Donation
Amount
Total Donations to Date: $346,710 (approx; Feb. total tbd)
2024
May
$TBD
Operation Fresh Start Inc., is a community based non-profit 501(c)(3) charity serving our neighbors in New London County. We assist families with children in crisis, giving them a much-needed hand up. We provide household items to set up apartments, backpacks full of necessary items for children and a helping hand when needed. In addition, through various donation drives, we have provided many families with back-to-school supplies, diapers and baby wipes, toiletries, pajamas, gifts and toys for the holidays, and more.
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February
$TBD
Groton Community Meals is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that serves free meals on Mondays from 6:00PM - 7:00 at the Groton Senior Center. Meals are available as a drive up service in takeout containers due to COVID-19. All are welcome. GCM started 10 years ago and serves 50-60 meals a week, with over 16,000 meals served annually. The organization is totally volunteer-run, except for 2 chefs who receive a modest stipend. They have recently received a grant to buy a truck and trailer to deliver meals to neighborhoods in Groton.
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2023
November
$12,000
The S.T.E.P.S. Program (Striving Toward Empowered Personal Success) offers mentoring and life-skills training to a diverse group of over 100 girls in 7th – 12th grades in New London and Groton. It was started by two local women (who are both still volunteering at S.T.E.P.S.) 16 years ago to help young girls make positive choices. It offers three programs: an afterschool empowerment program in Groton and New London (and they were just invited into two more school districts); a summer leadership program; and leadership day, which focus on topics such as, body image, healthy relationships, media and financial literacy, and much more. S.T.E.P.S., with a budget of approximately $170,000, relies mainly on volunteers, and most of the funding goes directly into programs, which take place at schools and on college campuses.
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August
$12,100
Founded in 1989, Vista Life Innovations is a full-service organization supporting individuals with disabilities throughout the various stages of life.Vista recently launched a new program in Southeastern Connecticut, New Heights, a Post-Secondary Training/Day Services program for neurodiverse young adults age 17 and above located at 101 West Broad Street in Pawcatuck, CT. This Vista designed and led program offers curriculum-driven instruction Monday through Friday from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their five core areas designed to teach, train and promote independence among individuals include vocational training, life skills, cognitive and social behavior, community involvement, and post-secondary options for training and education.
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May
$12,200
The Mission of A Sacred Place is to foster hope among incarcerated women of York Correctional Institute in Niantic, CT in order to help them lead responsible, educated, spiritually enriched lives that are drug-free and crime-free. A Sacred Place provides programs addressing emotional and educational literacy, modalities to foster healing, spiritual connection and a successful return to society.
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February
$13,000
The Eastern Connecticut Community Garden Association (ECCGA) offers educational and financial resources to groups and individuals wishing to start a community garden. They work with schools, non-profits, giving gardens, and community groups, and are engaged in a wide variety of activities, all aimed at empowering community gardens. The Groton Family Farm, Garden Pawcatuck, Grasso Tech, Fresh New London, and the Ledyard Garden Group are just a few of their many collaborative partners.
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2022
November
$12,310
The Jason Hyatt Center came into being following the closure of a homeless shelter in Noank. They are supported by Sound Community Services which provides support and services for individuals with behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. The Jason Hyatt Center has the capacity to house 3 boys and 2 girls ranging in age from 18-24 years old for up to 18 months. While they do have access to mental health and social services support, there is currently no actual budget for food and other essentials.
August
$12,300
The mission of Clean Up Sound and Harbors (CUSH) is to clean up and protect Fishers Island Sound and its coves, inlets, bays, rivers and harbors. Twenty-five CUSH volunteers collect water samples, monitoring the water quality of Stonington and Mystic Harbors, the Mystic River, Pequotsepos and Wequetequock Coves, and the major freshwater streams that feed them. Those results are then formulated into a single Aquatic Health Index. CUSH shares its data with state and local officials as well as regional environmental organizations and the general public. Long-term monitoring can reveal the biggest pollution challenges and help identify how to fix them.
May
$12,700
The Thames River Family Program (TRFP), established in 1992, is the lead program of Thames River Community Service, Inc., which provides safe housing and support services for families experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, abuse or mental illness. Since its inception, the TRFP has served nearly 975 families with over 1,500 children who have resided and transitioned through their furnished 24 unit, two- and three-bedroom, apartment building.also educates the community and local service providers on immigration law and policy. Since May 2017, TRCS has become a transitional housing program for families headed by youth ages 18 to 24 years of age. They are mothers, fathers, or couples who have been in the foster care system themselves, have been victims of human trafficking, have been homeless or unstably housed, with little or no healthy support system. While at TRFP, they work with the staff to develop life skills, including parenting, employment and tenancy. This enables many to leave TRFP for permanent housing within a year. The POT funding will be used to help families with rent.
February
$12,600
The Immigration and Advocacy and Support Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide quality low-cost immigration legal services in Southeast Connecticut. IASC also educates the community and local service providers on immigration law and policy. IASC focuses on “family immigration law” - filing new permanent legal residency applications to reunite parents, children and spouses; renewing and replacing legal permanent residency cards; and applying for citizenship. IASC is funded by generous donors, foundations, and sliding scale service fees, and is grateful for the assistance of many volunteers.
2021
November
$12,200
Operation Fresh Start Inc. helps foster children and adults who have aged out of the foster care system have a fresh start. By providing household items to set up apartments for the adults, backpacks full of items for the children, and a helping hand when needed, Operation Fresh Start Inc. serves our neighbors in Southeastern Connecticut. Thus far, everything Operation Fresh Start has provided to those in need has been donated. In the future, they hope to create a scholarship fund to give these young people the skills they need to succeed. Currently, they are in need of a storage space to keep all the donations they have received.
August
$12,200
Mystic Geriatrics Institute (MGI) is a non-profit organization with a mission to make a significant difference in improving the lives of the elderly and to make our region a center of excellence for elder well-being through specialized health care and education. Our mission is to create an organization in our region to foster the development and communication of effective geriatric care; to coordinate responses to elder issues, broadcasting effective strategies to invested audiences through workshops, conferencing and symposia; and to educate and collaborate with communities to establish infrastructure and services that promote elder well-being. MGI is planning a conference in November covering the seven areas of competency a caregiver needs in order to do this. They wish to offer this program free of charge. The PoT2 funding will help them accomplish this.
May
$11,800
New London Homeless Hospitality Center Founded in 2006, HHC collaborates with dozens of public and private programs and agencies to address the underlying causes of homelessness for each person and help him/her find permanent housing as quickly as possible. HHC Services provide much needed meals and services to homeless men and women, including: HHC Diversion Program with employment specialists working in concert with "We Work 2" and Connecticut state agencies; help finding housing and employment and connecting the homeless to much needed medical services. All totaled HHC impacts over 750 people a year.
February
$11,600
FRESH New London hosts multiple community gardens around the city of New London. Since 2004, FRESH New London looks to build momentum for food system change through community based agriculture and youth empowerment. We are a community farm and educational hub dedicated to building a healthy and just food system. We use food to connect the community, encourage stewardship, inspire leaders and incite change.
2020
November
$11,200
The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut (JFEC) convenes, connects and leads the community and leverages its resources to assure the continuity of the Jewish people, support a secure State of Israel, care for Jews in need here and abroad, and mobilize on issues of concern to the local community, all with our local, national, and international partners. The funds from the Power of Together donation will contribute to the JFEC's Relief and Recovery Fund to not only help the needs of those who became food insecure but also to help with the shortage of face masks in nursing homes.
August
$10,900
Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center The mission of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center is to be the resource for basic needs for people experiencing financial hardship, as well as services for seniors in need of socialization and transportation for those living in Mystic, Pawcatuck, Stonington, North Stonington and Westerly. During the extremely challenging time of Covid-19, the PNC has seen an uptick in need across the board, from food insecurity needs to financial assistance with mortgage/rent and utilities payments.
April
$11,000
Neighbors for Neighbors, Community Foundation Eastern Connecticut In mid-March, the CFEC established the Neighbors for Neighbors Fund to deploy resources to those most deeply impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The CFEC partnered with the United Way of Southeast Connecticut and the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and offered grants of $473,517 to 61 recipients. These grants provided flexible resources to organizations throughout Eastern CT that serve
the basic needs of local residents, particularly to high-need populations, including low-income individuals,
residents without health insurance , communities of color and individuals with disabilities. The CFEC pledged a 100% match for this fund during this time, which doubled the donation from Power of Together!
February
$11,950
AZ Pawn Gift of Mobility Giveaway is a program that collects, refurbishes, and distributes wheelchairs to those in need. Phil Pavone, a cancer survivor, has given away 650 wheelchairs to date. “Once we give these chairs to people and see how grateful they are —the tears and the hugging and kissing—I know we’re making a difference,” says Pavone. “These chairs offer a way for people to live an independent life.” The Power of Together 2 funding will be used for batteries, which Pavone said cost between $125 and $250 each, and advertising.
2019
November
$11,600
Always Home, Inc. is the only non-profit service provider in the region dedicated exclusively to serving homeless and at-risk families with children. Always Home strives to give parents the tools they need to overcome their housing crisis so that they can focus on the well-being of their children. Their goal is to empower client families to attain permanent, stable housing, while imparting hope and respecting the dignity of each family they serve. Always Home has 40% more clients this year than last and have doubled their staff of social workers. As their budget is almost completely funded through individuals and grants, the need is great for additional funding.
August
$11,600
Ocean Community YMCA Reach and Rise Mentoring Program. The Ocean Community YMCA's Reach & Rise® Mentoring Program is a national YMCA program that is committed to youth development by nurturing the potential of kids and teens to help them achieve and reach their full potential. The program is designed for youth ages 6 to 17 who lack role models and are in communities challenged by poverty, crime, truancy, among other social issues. Research shows that youth facing such challenges are more likely to succeed with the support of a caring adult.
May
$11,200
Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (V.E.T.S.) provides a serene place for military veterans to go that provides therapeutic healing through equine-related activities by highly skilled instructors, staff and trained volunteers. V.E.T.S. exists with the goal to provide their services at no charge to their clients. Some of their volunteers and staff are veterans themselves and understand the challenges veterans face reintegrating into domestic life after experiencing the psychological trauma and physical wounds of war.
February
$10,100
New Life Ministry aims to reduce the recidivism rate of women released from York Prison in Niantic, Connecticut, and the communal costs of incarceration. Fifty to sixty percent of the inmates released into the community will return to prison unless they have access most importantly to housing, and to material and personal support. A secondary goal of New Life is to help recently released female inmates function independently and successfully in the community, This assists them to make the transition from incarceration to community membership. New Life Ministry provides two apartments in the New London area where there are opportunities for the women to work and have access to those resources that will prevent recurring substance abuse.
2018
November
$10,500
Safe Futures, formerly the Women's Center of SECT, operates two 24-hour hotlines, an emergency shelter, and transitional living programs for families working to rebuild lives shattered by domestic violence or sexual assault. Safe Futures also provides counseling and advocacy, case management, court support services, support groups, and educational programs for schools and community groups. All 21 cities and towns in New London County are served by the agency.
August
$9,600
Sophia Sees Hope is a 501c(3) nonprofit patient advocacy organization dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by blindness caused by rare inherited retinal diseases. Sofia Sees Hope was founded in 2014 by Laura Manfre and Charles Priebe, who live in Ledyard, CT, and whose daughter Sofia has Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Their mission is to generate awareness, raise funds for research, and provide outreach, support and education to those affected by LCA and other rare retinal diseases. The funds from Power of Together 2 were used to host a national LCA Conference in Mystic, CT in October 2018.
May
$9,700
A Sacred Place is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rehabilitative programs and educational opportunities for incarcerated women in Connecticut. Since 2003, A Sacred Place has served over 1000 incarcerated women at York Correctional Institution in Niantic, CT, through dedicated volunteer support and contributions from many individuals, churches, and organizations. The Power of Together donation was used to support several of their programs. The Storybook Project records an inmate’s voice as she reads a storybook (the recording and the book are then given to her child/children). Mommy and Me gives children the opportunity to spend time with their mom participating in a fun activity. Houses of Healing offers ways for inmates to address and change personal issues. Finally, The Barbara Fund provides “scholarships” for correspondence classes aiding women in working towards advanced degrees and building workplace skills.
February
$9,100
Start Fresh is a 501(c)(3) organization that was inspired to create to a welcoming community where refugee families can contribute to the vitality of the local area. Since 2016, volunteers have worked within small teams to coordinate services for refugee families: rides to appointments, tutoring English, donating clothes, grocery shopping, medical appointments, job skills, and community events. Start Fresh used the PoT2 donation to provide summer camp activities for the children; to place in a reserve for a winter heating fund; and to provide technology assistance after assessing student needs.
2017
October
$10,200
New England Science & Sailing Foundation (NESS) is an ocean adventure nonprofit that provides STEM-based education programs, on and off the water, for students from all walks of life. NESS uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and adventure sports as teaching platforms. They engage everyone in experiential learning that builds confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills vital to their futures. NESS operates year-round with families, schools, and organizations to provide high-quality programs that blend an innovative curriculum with exciting ocean adventure activities. NESS used the PoT2 funds to rebuild their floating docks in New London.
July
$10,450
Community Speaks Out (CSO) is a Groton-based organization that provides support to local individuals and families struggling with addiction to opioids. CSO is organized and operated to walk families through the process of getting addicted family members into treatment through financial and logistical assistance, and to foster community support, awareness, and education on addiction and addiction prevention. CSO used the PoT2 funds to help to pay for the office space they have recently opened in Groton, which is enormously important so that families can have a safe and private place to meet - as well as financial help to support those entering into treatment and sober living.
April
$10,250
Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut believes every child deserves a chance to overcome obstacles and become the best person they can be. The Club offers a safe place with caring youth development professionals where a child can learn, grow and reach their full potential. Their life-enhancing programs and character development experiences offer hope and opportunity to young people. The funds provided by PoT2 supported summer “after school” programs for local students from New London as well as other nearby towns. Through this program the Boys and Girls Club is able to provide activities and mentorship to school-age children so that they will have a destination and some positive structure in their lives during the summer months.
January
$9,750
The Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (PNC) provides valuable programs and services reaching 2,000 regular clients as well as hundreds of senior citizens. The range of programs includes food distribution, an oil assistance plan, a job search program, Senior Meals on Wheels, a service providing weekly essentials to babies, and a student backpack program providing meals for students in need when school is not in session. The PoT2 funds were used for PNC’s efforts to provide a safety net of food, energy assistance and other basic needs programs.
2016
October
$8,300
The Giving Garden at Coogan Farm is part of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC) located in Mystic, CT. In February 2014, the Nature Center, United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and the Robert G. Youngs Family Foundation signed an agreement that promised to bring fresh food to thousands of hungry residents of New London County daily. In 2016, the Giving Garden provided over 13,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center, which distributes food to 63 programs that help food-insecure people across New London County. The PoT2 funds enabled the purchase of a root vegetable washer, a drip irrigation system, fencing, seeds and a “hoop” house cover.
July
$5,700
Groton Public Library is an inclusive and valuable community resource servicing thousands of people in the greater Groton, CT and surrounding area. Their budget had recently been reduced, specifically impacting their ability to remain the one library in the county that is open on Sundays. Patron input indicates having Sunday hours is a highly valued offering. With PoT2 funds, the library has been able to reinstitute Sunday hours for the fall and winter. In addition, a youth group at the library was inspired by our gift to make their own gift to fund one Sunday this winter. It will be called “Super Sunday” and the youth group plans to offer superhero crafts for children.
April
$4,400
