ARTICLE
182 Wolfpit Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203.846.9581 | starct.org Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Member Profile | Member Since 1978 On Friday, January 15, STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way… hosted a spirited zoom kickoff event for their upcoming Martin Luther King Day of Service 2021. STAR recently received a $20,000 grant from The Arc-US and AmeriCorps to create a collaborative program between STAR and community partners, Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person, to address local food insecurity and hunger. This STAR initiative honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King on the 26th Anniversary of the MLK Day of Service with the intention of making it a sustainable effort and mindset that lasts 24-7-365. STAR Executive Director Katie Banzhaf said, “We were pleased to receive this generous grant again from The Arc US and AmeriCorps to launch an ongoing program of community outreach that includes people with disabilities assisting to help resolve a local need. STAR participants who are typically on the receiving end of community goodwill will be given a chance to pay it forward and make a meaningful impact throughout the year.” The kick-off event brought together local dignitaries, Senator Haskell, Senator Duff, Representative Thomas, Representative Dathan and Representative Steinberg. The Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke, Pastor, Bethel AME Norwalk joined representatives from Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person, local business owners, STAR board members, STAR participants and their families, and volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities in our community. All were inspired to learn more about providing food to those in our community that experience hunger and to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and belief that, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” The Martin Luther King Day Service 2021 project will address food insecurity in our community. In the months ahead and subject to regulations under Covid-19, volunteers will collaborate with STAR clients to prepare, deliver and serve hot meals to Open Doors Shelter and collect non-perishable food items to be delivered to Person-to-Person. The first meals delivered and served over the MLK weekend were prepared by Chef Luis Solis owner of Don Carmelo’s in Norwalk and dessert was prepared by Sweet P Bakery in Norwalk, both regular teachers for STAR’s cooking classes. Local businesses such as Fairfield County Bank, Priceline, BMW Darien, Bankwell, Groove, Tracy Locke., Palmers Market and Charkit have already signed up to host food collection receptacles and STAR anticipates additional sites to be added. Person-to-Person, Inc. was established in 1968 to provide low-income individuals and families living in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services. A community-supported agency, Person-to-Person is committed to providing individuals and families with assistance for basic needs to overcome daily challenges and access to resources to improve their lives. With a vision of educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all, programs include food and clothing assistance, emergency financial assistance, and Camperships and Scholarships. With locations in Darien and Norwalk, and a mobile food pantry in Stamford, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. More information may be found on the web at p2phelps.org. Open Doors is a social service organization and shelter in Norwalk that has been providing support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1983. These resources include critical needs like food, clothing, case management, job training and continuing education, and access to health services as well as affordable and supportive housing and emergency shelter. For more information, please visit opendoorshelter.org/. STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who are impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Fairfield County, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR informs and encourages the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. STAR is the only affiliated chapter of The Arc in Fairfield County. The Arc is an advocacy and informational agency benefitting people with intellectual disabilities on state and national levels. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit starct.org. # # #
182 Wolfpit Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203.846.9581 | starct.org Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter Member Profile | Member Since 1978
On Friday, January 15, STAR, Inc. Lighting the Way… hosted a spirited zoom kickoff event for their upcoming Martin Luther King Day of Service 2021. STAR recently received a $20,000 grant from The Arc-US and AmeriCorps to create a collaborative program between STAR and community partners, Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person, to address local food insecurity and hunger. This STAR initiative honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King on the 26th Anniversary of the MLK Day of Service with the intention of making it a sustainable effort and mindset that lasts 24-7-365. STAR Executive Director Katie Banzhaf said, “We were pleased to receive this generous grant again from The Arc US and AmeriCorps to launch an ongoing program of community outreach that includes people with disabilities assisting to help resolve a local need. STAR participants who are typically on the receiving end of community goodwill will be given a chance to pay it forward and make a meaningful impact throughout the year.” The kick-off event brought together local dignitaries, Senator Haskell, Senator Duff, Representative Thomas, Representative Dathan and Representative Steinberg. The Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke, Pastor, Bethel AME Norwalk joined representatives from Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person, local business owners, STAR board members, STAR participants and their families, and volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities in our community. All were inspired to learn more about providing food to those in our community that experience hunger and to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and belief that, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” The Martin Luther King Day Service 2021 project will address food insecurity in our community. In the months ahead and subject to regulations under Covid-19, volunteers will collaborate with STAR clients to prepare, deliver and serve hot meals to Open Doors Shelter and collect non-perishable food items to be delivered to Person-to-Person. The first meals delivered and served over the MLK weekend were prepared by Chef Luis Solis owner of Don Carmelo’s in Norwalk and dessert was prepared by Sweet P Bakery in Norwalk, both regular teachers for STAR’s cooking classes. Local businesses such as Fairfield County Bank, Priceline, BMW Darien, Bankwell, Groove, Tracy Locke., Palmers Market and Charkit have already signed up to host food collection receptacles and STAR anticipates additional sites to be added. Person-to-Person, Inc. was established in 1968 to provide low-income individuals and families living in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services. A community-supported agency, Person-to-Person is committed to providing individuals and families with assistance for basic needs to overcome daily challenges and access to resources to improve their lives. With a vision of educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all, programs include food and clothing assistance, emergency financial assistance, and Camperships and Scholarships. With locations in Darien and Norwalk, and a mobile food pantry in Stamford, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. More information may be found on the web at p2phelps.org. Open Doors is a social service organization and shelter in Norwalk that has been providing support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1983. These resources include critical needs like food, clothing, case management, job training and continuing education, and access to health services as well as affordable and supportive housing and emergency shelter. For more information, please visit opendoorshelter.org/. STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who are impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Fairfield County, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR informs and encourages the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. STAR is the only affiliated chapter of The Arc in Fairfield County. The Arc is an advocacy and informational agency benefitting people with intellectual disabilities on state and national levels. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit starct.org.
The kick-off event brought together local dignitaries, Senator Haskell, Senator Duff, Representative Thomas, Representative Dathan and Representative Steinberg. The Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke, Pastor, Bethel AME Norwalk joined representatives from Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person, local business owners, STAR board members, STAR participants and their families, and volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities in our community. All were inspired to learn more about providing food to those in our community that experience hunger and to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and belief that, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” The Martin Luther King Day Service 2021 project will address food insecurity in our community. In the months ahead and subject to regulations under Covid-19, volunteers will collaborate with STAR clients to prepare, deliver and serve hot meals to Open Doors Shelter and collect non-perishable food items to be delivered to Person-to-Person. The first meals delivered and served over the MLK weekend were prepared by Chef Luis Solis owner of Don Carmelo’s in Norwalk and dessert was prepared by Sweet P Bakery in Norwalk, both regular teachers for STAR’s cooking classes. Local businesses such as Fairfield County Bank, Priceline, BMW Darien, Bankwell, Groove, Tracy Locke., Palmers Market and Charkit have already signed up to host food collection receptacles and STAR anticipates additional sites to be added. Person-to-Person, Inc. was established in 1968 to provide low-income individuals and families living in Lower Fairfield County with basic emergency services. A community-supported agency, Person-to-Person is committed to providing individuals and families with assistance for basic needs to overcome daily challenges and access to resources to improve their lives. With a vision of educated, financially stable, and hunger-free homes for all, programs include food and clothing assistance, emergency financial assistance, and Camperships and Scholarships. With locations in Darien and Norwalk, and a mobile food pantry in Stamford, the Person-to-Person service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. More information may be found on the web at p2phelps.org. Open Doors is a social service organization and shelter in Norwalk that has been providing support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1983. These resources include critical needs like food, clothing, case management, job training and continuing education, and access to health services as well as affordable and supportive housing and emergency shelter. For more information, please visit opendoorshelter.org/. STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who are impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Fairfield County, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR informs and encourages the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals. STAR is the only affiliated chapter of The Arc in Fairfield County. The Arc is an advocacy and informational agency benefitting people with intellectual disabilities on state and national levels. For more information about STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way please visit starct.org.
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