Celebrating Women’s History Month + CRCOG updates

March 9, 2022 | Issue 5

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The CRCOG Connection

Good morning CRCOG readers. This newsletter is 870 words, approximately a 4-minute read.

In this issue, we highlight:

Author Candice Weigle-Spier, PsyD, author of Our Covid Clinic
Favorite quotes for Women’s History Month
Flood Plain Management Services, US Army Corps of Engineers proposals
And more

Thank you for reading.

ICYMI

We’re looking for regional photos and b-roll to include on our new website. Please reach out for specifics and forward your content to Aaliyah Miller by Friday, March 31. Thank you!
UConn to get more than $660K in federal money to study crumbling foundations
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is seeking proposals for upcoming grants. Learn more about these new grant opportunities and sign up for notifications.
Catch up on the latest legislative news. Read CRCOG’s Legislative Weekly Report.

Community spotlight: Candice Weigle-Spier, PsyD, captures the story of a community’s response to the pandemic

“The friendly environment is what separates us from other clinics. That makes people feel more comfortable. Even people who are not sure about getting the vaccine can feel comfortable coming in and talking to us and asking questions. It makes it better.” - Excerpt from clinic volunteer

COVID-19 has impacted every area of our lives. We’re still working through it. But when we pause and think about all we’ve been through, there’s a lot to learn from and be grateful for.

Meet Candice Weigle-Spier, a psychologist and artist who lives in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Early in the pandemic she attended a virtual meeting where Reverend Robyn Anderson, an engaged community leader, highlighted the racial disparities in vaccination rates for people of color in Middletown.

Her presentation inspired Candice to get involved, and she became a volunteer, offering her work experience to help make an impact within the Middletown community. I called Reverend Anderson and said, “I know how to address needle phobias. Can I help?” She said sure.

Middletown is one of the communities CRCOG serves for public safety. CRCOG works closely with their team, including Director of Health Kevin Elak, and is the fiduciary agent for the Medical Reserve Corps that facilitated the vaccination clinics.

While volunteering, Candice met amazing individuals from the community, and that continued to inspire her. She would sketch volunteers, adults, kids, and community leaders, capturing the everyday moments of people who visited the clinic. She took another step forward and started interviewing individuals and has compiled their stories and her sketches in a book entitled, “Our Covid Clinic: A Community Response to the Pandemic.”

The book illustrates the strength of working together and highlights this community’s heroism, persistence, perseverance, and the power of activism.

Women’s History Month and quotes to inspire all of us

Throughout the month of March businesses, communities, and individuals will acknowledge and celebrate Women’s History Month.

Here at CRCOG, we asked the women on our staff and public safety professionals to share the words that inspire them. We hope they inspire you too! In this issue and our next one we will highlight their favorite quotes.

Maureen Goulet - “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall.” ~ Serena Williams
Aaliyah Miller - “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ~ Mae West
Karen Stewartson - “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” ~ Maya Angelou
Kathy Rubera - “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman” ~ Margaret Thatcher
Terri Thompson - “A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Laura Quintiliani - “I trust your judgment.” ~ Pauline Yoder
Deputy Chief Sonia Watson, Hartford, Connecticut - “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” ~ Maya Angelou

Flood Plain Management Services, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers a Flood Plain Management Services Program to provide direct technical assistance for conducting studies, scoping, workshops, etc. in collaboration with them.

Here is more information on the proposal process. The deadline for applications is the end of March. Interested individuals can reach out to Sheila Warren with questions.