From the Desk of

Ana Gopoian

Times Are Changing

Collaboration is the Key!



Fact: Many public funding sources have been frozen and may never become available again. The current state of affairs may appear bleak to some and promising to others. My purpose today is not to engage in a political debate. I am here to state that this new economic climate will require organizations to do a lot more of what TriCircle has been doing all along. Sharing resources, collaborating and making certain that duplication of effort is avoided.

We are approaching the 10 year anniversary of TriCircle's conceptualization, not only have we have survived, we have grown. As we shared last month, we have been recruiting new members to diversify and strengthen our Board of Directors. Since our inception as a nonprofit in 2016, we have reached so many milestones.

The foundation of TriCircle's vision and longevity lies in our strength and ability to adapt. Along with our funders, partners and collaborators we offer many services throughout the year that are not readily available elsewhere and are at no cost to participants. Our hope is that this important work will continue regardless of reductions in public funding. In order for our offerings to continue, we need to work harder to find more collaborations and private solutions to the funding crisis. Foundations, grants, endowment funds, philanthropic efforts, and planned giving all need to become part of our continuing journey and the fabric of our organization. There are so many resources, we just need help finding them!

We are extremely proud of our programs and offerings: Hope & Support and Hope After Loss Groups, SMART Recovery and SMART Recovery Family & Friends Meetings in English and Spanish, fun activities like Setback, Yoga, Meditation, Art Activities, and two annual self care retreats. We also collaborate to host learning seminars and offer certifications and CEUs for lay people and professionals alike.

All of these valuable offerings require time, money and commitment. As we boldly venture into the coming year, our emphasis inevitably has to include the recruitment of a Chair, Co-chair and members to serve as volunteers on the TriCircle Fundraising & Events Committee. If you are considering getting more involved or know individuals who might be ideally suited for this opportunity, please review the summary for more details and share it freely: Chairperson's Summary



Together WE are Stronger!

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!

March Spotlight:

Susan Adele Huizenga

Volunteer Executive Director, WPAA-TV and Community Media Center

We are extremely honored to spotlight Susan "Adele" Huizenga in this month's issue. Susan is a long-time community activist whose day job, of three decades, was with a CT health insurance company. In retirement, she is the full-time volunteer Executive Director of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center – an Art & Culture nonprofit in Wallingford. An award-winning community TV station, WPAA-TV facilitates the production of conversations and media in the public interest. Susan and Ana met on that day-job decades ago. Both are embracing a second life in service to the community. ‘I help elevate the mission and vision of nonprofits every day,’ Susan said. ‘With TriCircle, I have the privilege of knowing its deep roots and respecting the journey in a more personal way.’ WPAA-TV has featured Ana Gopoian and TriCircle on various programs. Winner of the Civic Organization award in 2024, WPAA-TV is honored to have a continuing relationship with those in service to the community through TriCircle.

In times of uncertainty, Susan and the WPAA-TV governance team, are embracing the

art of story crafting, people gathering, and uplifting voices as a creative practice. WPAA-TV hosts storytellers, thespians, performers, and a variety of ARTivists. She will tell you that from this brave, safe, creative space, she embraces the potential of art to elevate "We The People". She is passionate about ‘informed’ free speech, collaboration, grassroots efforts, and sustainable & just systems. When asked "What wins tomorrow today?" Susan's response closely parallels TriCircle's business model, "A culture of sustainability with adaptive processes, accessible tools, and 'what is needed' resources and partnerships built through collaboration."

Susan's background is as diverse as it is full of passion. She has two Masters Degrees - an MS in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and an MS in Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods from SCSU. However, it is the lessons learned as a VISTA which she says, “win the day”. In her 2-year enlistment with the Dept. of Corrections, she was an interagency liaison with Police & Parole. This immersive experience showed her the potential of interagency communication on client services and the power of supportive systems for recovery. The takeaway is to “know their stories and work cooperatively toward a shared vision.’

TriCircle is among a dozen nonprofits benefiting from Susan's continued effort to

introduce collaboration into community engagement. Since 2022, WPAA-TV has

facilitated the Wallingford version of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven's online fundraising day as #greatgive06492. With as little as $5, anyone can Be The Seed. The 36 hour, online giving event will take place May 7-8. Stay tuned for more details!

Together WE are Stronger!

All SMART Meetings and Alternative Peer Groups

are up and running and their schedules and flyers

are available by clicking here.

Drop In Setback Middlefield at 1741 Pub & Grill - First and Third Wednesday of each month, March 5 and 19 at 72 Lyman Road, Middlefield. Registration at 5:00 pm, first game 6:00 pm. (click here)



Drop In Setback Wallingford at Westbrook Lobster - Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month, March 12, 26 at 300 Church Street, Registration at 5:00 pm, first game 6:00 pm. (click here)



TriCircle's Hope & Support Groups - Thursdays, March 6, 13, 20 27 and every Thursday throughout the year. (click here for full schedule with locations)

TriCircle's Hope After Loss Support Groups - Mondays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and every Monday throughout the year. (click here for full schedule with locations)

SMART Family & Friends Fun APG and Harmony Within SMART APG Wallingford - Last Tuesday of each month, March 25, 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 March 4, 11, 18, 25 (click here) 7:00 - 8:30 pm Master's Manna 428 S Cherry St Wallingford.

SMART Recovery Family & Friends Meriden - Every Tuesday March 4, 11, 18, 25 (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 marzo 5, 12, 19, 26 (haga clic aquí) 6:00 - 7:30 pm 169 Colony St, 2nd Floor, Meriden.

SMART la APG Meriden - Al tercer miércoles de cada mes antes de la reunión 19, 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 marzo 6, 13, 20, 27 (haga clic aquí) 6:00 - 7:30 pm 169 Colony St ,1st Floor, Meriden.

Yoga at DiversaFit Wallingford - Last Saturday of each month March 29 (click here) 2:00 - 3:00 pm DiversaFIT 549 Center St, Wallingford.

CT Barber Expo - Mohegan Sun Casino May 17-19

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. Stay tuned for more details!

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).

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



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

Together WE are Stronger!