|
We thank two retiring members of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors and welcome three new members.
Retiring from the CFGNB Board:
Tabitha W. Manafort - As a teacher and real estate investor it is amazing that Tabitha also finds time to volunteer in her community. In addition to serving on the CFGNB Board, she’s served on the Board of the Plainville Food Panty and was a member of the Plainville Board of Education. Currently, Tabitha is a member of the Plainville Community Fund, serves as a Trustee for her Alma Mater, Albertus Magnus College, and she is a Trustee for the Plainville Congregational Church.
 “Although my time with the Community Foundation was short, the experience will stay with me for a lifetime. When my father passed, his obituary was full of all of the boards he had served on, and the years he had given to his community. When I was asked to join the Foundation, it was a no brainer. Part of my desire to join was in memory of my dad's "giving back", but it was for more than that, as well. Indeed, I wanted to be a part of something good, something that could possibly change the lives of so many people and their communities. Within only a few meetings, I found an incredible group of individuals who worked as an amazing, cohesive unit. The work I was a part of, and the work and successes I watched, will stay with me for a lifetime. It's a breath of fresh air to see and experience the ‘good’ happening out there on a daily basis. I am proud to have been a part of it.”
Gerri Brown-Springer - Having lived in New Britain for the past 47 years and worked for the New Britain School District for 37 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and middle school principal before retiring in 2003, Gerri cares deeply about this community. In addition to bringing her wealth of knowledge to the CFGNB Board she also presently serves as chair of board of OIC, president of The Every Woman's Club, Director of Christian Education for Spottswood AME Zion Church and Chair of New Britain's NAACP 's Education Committee.
 “Serving on the Community Foundation was a real learning experience for me. It provided an understanding of the many needs of the community that you really don't realize exist. By serving on the Grants Committee, I was able to make decisions regarding awarding grants to organizations and fund projects that would benefit the community and its citizens. I was impressed with the Foundation’s involvement in the total community, always with the notion of addressing the present needs as well as the development of the future. I was also very fortunate in meeting such knowledgeable and wonderful people, both staff and board members.”
Joining the CFGNB Board:
Dr. Jack W. Miller - As President of Central Connecticut State University since 2005, Jack oversees the vast and varied activities of this vibrant institution of higher education which boasts over 12,000 students. Prior to his move to Connecticut, Jack has served in management positions at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Florida State University, Georgia Southern University and Wichita State University in addition to teaching positions in the U.S., Costa Rica, England and South Africa. His annual study of America’s Most Literate Cities has been published by USA Today and recognized in 100 of the largest daily newspapers and on National Public Radio. He has served on boards for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Victim Assistance Program, Educational Assessment Systems, Inc. among others. Jack and his wife, Barbara, have three grown children. We look forward to the wealth of experience and talents Jack will bring to the CFGNB board.
Cori Humes - When Cori and her husband, Brian, established two scholarships in honor of their parents, she probably didn’t imagine herself helping to guide the Foundation some day as a member of its Board of Directors. But, her years serving on the Steering Committee of the Catalyst Fund (as Chair in 2009 and 2010) have certainly given her a wealth of knowledge about the CFGNB. Cori will continue as a Steering Committee member in 2011 in addition to her new duties on the Board. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of New Britain and served as their president in ’05-’06. And she is a Deacon and long-time choir member at the Kensington Congregational Church. Cori and her husband have a daughter in graduate school and a son in college. They reside in Kensington where Cori also enjoys music, art, cooking and gardening.
Mark H. Bernacki - As a life-long resident of New Britain, a business owner (Sir Speedy Printing Center) and a member of the City Council, few people understand the strengths and needs of the New Britain community as well as Mark. He has served on the Community Foundation’s Catalyst Fund and Scholarship Committee. He has also served at the Vice Chair of the National Federation of Independent Businesses-Connecticut Leadership Council and is involved in numerous civic organizations like the Elks Club, The Rotary Club and The New Britain EMS Board among others. Mark also serves as the volunteer coordinator for the Warm the Children program. He and his wife Maria have two grown children. We feel very fortunate to have someone so integrally tied to New Britain’s success join the CFGNB Board
|
|
The Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc. recently issued its final round of 2010 grants to local nonprofits. Many of the grants in this last round of giving support important health and wellness programs serving the youngest citizens of New Britain and Berlin.
For those who may not know, the Community Chest, a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, funds programs and initiatives in the health and human service areas by providing program grants, general operating support and seed funding for new projects.
“The well-being of our kids has everything to do with the well-being of our communities—now and in the future. We were amazed by some of the unique and beneficial programs we were able to support with our funds. From play-based to pre-vocational programs, these grants will help all ages of kids in many ways,” explains Cindy Antonacci, Vice President at Farmington Bank and Chair of the Community Chest’s Board of Directors.
Here are some of the Community Chest’s recent youth program related grants:
Boys & Girls Club of New Britain will receive $15,600 to continue “Triple Play”; a program designed to promote health and wellness for young people (ages 6 to 13.)
Capitol Workforce Partners will receive $7,500 to fund the coordinator position for New Britain Workforce Investment System (FWIS).
Literacy Volunteers of Central CT will receive $8,554 to support Parenting for Academic Success, Family Science, a family literacy program that helps low literate parents support their children’s success in school
Opportunities Industrialization Center will receive $25,000 to support the Hardware City Bicycle program, a program designed to prepare youth for the world of work by learning career competencies and the mechanics of bike repair, safety, racing and teamwork
YWCA of New Britain will receive $10,000 to support STRIVE E3 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) project targeting 20 girls enrolled in New Britain’s Roosevelt Middle School.
Other organizations receiving Community Chest grants include: Central CT ARC ($15,000 to support their Personal Education Enrichment through Respite Services Program) and FoodShare ($20,000 to help support the distribution of food to 33 hunger-fighting sites in New Britain.
For more information on Community Chest grants contact:Joeline Wruck, Director of Program, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 860.229.6018 x 307, jwruck@cfgnb.org
|