is distinctly urban. Search Google images for “homeless” and you get images of people surrounded by cement, skyscrapers and sidewalks. Because of this, it can be easy to forget that homelessness can affect people anywhere- even in the smaller cities, suburbs, and rural areas that make up much of Connecticut.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) supplements the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, to help people with economic emergencies (non-disaster-related). EFSP funds are used to supplement feeding, sheltering, rent/mortgage or utility assistance efforts for programs already in existence. Funding is made available by the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered locally by United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. Funding amounts are determined nationally by a board chaired by FEMA.
After finding a list of ‘Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning This Summer’ by Cristiana Ventura, I was inspired to rewrite her list with my own suggestions and additions. Here are some ideas to keep your kids’ minds and bodies active this summer:
1. Make a library list
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When I think of food drives, I think of Thanksgiving. I think of the holiday season and the sudden interest in serving others that springs up in people during November and December. But hunger and food insecurity don’t discriminate based on the season. In fact, summer can be an especially difficult time for families whose kids would otherwise be receiving free or reduced meals at school. Check out these facts about summer hunger from the organization No Kid Hungry:
Since 1946, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and United Way Worldwide have enjoyed a collaborative relationship through which they and state and local United Ways have provided services to members of organized labor, their families and their communities.
May is college graduation season, and my social media feeds have been flooded with pictures of college graduates posing in caps and gowns, captioned with reflections on their college experiences. This, combined with the fact that my brother has begun the process of looking at colleges, has me thinking about all the various things that need to happen for a student to get into and ultimately succeed in college.
As the weather warms up and we head into summer, it’s important to remember that unusually high temperatures can be dangerous for many people. Those most at risk for heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses include infants, seniors, people who are physically impaired, and people who are on certain medications. While it’s only May now, it’s good to start preparing early and bear these tips in mind over the next few months:
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union and its employees receive highest award at event
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Most of us can name several teachers from pre-K through high school who have left lasting positive impressions on us. I know I could name half a dozen at least who shaped who I am in various ways. There was my fourth-grade teacher who read us books with strong female protagonists and gave us real feedback on our work (“You’re a better writer than this. Find a more creative way to say what you mean”). There was my sixth-grade science teacher who ran an afterschool club focused on community service and taught us about protecting the environment.
