Danbury, CT The Union Savings Bank (USB) Foundation recently awarded $300,000 in funding to 31 local organizations in Connecticut as part of the 158-year-old community bank’s ongoing effort to give back to those it serves.
The 2024 grant recipients provide wide-ranging services to the community, including: educational and literacy programs; youth enrichment and developmental activities; cultivating the arts; health and wellness; mentorship and life skills readiness; domestic violence prevention, and more.
“We are honored to provide support to these organizations who are positively impacting the communities we serve throughout Western Connecticut and beyond,” said Union Savings Bank president and CEO, Chelen Reyes. “They provide incredible value to their respective communities and offer vital services that help enrich, educate and support both children and adults, in countless ways — ultimately improving their quality of life. Union Savings Bank and the USB Foundation are proud to be able to help them continue their work.”
Organizations receiving 2024 grants are:
• Association of Religious Communities, Inc. (ARC) – (Danbury) The $20,000 grant will support the Danbury Support Center which houses the homeless throughout Danbury.
• Bedrock Credit America, Inc. – (Southbury) The $2,000 in funding will go to the Community Credit Education Presentation, which teaches the underprivileged citizens of America about credit.
• Brave Enough To Fail – (New Milford) The $15,000 grant will support the BOSS Academy, which encourages students to dream big and work hard for their dreams.
• Bristol Adult Resource Center, Inc. - (Bristol) The $2,500 grant will be used for their Recreation/Respite Program.
• Brookfield Craft Center, Inc. – (Brookfield) The $5,000 grant will fund the Youth Craft Educational Art Program.
• Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut – (Danbury) The $10,000 in funding will be used towards the organization’s Literacy Education program.
• Danbury Music Centre, Inc. – (Danbury) The $2,500 grant will help fund the Summer Enrichment programs, which allows opportunities for people to continue their music skills.
• Danbury Students and Business Connection – (Danbury) – The $25,000 in funding will go toward the DSABC Mentorship Program, which pairs one supportive adult with a student to assist them in school and daily life.
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center – (Norwalk) The $5,000 grant will support the Peaceworks Youth Prevention Education Program, which raises awareness for the prevention of Domestic Violence.
• Family & Children’s Aid, Inc. – (Danbury) The $15,000 in funding will support their efforts to provide community education for parents and caregivers.
• Five Ducks Foundation – (Danbury) The $5,000 in funding will go toward the “Beyond the Bell” Program to improve and enrich the lives of the community through cultural diversity and youth development.
• Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust - (Woodbury) The $5,000 grant will support the Environmental Science Programs for Title One Schools.
• FOCUS Center for Autism – Fresh Start School – (Canton) The $15,000 grant will help fund the Fresh Start School for special education students aged 10-21.
• HoopHavenCT- Trust the Process – (Norwalk) The $5,000 grant will help fund the organization’s Empowerment Programs, which include educational, vocational, and creative arts for youth ages 5-19. Program areas focus on financial literacy, enforcement etiquette, culinary, basketball and life skills, among others.
• Jericho Partnership, Inc. – (Danbury) The $10,000 grant will go toward their summer learning program.
• Malta House - (Norwalk) The $5,000 in funding will support the new Bridge to Independence program.
• McCall Center for Behavioral Health – (Torrington) The $9,000 grant will support the in-school Insight Prevention Program, which helps to prevent at risk youth from using illicit substances.
• Newtown Youth and Family Services - (Sandy Hook) The $5,000 grant will support the Life Skills Program that helps young adults with social difficulties increase their knowledge and skills they use for everyday life.
• NICE INC - (Norwalk) The $5,000 grant will go toward the Multicultural Education Enrichment Program.
• Reach Western CT – (Brookfield) $17,500 in funding will go toward their Reach Ascend Program which serves at risk youth and provides educational programs, activities, and camps throughout the year.
• Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, Inc. – (Ridgefield) The $7,500 grant will go towards their Arts in Education Program.
• Robotics and Beyond – (New Milford) The $11,500 in funding will go towards their free, inclusive STEM and design enrichment programs for youth in the community.
• RVNAhealth – (Ridgefield) This $7,500 grant will support the Dementia Education & Resource Program.
• SCORE Western CT – (Danbury) The $10,000 grant will support the SCORE Small Business Education Program.
• Susan B. Anthony Project, Inc. – (Torrington) The $15,000 will help fund their Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education Programming.
• The Salvation Army – (Hartford) The $5,000 in funding will be used for the Right Place School Readiness Program, which offers early education to children aged 2-8.
• The Tiny Miracles Foundation (TTMF) – (Darien) The $15,000 will support The Tiny Miracles Mentorship Program at Danbury Hospital, which provides services and support for premature babies.
• Waterbury Arc – (Waterbury) The $10,000 will support their Learning and Development Enhancement Program.
• Waterbury Youth Services, Inc. (WYS) – (Waterbury) The $15,000 grant will aid the Linking Academics to Life Program (LAL), which offers career and life readiness skills and support to high school and college students.
• Women’s Business Development Council – (Stamford) The $15,000 grant will help support their Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Education for women and minority owned small businesses.
• WorkspaceCT – (Bethel) The $5,000 grant will go toward their “Seasational” Summer Theatre Programs at the organization’s Tandem Theatre.