New Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Take Your Child to the Library Day, and More!

January 19, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

With brutally cold temperatures impacting Connecticut, the state’s severe cold weather protocol has been activated through noon on Monday, January 22, 2024. Shelters and warming centers are available. Anyone in need of shelter is strongly urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these resources. Below are town specific resources for Norwalk and Westport: 

Norwalk
Warming Centers in the City will be open at the following locations: 

  • The Norwalk Police Department Community Room is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
  • The Main Library 
  • The South Norwalk Library

Anyone in need of further shelter options should call the Norwalk Community Resource Hub at (203) 854-7999 to work directly with a support specialist ready to help residents navigate local housing options.

Residents can also call 2-1-1. Calling 2-1-1 will allow community members to connect with local shelters and access transportation support to a shelter or community-based providers. If possible, the City also recommends residents in need of shelter consider visiting friends and family members who have access to warm, secure living spaces during this period.

Furthermore, the City wants to remind residents to take all safety precautions during extremely cold weather, including wearing layers when outside and not staying outside for lengthy periods of time. Residents should also remember to take all safety precautions when warming their homes, especially when planning to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater. For additional winter weather safety tips, please visit www.norwalkct.org/snow.

Westport

The following Westport locations are open to the public as warming centers during the cold snap:

Westport residents facing hardships due to the cold weather should contact Human Services for assistance at 203-341-1050 during regular office hours Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Please check your heat source for functionality, turn up your heat before the cold weather starts, and if you heat with oil, check your tanks.  

Temperature-related health problems, such as frostbite and hypothermia, can happen quickly in extreme temperatures, and it is important to understand the symptoms. Keeping warm indoors is critical; if you are struggling with heating costs or need advice on energy assistance programs, several resources are available here.

The Department of Public Heath's cold weather safety guide and other information on winter safety and dealing with cold temperatures can be found here.
Last Few Days for Public Comment on State's Draft Digital Equity Plan
At the end of last year, the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Commission for Educational Technology released “Connecticut: Everyone Connected,” the state’s draft digital equity plan. The commission is seeking feedback from the public before they finalize the report. If you are interested in providing public comment, it must be submitted by Saturday, January 20th. 

Feedback can be submitted by emailing DigitalEquity@ct.gov or by calling the State Digital Equity comment line at 860-622-2032.

To Read More on “Connecticut: Everyone Connected” please see the resources below:
New Red Cross Blood Donation Center at Norwalk Inn

An emergency blood shortage is developing nationwide.  According to a news release, essential medical procedures are jeopardized, as the American Red Cross faces its lowest blood donor turnout in two decades.

In response, the family-owned Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, located at 99 East Ave., will help bridge the gap by allowing the Red Cross to operate a convenient blood donation center in the Inn’s opulent Grand Ballroom at specific times ongoing. 

The Ballroom’s initial donation schedule is

  • Sunday Jan. 21 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.     
  • Monday Feb. 5 from 11:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.            

Subsequent opportunities at the Inn will occur approximately every 56 days.

Expect refreshments and snacks when you donate.  Schedule your appointment at Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)
Take Your Child to the Library Day
Take Your Child to the Library Day is February 3. Every year, libraries across Connecticut celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by offering free, fun, fabulous activities for families. The public libraries in Norwalk and Westport are participating. Click here to learn more. 
Connecticut Launches New Portal for Jobseekers

Connecticut has launched its new jobs portal, jobs.ct.gov, which is aimed at assisting state residents — and those seeking to move here — in the process of finding a job.

Jobs.ct.gov joins health.ct.gov and business.ct.gov as the next service category in Connecticut's ongoing journey toward an all-digital state government that streamlines and improves access to services and resources. Some of the resources available through jobs.ct.gov include:

  • Powerful job search tools
  • Job search tips and personal help
  • Free and low-cost training, certificate, and classroom programs
  • Resources to help employers hire, train, and retain employees

All of the resources are Connecticut-specific and focus on connecting jobseekers with the variety of employment and workforce development opportunities.

The strong and steady statewide economy continues to add jobs, but employers in some industries still face workforce shortages, and jobs.ct.gov will be a valuable resource to them. This portal also importantly provides employers with information to reach greater numbers of skilled jobseekers from diverse backgrounds, which is critical to a more equitable Connecticut economy.
Please take care in the snow today, especially since it might cover some of that ice already on the ground. Have a good weekend, everyone!
 

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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