The region is sportin’ spring with good news of people doing good things in our community.

First on the agenda, how about those Women Huskies!? Congrats to the UConn Women’s Basketball Team for winning the NCAA Championship Title. Be a Husky faithful and read the story on page 17.

Tommy John, former Yankee southpaw pitcher was found sportin’ spring at the CT Dugout Club’s monthly meeting, Groton Inn & Suites, March 30th. What a homerun event! Check it out on page 7.

The Arc of New London County scored points with the opening of a newly renovated Employment Transition Center, Groton. The center will assist those with special needs. Meet the key individuals involved in the project, Kim Blair, Director of Employment, and Tom Sullivan, Executive Director, on page 4.

Last, and certainly not least, the CT Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America announced the recipient for the Community Service Award, Norwich Public Utilities. John Bilda, General Manager, will be receiving the award on behalf of NPU. Yours truly is honored to receive the Outstanding Leadership Award. More on page 5.

Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news”  happen.

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story & photo
by Jessica Warzeniak

News of budget cuts and financial difficulties are nothing new during times of economic downfall. But in the case of Martin House Inc., Norwich, help was around the corner. Marcel Bouley, owner, Engine 6 Pizza, Norwich, heard about Martin House’s trouble and stepped up to help.

Martin House is home to 57 people, some with a history of mental illness or addiction, all battling with homelessness. It started in 1982 as affordable housing and support services to help people considered on the margin of society become a part of the community. Martin House offers a caring environment

“We rebuild lives here,” said Tom Hyland, Executive Director.

To operate, the home receives grants from various organizations in the region, the largest being the United Way. Unfortunately, donations to the United Way are down which decreases funding for Martin House. The top two biggest expenses are staffing followed by food.

The staff decided to take a pay cut – no raises for hourly workers and 10% cut for salaried employees – to conitnue to proved services at a maximum level. The home is staffed 24 hours a day and already operates with essential personnel only.

“We need to reduce our budget,” said Tom. “It has to be be in food.”

Marcel heard about Martin House’s plight and offered to provide a Wednesday night meal. Engine 6 prepares a different pasta dinner for all 57 residents every week and Marcel delivers it to the home.

“It evolved. I was getting to know the staff and a lot of the residents here, since they are customers of mine. It’s proximity. We are so close to Martin House. We deliver here all the time,” said Marcel. “This is my way of giving back. To help people who need help. We have the ability and I thought it would be a good thing to do.”

“We already donate gift certificates for the Thames River Family Program (Martin House’s sister program) and do raffles. It fell naturally. Tom and I started talking about it and then it was happening.”

“Marcel is making all the difference in the world here,” said Tom. “It is saving us one major meal a week. It really helps our budget.”

“It also helped us think about things differently,” said Paula Oberg, Director of Service Operations. “How else can we be creative about our food budget? It provided the spark.”

When Marcel came this Wednesday to deliver the food, the residents were in the middle of a house meeting, but stopped to give him a round of applause. “Thank you!” shouted a resident. “You are very, very welcome. All of you!” called Marcel.

To make a tax-dedcutible donation, volunteer or learn more, contact: Martin House, 401 W. Thames St., Building 700, Norwich or call 860.889.6150. The Thames River Family Program and Martin House are holding a joint lunch auction on Sunday, May 3, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Mystic Marriott, Groton. It is the largest foundraiser for both organizations. For more information call Laura Hobart at 860.887.3288.

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story & photo
by Amy Pjura

On April 7, The Arc of New London County and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT held a ribbon cutting for the Arc’s newly renovated Employment Transition Center. The center is located on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Parish, Groton.

The Arc’s program and Center assists individuals with learning everyday skills, with a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, computer lab, life skills rooms and resource library. The center is designed to improve and enhance employment skills for special needs high school students and adults who live in New London County. Currently there are 60 individuals involved with the new Center, including 14 students.

Kim Blair, Director of Employment, and Tom Sullivan, Executive Director, were the key individuals that were involved in the project of the Employment Transition Center that came to be after two years of planning.

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story & photo
by Jessica Warzeniak

The CT Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America, announced on Thursday, April 9th, that they will honor Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) with its Community Service Award, and Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, with its Outstanding Leadership Award. The 14th annual awards presentation will be at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center’s Gathering Place on Tuesday, June 16th.

The Community Service Award is presented to organizations that make a significant contribution to the community’s quality of life.

“We are very honored to receive this award. It’s telling, that we are meeting our goals of our mission of making Norwich a better place to live and do business,” said John Bilda, general manager, NPU. “What we do extends beyond providing safe, reliable utilities and show our community outreach programs are working.”

The Outstanding Leadership Award is presented to publicly acknowledge the accomplishments of an outstanding community leader; a person who lives by the Scout Oath and Law in their daily life.

“Scouting is a vital force in our society because it teaches us, at an early age, the importance of setting and meeting goals. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. I remember earning a swimming badge in Brownies and a lifesaving skills badge in Girl Scouts. I used those skills when I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons to put myself through college,” said Alexis. “I am elated to be honored with this award.”

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story & photos by
Maren Schober

Having family and friends and enjoying their company and support can easily be something we take for granted.   The fact is there are many adults in our communities who do not have the love and support of family and personal friends.  There are men and women with disabilities who yearn for that personal contact, love and support that a friend can bring.  The Thames Area Citizen Advocacy Program (TACAP), Norwich exists to improve the quality of life for people living in health care centers by bringing together a volunteer Citizen Advocate with an isolated  senior or disabled person.  Norman Atwood, Gales Ferry is one such volunteer working through TACAP.

“Stan and I have been meeting together for three years now,” Norman  shares with me. “I meet with Stan every Friday and we always go out for his beloved cup of coffee and three donuts.  Then we do whatever shopping he wants.”

Today I am sitting with Stan and Norman.  It is obvious how much Stan loves and appreciates the weekly visits with his friend Norman.

“Norman comes and takes me out,” Stan tells me with his wide smile. “He’s the only ride I have.  He took me to Jewett City so I could see my brother.”

“Stan has no family that interacts with him, so we are it!” Norman acknowledges.

“I love him as a brother and he says he loves me.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  I have been blessed with so much.  What good is it if it is not shared?”

Norman does a lot of sharing of his time and gifts.  Monday through Thursdays Norman works at the Sub Base Power Plant as a contract buyer, an employee of  33 years.  His Fridays and Saturdays are spent in volunteering his time helping others.

“Every Friday morning plus one Saturday per month I volunteer my time as the breakfast chef and also as the back-up lunch cook at St. Vincent de Paul Place Soup Kitchen in Norwich,” Norman reflects.

“My wife Ellen and I also are volunteers for Hospice. We provide respite care when needed for Hospice patients.  Journeying with Hospice has completed the circle of life for me.  I was born, am living and am close to those who are dying and beginning their “new life”.  This has given me humility with the living.  This is God’s plan for me as His vessel.  It is hard to explain the beauty and love that comes from sharing and giving of one’s self to someone in need.  All I can say is come follow me and you will know the same happiness.”

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