Our May Newsletter

May 2023 news & updates

May 3rd, 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.

Leer en Español

CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW

As we kick off another Mental Health Awareness month, I wanted to write about a serious and lesser-discussed topic, helping the helpers. I am sure I am not alone in feeling burdened by the enormity of the issues we face in our community, country, and world. I remember being incredibly struck by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky’s TED Talk, Beyond the Cliff, many years ago and her subsequent visit to Newtown after Sandy Hook to work with teachers and helpers struggling with trauma exposure. Likewise, this morning’s piece by Vu Le was a gut punch and a reminder of how seriously we need to take our mental health care.

I have felt severe periods of burnout at points throughout my career and recently started journaling again as an outlet. I also started to learn to say ‘no’ to commitments and rely on good friends to keep me in check when I waiver. We have posted before about the work of the Nap Ministry and strongly encourage you to listen to this podcast with Nap Bishop Tricia Hersey. Finally, I want to remind you of the excellent local resource, the Community Mindfulness Project, and their weekly 15-minute burnout buster Zooms for non-profit staff.

I hope you’ll join us at our upcoming NorWALK for Mental Health event to learn about all the resources in the community available for wellness. Please also see our Social Emotional Health section below for related monthly trainings. And please take care of yourselves and each other.

We need you.

Jennifer

NORWALK ACTS UPDATES

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We look forward to seeing many of your wonderful faces this Saturday (hope for sunshine) at the second annual NorWALK for Mental Health Wellness Fair and Walk. Come with a walk team, and help spread the word (flyers are below)! If there are any who would like to be a part of the Wellness Fair and haven't already registered, please email Denique ASAP!

Norwalk ACTS Lunch & Learn - Citywide Profile Dashboard

Join us to review the new Citywide Profile Dashboard and see how this data can help you better understand our community. Hosted by Ray Leslie, Data Analyst (and dashboard creator) for Norwalk ACTS and Ana Vivian Estrella, Human Services Director for the City of Norwalk.

Norwalk is working with an organization, Libraries Without Borders, to get opinions about our local library. We encourage all of you and the individuals you work with to take the Library Survey and provide feedback on this terrific community resource.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Along with community partners, we will host various trainings and workshops throughout the month highlighting mental health and aspects of wellness! Here are the events during the next two weeks:

WEDNESDAY, 5/3/23, 6-7:30 PM:

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

(Virtual Event)

Join us for this 1.5-hour suicide prevention training in which you will learn more about preventing suicide, common causes of suicidal behavior, warning signs of suicide, and how to get help for someone in crisis. Includes role-play.

FRIDAY, 5/5/23, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Southwest Network of Care Behavioral Health Resource Fair - CES (25 Oakview Drive, Trumbull)

Southwest Network of Care Leadership Presents the Regional Resource Fair located at the CES location in Trumbull. This regional event is an opportunity for all community members to gather information and network on mental and behavioral health resources available within Fairfield County.

SATURDAY, 5/6/23, 9 AM - 12 PM

NorWALK for Mental Health Wellness Fair and Walk - Norwalk Green

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and National Prevention Week, The Norwalk Partnership, Norwalk ACTS, City of Norwalk, Nuvance Health, Norwalk First Taxing District, and the Riverbrook YMCA are hosting the second annual NorWALK for Mental Health Wellness Fair and Walk featuring activity booths, speakers, live music, laughter yoga, art, prizes, and more! Rain Date: May 13, 2023.

WEDNESDAY, 5/10/23, 6 PM

SCREENING: Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age - Norwalk Public Library

The third feature documentary in the Screenagers trilogy delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people use their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use.

FRIDAY, 5/12/23, 4-5 PM

Overdose Awareness and NARCAN Training - Positive Directions (90 Post Rd. W., Westport, CT)

Attention, community members! Stop by for a presentation on the opioid crisis and for training on administering Narcan. RSVP required.

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

CEO Jennifer Barahona was excited as she eagerly participated in the Secretary of State's press conference, which celebrated collaborative efforts to promote civic awareness and community engagement during the Secretary's initial 100 days in office.

"With her background in nonprofit management, Secretary Thomas knows the importance of engaging with organizations that have deep roots in communities and the value of bridging the divide that often exists between the public sector and those communities, particularly those who have been historically disenfranchised,” said Jennifer Barahona, CEO, Norwalk ACTS.

CT Baby Bonds will set aside funds for each baby born in Connecticut whose birth was covered by HUSKY. The Office of the Treasurer will hold, manage, and invest those funds. Lawmakers must prioritize including funding for CT Baby Bonds in this year’s budget so that Connecticut can begin investing on behalf of our children, especially babies born into intergenerational poverty. Learn more at the C T Baby Bonds website.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Join us for the second annual NorWALK for Mental Health! Bring your friends and family for a free wellness fair and awareness walk. Pick up resources and activities across all Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

There will be music by a local DJ, Zumba, laughter yoga, art projects, a bookmobile, and so much more! Get your "check-up from the neck up" with health and mental health screenings. And local prevention workers will be distributing free Narcan and leading community members in fun activities like alcohol goggles.

Don't miss fabulous prizes, exclusive teen and adult speakers, and a proclamation from the Mayor!

Add to Your Calendar

The Reproductive Justice Alliance (RJA) is holding sessions to learn about the prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum experiences of Black and Hispanic birthing people who have given birth in Connecticut within the last year.

Participants will receive a $50 gift card.

These initial sessions will be conducted in English. Spanish Sessions will be offered at the end of May and in June.

Learn More

Jennifer joined SOTS Stephanie Thomas and her team on Earth Day for the city-wide City Initiative Earth Day Cleanup!

On Saturday, April 22nd, the Early Childhood Community Engagement Team participated in the Childhood Conversations Together We Will…Community Healing through Connections annual conference and led a workshop about Building Early Childhood Connections: Parent by Parent. The workshop was focused on Norwalk’s Early Childhood Community Engagement work, including valuing the lived experience of parents and caregivers to:

create community
build early childhood connections
develop supportive relationships with other parents with young children
improve knowledge about the developmental domains of children five years and younger

EARLY CHILDHOOD

On April 29th, the City of Norwalk Early Childhood Office hosted a fun and informative Early Childhood Celebration at the SONO Collection. The Norwalk ACTS Community Engagement Team participated in the festivities and enjoyed connecting with many families and children.

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?

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. We aim to connect all Norwalk young people to year-round, meaningful out-of-school experiences.

COLLEGE AND WORKFORCE READINESS

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