February 2021 NH News
NH Welcomes Sheron Rose Choice Neighborhoods Case Manager
NH is pleased to announce that Sheron Rose has joined the Self-Sufficiency team as the Choice Neighborhoods Case Manager, assisting former Washington Village and current Soundview Landing residents. Sheron is a long-time Norwalk resident and has worked in the social services sector assisting families in a number of different capacities. She is no stranger to NHA - she worked at NHA's Learning Centers for thirteen years as an Education and Lead Coordinator and previously as a job developer for NHA families. In addition, she worked for the Norwalk School System as a Paraprofessional Educator for 20 years. Sheron earned her Associates Degree in Human Services at Norwalk Community College. She then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from the University of Connecticut. Sheron is an educator, a leader of her church's missions team working with the South End community in Bridgeport. She is quite an entrepreneur who seeks out any opportunity to improve her life and the lives of others. She looks forward to continuing to serve the Norwalk Community.
FREE COVID-19 Testing in Norwalk - No ID, insurance, doctor's order or symptoms needed
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available with no appointment needed at the following Norwalk sites and times:
- Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Avenue - DAILY, 8:30 am - 4 pm, drive-thru and limited walk-ups
- NEW! Norwalk Community College, 133 Richards Avenue, DAILY, 8:30 am - 4 pm, drive-thru
Testing will not begin until 8:30 am and the public is advised not to line up early. Registration forms can be filled out online and printed at chc1.com. Free testing is also available by appointment only at:
Smilow Life Center, 55 Chestnut Street, Monday thru Friday, 8 am - 12 noon
An appointment is mandatory and can be made at 203.851.1065.
Results are typically returned in 3 to 5 days.
Weekly Food Distribution Beginning in Norwalk!
CT Foodbank and Foodshare are launching weekly food distributions in Norwalk.
WHO: Open to all; no ID required
WHEN: Wednesdays starting January 13th, 9AM - noon
Throughout winter months, with end date to be determine
WHERE: Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk
HOW: Drive-thru preferred, some walk-up capabilities
First come, first serve
To access additional resources, call 2-1-1, go to www.211ct.org or www.norwalkct.org/1834/Food-Access
Next Round of Economic Impact Payments - Coming Soon
As part of the COVID relief package, qualifying individuals will receive an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples, and up to $600 per dependent child under the age of 17. Individuals who make an annual income of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a household will receive the full $600. For filers with income above that amount, the payment amount is reduced.
To receive an EIP, you must have a work-eligible Social Security number. Generally, U.S. citizens and resident aliens who are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else's income tax return are eligible for this second payment. For more information, go to www.irs.gov.
Need Clothes for your Family?
Do you or your family members need clothing? Schedule a shopping appointment at the Smilow Center, 55 Chestnut Street, Norwalk. Shopping appointments can be scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 am - 12 noon. Shop for seasonal clothing for all ages, shoes, household items, books, toys, and other items as they become available -- at no cost. Appointments in advance are required! To schedule an appointment, contact the Open Door's Smilow Center at 203.866.1057.
FREE TAX PREPARATION IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
It's your money. You earned it. Now claim it.
Did you know that many families are eligible for valuable tax credits every year? Whether or not you owe any income tax, you could get thousands of dollars in tax benefits. To get these credits, you MUST file a tax return. Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper - and even faster when tax refunds are deposited directly into the bank accounts.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program is offering FREE Tax preparation and e-filing services for low-to-moderate income individuals over the phone and online with an IRS-certified VITA volunteer through mid-April. For more information visit www.211ct.org/taxhelp or dial 2-1-1. To make a VITA appointment, you'll need access to a smartphone or computer, internet/WiFi, and a valid phone number.
NEW! FREE Personal Financial Coaching through Building Neighborhoods Together
(BNT -- formerly Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust)
NEW! Need help improving your credit, reducing your debt, increasing your savings? Take advantage of BNT's FREE financial coaching - personalized one-on-one virtual/ZOOM sessions. To schedule an appointment, contact Beverly Hoppie at 203-290-4248 or email.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, previously scheduled NHA's financial workshops are postponed until further notice. BNT is offering free virtual/ZOOM home ownership and financial workshops.
Check their website: www.bntweb.org. Pre-registration is required through their website www.bntweb.org for an online home ownership pre-purchase, financial fitness or credit class.
Unemployed? CT Pathways and Health Career Academy Programs may be the answer!
Norwalk Community College SNAP Employment and Training Program
If you are receiving SNAP (food stamp) benefits and not receiving money from Temporary Family Assistance (TANF), and if you are a United States citizen, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship to participate in SNAP Employment & Training for certain credit and non-credit programs offered at Norwalk Community College (NCC). Some non-credit programs include computer repair, bookkeeping, security officer, homemaker companion and many more. Some credit certificates include Culinary Arts, Early Childhood education, Medical Office Specialist and more. For more information, visit https://norwalk.edu/extended-studies/snap/ or contact Jenine Carlson at NCC, 203.857.7059.
Health Career Academy
Are you interested in a new career in the growing health care field? Learn about FREE training at Southwestern CT Health CareeRx Academy. Offered through the WorkPlace, some training opportunities include C.N.A., Pharmacy Tech, Patient Care Tech, Medical Billing and Coding, and more. Eligibility requirements are based on family income or those that have been unemployed. Learn more by attending an online/ZOOM Information session:
TUESDAYS 10:30 am - 12:00 noon: February 2nd, 9th, 16th or 23rd, OR THURSDAYS 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: February 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
For more information or to sign up for a free virtual information session call Timothy at 203.930.1637 or email. You will then be contacted with the Zoom Meeting information so that you can attend your chosen Information Session.
Setting the Standard in Urgent Care
It's great to know that caring medical professionals are waiting to see you. RIGHT NOW!
Our team of health care professionals is ready to help you right now. At American Family Care (AFC), we have incredible medical professionals standing by and ready to treat you for just about anything that is making you sick. It's nice to know that great health care is right around the corner from where you are, early or late.
Right Where you need it.
American Family Care (AFC)
Near the DMV (across from the Hilton Garden Inn)
607 Main Ave
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-845-9100
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 to 8
Sat-Sun 8 to 5
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED
The Right Care
- Open 7 days a week
- No appointment is needed and we have short wait times
- Urgent Medical Care
- AFC provides urgent treatment for injuries and illnesses - offering a convenient, lower-cost alternative to visiting a hospital emergency room.
- Digital X-Ray services On-Site
- You will receive a digital copy of your x-rays.
- Lab Work On-Site
- Our on-site laboratory meets CLIA standards. We provide results for the vast majority of lab tests while you wait.
- Occupational Health
- AFC provides Occupational Health Services for employees and employers.
- Vaccination & Physicals
- We offer a wide range of vaccinations and physicals for employment, school, camp, sports and more. We can also assist with travel medicine.
- We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans.
NHA Learning Center New Year's Eve ZOOM Celebration!
Students and staff from all Learning Centers celebrated the New Year together playing games, dancing and having a great time! Thank you DJ Vybe for providing the wonderful music for the entire event!
Educational/Gaming System Donated by Rev. Gregory Perry
In December of 2019, Roodner Court Learning Center was awarded a few special gifts by a former resident, Reverend Gregory Perry. Reverend Perry reached out to Lead Coordinator, Ms. Monica, sharing that he used to live in Roodner Court and wanted to give something back to his old community.
He is currently a resident of Naugatuck, Connecticut, who is also a minister and retired from his former IT position. He spends his time rebuilding and program designing computers, as well as restoring outdated laptops. He recently designed an entire gaming/educational system for his granddaughter and while he was doing so thought, "What a great idea if I could do something like this for the students at Roodner Court!" Rev. Perry delivered the computer in mid-December a few weeks before Christmas. Wow! The staff at Roodner Court were floored to receive such a gift!
- A computer and gaming system with all the bells and whistles!
- A virtual system complete with an Oculus set.
The computer is magnificent, with its see-through colorful design so you can see the mechanics within the walls of the machine. It is not only a gaming system it is also programmed with the latest apps and software for the students to complete their educational requirements. Rev. Perry also threw in two additional computers and a laptop fully restored with all the latest technology. There were two lucky families from Roodner Court that were able to receive the computers and a college student who was in need of a laptop.
NH STEM Fabulous Investigators!
Students were given a mission to solve the Mad Science mystery! Just like a real forensic scientist, students examined fingerprints, mystery powders, ink samples, and teeth impressions. Students learned first-hand that analyzing all the evidence is what helps pinpoint the perpetrator and ultimately solve a science mystery. Each student had material kits delivered right to their home; this specially designed kit was used to help crack the case!
Pictured above Tahir Holland of Meadow Gardens Learning Center.
Barack Obama Portraits
Students were introduced to the one-of-a-kind portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama by the African American portrait artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. The goal of these paintings was to make an approachable figure, instead of powerful and out of reach like the portraits of before. So, students were given the same painting but with their outfits blank. This was to give them the opportunity to dress and place them wherever they would like to see them.