Regina Brady, director of Thames Valley Council for Community Action’s WIC program, has been named director of the agency’s new Family Bridge universal home visiting program, set to launch in January.

This program, the second of its kind in the state, will support post-partum women and their families in select areas. With over 30 years of experience in family services, including overseeing WIC programs in three states and teaching K-3, Brady holds a master’s in educational leadership. The Family Bridge program will involve nurses and community health workers providing outreach and support to various local partners, including health providers and hospitals. For more information, go to www.tvcca.org.

People & Places

Patrick Regan has been named the winner of the New London Community Center Court Logo call to artists and has been commissioned by the City of New London to design a logo for the center of the basketball court, in the new community recreation center coming to Fort Trumbull. The final logo design will be determined with a public vote later this month, according to the New London Arts Council.

Regan’s artwork is known locally for gracing Tox Brewery cans and clothing items at The Annex. He is also an experienced painter and digital animator. Learn more about artist Regan at faireharbourcreative.com

The NLAC, in partnership with the New London Recreation Department and the Office of Development & Planning, put out the call to artists. To participate in the public vote, visit the New London Arts Council Facebook or Instagram profile between Wednesday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 22. Details can be found at newlondonartscouncil.org.

After a lengthy search and competition among the nation’s top marine artists, Mystic resident Russ Kramer was chosen by the Coast Guard Memorial Committee to create an eight-foot mural for permanent display in the Massachusetts State House Capitol building. The painting will commemorate the three 18th century organizations that were established in the state (Revenue Cutter Service, Lighthouse Service and Lifesaving Service) and eventually merged into the modern Coast Guard. The installation will be dedicated next fall.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce spotlights Paul Vine in its Community Proud series, sponsored by CorePlus Credit Union.

Vine is a dedicated restaurant manager who brings a passion for both hospitality and community enrichment. He is an integral part of DK Hospitality, managing Surf Cantina in Westerly and Game Time in Groton.

Vine has been deeply involved with the Stonington Schools Transition Program, collaborating closely with Gabrielle LaChance and her students for the past three years to help young adults with intellectual disabilities learn essential skills. Vine’s professional background includes launching Sol Toro at Mohegan Sun and working at Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.

SCORE is hosting a two-part webinar series for small business owners looking to master QuickBooks, presented on Zoom by Intuit ProAdvisor Elizabeth Santaus, with the first session from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. You can attend one or both sessions, and pre-registration is required.

The other session is noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. To register, visit https://www.score.org/easternct.

Safe Futures, a local agency helping people who are victims of domestic abuse, has a name for the donation center it has operated in New London for more than four decades: The Hope Shoppe.

Agency staff members submitted numerous suggestions for the donation center, which helps people in southeastern Connecticut who are experiencing violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, child abuse and elder abuse.

Safe Futures also invites residents to help families and individuals by providing holiday gifts. Wish lists will be available online beginning Nov. 12 at safefuturesct.org/holidaygiving. To adopt a family or individual, contact Darlene Hilbert at dhilbert@safefuturesct.org or call 860-447-0366 ext. 210.

Feeling a sense of doom and gloom about climate change? The community is invited to read a book, “What If We Get It Right?” and then ask questions of author Ayana Elizabeth Johnson during discussions in January that will include members of the Connecticut Sea Grant program.

Discussions will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Groton Public Library and 10 a.m. Jan. 14 virtually.

Copies of the book are available at public libraries around the state or can be purchased at the UConn Avery Point Bookstore, local bookstores and online. To register for one of the book discussions, visit: https://seagrant.uconn.edu/?p=12342.

Avelo Airlines noted its third anniversary serving Tweed-New Haven Airport as of Nov. 3, flying more than 2.6 million customers on nearly 20,000 flights in that period.

The airline now has 27 nonstop destinations and has grown to more than 300 employees in Connecticut. Avelo also boats the lowest industry cancellation rate and the No. 1 on-time flight performance, according to a release.

The Connecticut Education Association’s Aspiring Educators Program has a tradition of school beautification at state schools, and this year an upgrade was planned Nov. 16 at Stanton Elementary School in Norwich. Activities will include planting flowers, landscaping, and creating artistic displays, all aimed at fostering an inviting school environment that supports the educational experience.

EASTCONN has announced the launch of its Advancing Consultation & Coaching to Empower Student Success (ACCESS) team. Led by Ravit Stein, EASTCONN’s director of consultation and professional learning, ACCESS brings together a team of over 15 specialists to help schools create more inclusive and effective learning environments.

CorePlus Credit Union hosted a Financial Reality Fair at Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton on Monday, Nov. 4, featuring 389 high school students learning about budgeting, savings, and credit through an interactive app-based experience.

The event was the first of its kind at Fitch High School, following the establishment of a financial reality fair at Killingly High School that CorePlus hosts each spring. The fair has been supported by the Credit Union League of Connecticut’s charitable foundation, Connecticut’s Credit Unions, and community volunteers since 2009.

Montville High School, Norwich Free Academy, Wheeler High School, and Woodstock Academy participated in the fair as well. For more information, visit coreplus.org.

The Ocean Community YMCA has achieved accreditation by Praesidium, a national leader in abuse prevention and safety protocols. This accreditation reflects Ocean Community YMCA's commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members, participants, staff, and stakeholders.

The Ocean Community YMCA underwent an extensive review process that included a comprehensive audit of policies, procedures, training programs, and safety measures, as well as on-site assessments and interviews with staff and leadership.

Opportunities

Mitchell College is launching a pilot program to make four years of college more affordable for soon-to-be high school graduates living in New London County. The Mitchell College Pilot Promise Program for New London County Residents will offer fixed fees for four consecutive years: tuition and fees fixed at $20,000 per year and housing and food for on-campus residency fixed at $10,000 per year, for a total of $30,000 per year.

To be an eligible program applicant, a student must be a 2025 high school graduate of any New London County high school, with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Once admitted to the program, students must live on campus, actively participate in Mitchell College community outreach throughout their college experience, and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.

To request an application, or for more information, contact admissions@mitchell.edu or call 860-701-5037.

After receiving an unprecedented number of gift requests for its annual Holiday Bear Project, the Connecticut Education Foundation is looking for sponsors to support this annual gift-giving effort.

More than 800 Connecticut public school students in grades Pre-K through 12 were nominated to receive gifts this year. The Holiday Bear Project, an all-volunteer program run by teachers and other supporters, provides these students with warm clothing and other gifts, delivering hope and cheer at a time when many families are struggling to meet basic living expenses.

Anyone wishing to be a sponsor can visit cea.org/holiday-bear-project or contact CEF president Joslyn DeLancey at joslynd@cea.org or 860-525-5641.

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