Update - January 12

January 12, 2024
We're heading into a long holiday weekend, as Monday marks Martin Luther King Day. As we celebrate his life and legacy, we remember his fight against inequality and racial injustice. President Regan signed the bill making Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday, the third Monday in January. It became officially observed in 1986, three years after the bill was initially signed. In 1994, under President Clinton, MLK Day became the only federal holiday dedicated to volunteerism, after Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act. To honor MLK's legacy, Americans are encouraged to engage in acts of civic work or community service on Monday. 
Other topics covered in this e-newsletter include:
  • Celebrating Korean American Day
  • Operation Fuel Application Period Now Open
  • Presidential Primary Moves Up and Early Voting Starts in 2024
  • Tips from the CT Department of Labor
  • Northwest Chamber of Commerce Job Fair on February 6
  • A Tour of Friendly Hands Food Bank - Why the Food Bank Needs a New Building
  • National Pizza Week Starts Sunday
Celebrating Korean American Day
Saturday, we celebrate Korean American Day to honor and highlight our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions as small business owners, military service members, faith leaders, doctors, artists, and elected officials for over a century, ever since the first immigration wave happened back in 1903!
Operation Fuel Application Period Open
If you're struggling to pay utility bills, Operation Fuel may be able to help.

Operation Fuel's energy assistance program opened this week for the Winter/Spring season. Applications will be accepted until March 1 unless available funds run out before that date.

Households with incomes that do not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines may qualify for assistance. These households include - but are not limited to - the elderly, disabled, working families, or individuals facing a financial crisis.
Eligible clients may apply for energy assistance (gas, electric, oil, or other deliverable fuel) ONCE per year and receive a grant of UP TO $500.
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For utility assistance (electric & gas), clients must show they made at least four payments in the past 12 months, must owe a past due amount, and provide at least four weeks of income information.

Operation Fuel is accepting applications for water and energy bill assistance for:

Electric: Eversource, United Illuminating (UI), and Norwalk Public Utilities
Gas: Eversource, UI, Yankee Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG)
Water: CT Water and The Metropolitan District (MDC)
Operation Fuel has been assisting Connecticut residents for 46 years. In that time, Operation Fuel has distributed millions of dollars in assistance to help thousands of Connecticut households.
 
For more information and to apply for assistance, click HERE. 
Presidential Primary Moves Up &
Early Voting is Here in CT
The power of your vote!  Connecticut overwhelmingly voted to make the election process easier and more accessible with early voting.

Here are some important dates for this year:

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY: April 2, 2024
Early Voting: March 26, 27, 28, & 30, 2024

PRIMARY ELECTION: August 13, 2024
Early Voting: August 5-11, 2024

GENERAL ELECTION: November 5, 2024
Early Voting: October 21 - November 3, 2024
Tips from the Department of Labor
The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) is overwhelmed with claims for Unemployment Insurance. CTDOL’s Consumer Contact Center unemployment claims representatives have more than 13,000 appointments scheduled in just the next two weeks. You can help out even if you need assistance, and the CTDOL is offering some tips.
The top two reasons filers need assistance:
 
1.      Forgotten username or password
  • Filers should write down their username/password combination and store it in a safe location or a digital password keeper. Passwords must be reset in accordance with federal rules for unemployment benefits.

Filers do not need to make an appointment to talk to a claims agent. They can reset their passwords by submitting the lockout form online. That is faster than scheduling an appointment.

 2.      10-day processing period 

  • Unemployment claims must go through a verification process that includes employer notification as well as identity and fraud prevention checks. This verification period takes a minimum of 10 days. Claims will not be paid out until they are processed in accordance with state and federal law. 

The Connecticut Department of Labor encourages filers to submit a case online rather than calling to make an appointment as it often results in a more timely response and resolution.
Chamber of Commerce Job Fair
A Tour of Friendly Hands
You've likely heard the great news that Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington is receiving $2 million in state bond funds to purchase a new building.

Over 30 years ago, Friendly Hands Food Bank was established to fight food insecurity in the basement of Maureen Hubert's home on King Street in Torrington. In 2000, it was relocated down the street to its current location at 50 King Street. Over the years, the client base was consistent. Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and the client numbers began to climb. Today's number exceeds 5,700 clients. Contained in the 5,700 are all daycare facilities and senior facilities in Torrington and Winsted, plus clients that visit daily at the King Street location. As numbers continued to climb, the 1,600 square foot space became smaller, storage capacity became very limited, and the food bank has had to rely on several community partners to store items for us.

I went live on Facebook Thursday to show the current space issues at Friendly Hands. Click the graphic below to watch the tour. 
Grab a Slice of Pizza in Recognition of National Pizza Week! 
January 14-20 marks National Pizza Week. There's no other place I'd rather celebrate it, but really, isn't every week pizza week in Connecticut? Visit your favorite pizza shop and grab a pizza pie!