Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation Awards 51 Grants for Hartford County

Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation; Jul. 22, 2025

Thomaston Savings Bank awarded 51 grants totaling $147,870 during Phase I of its Foundation’s Grant Cycle. Grant applications were considered for nonprofit and government agencies addressing community needs in the towns of Bristol, Farmington/Unionville, and New Britain.

“Brian’s Angels thanks Thomaston Savings Bank for their continued support. We couldn’t do it without them! This funding will be used to obtain and repair used bicycles, so clients have the means of transportation to work or to find work.” – Pat Stebbins, Executive Director, Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach, Inc.

Phase II for Litchfield County is open and accepting applications from local nonprofit and government agencies addressing community needs in the following towns: Bethlehem, Harwinton, Plymouth, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Watertown and Oakville. Please submit all applications before the July 31st deadline. For more information go to ThomastonSB.com/Foundation.

Hartford County Recipients:

  • American Clock & Watch Museum
  • Arts for Learning Connecticut
  • Bengali Association of Greater Hartford
  • Boys & Girls Club of Bristol
  • Brian’s Angels Homeless Outreach, Inc.
  • Bristol Adult Resource Center, Inc.
  • Bristol Brass and Wind Ensemble
  • Bristol Child Development Center
  • Bristol Historical Society
  • Bristol Little League
  • Bristol Public Schools
  • Bristol Recovery Club, Inc.
  • Bristol Veterans Council, Inc.
  • Bristol Works Inc.
  • CCARC, Inc.
  • CCSU Foundation
  • City of Bristol
  • Coram Deo, Inc.
  • East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
  • Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut
  • Farmington Food Pantry, Inc.
  • First Church of Christ, Congregational, 1652
  • Friendship Service Center, Inc.
  • Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Inc.
  • Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
  • Grace Pantry
  • Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.
  • Healing Meals Foundation Corporation
  • Hospital for Special Care
  • Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.
  • Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut
  • Memorial Military Museum, Inc.
  • Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain
  • New Britain Museum of American Art
  • New Horizons Living Center, Inc.
  • New Horizons, Inc.
  • PARC, Inc.
  • Pequabuck River Watershed Association
  • Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. Bristol
  • Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. New Britain
  • Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc.
  • Quilts That Care, Inc.
  • Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.
  • The Bristol Farmers Market, Inc.
  • The Family Center
  • The Hospital of Central Connecticut
  • The New England Carousel Museum, Inc.
  • The Salvation Army of Bristol
  • The Salvation Army New Britain Corps
  • Wheeler Clinic, Inc.
  • YWCA New Britain CT
Read More

Several Southington Causes Benefit From Health, Wellness Grants

Michael Lemanski; Southington Patch; Jun. 27, 2025

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A regional benevolence foundation recently doled out a significant amout of funding to help causes aiding the Southington community.

The Main Street Community Foundation out of Bristol recently awarded $724,549 in grants to six local organizations improving the health outcomes of Southington residents.

The grants were awarded from the foundation’s Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, which was established in 1973.

The trust’s aim is to provide funds for organizations that work to improve the health and well-being of Southington residents.

The organizations awarded grants include:

  • LiveWell for $150,000 to continue and expand the Dementia Positive Southington initiative.
    The goal of the initiative is to pioneer a dementia [ositive community in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia and advocates for brain health as a public health priority.
  • Prudence Crandall Center, Inc., in New Britain for $85,000 to support comprehensive domestic violence intervention and prevention services, including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy, and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
  • Senior Transportation Services out of New Britain for $113,127 to provide Southington residents who are age 50+ or disabled, one-on-one, curb-to-curb, reliable, medical transportation. The service provides free rides to medical appointments, pharmacy, hair salon/barber, bank or a care facility to visit a family member.
  • The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) for $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington public schools and the greater community.
  • Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm field trips, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program, adult classes on healthy food preparation, and delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
  • Wheeler Health for $116,422 to continue the Southington Community Health Outreach Initiative, which enhances access to behavioral health services for Southington residents through social work interventions. This approach addresses community-wide needs, reduces barriers to care, and promotes better behavioral health outcomes across all age groups. By connecting individuals with appropriate resources early on, the program prevents the escalation of mental health issues that may require higher levels of care.
  • Yale School of Nursing for $100,000 to establish a FINGER (FINish GERiatric)-based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell led by Yale clinicians and faculty. This 15-month pilot program will provide individual, small-group, and community education on brain health and dementia risk reduction, while offering continuing education for health care providers. The goal of this program is to support early identification and management of cognitive decline.

Since the foundation was appointed trustee of The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust in 2004, it has awarded a total of $14.9 million, all to the benefit of Southington residents’ health and well-being.

For more information on the Main Street Community Foundation, which serves Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott, click on this link.

Read More

Barnes Trust grants $725k to area health initiatives

Brian Johnson; The Bristol Press; Jun. 25, 2025

SOUTHINGTON — Six local nonprofits were awarded more than $724,000 in grants from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation.

Samantha Rajotte, scholarship and program officer with the Main Street Community Foundation, said a total of $724,549 in grants were awarded to organizations “working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents.”

The Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was established in 1973, and the Main Street Community Foundation was appointed as trustee in 2004.

Since then, the trust has awarded a total of $14.9 million.

The latest grant recipients include the following:

  • LiveWell — $150,000 to continue and expand the Dementia Positive Southington initiative. The goal of the initiative is to pioneer a “Dementia Positive community” in Southington that promotes positive attitudes towards people living with dementia, and advocates for brain health as a public health priority.
  • Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. — $85,000 to support comprehensive Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention services including: community education and prevention, outreach activities, community counseling services, supportive housing placement, court advocacy, and the 24/7 crisis shelter and hotline.
  • Senior Transportation Services — $113,127 to provide Southington residents who are 50 or older or are disabled with one-on-one, curb-to-curb, reliable, medical transportation. The service provides free rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, hair salons/barbers, banks or care facilities to visit a family member.
  • The LEAF (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm) — $60,000 to provide operating support for agricultural education programs in collaboration with the Southington Public Schools and the greater community. Programming includes planting and harvesting school gardens, farm field trips, farm to school lunch program, summer farm camp, the Community Supported Agriculture program, adult classes on healthy food preparation, and delivery of fresh produce to Bread for Life and Southington Community Services food pantry.
  • Wheeler Health — $116,422 to continue the Southington Community Health Outreach Initiative, which enhances access to behavioral health services for Southington residents through social work interventions. This approach addresses community-wide needs, reduces barriers to care, and promotes better behavioral health outcomes across all age groups. By connecting individuals with appropriate resources early on, the program aims to prevent the escalation of mental health issues that may require higher levels of care.
  • Yale School of Nursing — $100,000 to establish a FINGER (FINish GERiatric) based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell, led by Yale clinicians and faculty. This 15-month pilot program will provide individual, small-group, and community education on brain health and dementia risk reduction, while offering continuing education for healthcare providers. The goal of this program is to support early identification and management of cognitive decline.

For more information on the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust, or Main Street Community Foundation, call 860-583-6363 or visit mainstreetfoundation.org.

Read More

Bristol Hospital highlights efforts to reduce domestic violence on National Have Hope Friday

Kent Pierce; WTNH News 8; Jun. 6, 2025

June 6 is National Have Hope Friday. It’s a day when hospitals highlight efforts to reduce violence in their workplaces and their communities. Bristol Hospital highlighted efforts to reduce domestic violence.

Speaking at the press conference Friday was Naseem Walker. He and his brothers lost their mother Shenia Walker 12 years ago. Her boyfriend stabbed her to death in her Bristol apartment.

“A day that forever changed our lives,” Walker said. “There’s an emptiness in our hearts that nothing can ever fill. We still find ourselves asking why? Why did it have to be you?”

This was the first time Walker spoke publicly about his mother. He did so as part of Bristol Hospital announcing a partnership with the Prudence Crandall Center, which offers lots of help.

“Emergency shelter for those fleeing danger, transitional and long-term housing, counseling, court advocacy and more,” Barbara Damon, the Prudence Crandall Center President & CEO, listed.

Part of the partnership is that the Prudence Crandall Center will hold training sessions for the hospital personnel most likely to encounter victims of domestic violence. That includes training in how to spot domestic violence, what to ask suspected victims, and what to do if you identify a victim.

“All staff members who have been trained will be provided with a purple ribbon to place on their badges, and I have one of those on me today,” Christine Laprise, the vice president of operations for Bristol Health, said.

The goal is not just to help domestic violence victims, but to stop the violence itself.

“We must prevent it before it begins, and that means raising awareness, building resilience, and working hand in hand with out community,” Damon said.

Which is the only way to save children from going through what Walker-Jenkins and his brothers did.

“We just wish we had one more moment with you, one more chance to say how much we love you, one more hug and one more I love you,” Walker said.

Watch the full story HERE.

Read More

Local Leaders Celebrate “Moving Forward Together!” in Honor of Women’s History Monthp

New Britain Independent; Apr. 1, 2025

Photo by Dr Frank Gerratana.

State legislators and City Council members honored the accomplishments of local women leaders at an event in honor of Women’s History Month.

The event, “Moving Forward Together!” was hosted by the Council President Pro Tempore, Ald Francisco Santiago (D-5), Council Majority Leader, Ald John McNamara (D-4) and Council Assistant Majority Leader Ald Iris Sanchez (D-2).

The event, was also hosted by New Britain state legislators, including Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Emmanuel Sanchez (D-26), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27).

Honored at the event were,

  • Valeria Burkes – Mary McLeod Bethune Club
  • Lily DeJesus – Prudence Crandall Center
  • Marta Noemi De Jesus – Puerto Rican Society of New Britain
  • Jade Siqueira – Klingberg Family Centers
  • Anna Suski-Lenczewski – Sacred Heart Church

The event was Monday at the New Britain Event Center on Farmington Avenue.

Read More

Bill would reduce sentences for domestic violence survivors convicted of crimes related to their abuse

Nicole Zappone; The Bristol Press; Mar. 20, 2025

A local domestic violence shelter is supporting state legislation that would cut in half the sentences of people who are domestic violence survivors and who committed a crime related to their domestic violence abuse.

In these bills, legislation would consider whether a person getting court-ordered mental health treatment would also need court-ordered domestic violence treatment.

Senate Bill 1502 states, “An act concerning sentence reduction or relief for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking” would allow prosecutors, judges and parole boards to consider if evidence shows a person’s domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking was a contributing factor in the commission of their crime.

If any of those were a contributing factor, their prison sentence times would typically range from three to 60 years and be cut in half. Under these new bills, those who are already in prison under such circumstances and have served at least half their sentence could become eligible for immediate parole.

New York, Oklahoma and Illinois have already enacted similar laws, while Massachusetts is considering a similar bill.

The second bill, Senate Bill 1505, states, “An act allowing court discretion to add a family violence component to the pretrial supervised diversionary program for persons with psychiatric disabilities requires the Court Support Services Division to determine if a person has the capacity to participate in domestic violence treatment – either in concurrence with or following the completion of mental health treatment – in cases involving a family violence crime.”

“We urge your support of Senate Bill 1502, which helps prevent further harm to criminalized survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and stalking by ensuring that their victimization can be considered when determining a fair sentence for crimes that they have committed,” said Zahria Cooper of the Prudence Crandall Center.

The center provides safety planning, shelter, court-based advocacy and transportation services to domestic violence survivors in Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Terryville.

“Unfortunately, for some survivors, the harm does not end when the abuse stops,” Cooper said. “They may become entangled in the criminal justice system for offenses that were a direct result of their victimization – whether through coercion, self-defense or survival-related crimes. Connecticut’s current laws do not always allow the impact of these experiences to be fully considered at sentencing, leading to prison terms and legal consequences that needlessly compound a survivor’s suffering.” State Sen. Mae Flexer co-sponsors the bill, which is the work of the state’s Domestic Violence Criminal Justice and Enhancement Advisory Council.

“There’s been too much inconsistency in pretrial programs across the state when it comes to mental health treatment and domestic violence treatment,” Flexer said. “It doesn’t have to be either-or, and that’s what we’re asking the criminal justice system to focus more on with Senate Bill 1505.”

Flexer added a majority of the women incarcerated for felonies have had some sort of domestic violence, whether it be sexual assault, stalking or a trafficking incident in their lives, and that is not taken into account when a woman is sentenced for a crime. She believes the bill will correct that.

“Courts take a lot of things into consideration before sentencing: age, past criminal record, mental capacity, cooperation with authorities – a variety of things,” Flexer said. “Connecticut needs to codify in its own statutes that if domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other such personal horrors were a contributing factor in the commission of a crime, the sentence needs to be reduced. We shouldn’t be further punishing the victims of such abuse who may have been literally fighting for their lives.”

If the court finds evidence of any of the contributing factors, it must depart from conventional sentencing guidelines for the applicable offense and apply a penalty that is half the normal.

The Board of Pardon and Parole would also have the option of considering that same evidence for people who are already incarcerated and have served at least half of their sentence and would consider them for parole at their discretion, as long as the release is “not incompatible with the welfare of society.”

Read More

Bills would cut in half sentences for those who suffered domestic violence

Nicole Zappone; New Britain Herald; Mar. 19, 2025

NEW BRITAIN — Many state legislators threw their support behind legislation that would cut in half the sentences of people who are domestic violence survivors and who committed a crime related to their domestic violence abuse.

In these bills, legislation would consider whether a person getting court-ordered mental health treatment would also need court-ordered domestic violence treatment.

Both bills received public hearings Monday before the Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 1502 states, “An act concerning sentence reduction or relief for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking” would allow prosecutors, judges and parole boards to consider if evidence shows a person’s domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking was a contributing factor in the commission of their crime.

If any of those were a contributing factor, their prison sentence times would typically range from three to 60 years and be cut in half. Under these new bills, those who are already in prison under such circumstances and have served at least half their sentence could become eligible for immediate parole.

New York, Oklahoma and Illinois have already enacted similar laws, while Massachusetts is considering a similar bill.

The second bill, Senate Bill 1505, states, “An act allowing court discretion to add a family violence component to the pretrial supervised diversionary program for persons with psychiatric disabilities requires the Court Support Services Division to determine if a person has the capacity to participate in domestic violence treatment — either in concurrence with or following the completion of mental health treatment — in cases involving a family violence crime.”

If the court finds evidence of any of the contributing factors, it must depart from conventional sentencing guidelines for the applicable offense and apply a penalty that is half the normal.

The Board of Pardon and Parole would also have the option of considering that same evidence for people who are already incarcerated and have served at least half of their sentence and would consider them for parole at their discretion, as long as the release is “not incompatible with the welfare of society.”

“We urge your support of Senate Bill 1502, which helps prevent further harm to criminalized survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and stalking by ensuring that their victimization can be considered when determining a fair sentence for crimes that they have committed,” said Zahria Cooper of the Prudence Crandall Center.

The center provides safety planning, shelter, court-based advocacy and transportation services to domestic violence survivors in Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Terryville.

“Unfortunately, for some survivors, the harm does not end when the abuse stops,” Cooper said. “They may become entangled in the criminal justice system for offenses that were a direct result of their victimization – whether through coercion, self-defense or survival-related crimes. Connecticut’s current laws do not always allow the impact of these experiences to be fully considered at sentencing, leading to prison terms and legal consequences that needlessly compound a survivor’s suffering.”

Read More

Podcast: Advocates are prepared for an increase in domestic violence incidents this holiday season

Chloe Wynne, Catherine Shen; NPR’s Where We Live; Dec. 9, 2024

The holiday season can bring financial stress, more time at home, and pressure to spend time with family. According to advocates, these conditions place survivors of domestic violence at high risk.

This hour, we talk to advocates about how they are meeting the growing need for domestic violence services across the state and why the expiration of American Rescue Plan funds could make their work more difficult.

And later, we address questions surrounding reaching out to domestic violence crisis centers if you’re undocumented or not ready to involve law enforcement.

Listen to the full podcast here.

Read More

Prudence Crandall Center calls for support on Giving Tuesday

Claudia Hilario; New Britain Herald; Nov. 29, 2024

NEW BRITAIN — New Britain’s Prudence Crandall Center, a lifeline for individuals escaping domestic violence, is asking the community to support its programs during Giving Tuesday.

Next week, this global day of generosity presents a unique opportunity for donors to double their impact through a special matching initiative. From now until midnight on December 3, all online donations up to $10,000 will be matched, thanks to a generous anonymous donor and Beacon Prescriptions New Britain.

Every dollar contributed will go twice as far in helping PCC continue its life-saving work. The center, at 594 Burritt St., provides services to those in need, including court advocacy, counseling and crisis care. These services are more crucial than ever as the center faces potential funding challenges in the coming year due to cuts in government support, the organization said.

These essential resources are necessary for many vulnerable individuals to gain access to the help they need to rebuild their lives. The center shared a powerful message from one of its beneficiaries: “Today, I’ve reclaimed my life. I’m not afraid anymore. I’m comfortable in my home for the first time in years! Your support of PCC has given me my voice back, made us safe, and given us hope. Thank you all!”

Prudence Crandall Center, named after the need to pioneering educator and activist, has been a source of hope in the community for decades. It offers shelter, support and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence. Their work extends beyond immediate crisis care, helping individuals and families find stability and independence. Contributions can be made directly on the center’s website: prudencecrandall.org

Read More

Community notes: ‘Silent No More’ vigil to honor the lives lost to domestic violence

Staff Reports; Record-Journal Southington/Plainville Community News; Oct. 4, 2024

The Prudence Crandall Center will hold its annual “Silent No More” candlelight vigil Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The event honors the lives lost to domestic violence in Connecticut over the past year and serves as a call to action for the community to renew its commitment to ending domestic violence.

Speakers include Dr. William Petit of the Petit Family Foundation, Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, and Court Advocate Daniela Bellows. Music will be provided by New Britain Symphony Orchestra violinist Sayumi Harb.

Light refreshments will be served at 6 p.m.

The center is the only domestic violence program serving Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Terryville.

Read More