Tackling Hunger & Celebrating Our Youth Theatre

July 28, 2025


 

I joined advocates and fellow legislators to discuss our plan to tackle hunger across Waterbury and Connecticut. I'll let you know how our community is trying to help those in need.

Waterbury's City Youth Theatre celebrated five years of leading incredible student-led productions! Keep scrolling to learn how the program is expanding.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Trying to Address Hunger With Foodshare
  • Celebrating Waterbury's City Youth Theatre
  • Celebrity Softball Game
 

Trying to Address Hunger With Foodshare

It was a privilege to join my colleagues, advocates, and members of the Connecticut Foodshare Neighborhood Council to discuss the growing urgency of addressing hunger in our communities. The rising cost of groceries, sharp increases in rent, and a high rate of eviction are all contributing to a crisis of food insecurity in Waterbury and the entire state.

There is not a zip code in Connecticut untouched by hunger. In the 75th District alone, three local sites, including two faith-based congregations, are working tirelessly to distribute food to those in need.

But the reality is clear: these organizations are stretched thin and simply cannot keep pace with the rising demand.

This year, I was proud to support a bipartisan budget that invests in solutions. Together, we secured $2.9 million in funding for Connecticut Foodshare in Fiscal Year '26 and $5.9 million in Fiscal Year '27. These resources will help, but they are only a first step.

If we're serious about ending hunger in Connecticut, we must continue to act with urgency, expand partnerships, and ensure every family has access to the food they need to thrive.
 

Celebrating Waterbury's City Youth Theatre

It was an honor to attend and receive a Legacy Award at the fifth-year celebration of Waterbury's City Youth Theatre. The gala and fundraiser, held at the Palace Theater, highlighted the power of youth empowerment, creativity, and community.

Since 2021, high school students have been leading incredible productions, and the program continues to grow. This year, City Youth Theatre expanded to include adults, launched a three-week summer camp for children, and is preparing to introduce a new play featuring elementary and middle school students in 2026.

I'm so proud of the growth and vision of Waterbury's City Youth Theatre. It continues to nurture an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring space where young people can express themselves, discover their voice, and build lasting confidence in the arts. The organization is about opportunity, community, and believing in the potential of every student.
Celebrating my Legacy Award with Millie Soto, who won Volunteer of the Year!
 

Celebrity Softball Game

We all had a great time batting, fielding, and running the bases at the Celebrity Softball Game at Colt Park in Hartford. I would like to thank the Los Amigos Softball League for hosting this wonderful all-star event and making it unforgettable for the community!