Nominations Are Being Taken For The Alexandra Dilger Award

DEEP RIVER, CT — Always with a keen eye towards doing good, A Little Compassion which operates The Nest Coffee House in downtown Deep River (and provides employment and social opportunities for young adults with disabilities, while working to increase public awareness that everyone is a vital and valuable community member) is happy to once again announce that nominations are now being accepted for the Alexandra Dilger Award.

Established in 2020, by Gale and Patrick Dilger of Deep River, in memory of their daughter, Alexandra Dilger, who according to a prepared statement, lived a “rich and full life,” despite struggles with depression and anxiety throughout and into her early 20s. She died in November 2018 at 21, the release said. She was earning her undergraduate degree at Landmark College in Vermont, with the intention of progressing to graduate school, according to the news release.

The award is intended to support individuals from 18 to 30 years-old, from a lower Connecticut River Valley community, to help them continue to progress toward attaining their goals, such as becoming an illustrator or musician, attending college, or starting a small business.

The application process includes the completion of a brief nomination form by the individual or an adult community member. Finalists will meet with a friendly nomination team.

"Our hope is that this award will represent a step toward greater independence and accomplishment for young adults, who, like Alexandra, have wrestled with personal challenges, but have a goal in mind and are determined to achieve it," the Dilgers said, in a prepared statement.

According to an article in the Middletown Press, last year’s inaugural award was presented to three young area adults, including Jillian Noyes of Old Saybrook, an aspiring independent
filmmaker, who received specialized driving lessons courtesy of Next Street
Driving School. Andre Foristall of Higganum received a laptop to help him with
his computer science studies at Middlesex Community College; and Evan Merenda
of Madison also received an upgradeable computer that will assist him to study
bioinformatics at Landmark College, according to the organization.

The deadline for nominations for the Alexandra Dilger Award is April 23. Recipients will be
notified in May. For information, visit alittlecompassion.org or call 203
641-8656.