OCTOBER
news & updates
https://www.norwalkacts.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/mobilelogo.png
October 11th, 2022
Upcoming Events

10/25/22 - Out of School Time (OOST) Initiative Meeting, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

11/1/22 - Social Emotional Health Initiative Meeting, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

11/10/22 - Early Childhood Initiative, 10:00 AM-11:30 PM

SHOUT OUT
City of Norwalk Community Resource Hub
Norwalk has a Community Resource Hub with resource specialists and family navigators who can connect residents in need to support resources – including food assistance, employment resources, and health-related supports. Learn more about it below!
CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW
September was an exciting month with the release of our strategic plan and our first in-person national StriveTogether convening in three years! 16 backbone team and community members traveled together to Chicago for three days of learning and connecting under the theme, What Unites Us.

One of our favorite moments was the conversation between Cornel West & Robert George on modeling civic friendship. These two individuals are on opposite sides of the political spectrum but had a lot to share about how they have built a friendship based on humanity and what they have in common. I loved their comments about being cautious about being too sure you are right and that you have nothing to learn and only to teach. If you are interested in listening to any of the inspirational plenaries, please visit the live stream.
Community Resource Hub
The City of Norwalk Community Resource Hub is open Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

Residents can connect with our Community Resource Hub by using a QR code or referral form, visiting City Hall or calling the Community Services Department office at (203) 854-7999 (prompt 4).
ONE GOOD THING
THINGS WE ARE LOVING
OUR WORK
SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
UNITE – NONPROFIT LEADERS OF COLOR NETWORKING EVENTS
OCTOBER 25TH, 2022 – 5 PM TO 7 PM

Join FCCF’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Pinstripes Norwalk for a night of food, fun, and networking intended to provide leaders of color with an opportunity to connect and support each other. $10 tickets include two drinks and fantastic appetizers, with all revenue going toward a door prize to benefit an organization represented by the selected attendee. Register now.
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
The 2022 election is less than a month away, November 8th, 2022! 

Are you registered to vote? If you aren’t sure, you can check here to see your registration status as well as where to vote. Connecticut also allows for Election Day Registration, in which you can go to City Hall between 6:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M to register and vote on Election Day.

Polls open on November 8th, 2022, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm and you can still request an absentee from the Town Clerk. To find out if you’re eligible to vote by absentee ballot, check here.

The ballots for the November 8th election are also out, view them here and make your plan to vote! 

Also, be sure to vote on the ballot question that reads: "Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?"

This ballot measure, if passed, will allow Connecticut residents to vote early in our elections. As of right now, Connecticut is one of only four states that don’t allow voters to vote early.
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME
The Connecticut After School Network has released their 2022-2023 Professional Development Catalog with a blend of in-person and virtual offerings. They are here to help support staff and leadership development, develop quality improvement tools vital to program success, and provide opportunities for providers' voice to be heard statewide and nationally.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WHERE YOU CAN FIND US THIS MONTH
10/15/22 at the FCA Block Party from 1:00-5:00 PM
10/29/22 at ATC Trunk or Treat from 2:00-4:00 PM
New Resource for Norwalk Public School Parents

The Norwalk ACTS Community Engagement team believes the lived experience of the community must drive decision making. 

We would like to share the Norwalk Parents Initiative website, a new independent community resource and engagement hub for the education issues Norwalk parents find most important; connecting families with the right people, offering a platform for ideas, and supporting public servants who put education first. 

This platform allows Norwalk parents to share their experiences and resources with other citizens, decision makers, and elected officials who can view and initiate actionable solutions based on their voices. Please feel free to join and be a part of the conversation.
PRENATAL TO 3RD GRADE
There are openings in center-based and family childcare. You can learn more about how to register your child in an early childhood program in Norwalk by contacting Mary Oster, the City's Early Childhood Coordinator, at (203) 854-4148 or by email at MOster@norwalkct.org.
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
COLLEGE AND WORKFORCE READINESS
INTERESTED IN BECOMING MORE INVOLVED?

GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP: Are you an Amazon shopper? Set Norwalk ACTS as your selected charity on Amazon Smile, and a portion of every purchase will be donated to transform how a community works. Get started here.
Norwalk ACTS | [www.norwalkacts.org]