Opening Day, In The Fight To End Homelessness, A Very Special Introduction

February 7, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Trying out a little something different this week. Instead of a letter, here's a video for the start of session.

Eleni
 
 
How to Navigate the Bulletin
 
How to Register to Speak at a Public Hearing
 
CT DoAg Food System Capacity Building Grant 
The Food System Capacity Building Grant provides funds to Connecticut organizations and groups involved in food system policy or creating innovative, localized, programming in their respective communities to increase food access and address food insecurity.

Any proposal from an eligible applicant that seeks to improve the local food system and make food, particularly CT-grown farm products, more accessible to Connecticut residents will be considered. FY 2024 Grant Application Guidelines Application Deadline is March 6, 2024. For more details, please click

HERE.
 
Reminder: Do You Have Money Waiting To Be Claimed?

You may have money to claim!

Please visit CTBigList.com, Connecticut’s official unclaimed property website, to easily search for your property for free. If you find something, you can instantly file a claim. There is no time limit to claim your funds. 
 

Lost or forgotten money and other property is handed over to the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer for safekeeping until it can be claimed by the rightful owner. This unclaimed property can include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, utility deposits and refunds, annuities, and more.

Most unclaimed property owners are individuals, but corporations, municipalities, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and small businesses are also among those who’ve found they have money owed to them.  

Connecticut has returned more than $1 billion to rightful owners through the unclaimed property program. It’s estimated that one in seven Americans has unclaimed property waiting for them. Visit CTBigList.com today and find out if you have money coming to you, too.
 
In the News: WTNH and More 
On Monday, a bipartisan group of legislators came together with the CT Coalition to End Homelessness to discuss the ongoing challenges we face as a state with over 4,000 people in homeless shelters, 800 people living outside, and far too many of them are families with children. Click on the image below to watch a report from WTNH.
WTNH Clip from Monday Press Conference
We can make a difference in their lives If we have the will to do so. Thank you to all of the legislators and providers who participated today and to the press for their coverage.

To watch the press conference in its entirety, please click HERE.
 
Community Events
 
Today's Black History Month Highlight
It is award season - and Black History Month. So, of course, we can highlight the trailblazing Hattie McDaniel! Not only was she the first African American to win an Oscar for her performance in "Gone with the Wind", but she was also the first Black woman to sing on the radio in the United States!
 
A Very Special Announcement 
When we start each session, we often have a special guest or two join us. Today, I was both grateful and proud to have my mom, Dianne Kavros Fogarty, join me in the chamber for the first time. Thanks, Mom.
 
 
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
As parents, we don't want to believe that our children could become involved in an abusive or violent relationship as a teen, but sadly, it is a possibility. In fact, one in three teenagers may experience intimate partner violence.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and it's an important time to discuss this with your teenager, even ahead of having a relationship if you haven't already.

Here are two resources for you and your teen. First, information from the CDC on how to prevent teen dating violence can be found HERE. 

Second, information from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Center of Violence Prevention can be found HERE.

Together, we can protect our teens and teach them what a healthy relationship can be.

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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