ConnexCares Awards $77,500 in Grant Funds to Twelve Local Nonprofit Organizations

ConnexCares, the philanthropic arm of Connex, is proud to announce the distribution of $77,500 in grant funds to support the impactful work of twelve local, nonprofit organizations. This grant initiative underscores ConnexCares' commitment to fostering community growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents in the region.

The grants will help to support a diverse array of organizations in Connex’s field of membership, dedicated to addressing one of the three ConnexCares pillars: financial literacy, children’s health, and food insecurity. The following twelve organizations recently received grant funds:

Binky Patrol makes and provides blankets to children born with illnesses and children in foster care.

(Pictured: Jeanne Magiolio, Lisa Lattanzio, Barb Susi-Botsko)

Church on the Rock Food Pantry provides underserved families in need with food and clothing. 

(Pictured: Lee Dupree, Church on the Rock Board Members and Staff, David Birkins)

Community Resources for Justice provides crisis intervention, domestic violence intervention, and mentoring programs. 

(Pictured: Lee Dupree, Jenna Peduzzi, Michael Nowicky, Leniz Orozco)

Community Action Agency of New Haven offers a Financial Capability Center, which helps low-income individuals change their financial behavior to create long-term stability. 

(Pictured: Amos Smith, Frank Mancini, Candice Lott, Carl Casper, Jenell Lawson, David Birkins)

Girls Inc. supports girls of color growing up in underserved families. Some of their programs include summer camp and school year programs focusing on financial literacy, healthy living, and life skills.

(Pictured: Carl Casper, Laura Tiedge, Frank Mancini)

Loaves and Fishes serves families experiencing food and clothing insecurities. They provide groceries, food, clothing, and meals to underserved families and individuals. 

(Pictured: Louise Nestor, Michael Nowicky, Lorrice Grant, Jonathan Gillette)

Massaro Farm provides food through different channels including farm stands, farmer’s markets, and partnerships with restaurants and various human services agencies.

(Pictured: Louise Nestor, Steve Munno)

New Haven Home Ownership Center provides individuals and families pre and post-purchase homebuyer education and financial literacy coaching. 

(Pictured: Raymond Hagan, Frank Mancini, Bridgette Russell, Jett Jonelis)

Ready Inc. provides mentorship programs to highly at-risk students ages 12-16 to provide support as students transition from middle school to high school. 

(Pictured: Tyrese Sullivan, David Birkins)

Sterling House provides low-to-moderate-income individuals and families food, diapers, school supplies, personal care items, and referral services. 

(Pictured: Michael Nowicky, John Chamberlain)

Winning Ways aims to help individuals with mental health disorders, victims of domestic violence, adolescents from disadvantaged communities, and those recently released from prison. 

(Pictured: Kevin Paulin, Libby Protzman)

Youth Continuum provides different housing options to youth experiencing homelessness, resources for basic needs, personal, professional, and academic development, and assistance with healthcare systems.

(Pictured: Carl Casper, Tim Maguire, Catherine DiTuri)

“ConnexCares is committed to the communities we serve and is proud to support thoughtful community partners through our charitable giving grant program”, stated Carl Casper, President of ConnexCares. “The ConnexCares charitable grant program reaffirms our commitment to our community and programs that help support financial literacy, children’s health, food insecurity, and other worthy community causes.”

Nonprofit community organizations are invited to apply at connexcu.org – ConnexCares – Grant Program. 

About Connex

One of Connecticut’s largest credit unions, Connex is a full-service credit union serving more than 70,000 members at eight branches. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, or worships in New Haven, Hartford, Middlesex, or Fairfield counties. For more information, please call 1-800-CR-UNION or visit connexcu.org.

About ConnexCares

Established in 2022, ConnexCares is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More specifically, ConnexCares seeks to address community needs by promoting financial literacy and well-being, providing financial assistance for education, addressing children’s health, responding to food insecurity needs, and engaging in related volunteer and philanthropic activities.