BACKBONE UPDATES

Congratulations to Jesse Buccolo, our Deputy Director being elected to the Norwalk City Council as a Council Member-at-Large! Learn more about Jesse here

What We Are Reading

These Norwalk students are earning an associate degree while in high school

PARTNER FOCUS

Filling in the Blanks

Just in time for the giving season, Norwalk TALKS had an opportunity to sit down with Paola Arango, the Family & Community Engagement Coordinator for Filling in the Blanks.

With SNAP benefits jeopardized on the federal level, Filling in the Blanks saw a significant increase in need for food in Fairfield County.

This organization provides 10,000 weekend meal bags a week, with plans to expand to 11,000 very soon!

Learn more about Filling in the Blanks

Connecticut Experienced an Increase in Voter Turnout in the 2025 Election

2025 Municipal Election by CTData

• Norwalk experienced a *41% increase in voter turnout* in the 2025 election compared to 2021 (27% to 37%)
• 5,171 more eligible voters voted* compared to 2021 (14,793 to 19,964)

Check out the Norwalk ACTS Data Dashboards!

Info you need about Norwalk!

CT Policy Updates

After a late special session in Hartford, the Connecticut Cradle to Career Coalition’s Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee has expanded and began its work for the short 2026 legislative session. With youth and adult community representatives from Norwalk and members from Norwalk ACTS partner organizations, the subcommittee is meeting in December to discuss and draft legislative priorities for the 2026 statewide policy agenda. They will finalize legislative priorities by the second week of January for submission to Coalition leadership. If you're interested in learning more about the subcommittee or joining our advocacy efforts, please email ctc2c.policy@gmail.com.

Heads-up on an expected advocacy priority: An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement.. Read More

Subscribe to the CT Cradle to Career Coalition Newsletter



Learn more about the Community Listening Forums on Norwalk TALKS for a special episode with Mayor-elect Barbara Smyth.

SEAT Norwalk Cohort starting soon



Are you looking to learn the fundamentals of nonprofit board service? Are you a Black or Latino Norwalk resident. The SEAT Program is looking for its next Norwalk cohort. Applications are open now and the next cohort starts January 20th!

Learn more from the Norwalk TALKS episode launching December 8th with Kim Bianca Burgess, SEAT Program Curriculum Author & Lead Trainer.

The Norwalk Art Space features a Norwalk ACTS' Youth Advocate



Congratulations to our Youth Advocate Alejandra Balderrama whose work was featured at the Norwalk Art Space last month in a special exhibition!

Alejandra Balderrama is a senior at Brien McMahon High School.

The Norwalk Art Space strives to increase opportunity and equity in the arts!

AnaVivian and Anamilena, Youth Advocate Ashley of P-Tech with a friend at the High School Showvase.

Parent Café

Our Early Childhood Community Advocates hosted another successful Parent Café at the SoNo School with Annelise Gawlak, LMSW and Elizabeth Watson, LMSW as presenters.

The topic was Understanding Your Child's World and 34 families attended.

The Early Childhood Advocates have supported and provided outreach at over 30 events in 2025!

Our Community Advocates Eve, Nicaury, and Jennifer at the Building an Opportunity-Rich World for Every Child: A Talk with Dr. Richard Lemons, Yale Professor sponsored by Horizons.

Early Childhood Providers

Be sure you are connected with an important news blast from the Local Governance Partner & CT OEC: Early Childhood Updates Newsletter This communication will go out monthly.

Reach out to Carol Carrozelli to be added to the email list