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Connections
The Newsletter of the Women & Girls Fund
Fall 2025
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Together We Blossom: A Celebration of Growth, Gratitude and Giving
On a bright Spring evening, the Litchfield Community Center was filled with laughter, inspiration and the soft fragrance of fresh blossoms as supporters of the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund gathered for our annual celebration, held on Friday May 30th. We called it Together We Blossom, for two reasons:
First, we are ever grateful for the love and support of our loyal donors, and we wanted to celebrate the way you share our vision for a better life for the women and girls in our community. We truly feel that we are in this together. “When women and girls are supported,” said Frances Stoffer, Chair of the Women & Girls Fund, “the entire community thrives.”
Second, we worked with blossoms! The very talented Jena Brescia led us in a flower arranging activity that wowed the crowd. Everyone who participated walked away with a bouquet of beautiful blossoms.
And that’s not all…Kristen Tangarone, Chair of the Women & Girls Fund programs and events committee, planned the spectacular evening that included an overflowing charcuterie board, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and a signature cocktail. Guests enjoyed the offerings as they reflected on the impact of the Women & Girls Fund and renewed their commitment to uplifting the lives of women and girls throughout Northwest CT.
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One of the evening’s most heartfelt moments came with the presentation of the Women Supporting Women Award to Cathy Coyle, a longtime advocate, mentor, and community leader. Cathy was recognized for her decades of service to nonprofits and her unwavering commitment to uplifting women.
The success of Together We Blossom ensures the Women & Girls Fund can continue to support the bold ideas and vital needs of women and girls in the Northwest Corner. It was a night of gratitude, generosity, and—true to its name—blossoming.
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Grants Support Local Women & Girls
During Together We Blossom, we announced new grants supporting critical programs across the region—from childcare access and workforce training to mentorship and financial literacy for young women. These grants reflect our strategic focus on economic security, educational opportunity, and leadership development for women and girls.
The Women & Girls Fund has awarded more than $170,000 in grants in support of women and girls in Northwest CT since the fund was established in 1999.
This year, we focused our attention on access to childcare. We recognize the importance of providing high quality care to children. Without access to childcare, mothers cannot pursue education or employment.
The Women & Girls Fund awarded grants to Cornwall Childcare Center, EdAdvance, Canaan Childcare Center, AHA at North Canaan Elementary School, EXTRAS, and the YMCA. Recently we followed up with a few grantees, and we wanted to share their experiences with you.
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One of our largest grants went to the YMCA to support the cost of credential training for six early childhood teachers.
Jana Free-Viets, Child & Family Services Director at the Y said, “the grant enhances the quality of our early learning environment and promotes long-term success for our children and families.”
This support has empowered teachers to strengthen their skills, build confidence in their roles, and make meaningful progress toward their professional goals.
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Fran Chappell, Executive Director at the Canaan Child Care Center, is grateful for the help provided by the Women & Girls Fund. The grant awarded was intended to support parents who faced temporary income interruptions, and it came at just the right time.
“A parent lost a job and couldn't pay while she was looking for a new job,” said Fran. “She got a new job eventually, but this grant helped hold her over until she was able to pay for her services again, and she greatly appreciated your help.”
“Another parent just had a fourth child, but she had complications in her delivery, so it took longer for her to get back to work than she thought it would. This grant helped pay for her childcare until she was able to return to work.”
The Women & Girls Fund takes great pride in providing this kind of assistance, but we can only help because of your generous donations.
| | The Legacy of Sue Strisik Grossman | | |
Sue Strisik Grossman embodied the ideals that the Women & Girls Fund supports: removing barriers, amplifying women’s voices, and enriching their lives.
Born and raised in Waterbury, CT, Sue married her high school sweetheart Paul Grossman, and they raised three daughters: Sarah, Wendy and Robin. Both she and Paul instilled in their daughters that they could do anything if they put their energy into it.
Sue was a talented artist but did not pursue her art professionally. Instead, she channeled her creativity into starting her own gift shop. In 1970, she opened Pottery One, in downtown Waterbury. Paul managed their other store, The China Shop, in Torrington. Starting a business was a bold move for a woman at that time, but Sue was a sharp and well-loved businesswoman. She had an eye for high-quality merchandise, and excellent instincts for the home goods market. Their stores were so successful they added two more in Meriden and Avon.
Sue made time for the people and causes that were important to her. First and foremost, she was devoted to her family. She also sat on various boards, including the Chamber of Commerce and Temple Israel. And, she mentored the teenage girls and young women who worked for her.
“Sue was very helpful in my college education when I had to do displays for one of my classes,“ said former employee, Cathy Lombardo. “She always let me use merchandise from the store. She just did everything to make me feel like part of a family. She made all the girls there feel close with one another also. We are still friends today.”
In the late 1970s, when their daughters were in college, Sue and Paul moved to Winsted. Sue started to make more time to pursue her art, resuming her drawing and painting in her home studio. She took art classes at CT State Community College Northwestern. Sue favored works representing mother and child.
In 1988, Sue passed away from cancer. Paul and the rest of the family wanted to honor her legacy. Paul created a charitable memorial fund that supported arts and enrichment opportunities, after school programs and summer camps for underprivileged children and young girls, primarily in the Waterbury area.
In 2025, that fund awarded a grant to the Women & Girls Fund. Sue believed that everyone should be afforded the same opportunities in life, and this fund provided many children and young women with opportunities they otherwise would not have. Sue’s daughters, Sarah, Wendy and Robin, and husband, Paul, are all delighted to support women and girls in Northwest CT.
“As her daughters and husband, we know that while she was humble and quiet about the ways she contributed to the advancement of women and girls, she would be so happy to know that her legacy lives on through the Women & Girls Fund.”
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Spotlight: Women Entrepreneurs in Northwest CT
So what about the women who are entrepreneurs and business owners in Northwest CT now? Sue Strisik Grossman was ahead of her time as a business owner, but we wondered what the business landscape for women looks like now. We talked with Women & Girls Fund supporters who are also business owners to find out.
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Amanda Freund
Amanda Freund is co-owner of CowPots, a type-2 pulp molding facility that manufactures biodegradable fiber pots and trays from a unique fiber source. In simpler terms, she makes packaging from cow manure. Amanda comes by her interest in cows honestly. Her parents, Teresa and Matthew Freund, have run Freund Farm for many years.
“There were always expectations that I would come back into the business,” said Amanda, “so gender really didn’t enter into it. Besides, I had my mom as a role model.
"She started the Freund Farm Market when women couldn’t even get a credit card. I had a front seat witnessing her overcome barriers, and that made running a company seem possible.”
Amanda is very proud of her company because she sees it as the next generation of sustainability. “We are taking a byproduct and making it into a viable alternative to nonrenewable products.”
She even presented her company on the TV show Shark Tank! The Freunds are long-time supporters of the Women & Girls Fund. They have repeatedly offered sponsorships for our events, and we are grateful for their interest in our work.
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Lori Riiska
When Lori Riiska’s father retired early from the family business and then became ill, she stepped up—managing his biggest client. At just 22, Lori launched her own firm, Lori Riiska, CPA, becoming an entrepreneur in a field where she was often the only woman in the room.
A graduate of the UConn School of Business, Lori served as a board member for the Northwest CT Community Foundation for many years, serving as treasurer from 2022-2023. She currently serves on the Board of the UConn Foundation and, as of August 1, is President of the UConn Athletic Association. She believes that when you give back to your community, “you get more out of it than you give.”
Her advice to young women starting out: Don’t be afraid of challenges. If you’re willing to work hard, it’s worth it. For Lori, the best part of being her own boss has been setting goals and achieving them—while also carving out more time for family and personal interests.
Recently Lori and Barbara Domack collaborated to launch Sparkle & Glitz, a golf tournament held at Torrington Country Club (look for sparkly details in the Spring 2026 edition of Connections!)
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Maggie Cormann
Maggie Cormann is just 13 years old, yet she is already a business owner with a company she calls Tie Dye by Abby.
Maggie makes own plant-based pigments and tie-dyes her tee shirts before having them embroidered with her favorite saying: Make Your Dreams Come True. And, Maggie has big dreams for herself. She wants to become a surgeon, to someday visit space, and she wants to pursue a degree at attend Yale University. Maggie recently donated a portion of her proceeds to support the Women & Girls Fund.
Maggie’s parents, Beatrice and Denis Cormann, are also entrepreneurs. They founded L’Atelier des artistes, a holistic concept studio in New Hartford, where they live and work, so Maggie has strong role models to follow.
Maggie knows dreams don’t come true just by dreaming. She wisely said, “You have to work hard to make those dreams come true.”
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Financial Literacy is the Key to Independence
Last Spring, the Women & Girls Fund initiated a Financial Literacy program at Head Start in Torrington. Torrington Savings Bank sponsored that class, providing the curriculum, the instructor and dinner for the families. The Women & Girls Fund wanted to continue that effort, so we brought the class to Winsted Area Child Care Center (WACCC).
| | Shannan Kinsella, the executive director of WACCC, embraced the concept enthusiastically, offering a $25 discount to any family who attends the program as well as free childcare during the classes. Northwest Community Bank is sponsoring the program, supplying the curriculum, the instructor, and dinner for the families. | | Women & Girls Fund Co-hosts
Nonprofit Conference | | |
The Women & Girls Fund is co-hosting Improving Our Region Through Nonprofit Execellence, a full-day educational conference dedicated to strengthening the capacity and impact of nonprofit organizations across the region held September 18th at the Warner Theatre in Torrington.
Keynote speaker Kirsten Farrell is the director of The Goodman Center, which is internationally known for speeches and workshops.
Improving Our Region Through Nonprofit Excellence will bring together nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members from across Northwest CT to explore strategies in leadership, fundraising, communications, and organizational development. Attendees will gain practical tools and fresh perspectives to support their missions and increase their community impact.
The Women & Girls Fund provided discounted registration to several nonprofits working to improve the lives of women and girls in Northwest CT.
| | The progress we have made needs protection. Please give generously to the Women & Girls Fund. | | |
Bequest Giving
Wouldn’t it be great if people celebrated your values 100 years from now? You can make that happen by leaving a legacy gift to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund.
Designate the Northwest CT Community Foundation Women & Girls Fund in your estate planning. It is quick and easy.
Contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Bradford Hoar at 860-626-1245 or BHoar@yournccf.org to learn more.
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LIKE • FOLLOW • SHARE to help spread the word about the great opportunities for Women & Girls in Northwest CT!
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