March 6, 2009
SEMINARS FOCUS ON COPING WITH JOB LOSS
As part of the Darien C.A.R.E. Campaign, two workshops will be held for families facing job loss. The first workshop, Career Management Seminar, will be held from 7:30 - 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at the Darien Community Association.
March 5, 2009
Help with navigating in tough times
To the Editor
On Tuesday, March 3, a Career Management Seminar was held at the Darien Community Association. It was sponsored by the Human Services Planning Council of The Community Fund of Darien under the banner of CARE Darien. The panelists were: John Bassler, recently retired managing director of Korn/Ferry International; Douglas Campbell, CEO of The Successful Coach; and Harry Geller, former vice president of Right Mangement Consultants.
February 26, 2009
TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER
Darien News Editorial
Predicted months ago by media sources to be among the hardest hit by the economic downturn, Darien and its residents are beginning to show signs of struggle. With the second highest number of residents, nationwide, who are employed in the financial services industry, some of the town's families now face joblessness, financial failure and hopelessness. But for the same reason our town faces challenges that other might not, Darien also has opportunities that others do not. This town is lucky in many ways because it is filled with a community of residents who can truly sympathize with their neighbors.
February 26, 2009
DARIEN AGENCIES HELPING IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Community Insights: By Kathy Lake
I never imagined having to do this. I've never had to ask for help before, and I don't really know where to start." Those words, or variations of them, are the first words heard more and more often by staff at Person-to-Person from people seeking the agency's assistance. As the economic crisis has worsened, agencies such a Person-to-Person and Darien Social Services are reporting that not only is the demand for their services growing, but also that the profile of clients who need those services is changing.
February 26, 2009
CARE-ING SUPPORT SYSTEM DURING ECONOMIC CRISIS
It seems as though no one is entirely immune to the economic downturn that the country is currently facing. However, those affected do not have to feel they must go it along, as there are many resources in the community they can turn to, according to a network of community representatives. C.A.R.E. Darien is sponsoring two seminars that are designed to help people learn how to navigate the job search process as well as protect one's family and assets from the recession.
February 5, 2009
C.a.r.e. 'PASSES' ALONG KINDNESS
Each of the 125 attendees of the C.A.R.E. Darien luncheon held Friday, Jan 30, received a take-away gift - a C.A.R.E. PASS. The pass, which is part of the C.A.R.E. Darien Campaign to create a "Community of Accountability and Respect for Everyone" is about the size of a dollar bill and comes in an assortment of colors with the C.A.R.E. logo. It contains the inscription, "Congratulations! You've received a C.A.R.E. PASS!
January 29, 2009
FINDING HOPE HERE IN DARIEN AFTER THE DEATH OF A CHILD
Community Insights, By Katherine Lake
When we are born onto this earth with our individual genes and DNA, talents and quirks, colors, shapes and sizes, there is one thing we all have in common: We are all going to die.
It is the one incontrovertible thing we know about another person and ourselves. Yet, often it is the one thing that we try not to think about, find impossible to imagine when we do think about it and find very difficult to accept and handle when it happens.
January 22, 2009
HELPING DARIEN SENIOR CITIZENS LIVE IN THEIR HOMES
Helping Darien seniors live independently, comfortably and with dignity in their own homes as long as possible is the mission of Aging in Place in Darien, a new program of the Community Fund of Darien. Developed after two years of research, assessment and community input, the program is free to all Darien residents age 60 and over. Aging in Place in Darien has a coordinator, Alyssa Israel, who is ready to assist Darien residents.
January 22, 2009
POST TO BRING POSITIVE MESSAGE FOR C.A.R.E. DARIEN
Those who volunteer and give back to others benefit more than just the recipients of their goodwill - they benefit themselves as well. Stephen Post, Ph.D., author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People, will speak at the Wee Burn Country Club, as part of the C.A.R.E. Darien (A Community of Accountability and Respect for Everyone) initiative on Fri., Jan. 30.
January 15, 2009
FIND OUT WHY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE
We all know giving is good for the soul. But is it also good for the body?
According to Dr. Stephen Post, author of "Why Good Things Happen to Good People," giving can not only lead to a healthier life, it can lead to a longer life. Post is the guest speaker at the C.A.R.E. luncheon, sponsored by the Human Services Planning Council of The Community Fund of Darien on Jan. 30th.
December 18, 2008
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET CAUGHT 'c.a.r.e.-ING'
To the Editor: On behalf of the Human Services Planning Council, a division of the Community Fund of Darien, we challenge the entire Darien community to "Get Caught C.A.R.E.-ing."Read More..
October 16, 2008
THE COMMUNITY FUND: BUILDING A STRONG DARIEN
State Sen. Bob Duff - From the State Capital
The Community Fund of Darien is busier than ever. For one thing, it's 2008-2009 campaign has just begun, and the Board of Directors and Campaign Committee are working diligently to solidify and expand financial support form residents and businesses in town. As a result of last year's campaign, more than $700,000 in grants will be distributed this year to more than 29 human service agencies that serve Darien, Norwalk and Stamford.
September 25, 2008
WATSON AND DESCI WIN 29TH DARIEN ROAD RACE
Jeff Watson of Stamford and Shana Desci of Darien were the men's and women's overall winners in the 29th annual Darien Road Race on Sunday, Sept. 21, which featured about 350 runners and hundreds of spectators. The race routes, which started and finished at Pear Tree Point Beach, stretched along scenic Darien waterfront roads, included a 10-kilomemter (6.2 miles) race and 1.5 mile fun run called the Loop.Read More...
September 11, 2008
CARING IS CONTAGIOUS. PASS IT ON
Community Insights, By Katherine Lake
Darien has embarked on one of its most ambitious building projects to date. It does not involve bricks and mortar, nor will it result in anything tangible that you can walk on, work in or live in. Furthermore, it does not require major spending. What it does ask is a long-term commitment by every member of the community; the young, the old and all in between, the wealthy and not so wealthy, busy moms and dads, stressed-out kids, commuting parents, stay-at-home parents, Little League coaches, football game attendees and, well, everyone who lives, works and plays in Darien. And while it may raise some questions, it won't raise your taxes. Mostly it should raise a lot of interest and support.
The project is to build a Community of Accountability and Respect for Everyone (C.A.R.E.)Read More...
September 4, 2008
THE COMMUNITY FUND ASKS YOU TO 'C.A.R.E.'
This fall, along with the leaves changing and temperatures cooling, you may find your neighborhood a little nicer. The Community Fund of Darien is kicking off its C.A.R.E. Darien campaign on Friday at noon at Town Hall. C.A.R.E. stands for "A Community of Accountability and Respect for Everyone."Read More...
July 31, 2008
COMMUNITY FUND GRANT SUPPORTS HOMEBUYERS PROGRAM
Since the year 2000, the Community Fund of Darien has raised and distributed more
than $6.5 million. And this year, the fund has once again raised more than $700,000 that
will be donated through the fund's yearly allocation process.Read More...
July 25, 2008
COMMUNITY FUND SELECTS AGENCIES
Since the year 2000, the Community Fund of Darien has raised and distributed more
than $6.5 million. And this year, the fund has once again raised more than $700,000 that
will be donated through the fund's yearly allocation process.Read More...
July 10, 2008
DARIEN ROAD RACE INCLUES NEW ACTIVITIES
The race is an annual opportunity for Darien residents and surrounding communities to enjoy an afternoon of exercise and fun on Darien's waterfront while supporting local social services and cancer treatment organizations. The race includes two events, certified by USA Track & Field: a 10-kilometer race (6.2 miles) and a 1.5-mile fun run called "The Loop." Both events, which begin at 1, will start and finish at Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien.Read More...
July 3, 2008
COMMUNITY FUND RECOGNIZES ITS BUSINESS DONORS
A Business Leadership reception was held recently at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio to recognize the Darien businesses that donated their support to the Community Fund of Darien this past year. A Business Campaign Committee of six community volunteers, led by Greg Palmer of Palmer's Market, worked all year long to help raise money for the Community Fund's work to help meet health and human service needs in the town and region. Committee members included Dan Anderson of Merrill Lynch; John Hertz of Hertz Construction; Joe Viesta of Michael Joseph's; and George Reilly of Rucci, Burnham, Carta, Carello & Reilly.Read More...
May 29, 2008
DARIEN VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON
The 29th annual Darien Volunteer Recognition Day was a day not just to recognize the
volunteers that make Darien tick, but to also recognize one that devoted her life to
helping others in town. Saralyn Woods was the main event. Woods, who died two
months ago, was posthumously given the Obie Harrington-Howes Community Spirit
Award.Read More...
May 15, 2008
COMMUNITY INSIGHTS:
SOMETHING THAT COULD NEVER HAPPEN IN DARIEN?
Arecent episode of "Law & Order" recounted an incident between teens on a basketball court, their parents' subsequent involvement and a resulting tragedy. The story entails one parent in particular egging on her son to be more aggressive in taking control after he is shut out of a neighborhood game. Misconstrued actions and failure to behave civilly lead to the shooting deaths of a teenager and of a completely innocent young child playing nearby. One parent is arrested for the shooting and another - a white, middle-class "soccer mom"- is arrested for encouraging her son and his friends to act aggressively and then hiding the evidence of their actions. The district attorney points out that not only did these parents fail to take responsibility for the actions of their children and hold them accountable, but they themselves "acted like children."Read More...
May 1, 2008
ALLOCATIONS PROCESS IS A BIG JOB
As the Community Fund of Darien concludes its yearly allocation process, panel members say it was a worthwhile and educational experience. The process, which began about two months ago, has panel members visit various interested local services to evaluate what, if any, money they may be eligible for from the Community Fund's total donations. This year that amount is approximately $700,000.Read More...
April 1, 2008
Community Fund starts finding homes for $700K
Today's charitable donation process can be daunting. You might want to donate to a worthy cause, but how do you decide on the cause? And how will you make sure those charities are not only legitimately run, but will spend your hard-earned money on needs rather than top-heavy overhead.Read More...
February 21, 2008
COMMUNITY FUND TO HIRE AGING IN PLACE COORDINATOR
The board of directors of the Community Fund of Darien recently voted unanimously to hire a part-time coordinator for its Aging in Place in Darien initiative. Aging in Place (AIP) in Darien has been under study for almost two years and is based on the premise that individuals who are growing older should be able to stay in their homes in Darien.Read More...
