Connecticut Congressional Members Applaud Over $395,000 in Funding to Support Critical Community Centers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), and Jahana Hayes (CT-5), on Friday announced $395,355 in grant funding from the Corporation for National and Community Services (CNCS) to support the Senior Corps RSVP program. RSVP is one of the nation's largest volunteer programs for Americans ages 55 and older to use the skills they've learned in life to help provide critical services within their community. The grant awarded to Connecticut will include helping volunteers provide mentorships to low-income individuals and veterans, services to communities dealing with food insecurity, tutoring and Meals on Wheels delivery to improve the academic outcome of students, and services to ensure seniors' safety and support their independence so they can remain in their homes.

"We are pleased to announce critical funding for the Senior Corps RSVP program. This funding will go to programs aimed at training volunteers to use their skills to provide services like improving the academic outcomes of students in underserved communities, helping people young and old with money management, providing seniors with the necessary skills needed to remain independent, and supporting companionship programs to offer isolated adults and veterans the support they need. These programs will make a difference for communities across Connecticut," said the members.

The following is a breakdown of the funding:

• $158,960 for Community Renewal Team, Inc. to support 340 volunteer members in Greater Hartford, Central CT, Tolland, and Middlesex Counties. Towns include Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, Coventry, and Cromwell.
• $111,073 for Thames Valley Council for Community Action to support 140 volunteer members in New London & Windham Counties and part of Tolland: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Willington, Windham, Woodstock, and Stonington.
• $125,322 for New Opportunities, Inc. to support 180 volunteer members in Waterbury, Naugatuck, Southbury, Middlebury, Prospect, Wolcott, Beacon Falls, Cheshire, Seymour, Oxford, Ansonia and Derby of New Haven County. Thomaston, Woodbury, Watertown, New Milford, Torrington, Winchester/Winsted, Barkhamsted, North Canaan, Canaan.