Connections

The Newsletter of the Women & Girls Fund

Girls Empowerment Internship Program

The Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund recently awarded the Torrington Youth Service Bureau, in partnership with Torrington Public Schools, a grant providing local girls an opportunity to learn about various career opportunities.

Internships were offered at New Opportunities, KidsPlay Children's Museum, Hartford HealthCare, Torrington Library, Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial, and Torrington Savings Bank.

Photo: Kajeda, a program participant.

The program was developed with the goal of removing barriers and broadening the girls’ understanding of career paths available within different settings.

“Your mindset, your openness to different experiences and your willingness to try out those different experiences, all help to put you in a position to make good career choices in the future,” said Kajeda, a program participant.

Kajeda says she is grateful she was able to participate in the program, and hopes, as do we, that the program can continue for years to come.

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Reception at Torrington Country Club

Connecting with our loyal supporters is pure joy for us, so we are pleased to announce the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund Annual Reception is once again taking place at Torrington Country Club.

Please join us May 11, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We will announce 2023 grant recipients and celebrate the accomplishments you made possible this past year.

Photo: Cathy Coyle, executive director of Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial.

Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Cathy Coyle, executive director of Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial.

RSVP for the Reception

We can't wait to see you!

Sandra Zielinski speaks with Women & Girls Fund Scholarship recipient Sara Viglioti

Scholarships for Local Nursing Students:

Well-Deserved Opportunity

Who deserves an opportunity? That’s the question we asked when we launched our scholarship program: Helping Our Heroes.

We were inspired by long-time friend and donor to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund, Bibby Veerman. She wanted to encourage women working hard to get ahead, so she made a significant donation to start the project.

With her help, we were able to grow the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Scholarship Fund: Helping our Heroes and provide Northwestern Connecticut Community College scholarships to deserving young female students like Sara Vigliotti, who cared for elderly patients and worked on her nursing degree throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Give to the Women & Girls Scholarship Fund

Live of Winsted Promotes the Women & Girls Fund

Jackie McNamara of woman-owned business, Live, a fashion and home goods shop in Winsted, collected donations for the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund during the month of February.

In another show of incredible support, Jackie organized a fashion show at 2nd Home Lounge in April. While guests enjoyed beverages and treats, Women & Girls Fund supporters modeled fabulous outfits from Live, accessorized by beautiful jewelry from Crystal Teal Company, a new jewelry shop on Water Street in Torrington. Guests gave generously, thank you!

Photo: Fashion show models (left to right) Fran Stoffer, Kelly McCarthy, Sue Fergusson (center) Candy Perez

These business owners share your commitment to women and girls in our community, so please support them, and tell them we sent you.

Are you inspired? You can do it, too! If you own a business and want to promote the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund, contact the Women & Girls Fund Executive Committee.

Promote the Women & Girls Fund

Get your Women & Girls Fund Swag!

We know as a loyal supporter of the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund, you love to promote the fund as often as you can, and we appreciate you more than we can say!

Now you can wear the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund logo proudly, while supporting the continued work of helping local women and girls develop self-sufficiency through education, financial literacy, and social services.

Order your Swag

Proceeds directly support the Women & Girls Fund!

Meet the Executive Committee:Fran Stoffer

Fran Stoffer has recently been named Chair of the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund. She served as vice chair for the past four years, and she is ready to take the lead.

“I am passionate about the mission of the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund. The women who serve on this committee share my passion, so it is a pleasure to take on this new role,” said Fran.

A mom to two daughters, Alya and May, Fran shares her New Hartford home with her husband Mark. In addition to her responsibilities with the Women & Girls Fund, she volunteers for the Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, the New Hartford Land Trust, the New Hartford Historic District Commission, and New Hartford's YTBN Women's Group.

A retired English teacher, Fran loves a good read, but she can also be found swimming, hiking, kayaking and sailing in the summer and skiing, snow-shoeing and quilting in the winter.

Learn more about the Women & Girls Fund

Bequest Giving

Wouldn’t it be great if people celebrated your values 100 years from now? You can make that happen by leaving a legacy gift to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund.

Designate the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund in your estate planning. It is quick and easy.

Contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Bradford Hoar at 860.626.1245 or BHoar@yournccf.org to learn more.