FEBRUARY 2023 news & updates
February 7, 2023
While we continue to explore the best ways to make our materials more linguistically inclusive, we are using Google Translate to provide a Spanish version of our newsletter.
Upcoming Events

2/23/23 - Fairfield County Giving Day
3/15/23 - March Convening at 8:30 AM
Member Spotlight
SAVE
Serving All Vessels Equally, Inc. (SAVE) is a not for profit community based organization dedicated to producing transformative change for the youth they serve and the communities they live in. SAVE was created by the Rev. Roosevelt Ewell, pastor of Canaan Institutional Baptist Church, Norwalk, CT in November 2006 to help address youth and gang-related violence, empower parents of youth involved in disruptive and violent behavior, connect clergy leaders with youth in one-on-one counseling relationships and get truant youth back into school or into the workplace. Their target population is boys and girls ages 14 to 18 who live primarily in the under-served areas of the city. More than 150 youth and their families are expected to be served through our after-school and mentoring programs

Become a Norwalk ACTS member today!
CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW
We kick off Black History month with heavy hearts and grief for Tyre Nichols and his loved ones, especially his four-year-old son. Tyre’s murder is yet another horrific reminder of how we must continue to build a better world and future for our children. In the coming weeks, we will have the opportunity to welcome Will Jawando, author of the new book, My Seven Black Fathers, to our area to discuss fatherhood, mentorship, and race. Stay tuned for more information. To learn more about Will’s work, I invite you to watch the clip below and stay tuned for more information about his visit to Norwalk. 

-Jennifer
NORWALK ACTS UPDATES
THINGS WE ARE LOVING

Author Andrew Solomon’s recent interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour is very timely given the recently released data about youth mental health in Norwalk and the LGBTQ+ population (see Social Emotional Health Initiative)
ONE GOOD THING
On Monday, Norwalk unveiled a plaque to honor the three Norwalk Hill sisters who were leaders in the CT and national suffrage movement. They worked tirelessly for the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment. They crisscrossed the country, giving lectures, organizing marches, and even going to jail after picketing the White House to advocate for women's right to vote. The plaque can be seen along the Norwalk River Valley Trail, directly west of 500 West Avenue, where the Hill sisters resided. Photo by H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media.
OUR WORK
SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
Let’s celebrate Black History Month! We wanted to highlight the virtual exhibit, DESTINATION NORWALK: African-American Migration From the South, 1940-1970, from the Norwalk Historical Society.

“The Second Great Migration” from 1940 to 1970 propelled over 5 million southern Black Americans to relocate to urban industrial centers of the North, Midwest, and West. How did this mass exodus impact Norwalk? With Norwalk’s steady growth, the city’s black population increased between 1940 and 1970 from 2.4% (871 pop.) to 8.4% (6,660 pop.). As the racial composition of Norwalk changed, the city’s political priorities, labor relations, community, and cultural expression evolved in these decades of watershed Civil Rights reforms. Learn more here.

Continue learning throughout Black History Month:
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Last year, we trained Norwalk ACTS members on the legislative process and how to testify. Now that the legislative session is underway, we encourage everyone to follow the session and the issues they care about. Here are some helpful tips and resources:

  • Check the Daily Bulletin- The Bulletin updates meetings, press conferences, and other legislative events.
  • Visit the CGA Website- The CGA Website offers various resources, including the calendar, legislator contacts, and additional Session items.
  • Bill Tracking- Follow specific legislation as it progresses through the General Assembly.
  • Watch on CT-N- Every Session will be live-streamed and recorded on CT-N, so you can tune in online if you can't join us in person. 
  • Committee YouTube Pages- Each Committee will live-stream all of their public meetings (hearings, task force, working groups, etc.) through their own YouTube account, which is a great backup in case CT-N does not cover a specific meeting- they can be found on the CGA Website. 
In addition, it is budget season in Norwalk. We have updated this guide we put together last year to help make it easier to understand how to use your voice and weigh in on issues you care about. Please reference this and share it with others!
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Calling all parents of children 0-5! Do you know that SPARKLER is a FREE mobile app for Connecticut families, helping parents support children’s development from birth through 5? Check in on your child’s development and get a library of 1000+ play activities just right for your child’s age!
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH
On January 11th, 2023, the Norwalk Board of Education reviewed and discussed the "Norwalk Youth Voices County Survey Results." The report summarizes data gathered during the fall semester of 2022 at five middle schools (grades 7-8) and four high schools that are part of Norwalk Public Schools.
Recording of 1/11/23 BOE Meeting
In collaboration with our partners, we have created an inventory of trainings related to mental health. If you know of any additional programs, please let us know!
Suicide Prevention Training

Cohort 1: February 7, 9, 14, 2023, from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM CT
Cohort 2: March 7, 9, 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM CT
Cohort 3: April 11, 13, 18, 2023 from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM CT
(Accepted applicants will only take part in one of these cohorts)
 
SafeSide Youth Services unites clinical, school, and community staff with a common language and framework. This program, based in the latest research, will equip you with a common ‘map’ of best practices in recovery-oriented suicide prevention. Although roles and responsibilities are different, everyone gains an understanding of the four core tasks of suicide prevention: Connect – Assess – Respond – Extend. 
 
Training cohorts work together through 4 hours of video-guided learning in 90-minute segments. All participants take away tactics, tips, and wording they can use immediately...then continue learning and skill development through optional monthly video calls and new updates and refreshers added throughout the year. E-mail Sarah McMinn to get more information!
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME
The Norwalk Out of School Time Program Locator is a resource for families to find programs that meet the needs of their children. It has had over 4,500 views since its redesign in 2022. We aim to connect all Norwalk young people to year-round, meaningful out-of-school experiences. 

With summer program registration right around the corner, we are reaching out to ensure your program is added to the portal with the right information. In March, we will begin a city-wide marketing campaign for Norwalk families who are seeking summer out of school time programs with both City of Norwalk and Norwalk Public Schools communications.

  • Please complete this program survey by February 24: https://forms.gle/SFCJVXfc4BEmJUR7A (~5 minutes to complete)
  • If your organization has programming for this Summer, please add your program with the survey link above
  • If your organization has entered Fall/Winter/Spring or year-round program information - please double-check your entries on the Program Locator to ensure all information is accurate and up to date. Need to make changes? Please reply to info@norwalkacts.org with any changes that need to be made

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@norwalkacts.org
COLLEGE AND WORKFORCE READINESS
INTERESTED IN BECOMING MORE INVOLVED?
Norwalk ACTS | [www.norwalkacts.org]