Meet Our Board of Directors!

April 2025| Issue 52

The TriCircle Connection

Click here to visit our website today!

June 6 is the deadline for the 2025 TriCircle Memorial Scholarship. Apply today! Please share this opportunity with anyone who has been affected by addiction in any way and may be interested.

From the Desk of

Ana Gopoian

TriCircle's 2nd Memorial Quilt

is Complete!

Thank you to all those who came to see TriCircle’s 2nd Memorial Quilt alongside the 1st one at Wallingford Public Library on April 19. We lovingly craft these quilts so that, in a supportive and caring environment, individuals and families can come together to remember and memorialize their loved ones lost to the disease of addiction. Sharing about the 66 angels on our two Memorial Quilts is a very special opportunity to have conversations, heal, grieve, and honor them. Special thanks to those who had the courage to create a square in memory of their loved one(s). The quilts also made it all the way to Hartford to be part of a project spearheaded by our longtime friend, anchor, and reporter, Keith McGilvery. The spotlight will air sometime this month with Keith during the morning show 9-11am, on Fox 61. Endless gratitude to our 2nd Quilt Main Artist, Kara Bauscher, 1st Quilt Main Artist, Denise Porto, and Square Making Assistants Marisa Grodzicki, Janet McGovern, and Carole Doyle for the cross-stitched signage on the back! It is absolutely beautiful.

Together WE are Stronger!

To see gG's journey with TriCircle click here.

Special thanks to

WPAA-TV and Community Media

for producing this video.

#greatgive06492 #BeTheSeed

To donate to TriCircle click here.

May Spotlights:

The Honored Members of

TriCircle's

Board of Directors

Last month we featured our amazing new Board President, Colette Anderson, pictured above, click here. This month, TriCircle is pleased to introduce the other members of our Board of Directors!

Lamar Terrell, TriCircle's Board of Directors Vice-President, is a passionate advocate for families, dedicated to establishing vital resources for communities. A proud Army veteran, he served with distinction in the fight against terrorism, defending his country with unwavering commitment. Throughout his career, Lamar has embodied the values of service, leadership, and resilience.

A devoted father and husband, he has always prioritized his family’s well-being while working tirelessly for the betterment of others. His journey has been one of growth and service from his roots as a public-school graduate to becoming a union representative, a political candidate, and ultimately a small business owner. Through each phase of his career, Lamar has demonstrated his deep commitment to community development, supporting both families and local businesses.

With a strong belief in the power of autodidacticism, collaboration, and hard work, Lamar continues to advocate for policies and resources that uplift families and build stronger communities for future generations.

Jeff Russitano, is the Board Treasurer and a seasoned financial professional with over 35 years of experience in both personal and corporate finance, including leadership roles at organizations such as UnitedHealthcare Group and ESPN. A Connecticut native, Jeff specializes in retirement planning, with a focus on dividend and interest-bearing strategies designed to help clients generate reliable income, manage risk, and build a retirement plan they won’t outlive. Jeff is deeply committed to financial education and community outreach. He regularly leads workshops on topics such as Investing for Income and Required Minimum Distributions - empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future.

Originally from Monroe, Jeff now lives in Wallingford, Connecticut with his wife and their two adult children. He graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and later earned his MBA with a concentration in Business from the University of Phoenix.

Outside of work, Jeff enjoys traveling, golfing, skiing, and exploring his passion for cooking. Above all, he values time with his family, who remain the cornerstone of his life.

Kyle Rybczyk, a long time TriCircle Board Member, is a Nurse Practitioner and the Director of the Human Research Protections Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. His clinical background is in Infectious Diseases (HIV, Hepatitis C, and COVID) and leading research programs of HIV and COVID vaccines. He is a newer resident to Connecticut, and served as Secretary for the TriCircle Board of Directors in 2023-2024.

Rachel Ciarello, has a background focused in senior care. During her 25 years in the field, she has helped to raise awareness, develop strategic partnerships, build collaborations, encourage growth, oversee programs and educate future healthcare providers. She currently serves as the Regional Director of Business Development & Recruitment at Excel Academy CT and is the Co-Founder and Board Advisor at Endurance Home Care in Stamford. Her goal as a TriCircle Board Member is to assist with Marketing, Fundraising and Outreach. She has a real passion for helping people who are affected with mental health challenges and the disease of addiction.

Dundee Benson is a Digital Marketing Specialist at Connoisseur Media. She is an accomplished Business Development Sales Manager with over 18 years of expertise in devising and executing revenue-generating strategies. She has a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, building high performance teams, and expanding market presence. Adept at forging key client relationships and leveraging technology to streamline operations, Dundee is committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering sustainable business growth.

She received the Record Journal "Digital Media Consultant of the Year" for nine years in a row, won the 2023 Community Impact Award from the local Chamber of Commerce and the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Wallingford Education Foundation, which is testimony to her passion for her work.

She loves volunteering in the community and participates by caroling at Christmas time for the residents in the local Homeless Shelter. Special Olympics is near and dear to her heart. She is proud to be a new member of the TriCircle Board of Directors and looks forward to helping TriCircle move its mission and vision forward with her enthusiasm and expertise.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?

We Need Help With Events!

Shape the future with a purpose driven,

fun and fulfilling opportunity to give back!

TriCircle is looking for people who are action oriented and

passionate about our cause to work with us.

If your superpower is planning, organizing, and/or helping to implement events, then here is your chance to shine! We need volunteers to serve on the Fundraising & Events Committee! Meetings will be established and will convene once a month at TriCircle, 169 Colony Street, 2nd Floor, Meriden. Please consider leading or joining the Committee! Contact ana@tricircle.org to sign up.

Community Service Hours Are Available for All of the Above.

Together WE are Stronger!

All SMART Meetings are in person with a virtual option and Alternative Peer Groups

are also up and running and their schedules and flyers

are available by clicking here.

What's Happening?

Drop In Setback Middlefield at 1741 Pub & Grill - First and Third Wednesday of each month, May 7 and 21 at 72 Lyman Road, Middlefield. Registration at 5:00 pm, first game 6:00 pm. (click here)

New Location for Drop In Setback! Sliders in Wallingford - Second Wednesday of each month, May 14, located at 950 Yale Avenue, Wallingford. Registration at 5:00 pm, first game 6:00 pm. (click here)

#GreatGive06492 - May 7-8, a 36-hour online giving event to support local nonprofits. A portion of proceeds will be matched by sponsors and will benefit TriCircle - see flyer above or visit the Facebook page!

TriCircle's Hope & Support Groups - Thursdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 and every Thursday throughout the year. (click here for full schedule with locations)

TriCircle's Hope After Loss Support Groups - Mondays, May 5, 12, and 19 and every Monday throughout the year. There will be no meeting on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. (click here for full schedule with locations)

SMART Family & Friends Fun APG and Harmony Within SMART APG Wallingford - Last Tuesday of each month, May 27, 4:30 - 5:30 & 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Master's Manna 428 S Cherry St Wallingford, before the SMART Recovery Meeting. (see flyer above or click here)

SMART Recovery Wallingford - Every Tuesday May 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Master's Manna 428 S Cherry St Wallingford. (click here)

SMART Recovery Family & Friends Meriden - Every Tuesday May 6, 13, 20, and 27 (click here) 6:00 - 7:30 pm 169 Colony St, 2nd Floor, Meriden.

Reuniones de SMART en Espanol Meriden - Todos los miércoles en el mes de mayo 7, 14, 21, y 28 (haga clic aquí) 6:00 - 7:30 pm 169 Colony St, 2nd Floor, Meriden.

SMART la APG Meriden - Al tercer miércoles de cada mes de mayo 21 antes de la reunión, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, 169 Colony St, 1st Floor, Meriden. (haga clic aquí)

SMART Recovery Amigos y familiares en español Meriden - Todos los jueves en el mes de mayo 1, 8, 15, 22, y 29 (haga clic aquí) 6:00 - 7:30 pm 169 Colony St ,1st Floor, Meriden.

Yoga at DiversaFit Wallingford - Last Saturday of each month May 25 (click here) 2:00 - 3:00 pm DiversaFIT 549 Center St, Wallingford.

TriCircle Memorial Scholarship Application Deadline - June 6, 2025, to apply visit https://tricircle.org/memorial-scholarship/

Queso for a Cause - Tuesday, June 24, 5 - 8 pm. Panchero's Mexican Grill, 893 North Colony Road, Wallingford. See flyer below.

Mark Your Calendars for TriCircle's 4th Annual Self Care Retreats - Hope After Loss Retreat, Saturday, September 6 (Rain Date Sat Sept 13) Hope & Support Retreat Sunday, September 7 (Rain Date Sun Sept 14) at Story Barn in Somers, CT. RSVP by

Raianna's 4th Annual Memorial Poker Run at Freedom Road Harley-Davidson, 557 West Main Street, Branford, CT, Saturday, September 20, Kickstands up at 10:30 am with a Bike Blessing (proceeds benefit TriCircle, see flyer below for details).

Outrun Addiction 5K - Save the Date! Saturday, September 20, 2025, stay tuned for more information. (proceeds benefit TriCircle)

SAVE THE DATE for TriCircle's 7th Annual Gala Brunch at The Farms Country Club, Sunday, November 2, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

2025 Hope & Support

Self-Care Retreat

2025 Hope After Loss

Self-Care Retreat

Don't Miss It This Year!

Raianna's 4th Annual Memorial Poker Run!

All Proceeds Benefit TriCircle.

TriCircle is located at:

169 Colony Street

Second Floor, Room 28

Meriden, CT 06451

We are pleased to be located inside the WFC. This allows for wonderful opportunities to expand the reach of our support services and resources as we cultivate this collaborative partnership. This location also provides increased accessibility on the bus line and nearby train station.

Alternative Address:

Master's Manna, 428 S Cherry St, Wallingford, CT 06492