ConnCAN

ConnCAN (Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now) is a state-level advocacy group. Its mission is to “bring Connecticut together to provide every child with a great public school.” Its major projects include the ranking of Connecticut public schools, video profiles of successful schools, parent outreach and education, legislative advocacy in support of its Great Schools for All plan, and  its anuual State of Connecticut Public Education research report.

website www.conncan.org

Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center

Charter Oak is supporting an initiative to provide breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for at least 35 uninsured, underserved women at the Norma Pfriem clinic at Bridgeport Hospital. Research has shown that early detection of breast cancer improves a patient’s prognosis.

WEB SITE

Lawyers for Children America

Lawyers for Children America recruits and trains volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation on behalf of abused and neglected children. Charter Oak is making it possible for the organization to provide legal services to approximately 75 Bridgeport children embroiled in the child welfare system.

WEB SITE

Connecticut Legal Services

Charter Oak’s grant will allow Connecticut Legal Services to offer legal assistance to Bridgeport families enrolled in a supportive housing program.

WEB SITE

Connecticut Association for Human Services

An independent statewide organization that works to reduce poverty and strengthen families and communities through advocacy, the Connecticut Association for Human Services makes it easy for those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit to apply for it. CAHS operates the Greater Bridgeport Family Economic Security Coalition, which with the help of Charter Oak’s grant runs eleven volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites in greater Bridgeport during tax season. In addition to money they may receive through tax credits, VITA site participants save a significant amount of money by using the free tax preparation service instead of paying tax preparers. They also have the opportunity to connect with organizations and businesses in the community that can help increase their economic security.

WEB SITE

Child FIRST

Child FIRST (Child and Family Interagency Resource, Support and Training Program) serves young (birth through five years), at risk, underserved children and their families in greater Bridgeport. Recognizing that the setting in which children spend their first few years greatly impacts their cognitive and emotional development, staff complete in-home assessments of children and intervene by connecting families to relevant social service agencies. Charter Oak’s grant will help support Child FIRST for three years, beginning in the fall of 2005.

Bridgeport Rescue Mission

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides free shelter, clothing, meals and a faith-based drug- and alcohol-rehabilitation program to homeless people in greater Bridgeport. The mission serves about 175,000 meals a year. Charter Oak donated 500 cases of canned vegetables to the mission.

WEB SITE

Connecticut Food Bank

The Connecticut Food Bank is the largest centralized source of donated, emergency food in the state. Its five warehouses and distribution sites serve 560 feeding programs, including soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and adult and children’s day care centers. The food bank provides food for about 250,000 people every year. Charter Oak partners with companies like Seneca Foods to donate tens of thousands of cans of food to the food bank.

WEB SITE