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As communities recover from last month's historic flooding, the state continues to share resources with those in need. Please look below for information on a variety of subjects including unemployment compensation, flood insurance, and much more.
An excellent youth employment program is expanding across the state! Keep scrolling to learn how this new investment will provide opportunities for our youth to find a career path.
Team Inc is offering free financial advice to anyone who is looking to learn about budgeting and growing their savings. Look below to learn more and reserve your spot in the class!
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Assistance for Victims of Historic Flooding
- Suicide Prevention Month
- Back to School!
- Growth of CT Youth Employment Program
- Remembering Fatman Scoop
- Spreading Overdose Awareness
- Financial Education Discussion
- Volunteer Firefighters Wanted in Orange
- Apply for the Legislative Internship Program!
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Assistance for Victims of Historic Flooding |
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The Connecticut Department of Labor has set up an entire webpage dedicated to helping flood victims. The site contains a consolidated list of resources and links including:
- An application for unemployment compensation for individuals who are out of work or had hours reduced due to the flooding
- Disaster relief resources
- A storm water cover and flood insurance fact sheet
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| You will also find a flood resource guide, which includes information from various state agencies, frequently asked questions, and other links and tools to help flood victims navigate the complex aspects of disaster recovery. |
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| Speaking of assistance, the federal government is providing Connecticut with $3 million for ongoing road repairs that have been underway since the initial impact of the storm. The emergency relief funds ensures that rebuilding efforts on our roads will continue uninterrupted.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has reopened more than 25 roads. It continues to operate an interactive online map providing information on completed and ongoing road repair. Click here to access that map. |
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September is Suicide Prevention Month, and as we look forward to the new school year, I want to remind everyone that suicide remains a critical concern for our young people. Despite efforts to improve access to mental and behavior health resources, suicide is the second leading cause of death in children, adolescents, and young people, behind death involving a firearm. Connecticut experienced several suicide related deaths of young people over the summer months.
I hope you will read the information below and share it with those you care about. My family has unfortunately lost loved ones to death by suicide, so this is deeply personal to me. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, please call 988 and speak to someone. |
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| If you or someone you know is a suicide loss survivor for supports and resources you click here.
For more information and resources, please visit:
Prevent Suicide CT
988 Crisis and Lifeline - CT Website
Connecting to Care CT - Support and Services for CT Youth
Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health
CT Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
I promise the world is better with you in it. There are so many people who care about you, and they are ready to help. |
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| It's an exciting time of years now that all students in the 114th district are back to school! For students, this marks the beginning of a new academic journey filled with fresh opportunities and challenges. Classrooms buzzing with the anticipation of new subjects, projects, and the chance to reconnect with friends after the summer break. |
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| Teachers are equally invigorated, prepared to engage with their students through innovative lessons and enriching activities designed to inspire and educate. Derby Public Schools hosted a festive event to celebrate their dedicated teachers and staff ahead of the school year! I wish everyone a successful, safe, happy, and healthy school year! |
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| Growth of CT Youth Employment Program |
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| I’m happy to share the Connecticut Youth Employment Program is growing exponentially. Governor Ned Lamont is doubling funding from $5 million to $10 million. |
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| The Connecticut Youth Employment Program helps young people, from 14-24 years of age, explore careers and bring them into the job market. They have an opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals who help them build career networks. Participants also receive job training and experience, all while earning a paycheck. |
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| Members of the community are mourning the loss of Rapper Isaac Freeman III, known as Fatman Scoop, who died after collapsing on stage at Hamden's Green and Gold Party. I offer my condolences to his family, friends, and fans. He was an excellent performer and hype man with a tremendous following evidenced by the crowds who came to see him last Friday. I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance. |
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| The Town of Hamden is inviting the community to a candlelight vigil tonight from 7 P.M. – 9 P.M. at Town Center Park. A series of speakers will pay tribute to and celebrate the life and memory of Fatman Scoop. Organizers will hand out candles for a communal lighting. A moment of silence will follow.
Licensed grief counselors and a social worker with the Hamden Police Department will be on hand to offer support and connect folks to services for those processing and mourning this loss.
For further information, please contact the Mayor’s Office at (203) 287-7100 or by email at mayor@hamden.com. |
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| Spreading Overdose Awareness |
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The state and the entire country is remembering the lives lost to overdoses and supporting the families and communities affected. International Overdose Awareness Day was held last week, and the Woodbridge and Hamden Police Departments placed purple ribbons on their cruisers as part of the campaign. The goal is to bridge the gap, break the stigma around addiction, and work toward solutions to save lives. Let's continue to support harm reduction and recovery efforts across Connecticut.
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| Financial Education Discussion |
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| Team Inc is inviting the public to attend a free class on financial education covering household budgeting, starting/growing your savings, and credit repair. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Team Inc. School in Ansonia. Experts from Newtown Savings Bank and Bedrock Credit America will debunk financial myths and answer your questions.
This event is for adults of all income levels and financial know-how. Organizers will provide free dinner and childcare for children up to 10 years old. |
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| Volunteer Firefighters Wanted in Orange |
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The Orange Volunteer Fire Department is looking for volunteers who are at least 18 years old. The department is looking for front line responders, dispatchers, as well as accountants, marketers, IT professionals, fundraising coordinators, and more. Volunteering is such rewarding work. CLICK HERE if you’re interested in serving in Orange.
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| Apply for the Legislative Internship Program! |
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If your college student is interested in getting a hands-on experience with our state government, then please encourage them to apply now for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program! It allows students to get college credit while meeting face-to-face with legislators, learning about the legislative process, taking part in a mock session in the House of Representatives, and so much more.
As the Co-Chair of the Internship Committee, it is my responsibility to ensure that students receive an unforgettable experience in Hartford. I will work diligently with anyone who's interested in taking part in the program.
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Here are some of the requirements:
- 18 years of age or older by start of program
- Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
- Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
- Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
- Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA
The application deadline is Friday, November 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about the internship program.
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar in Derby. |
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| Please stop by the Derby Green on Friday, September 6 at 6:30 P.M. for jazz quintet Chris Coogan! |
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| Connecticut Foodshare will give free food to the community on Tuesday, September 10 from 2:15 PM - 3:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Make sure to bring a bag so you can bring food home. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers and other upcoming events below. |
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| Hamden Movie Night Series is Back! Mark your calendars for a fun-filled evening each Friday in September at Villano Park! Starting at dusk (around 7:00 p.m.), enjoy family-friendly movies under the stars. On Friday, September 6, you'll get to see "If." There is free entry and free parking. Make sure to bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks and vendors will be at the park. |
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| Check out the events and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Make sure to stop by Summerfest on Saturday, September 7 from 3 P.M. - 7 P.M. at High Plains Fair Grounds! There will be live music, adult & children's games, a cornhole tournament, raffle prizes, food trucks, beer & wine, a car show and much more! |
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| Come out and support the Orange Volunteer Fire Department by eating some pancakes! The fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, September 11 from 5:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. at Chip's Restaurant on Boston Post Road.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. CLICK HERE to get your tickets! |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the fliers and community calendar in Woodbridge below. |
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| Massaro Community Farm is hosting a beekeeping workshop on Saturday, September 7 at 9:00 A.M. Participants will take part in hive inspection, which includes evaluating colony health and possibly combining weak hives to ensure survival. Several slots remain so make sure to register here! |
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| Celebrate the start of harvest season at Townline Farm on Saturday, September 7 from 3:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. You can bring the family through the corn maze and buy tickets for a scenic hayride around the farm. There will be food trucks, yard games, and family friendly activities. Free entry! |
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| Please come out and help clean up the Fitzgerald Trail on Sunday, September 8 from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Volunteers will clear and trim sections of the trail near the corn fields and community gardens. They are encouraged to use sturdy footwear and work gloves (leather recommended). Useful tools to bring include pruning saws, pruners, loppers, chain saw, pick or mattock, spade. Make sure to park and meet at the end of Fitzgerald Road (off of Beecher Road by the dog park) where the community gardens end.
You can register for the cleanup by sending an email to the Woodbridge Trail Master, Andy Danzig. |
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