19 Norwalk-Based Nonprofits Get $109,000 from First County Bank Foundation

An announcement from First County Bank Foundation:

First County Bank Foundation is pleased to announce that it recently awarded 19 Norwalk-based nonprofit groups a total of $109,000 in grants to support these organizations with their mission to provide needed services in local communities.

“Unfortunately there are so many people and families in this area who are in need. Businesses and individuals should partner to support our community so all members of society can have at least their basic requirements met,” said Karen Kelly, vice president of First County Bank Foundation.

“The Foundation is proud to support these worthy charitable organizations which provide essential services to improve the lives of people in the local communities they serve.”

Since its inception in 2001, the First County Bank Foundation has awarded individual grants worth over $6 million.

Which Nonprofits Got First County’s Grants

The following 19 Norwalk-based nonprofit organizations received First County Bank Foundation grants in 2014:

CancerCare Connecticut—$2,500—Cancer Care for Kids Program. Utilizes children’s love of crafts to introduce coping strategies, increase family communication, and normalize emotional responses to the diagnosis of cancer with in the family.

Carver Foundation of Norwalk—$7,500—Youth Development Program. Follows the Norwalk Public Schools academic calendar operating 4 day a week in 4 middle and 2 H.S. and 5 days a week in the Carver community center at least 3 hours a day.

Community Plates—$5,000—Increase the amount of healthy, fresh food delivered to food-insecure families throughout Fairfield County by continuing to grow our technology fueled, direct-transfer food rescue platform through increased awareness, boosted volunteerism and community engagement.

ElderHouse—$5,000—Adult Day Services and Caregiver Support Services. Reduced fees. Respite, education programs, support groups, counseling, information and referrals for caregivers.

Fairfield County Community Foundation—$2,500—Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Build the capacity of nonprofits so they may maximize their impact on addressing the needs in our community.

Family & Children’s Agency—$20,000—Family Support - Prevention Programs. Through these programs, FCA has the ability to initiate services during pregnancy and follow a vulnerable family until a child turns 8.

Human Services Council—$10,000—Norwalk Mentor Program. School based. Students K - 12.

Junior Achievement of Southwest CT—$3,000—Develop economics and business understanding for all students. Programs focus on the relevancy of business, economics and entrepreneurship to life’s opportunities.

Keystone House—$5,000—Supported Apartment Services. “Home Sweet Home” Assistance Program is designed to assist adults with serious mental illness or a co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorder with the necessary financial supports needed when first moving into their apartment or to maintain their apartment.

Liberation Programs, Inc.—$5,000—Families in Recovery Program (FIRP). One of only seven programs for women in the state and the only one that allows mothers to bring up to two children with them into the program. Moving to a new building - costs involved.

Malta House—$3,000—Assist homeless, pregnant and parenting mothers.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk—$2,000—TeMPEST (Teen Maritime Program for Entry into Science and Technology)—Norwalk Community College Foundation—$5,000—English as a second language - Bridge to Credit Tutoring program. Work on verbal, reading and writing skills.

Norwalk Hospital Foundation—$10,000—Project Lean is currently in its fourth year of operation and helps underserved children (2 - 5th) initiate behavior change to improve their health and lead them to the path of lifelong wellness

Norwalk Summer Youth Employment Program—$5,000—Summer Youth Employment Program. Provides jobs, teaches job seeking and retention skills to economically disadvantaged youth and exposes them to a range of professions. 6 week program.

Open Door Shelter—$7,500—Services for Children and Families. Separate living area for families. After school tutoring program - 12 to 18 children; parent counseling and employment skills.

Serving All Vessels Equally, Inc.—$1,000—Human Services nonprofit organization. In past 24 months school based programs have served approx. 125 high school youth. (Previously incarcerated or otherwise disadvantaged youth.)

STAR, Inc.—$5,000—Early intervention services for over 200 infants and toddlers with special needs from birth to 3 years of age and their families each year.

United Way of Coastal CT - Norwalk & Wilton—$5,000—Grant money is used for various Norwalk and Wilton programs.

Photo (contributed): First County Bank Foundation presents Carver Foundation of Norwalk with a $7,500 grant check to support their Youth Development Program. David Van Buskirk, assistant vice president and business development officer at First County Bank, Novelette Peterkin, executive director at Carver Foundation of Norwalk, and Wendy A. Macedo, assistant vice president and branch manager at First County Bank.