A Difficult Month, Back-to-School Safety, Roadwork in Canton Underway

August 30, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

This has been an incredibly difficult month for me and my family and I think it’s important to share why if you’ve noticed I have been a little quiet on social media and in these weekly newsletters.

At the beginning of August, my grandfather’s caregiver brought COVID into their home and though he fought it valiantly for weeks at age 99.75, sadly, he passed away last week. He wasn’t just my grandfather. My parents divorced when I was a baby and we moved in with my grandparents “temporarily” for eight years. He was my dad for every moment of my life that matters. His life was dedicated to his family and to helping others and I was the lucky recipient of more love than I can put into words from him. While he had a good life, we know it could have been longer if not for carelessness.

To those of you who knew this was going on behind the scenes, I can’t thank you enough for your support. Those of you who would like to know more about him can find his obituary

HERE.

I do hope you’ll take a look at the e-news this week, especially the parts about back-to-school safety, overdose awareness, our upcoming legislative internship program, and jobs for young people.

Finally, as you can imagine, I’m sensitive to the topic of COVID right now. The new boosters will be available soon and if you are able, please do what you can to protect yourself. Though he was chronologically nearly 100, physiologically, my grandfather’s doctors said he was much younger which was why he was able to fight so hard and why the respiratory therapists thought he would go home with us. People who are immunocompromised are still at risk and we can still find ways to protect ourselves and others.

Wishing you a healthy weekend,

Eleni

AUGUST IS BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY MONTH

This new school year comes with an old reminder: look out for students of all ages walking to and from the bus stop. Our little ones may not always look both ways before crossing the street. Please SLOW DOWN and give kids extra room on the roads. Their lives depend on it. We all want our students and schools to have great starts to the school year. It begins with getting to and from school safely.

As students return to school, let's do our part to keep them safe! SLOW DOWN in school zones, stop for buses, and stay alert. Safe driving in our community ensures our kids arrive at school and home, safely.

HELP FOR BUSINESSES DAMAGED BY FLOODING

Our state government is providing a lifeline to small businesses reeling from the record rainfall and subsequent flooding last week in Western Connecticut. This is a positive development, especially for those who may have a business. Governor Ned Lamont is allocating $5 million in state funding to launch a micro-grant program so those businesses can rebuild and recover from the damage.

Under this program, state grants of up to $25,000 will be available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County that have fewer than 100 employees and experienced damage from the floods. Grants can be used to cover various expenses to help in the recovery, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost inventory, and replacing equipment.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development will administer the program on behalf of DECD by the

WBDC, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County that works to support business growth and job creation statewide. On September 3, 2024, the WBDC will launch an application process for businesses to seek grants. Applicants will be required to provide detailed descriptions of how their businesses were impacted and include photos, receipts, invoices, and estimates where applicable. To learn more, please click HERE.

MONTH-LONG ROADWORK IS UNDERWAY IN CANTON

Road construction on Secret Lake Road, from Albany Turnpike to Town Line Road, began this week and is expected to last a month. For more details, please click on the image below.

REMINDER: ROTARY OF AVON-CANTON GOLF TOURNEY

The Rotary of Avon-Canton will hold its annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Golf Club of Avon, on Monday, September 9th. For more details and to register for the event, please click on the image below.

CT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program is an initiative designed to help young people ages 14 to 24 explore careers by providing opportunities to work alongside professionals who assist them in building career networks and receive on-the-job training while also covering participant salaries and other job-related expenses, such as uniforms and transportation to and from work.

The YWCA Hartford Region is one of the many partners statewide hiring youths under the program, overseen by the Connecticut Department of Labor, and administered by the state’s five Workforce Development Boards.

The Connecticut Youth Employment Program runs year-round. Youths who want to enroll can contact their region's Workforce Development Board by clicking HERE. More information can be found on the Connecticut Youth Employment Program webpage HERE.

INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY IS SATURDAY

Saturday is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

Connecticut has dedicated many resources toward combatting this crisis to prevent, discourage, and destigmatize opioid addiction. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services launched its LiveLOUD communications campaign in 2019 directed to those who are actively using fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids, as well as their families and communities, to learn about this complex issue, get connected to support and treatment options, and learn how to become a LiveLOUD partner to help spread awareness.

Addiction is a disease, and we should treat it as such without prejudice or judgment. Anyone seeking addiction treatment can visit www.ctaddictionservices.com or call 1-800-563-4086 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to get connected to nearby services throughout Connecticut.

LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2025

If your college student is interested in getting hands-on experience with our state government, apply now for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program! The program allows students to get college credit while meeting face-to-face with legislators, learn how the legislative process works, participate in a mock session in the House of Representatives, and so much more.