March 2021 NH News
NHA Welcomes Christian Hill Director of Grants and Development
Christian Hill is a seasoned development professional and non-profit leader. He has more than 10 years' experience in fund development, public/private sector partnerships, and community engagement. In his new role as Director of Grants and Development, Christian will partner with the Executive Director to provide leadership, direction and coordination for all fundraising strategies and activities that will garner sustainable financial growth for Norwalk Housing Authority. This includes grants, major gifts, corporate sponsorship, and foundation giving aimed at securing multi-year commitments that will enable Norwalk Housing Authority to fund its charitable programs, and grow annual revenues for the Norwalk Housing Foundation. Prior to joining Norwalk Housing Authority, Christian was a Senior Director at Changing Our World Inc., (a for-profit fundraising consulting firm). On his most recent project, he led a five-year, $90 million capital campaign for the Archdiocese of Hartford, which encompassed 120+ parishes across Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties. In roles prior, he had major success leading comprehensive fund development programs including-annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, as well as direct response-at organizations including The Archdiocese of Baltimore, National 4-H Council, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. In these roles, Christian's direct financial impact exceeded $45M, combined. He serves the larger community through advancing the mission of the several community-based organizations he supports as either a volunteer, donor and/or board member. He is a member of the 100 Black Men of America, the Urban League of Greater Hartford and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. Christian attended undergrad at Georgia State University and graduate school at University of Maryland, University College.
Seniors Ages 65 and up Register NOW for COVID-19 Vaccine. Individuals 65 years of age or older are eligible and qualify for Phase 1b COVID-19 vaccine.
Registration Online - Appointments REQUIRED. To register and make an appointment, fill out the State of CT online form: https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
Registration by Phone
People 65+ who do not have the ability to schedule an appointment online can use the CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224
Phone assistance line for Norwalk Seniors (65 and older) seeking information regarding COVID-19 vaccines in Norwalk may call Senior Services at 203-434-1876.
Weekly Food Distribution Every Wednesday in Norwalk!
CT Foodbank and Food Share are launching weekly food distributions in Norwalk.
WHO: Open to all; no ID required
WHEN: Wednesdays from 9 am - 12 noon
DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 8:00 am.
Throughout winter months, with end date to be determined
WHERE: Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk
To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and community members, we must adhere to the COVID-19 CDC guidelines. Please remain in your car and open the trunk when it's your turn in line.
HOW: Drive-thru preferred, some walk-up capabilities. First come, first serve.
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.
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.
Are you doing it wrong? How to introduce telling time.
Do not start off teaching time the traditional method. Yes, I know that Common Core gives you a sequence which has been used way before Common Core even existed. The sequence goes like this:
- Tell and write time to the hour.
- Tell and write time to the half hour.
- Tell and write time to the quarter hour.
- Tell and write time to the nearest 5 minutes.
- Tell and write time to the minute.
Makes sense, right? Start off easier, work your way up the ladder of difficulty. Here's the thing: It's going to confuse a lot of kids. We're teaching kids incorrect information. This is what traditional lessons would look like.
You might be thinking, well what is wrong with that? Kids should start off with easier concepts. This is a wrong approach because we are teaching kids that the hour is whatever the shorthand is pointing to. They get that notion stuck in their heads, and every time we try to teach a new skill, such as time to the half hour or quarter hour, students must readjust their misconceptions and realize what they learned before was wrong. While some students make this adjustment quickly, there are many students who take longer to unlearn the wrong ideas. For some students, this sticks with them for years. By the time students are learning how to tell time in 5-minute intervals, many will say 9:55 is 10:55. Why? Because the shorthand is closer to the 10!
Ok, ok... so then what? How should we introduce telling time? Show kids that each hour has an area or space that belongs to them. Tell students that each number has a room. You can show them that when the shorthand is in the number's room, that's the hour. Use a clock that separates the face of the clock into the areas by color so it's very clear where the hour hand lies.
General guidelines:
- Vary the times as much as possible.
- Ask them ONLY to identify the hour. Fill in the minutes for them.
- You must teach them that the number's room comes AFTER the number. So, if the shorthand is pointing right at a number, then the number's room is the space after it.
- Begin with the introduction visuals. Then remove the numbers within the colored areas. Then remove the colored areas.
- Continue practicing without the visual supports until they have mastered finding the hour no matter where the minute is point to.
- Now you can teach telling time to the hour!
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP CORNER
We are entering College Scholarship Season and College Scholarship information will be posted here.
- HAIG (Housing Authority Insurance Group) Scholarship is open for applications! All NHA current resident High School seniors and Adult Residents planning to go to college this Fall should check it out online at the HAIG contact site: HAIG Questions? Contact HAIG. Deadline is April 30th.
- All NHA current resident high school seniors and adults who are not already in the Norwalk Housing Foundation (NHF) College Scholarship Program and want to go to college this fall should contact Carla Conway, NHF College Scholarship Program Coordinator, with their contact information (email, call or text 203.803.8837). Changes are being made to our scholarship online website format and it is not yet available on website. However, Carla Conway would like to connect with you about other available scholarships and financial support strategies. Note: This program is only for students planning to attend college full-time for Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degrees.
NH Learning Centers Presents
Parent Resume Writing & Interview Skills Workshop
March 2nd, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
March 3rd, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
- Creating/Writing a resume
- How to prepare for a successful interview
- Interview Dos and Don'ts
- Navigating the virtual/remote interview world
Presenter: Sarah Kernizan
Sign up with Mrs. Josie 203.644.4720 or by email
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 8am to 8pm
Sat-Sun 8am to 5pm
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.