YWL of New Canaan is pleased to have awarded over $83,000 to 30 charitable organizations for the 2009-2010 year.  This year’s giving theme “Community: Strengthen, Teach, Achieve, Revive, Serve” is best highlighted through three charitable organizations: Operation Hope, Mid-Fairfield Hospice, and A Better Chance, Inc.

(YWL Grant Recipients (L to R): Amy Burger, YWL Charity Research Chair; Christine Pfeffer, Director of Hospice; Melanie Berman, President of A Better Chance; Liz Bennett, Grants Manager of Operation Hope; Rebecca Minnock, Shelter and Program Manager of Operation Hope; Kelly Daniel, ‘09-‘10 YWL President)

Operation Hope’s work program provides real work opportunities to those who live in homeless shelters.  There is job training for those with little or no experience, help with references and resumes.  The clients can increase their self-esteem, raise their income, become independent again and community ties are strengthened. 

Mid-Fairfield Hospice provides end-of-life care to terminally ill individuals and support for their families.  The volunteers are trained in respite and peer counseling, as well as giving emotional support and companionship.  These volunteers allow the patient to complete their journey with dignity, and help the family cope with the pain of loss.

A Better Chance, Inc. is the only national program providing academically talented minority children with access to our nation’s finest public and private schools.  Here in New Canaan, the ABC house has guided 62 young men through this program since 1973.  Currently there are 8 male students attending NCHS.  They work hard, play sports, volunteer at local charities and provide diversity to our community.

The money raised this year also benefits local programs such as the New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation, Waveny Care Network, New Canaan Cares, Meals on Wheels, Get About, New Canaan Library, New Canaan Community Nursery School, New Canaan Society for the Arts, the Mikey Czech Foundation and the Outback Teen Center.  Other supported programs include Horizons, Childcare Learning Centers, Children's Connection, Kids in Crisis, Cancer Care, Family Re-Entry, KEYS, Meals on Wheels, Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Person to Person, Southern CT Storm Hockey, Star, Inc., The Workplace, Inc., Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, Voices of 9/11, Women’s Mentoring Network, and the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.  These agencies benefit New Canaan and other Fairfield County communities.  The YWL congratulates these grant award winners and looks forward to the 2010-2011 fundraising theme, “KIDS:  Knowledge, Independence, Development, and Safety