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May 11th was a beautiful day in Norwalk! Backbone Staff collaborated with The Norwalk Partnership for the 3rd Annual NorWALK Mental Health Walk and Wellness Fair for Mental Health Awareness Month. Over 50 community agencies came together to provide resources and connect with the Norwalk Community.
Check out this video featuring Margaret Watt, Co-Chair of The Norwalk Partnership and Julienne Foy, Executive Director of The Odyssey Center. Both planning committee members from sponsor organizations recap the Mental Health Walk. See the results and true benefit of working together.
See you next year!
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June Convening &
10 Years of Collective Impact Celebration in October
Our June Quarterly Convening is fast approaching.
Tuesday, June 11th at 8:30 AM, please RSVP by Friday, June 7th. RSVP for our Quarterly Convening here. We are also voting on our Proposed Board Slate. You must have signed the MOA in order to vote. Please sign the MOA here by June 7th to cast your vote.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 22nd for our 10 years of Collective Impact in Norwalk Celebration. Traditionally, we have a quarterly convening in September and December. Norwalk ACTS is turning 10 and we invite you to join us Tuesday, October 22nd in the late afternoon to celebrate with us. More details coming soon, but you can RSVP here.
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2024 Connecticut Town Profiles released!
Created by CTData Collaborative in partnership with AdvanceCT, these profiles include information about the economy, demographics, population, educational attainment, housing, municipal fiscal indicators, and more.
View Norwalk’s Town Profile with the most recent data here
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A unique 13-week legislative session concluded on May 8th without adjustments to the second year of the $26 billion state budget, set to begin on July 1. Traditionally, this shorter session adapts to new needs and concerns while balancing the state's fiscal situation. Despite large surplus projections, legal budget controls known as “fiscal guardrails” prevented opening the budget, which would have led to cuts.
In the face of challenges, persistent advocacy often yields results.
The Governor has signed all the mentioned bills into law:
House Bill 5523 safeguards the two-year state budget and allocates the remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The $150 million investment in K-12 education promised last year is maintained, advancing student-centered funding statewide; and the enhancement of school data systems to identify at-risk students will be supported by House Bill 5437, while a pilot program will provide free buses for students in designated communities.
House Bill 5002 establishes the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund and Advisory Committee, setting up a crucial structure per the Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations, though no new funding was provided.
House Bill 5005 mandates paid sick time for employees working at least 120 days annually, addressing the health vs. income dilemma.
House Bill 5524 creates a new statewide Office of Neighborhood Investment and Community Engagement to tackle concentrated poverty.
A full review and planning for the 2025 session are underway! Stay Tuned!
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Norwalk ACTS will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth. It's crucial to remember our country's roots in slavery and the persistent inequities that linger today because history shapes our present reality. Acknowledging the systemic injustices of the past helps us understand the complex web of social, economic, and political structures that continue to disadvantage certain communities. By confronting this uncomfortable truth, we can work towards dismantling systemic racism and building a more equitable society for all.
We have found this resource from the National Education Association to be a helpful source for more information and learnings about Juneteenth.
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Join the Norwalk Branch of the NAACP for the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration Saturday, June 15th from 12 PM - 4 PM at the Norwalk Green. | |
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Our Youth Advocates are wrapping up their time with Norwalk ACTS! It’s been a year full of learning, fun and new experiences! Hear from more the Youth Advocates at the June Convening in our Community Engagement Review.
This year, the Youth Advocates focused on learning about their community, systems level work and the concept of collective impact. Part of their learning objectives included gaining knowledge of their hometown, how to access local resources along with engaging in local mental health and wellness efforts.
They learned about youth advocacy and civic engagement to enhance leadership skills and participated in our first Civic Engagement Influencer Cohort. One key element of Community Engagement work is shifting power and allowing youth to be decision makers and positioning them to take the lead. This year our Youth Advocates helped create shared spaces and platforms for youth-led work and connected with other local youth groups.
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Summer Events! Mark your Calendars!
Norwalk ACTS will be busy collaborating, supporting or attending these events this summer. Please mark your calendars, take note of volunteer opportunities, and stay connected!
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Chaperones needed for Luau!
Contact Norwalk ACTS Community Engagement Coordinator, Anamilena. amoreno@norwalkacts.org
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Your organization can participate in this Annual Community Day!
Sign up here!
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Hot Girl Summit hosted by Y.L.T.R.A.P.P.E.D
Y.L.T.R.A.P.P.E.D. stands for Young Ladies Taking Responsibility And Portraying Proper Education Development. Their 3rd Annual Hot Girl Summit will be held on Saturday July 20th, 2024 on the Historic Town Green.
If you are interested in having a table, being a donor, sponsor or volunteer, please reach out to yltrappedsisterhood@gmail.com
http://www.yltrapped.org/
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Norwalk ACTS will be releasing the Social Emotional Health Standard of Care Pledge this summer.
The pledge is for executives of Norwalk youth-serving organizations to ensure staff within the organization are competent in the Norwalk ACTS Social Emotional Health Standard of Care Model.
Shaaron Sinvilcin, Director of Initiatives will be reaching out to executive team members over the summer.
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We have very few spaces left for our Day of Training! Register Today! | |
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As we approach summer, Norwalk ACTS continues to update the Out of School Time Portal to ensure parents and youth-serving adults in the Norwalk community know about summer and after-school activities. Access the Portal!
If you are an existing program, please check the portal for accuracy. If your program is not on the portal, please click on the link below to add your program and information. To change your existing program, email our Data Analyst, Ray Leslie. rleslie@norwalkacts.org
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There are lots of question surrounding the new laws regarding kindergarten registration. Join us with the family on Thursday, June 6th at 4:30 at the Family Center and bring your questions. Free Ice Cream for everyone.
Any child who does not turn five years old on or before September 1, 2024, but celebrates their fifth birthday on or before January 1, 2025, may be eligible for Kindergarten admission.
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Rhea Henry, Norwalk Workforce Development Coordinator & Kathleen Callahan of CT Cradle to Career Coalition penned a very thorough analysis of key information specific to Norwalk.
Although HB 5213 did not pass,take this opportunity to see how the data collected by Norwalk ACTS is supporting our policy & advocacy efforts.
Read the OpEd from Nancy on Norwalk here.
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Norwalk ACTS uses a Collective Impact approach that brings people, organizations, and systems together, in a structured way,
around common goals to achieve social change.
It is rooted in the belief that no single organization or
entity alone can create lasting social change on its own.
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Norwalk ACTS
[www.norwalkacts.org]
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