Consider the animals in this harsh economy...

Many families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the care of their pets, which means that regional animal shelters are experiencing large population increases. Please consider a donation to your favorite shelter--or an adoption!

There's a good list of Connecticut shelters with links at http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/Connecticut.asp

Gordon A Rich college scholarships

High school seniors whose parents or guardians have, or had, a career in finance are eligible for college scholarships. Apply by Feb. 28 to the Gordon A. Rich Memorial Foundation: www.gordonrich.org.

2009 Nonprofit Forum Programs

The Nonprofit Forum is open to nonprofit or government leaders in any role: executive director, manager, funder or board member. There is no charge, but pre-registration is requested online at www.uwgnh.org/npf.

Programs take place at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, 2319 Whitney Ave., 2nd Fl., Hamden. Details: Mary Ann Emswiler maemswiler@NEGrowthGroup.com. Schedule is as follows:

January 23, 9-10:30am--Breakthrough Development with Young Leaders
Sandy Sullivan, Manager of Executive Leadership at General Electric, shares techniques she uses to create breakthroughs in the development of young leaders.

February 27, 9am-noon--Storytelling for a Purpose
Storytellers Lani Peterson and Catherine Conant walk us through finding, developing, and delivering the kinds of stories that can purposefully and powerfully carry our organizations forward.

March 20, 9-10:30am--Deep Partnering

When the managed care industry emerged years ago, it threatened the very existence of small to mid-sized behavioral health agencies. In response, a unique partnership, CommuniCare, was formed by the deep partnering of three agencies. Jointly, they have been able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and meet new challenges. Barry Kasdan, CEO of Bridges, and Marilyn Cormack, president and CEO of the Birmingham Group, will discuss keys to achieving workable and lasting partnerships.

April 24, 9-10:30 am--Social Media 101: 10 Tools in 30 Minutes

Darryl Ohrt, founder of Plaid, a design and branding firm, will run through ten of the hottest social media tools, allowing about 3 minutes on each tool (with plenty of time at the end for questions). After this intro, a follow-up session in May will talk about how to actually use the tools strategically to build nonprofits. If you’re like the rest of us, feeling behind the curve on the use of Web 2.0 in our work, this is the place to start.

May 8, 9-10:30am--MEDIA RULES! Using the New Media to Build Nonprofits

How do you figure out if blogging, social networking and other new media are right for you? Brian Reich, a principal with the media firm EchoDitto and author of Media Rules! (Wiley & Sons, 2007), discusses strategic uses of new media in building your nonprofit.

Winter Heating Assistance

Home (and apartment) heating assistance resources:
OIL
Community Action Agency, 781 Whalley Ave., New Haven 06511 /203-387-7700 www.communityactionpartnership.com
GAS
Southern Connecticut Gas Co., 855 Main St, 8th Fl,Bridgeport 06604 / 1-800-659-8299 - Customer Service and Hardship Program www.soconngas.com
ELECTRICITY
United Illuminating Co., P.O. Box 1564, New Haven 06506-0901 / 203-499-3333 - Customer Service and Hardship Program 1-877-947-3873 - Weatherization Program & CT Energy Efficient Program www.iunet.com. To make a complaint of No Heat, call 946-8683 or 946-7090, 9-5, M-F. For after-hour complaints, holidays and weekends, call 946-6327.

CT Mission of Mercy to offer free dental clinic in April

Sponsored by the CT State Dental Association and funded in part by the Community Foundation for GNH, this project is expected to attract 2000+ participants. Volunteer dentists, dental students, hygienists and assistants will offer free restorative services like cleanings, X-rays, fillings, flouride treatments and some root canals. Services are on a first come-first served basis and require registration. Dates are April 18 and 19; location TBA. Full details at www.csda.com.

JustDoOne.org Invites Sustainable Living Ideas

JustDoOne.org, an online community for sustainable living, has issued a global call for personal green solutions. The Just Do One organization invites ideas for more sustainable living, summarized in short YouTube-style videos. The organization will share the entries online, and the best video entry, as judged by an expert panel, will win $5,000.

Video entries may be up to three minutes in length. Entries will be accepted January 1-March 1, 2009. Winners will be announced April 1, 2009 in time for media coverage leading up to Earth Day. Visit JustDoOne.org for complete program information.

Community Fund for Women & Girls 2009 Grant RFPs

This fund is designed to engage women and girls in improving their lives and community through activities that spur economic, educational, physical, emotional, social artistic and personal growth. Applications are due by Jan. 16 for two grants. For more information and guidelines, visit http://www.fundforwomenandgirls.org/ or callSarah Fabish at 777-7075.

State initiates program to help customers with oil and propane heating systems

Tracey Energy Services in New Haven is one company that will participate in the state program to provide furnace testing, tuning and cleaning for $75. An energy efficiency audit is also offered. More information and a complete list of CT vendors is at www.ct.gov/opm or 1-866-940-4676.
source: NH Register 12/10/08.

Free Introductory Period for the "R-Link" Service until February 1

Beginning December 15, the "R-Link" bus, which links the towns of North Haven, North Branford and Branford, will add another stop in order to meet most departing and arriving Shore Line East trains at the Branford station. The "R-Link" now provides a feeder service to the Shore Line East and also links to the Dattco S-Route bus that travels along Route 1 in Branford.

Enjoy a Free Introductory Period for the "R-Link" Service until February 1! Contact the GNH Transit District at 288-6643 with specific service questions about this service. For information on the Shore Line East Commuter Rail Service, go to http://www.shorelineeast.com/ or call 1-800-ALL-RIDE.

Vote Your Choice for % for Art!

Three proposals for artwork to be commissioned under New Haven's Percent for Art Program for placement in the new Clemente Leadership Academy will be exhibited in the Wilson Branch Library from Dec. 14-21. Thewinning design will be the thirty-second work of art to be commissioned in the Percent for Art Program. For details: BLamb@newhavenct.net or 946-8378. Press release: http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=c2ef3ec205&view=att&th=11e21319d2cff38e&attid=0.1&disp=vah&zw

Please stop by to vote on your favorite!

Recipes Wanted for New Haven Community Cookbook

Submit your favorite healthy recipe featuring fresh fruits and vegetables for publication in the bilingual New Haven Community Cookbook!

If your recipe is chosen you qualify to win a $50 gift certificate to one of CitySeed's Farmers' Markets or have your recipe added to the New Haven School Lunch Program.

Please email recipes to: recipes@cityseed.org or mail to: CitySeed Community Cookbook, P.O. Box 2056, New Haven CT 06521. Details: Becky at 773-3736.

Literacy Volunteers Needed

We need tutors to work as classroom assistants with Adult Education teachers at these sites where we partner with Adult Education:


Centro San Jose, New Haven call Maggie: 865-3867
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7:30 pm
ESL multi level

Junta for Progressive Action, New Haven call Maggie: 865-3867
Mondays 6:00-8:00 pm
ESL Beginner level

Wilson Library, New Haven call Maggie: 865-3867
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 pm
ESL multi-level

Helene Grant Elementary School, New Haven call Diana: 865-3867
Tuesdays between 11 and 2 pm
Thursdays between 11 and 2 pm
GED program

Stetson Library, New Haven call Diana: 865-3867
Mondays 5pm-7pm
Wednesdays 6 pm-8 pm
GED program

21st Century ESL Workplace – call Lara: 235-1714
Women and Families Center, Meriden
Wednesdays 9-11:30 and 12-2
Thursdays 9-11:30 and 12-2
Fridays 9-11:30 and 12-2
ESL multi-level

Doss Venema,
Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven
776-5899 / www.lvagnh.org