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UNITED WAY OF CONNECTICUT

Helping You Thrive.

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We all age, no matter how resistant we might be to the idea of growing old. All too often, the older members of our society seem to lose their stature. Seniors are often tucked away, and even seemingly forgotten, as are all their years of wisdom and experience. Our July newsletter highlights the many resources and opportunities available to support our senior residents to foster connections and to carry on with respect, dignity and joy.  

SPOTLIGHT

It's crucial to remember that suicide affects people of all ages, including older adults. According to the National Council on Aging, while older adults comprise just 16.8% of the population, they make up approximately 22% of suicides.  


If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. Here are some ways to support each other: 


  • Check in regularly with elderly loved ones. 
  • Listen without judgment and offer understanding. 
  • Encourage professional support if needed. 
  • Share resources for mental health assistance. 


Your care could make all the difference. Be the one to start the conversation. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels valued and supported. 


Click here for mental health resources for older adults:

LEARN MORE

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

TRACY AND HURTIS SCOTT 


Windsor Residents

Retired

Tracy and Hurtis met 48 years ago in Hartford when Hurtis lived next door to Tracy’s best friend. She saw him on her friend’s porch, and it was love at first sight. 


Tracy left jobs as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a customer service representative and left her ministry at Phillips Metropolitan CME Church to be a stay-at-home mom for their three children. Hurtis retired three years ago from a life-long career with the U.S. Postal Service. Grown children, happily retired, end of story, right? 


Wrong. Always passionate about fishing and taking care of people, as grandparents, Tracy and Hurtis took in, raised and became legal guardians to four of their grandchildren. They also helped raise two additional grandchildren, plus one great grandson who sadly passed away last year. And they have a new baby granddaughter who they plan to help raise as well. 

It’s not what Hurtis and I planned, but it was necessary. Their parents couldn’t care for them, and we didn’t want them to end up in foster care. When I was 11 years old, I took care of my seven siblings and helped raise my sisters, it’s just who I’ve always been. 


But being retired means decreased income. With inflation, all our bills went up. The cost of food increased, and our grandchildren eat a lot, especially the teenagers. What really hurts us is that now we’re paying more for less. Boxes are smaller, the bags inside are not even filled, yet they charge more. With all these kids in the house we need money for clothes and for gas to get them where they need to be. During COVID, we received $4,500 in federal child tax credits. That money really helped us meet our grandchildren’s needs. But now it’s gone. With six grandchildren to clothe and feed, we could really use some assistance. 

Households headed by people ages 65 and over, like the Scotts’, are the fastest-growing age group in Connecticut (up 32% between 2010 and 2022). In 2022, 49% -- nearly half -- of Connecticut’s 65+ households were below the ALICE Threshold for Survival. This means that even with Social Security, increasing costs and insufficient retirement savings did not allow them enough to pay for the cost of basic necessities or to bring them to financial stability. In fact, in 2022, monthly costs for the ALICE 65+ Survival Budget for two adults were over $2,000 more than their average Social Security payments.  


Imagine the burden for retirees raising their grandchildren like the Scotts! 

If you would like to join the Scotts in advocating for ALICE, click here: 

ALICE ADVOCATES

For information about Grandparents As Parents (GAPs) support groups, and other resources for seniors, call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

Camp Sparkler

Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler is BACK for another fun-filled summer of learning and exploring stories from around the world! Families can listen to diverse storytellers share folktales from their culture and play along with their children from birth through five years old. It’s FREE and virtual via the Sparkler mobile app. Camp runs for 8 weeks until September 1 in English, Spanish and Chinese. Learn more about Camp and the badges and prizes your family can earn for participating: https://playsparkler.org/  

CT Child Tax Credit Petition

Sign the CT Child Tax Credit Petition! Imagine having the freedom to invest in your children's future, without constantly worrying about paying for basic necessities. Let's take care of unfinished business and give parents (and grandparents like the Scotts) the flexibility to buy what their children need most! 


Sign our petition today to tell your elected leaders that you support the CT Child Tax Credit: CTUnitedWay.org/Petition 


Together, we can create a brighter future for our kids. 

Farmers' Markets

Farmers' markets offer fresh, local products throughout Connecticut. In addition to being able to access quality and healthy foods, these markets are also a community gathering place for everyone to enjoy. Many farmers' markets are also affiliated with the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition program. These programs provide eligible seniors with access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Click here to locate a farmer’s market near you! 

MEET + GREET

ROBIN CLARE 


Executive Director 

Seniors Job Bank 

The Seniors Job Bank (SJB) serves the 36 towns located in Hartford County and more than 880 seniors registered and available for work. They serve as a vital bridge connecting individuals over the age of 50 who seek full-time, part-time and temporary employment with a diverse array of employers. From businesses and municipalities to homeowners and professional practices, SJB facilitates the hiring of experienced staff spanning a wide spectrum of skills. Clients rely on SJB for home maintenance, improvements and a range of personal services. By fostering these connections, SJB enhances the financial and social well-being of its jobseekers and contributes to the economic vitality of the greater Hartford region. 


Robin Clare shares: 

As a registered jobseeker with the Seniors Job Bank, I was thrilled to learn about the opening for the Executive Director position. I am passionate about enriching the lives of seniors by promoting mental, physical and emotional well-being, while ensuring socialization and financial security. With a strong commitment to service and a diverse background spanning corporate, nonprofit and entrepreneurial endeavors, I am eager to leverage my extensive experience to elevate the Seniors Job Bank and contribute to its growth and impact in our community. 


I find great joy in observing seniors actively engaged and making meaningful contributions to our community. My favorite success story is of a former corporate consultant who found his passion in gardening. After pursuing his dream by studying to become a Master Gardener at UConn, he has flourished into a successful entrepreneur. Through the Senior Job Bank, homeowners seeking gardening assistance have benefited greatly from his expertise, transforming their landscapes and enriching their outdoor spaces with his dedicated service. 


And I’m excited to announce that in August we are expanding our services to include volunteer opportunities! We eagerly anticipate connecting talented and motivated volunteers with organizations seeking their valuable skills and contributions. 

Robin lives in Avon with her husband and family dog. While their two grown children now call New York home, they cherish their beach outings together, recently returning from a vacation in Gloucester, MA. Robin enjoys diving into inspiring self-help books, watching quality movies and preparing delicious, nutritious meals in the kitchen.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are many, many resources and programs in CT that support our senior citizens. Here are just a few:  

Meals on Wheels – a community-based program dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. 

Dial A Ride – provides seniors with door-to-door transportation to medical appointments, hair appointments, the library, Town Hall or a visit to a friend.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – matches volunteers 55 or older with well organized, meaningful opportunities throughout Greater Hartford and Central Connecticut. 

Comprehensive Outreach Project for Elders (COPE) – is designed to reach seniors ages 60+ in their homes and at program sites to provide information on the availability of services and assist with benefit applications.  

Third Age Initiative – an eight-week program of Leadership Greater Hartford that brings seniors together to develop new understandings of their personal values, motivations and strengths and encourages them to use these attributes in a collaborative, participatory group while also enhancing their familiarity with the strengths and challenges in the Greater Hartford region. 

To learn more about these programs and others, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org

United Way / 211 / Care 4 Kids Making Childcare Affordable / Alice

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United Way of Connecticut

55 Capital Boulevard, Rocky Hill, CT 06067