Publication: In Your Northwest Corner
Originally Published February 28, 2022
Enabling Wildlife to Follow the Forest
The Housatonic Valley Association is a watershed conservation organization that protects the natural character and environmental health of the entire Housatonic River Watershed by conserving vulnerable natural areas, protecting rivers, streams, and drinking water supplies; and through community outreach, including river cleanups, family hikes and paddling events, and informative publications.
A recent grant from The John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, supports the Follow the Forest initiative, a vast network of woods and wetlands, fields and riverbanks, and villages and roadways that enable wildlife to move freely throughout the forest enabling forest birds, animals, and insects to find food and shelter necessary for their survival.
“We have a short window of time, little more than a decade, to conserve the majority of Follow the Forest's habitat cores and linkages,” said F. Anthony Zunino of Housatonic Valley Association.
“We are deeply grateful for your support at this critical juncture, said Lynn Werner of Housatonic Valley Association.
Increasing Access to Fresh Produce
Adamah's Food Access Fund, a program of Jewish-faith-based nonprofit Hazon, is an organic farm and educational program that grows vegetables for the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, for local farm stands, and for emergency food organizations.
A recent grant from Northwest CT Community Foundation Edward W. Diskavich Fund enabled Adamah to distribute 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to community members in need.
Adamah apprentice workers delivered the fresh produce to local food pantries, including Vecisnos Seguros, a support group for immigrant families, Falls Village Senior Center, and Friendly Hands Food Bank.
Providing Tools to Rise Above Trauma
The Winchester Youth Service Bureau (WYSB) is a branch of the Northwest CT YMCA. WYSB serves at-risk youth who are dealing with the stress of family issues, homelessness, domestic violence, financial hardship, abuse, school problems, and mental-health issues.
Recent grants from the Northwest CT Community Foundation Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny R. Fyler Fund and the Northwest CT Community Foundation Draper Foundation Fund supported WYSB's Rising Star Camp for at-risk youth in its Leaders in Training program. The program provides teens with the tools to become leaders, teaching teens to model effective coping mechanisms for younger campers.
"COVID-19 has already taken away positive moments and events in their lives," said, Catharina Ohm of WYSB. "This program is a way to give them some back.
"The Community Foundation does an excellent job serving the organizations in our community, making it possible to serve and provide resources and programs for youth, families, and our community members. Without them, many of these wonderful programs would not exist."
