David Michel

Connecticut's eviction moratorium has been extended until October 1, 2020. While renters are shielded from eviction, many continue to struggle with paying their rent. With historic levels of unemployment and the expiration of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, many renters need extra support.

The Connecticut Department of Housing in partnership with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority launched the Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program in July.

To apply for TRHAP, call 1-860-785-3111 or click here.

More information about the program is available here. The Connecticut Fair Housing Center also has a FAQ page to answer common questions about the program. Click here to read it.

Congratulations to all of the graduating students from Norwalk Community College who were awarded scholarships to continue their studies at 4-year universities and colleges across the state and country! Scholarships were also awarded to nearly 300 students to continue their studies at Norwalk Community College during the 2020-21 academic year.

This year is going to look very different for students across the state. Norwalk Community College will offer over 80 percent of its courses online and has implemented several measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 for those who must be on-campus. NCC's Phase 3 Reopening plan is available here.

To help incoming NCC students strengthen their math skills, NCC launched for the sixth year its Summer Bridge Math Program. To accommodate students who were working irregular hours or caring for family members, the fully virtual course was offered at three times during the day and was provided in both English and Spanish. For more information about the Summer Bridge Math Program, click here.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far reaching, affecting not just our state and country, but the world. Its effects have been considerable, but some communities have been hit harder than others. Women, Black people, Indigenous groups, and people of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

This month the United Nations Foundation is sharing its push for progress and invites you to get involved. Below is information on how you can join the fight on some of the important issues:

Protecting Biodiversity in Brazil: The Xakriabá people are fighting to protect the Cerrado, the tropical Brazillian savanna they call home. Learn about their fight to protect biodiversity and their way of life through the lens of Edgar Kanaykõ, an indigenous Xakriabá photographer. Read their story here.

Giving Girls a Voice, and a Vote: At 15, Aasha began fighting for gender equality with the United Nations. When she went to university, she took her fight to campus. She boosted voter registration among students by one-third because she knows how critical youth political participation is in the fight to make girls and women equal everywhere. Get to know Aasha.

Building Democracy Next Door in Chicago: Activists and suffragists across America are still fighting for women’s rights 100 years after the 19th Amendment passed. A self-described citizen advocate in Chicago, Betty Alzamora is helping women find power in their voices and their votes. Read her story.

Biodiversity Can’t Wait: Biodiversity is essential to fighting climate change and safeguarding human health -- and its loss disproportionately affects poor and Indigenous communities. With more than one million species at risk of extinction, urgent global action is needed to protect biodiversity before it’s too late. Learn more.

The 19th Amendment Turns 100: The 19th Amendment was an important, yet incomplete victory for gender equality -- granting only white women the vote in America. To mark the centennial, the UN Foundation highlighted some of the unsung American women of color fighting for equal rights and representation for women everywhere. Read up on the activists you should know.

Collective Action in the Age of COVID: Our President Elizabeth Cousens kicked off the final week of the Chautauqua Lecture Series this week. Reflecting on the state of global cooperation today, she called on us all to reimagine how multilateralism can tackle the challenges of today as we face a turning point in our collective history. Watch the lecture.

Global Goals Week: More than 100 partners are joining together for Global Goals Week this year, united in the call to recover better and accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals as COVID-19 threatens gains. Get the details.

This Just In: A majority of Americans want to see greater global cooperation and a future shaped by the SDGs. These findings are the result of consultations with nearly 2,000 Americans in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico conducted by our sister organization the United Nations Association of the USA. Read the report.