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National Honor Bestowed on Agency Program Graduate
Lainee Burnette was thrust into the State of Connecticut's foster care system several years ago when her mother, then a substance abuser, lost custody of Lainee and all four of her siblings. Her mother, Jo-Ann, became a client of The Connection's Supportive Housing for Families program, kicked her drug habit, reunified with her children, and went on to gain certification as a healthcare worker. It's a hard luck story gone good.
Jo-Ann, a New Haven resident, was determined to create opportunities for her children to excel in life. Two young adult sons are in college and Lainee, a 15-year-old, is on full scholarship at Hopkins School, a prestigious private college preparatory school in New Haven for students in grades 7-12. As a result of her volunteering efforts and writing accomplishments, Lainee was selected to receive the Child Welfare League of America's 2009 Kids to Kids National Service Award. She traveled with her mother to the agency's office in Washington, DC, on February 25, to receive the honor.
Lainee is involved in the local chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at her school and tutors seventh and eighth graders there. She recently won an essay contest sponsored by a newly-built library in her New Haven neighborhood.
Lainee Burnette
New Haven
When asked about her family's story, Lainee acknowledges the experience made her stronger, "I learned how to always look at the positive and strive to get more from the situation."
"We are proud of Jo-Ann and Lainee," states Peter Nucci, President and CEO of The Connection. "Their story of determination and resolve, and Lainee's fitting honor by the Child Welfare League of America, show how the human spirit can triumph."
Listen to an interview between staff of Child Welfare League of America
and Miss Burnette on CWLA's On the Line internet program from March 4.
Click here to access the link.
Agency Staff Part of International Network of Trainers
Patricia Clark and Patrick Liddle (pictured at left), of The Connection, are two of only 914 individuals worldwide who are certified as trainers with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Known as MINTies, the group is an international body of professionals who regularly train human services workers in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and related methods. Ms. Clark and Mr. Liddle received their certification in 2005, from Dr. William R. Miller, the clinician credited with developing MI.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered counseling style designed to elicit change and resolve ambivilance. Staff at The Connection are trained quarterly to use the technique, which is used agencywide at all levels of client interaction. Newly hired staff are introduced to MI during
employee orientation, and coaching and reinforcement of MI skills occurs at the program level as greater numbers of staff become familiar with and skilled in MI principles.
"I am proud of the long term commitment that The Connection has made for training," said Patrick of his ability to attend MINT training, teach Motivational Interviewing, and provide adequate space for training. "We work in an environment that is conducive to presenting materials and conducting training."
Patricia points out that she and Patrick are second generation trainers of the MI developers. "We were trained by the man who developed Motivational Interviewing," she said. "We present the training in the manner Dr. Miller wants it presented."
200 Attend First Connecting with Hope Dinner in June
More than 200 guests braved severe weather early in the evening to attend The Connection's First Annual Connecting with Hope Dinner on June 26. The event was held on the serene campus of the Deep River Historical Society in Deep River.
Actor Joey Pantoliano of TV's The Sopranos fame with starring and supporting roles in over 100 motion pictures, including Canvas, The Matrix and The Fugitive, was our guest speaker. Mr. Pantoliano spoke of his illustrious career and his personal story dealing with clinical depression. He told of becoming a mental health activist following his own diagnosis and the work of his foundation, No Kidding, Me Too!
A cocktail social and silent auction started the night and the elegant dinner buffet was prepared and served by the renowned Center for Culinary Arts in Cromwell. The popular swing band, Shiny Lapel Trio, wowed guests during the cocktail social and through the final two hours of the evening. The event was emceed by Desiree Fontaine of WTNH-TV's Connecticut Style and Good Morning Connecticut programs.
"I am very proud of our guests for braving the weather at first," said Michael Woolworth, The Connection's Director of Fund Development. "Many commented that the venue, food and entertainment were perfect and they were elated by the double rainbow that appeared once the storms passed." The Connection raised more than $25,000 for its programs that create hope and brighter tomorrows for individuals and families in need throughout Connecticut.
Special thanks to our generous guests, auction donors and sponsors, including Bank of America, eBenefits Group, WDRC Radio, Suburban Stationers and Office Furniture, Essex Savings Bank and PPI Benefits Solutions. Click to view our segment from July 1, on WTNH-TV's Connecticut Style with Desiree Fontaine (who emceed our event).
Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore and Heide Erb of
The Connection on WTNH-TV's Connecticut Style with Desiree Fontaine on July 1, 2009
Making the Connection Podcasts
Current and Recent eNewsletters
The Connection, ACI Merger Completed on January 1
On January 1, 2010, the merger of ALSO-Cornerstone, Inc. (ACI) and The Connection, Inc. (TCI) was completed.. A press conference was held January 4, to formally announce the merger to the New Haven and Connecticut communities. Click here for photos from the event.
The intent of the merger is to create a statewide organization that provides quality services in the areas of mental health and addiction services, supportive housing, community justice, and child welfare. ALSO-Cornerstone, Inc. is a Southern Connecticut-based agency with an annual budget of $6 million that serves over 4,000 individuals and families each year through nine residential and supportive housing programs, state-mandated pretrial education programs, school-based violence and substance abuse prevention programs, and an outpatient mental health services clinic for adults 18 and older.
“This is a “win-win” for both agencies and the communities we serve,” states TCI President and CEO Peter Nucci. “We each will bring unique assets to the consolidation while preserving the original missions of the organizations. For this reason, the slogan we developed to describe this endeavor is, ‘Joining Forces for a Better Connecticut'."
Second Benefit Golf Outing in October Successful Event
Sixty golfers enjoyed a day of challenging golf at The Connection's Second Annual Benefit Golf Outing on October 5, at TPC River Highlands, home to the PGA Travelers Championship, Cromwell. The foursome of Suburban Stationers and Office Furniture (shown at right in top photo) won first place in the Outing and received valuable prizes for their top finish.
The day included a picnic lunch; dinner buffet; hole in one contests, including one for a Smart ForTwo Coupe; silent auction with sports memorabilia and local items; putting contest for a Harley-Davidson Sportster; and an agency presentation during which we showed a moving video on our Supportive Housing for Families program. Over $30,000 (gross) was raised to advance the agency's mission to "build communities and rebuild lives" throughout Connecticut. Special thanks to our golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers and staff who made this a successful event.
Click here for photos and a summary of the Golf Outing.
Civic, Faith Groups Connect to Agency at Fairfield Event
The beautiful, historic Burr Mansion, Fairfield, was the setting for The Connection's inaugural event to present our mission and work to civic and faith communities in Fairfield County. The gathering, emceed by Heide Erb, Director of Communications, included a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and an agency presentation.
Regina, Fairfield County resident and graduate of our Supportive Housing for Families (SHF) program, spoke eloquently of how her time in the program motivated her to create a stable home for her young son. She is now married, college degreed and employed, and she graciously shares her success story with others. She was introduced by program manager Helen Lavin, who serves SHF families from The Connection's Bridgeport office.
Foster care parent and Connecting Children and Famiiles therapist Robyn Redinger shared stories of troubled children referred to The Connection's professional foster care program and the caring foster families who care and nurture them.
The evening included a roundtable discussion during which representatives from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fairfield spoke of their favorable experience of supporting SHF staff and families over the years. Ways were shared to support our work through collection drives, service events and other means. Special thanks to all who attended and expressed their desire to join in our efforts to transform lives in Fairfield County. View photos from the event.
The Connection's new Making the Connection podcast is a fifteen-minute audio program featuring informative, inspiring stories of clients and program graduates of The Connection who are rebuilding their lives, as well as agency staff who show unwavering care and concern during each person's journey.
In our February 2010 edition, Heide Erb interviews Greg, a Re-Entry Assisted Community Housing (REACH) graduate, who is giving back and helping others needing a second chance in Bridgeport. Hear Supportive Housing for Families staff talk about the program's emergence as a national model for helping families become independent. Listen below.
Making the Connection is Agency's New Podcast
Click the media player to listen to our February 2010
Making the Connection podcast, or download (right click and 'Save Target as') to enjoy on your MP3 / media player!
Then, will you take a few seconds and rate this Podcast?
Honors Abound at Supportive Housing Awards Event
The Connection's Supportive Housing program held its Fourth Annual Awards Breakfast on December 3, at Angelo's on Main Rockledge in West Hartford. More than 80 guests, honorees and staff attended the annual celebration.
Ruthie White, Executive Director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, delivered the keynote address. She also bestowed an award from the Center on the Honorable Susan Hamilton, commissioner of the Connecticut Dept. of Children and Families for the state agency's support of The Connection's Supportive Housing programs.
Others honored were nonprofit agencies, landlords and volunteers who partner with us to serve famiilies in need. Nine-year-old Madeline Nigro of Trumbull was honored for her efforts to lead a collection drive for backpacks and school supplies for children. Two supportive housing graduates spoke of their successes as a result of participating in the program.
Click the thumbnails at right to view photos from the event. Video segments of speeches by Ms. White, Ms. Hamilton and Jessica, a supportive housing graduate, are available below. Thanks to all who helped make this an inspiring event!
Keynote address by Ruth White of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (Part 1 of 2)
Keynote address by Ruth White of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (Part 2 of 2)
Susan Hamilton, CT Dept. of Children and Families Commissioner, comments after accepting the NCHCW award (Part 1 of 2)
Susan Hamilton, CT Dept. of Children and Families Commissioner, comments after accepting the NCHCW award (Part 2 of 2)
Jessica, a supportive housing graduate, is honored for her successes as a productive mother, college student and employee
Click on the thumbnails to view photos from the Supportive Housing Awards Breakfast
JESSICA'S STORY ... Jessica Lazu wants to be an attorney and from the conviction I hear in her voice, I have no doubt that someday she will. Jessica is 26 years old and has lived in foster care since her mother died from cancer when she was thirteen. “I was placed in really bad foster homes for years and did the whole running away thing because I was being abused in these homes,” explains Jessica. By age 16, Jessica was pregnant.
Guests Donate New Toys, Games at Night of Giving
Nearly 100 guests enjoyed great food and drink, live holiday
music, and valuable giveaways at The Connection's First
Annual Night of Giving. The event was held on Monday, Dec. 14,
from 5-9 p.m. at Nikita's Bar & Bistro in downtown Middletown.
We gathered for the purpose of creating holiday cheer and for
collecting new toys for local children served by The Connection.
Our guests went all out, blessing these little ones served at
Hallie House Women and Children's Center and our Supportive
Housing for Families program with dozens of high quality games
and toys.
Thanks to Nikita's, AFLAC Agent Michael Brooks who sponsored
the evening, and to everyone who helped make this a wonderful,
memorable evening. The event made the front page of the
Dec. 16 Middletown Press. Click here for Night of Giving pics.
The Connection has named Sheila Kristofak of Hartford as Agency Representative for the Greater Hartford area. Ms. Kristofak is program manager for the Hartford Supportive Housing for Families (SHF) Program office and has worked for the agency since 2002. The SHF program works with individuals and families with an open Department of Children and Families case to identify appropriate and safe housing in order to reunify the family with children who have been in foster care, or to preserve the family unit. Learn more here.
“Sheila’s outgoing personality and drive for professional development made her an obvious choice for Agency Representative,” said Heide Erb, Director of Communications for The
Sheila Kristofak Named Hartford Agency Representative
Connection. “She has a well rounded knowledge of the agency and the Greater Hartford community, which will help in her liaison role.” According to Sheila, “As a resident of Hartford, I am excited to serve as Agency Representative and for the opportunity to network with businesses and other service providers to improve lives in this city and region.” To learn more about Sheila's enthuasiasm and motivation for her job, click here.
Sheila can be reached at (860) 296-7149, ext. 102, or via email.
