We all matter. And we can all contribute to and strengthen our communities if given the chance. The organizations highlighted here – each recipients of grants from The Guilford Foundation (TGF) – are enabling others to be integral parts of our community – locally and beyond.

Written by Sigrid Kun, Guilford Events Magazine

Syd’s Book Shack & Boutique: Syd’s supports various programs specializing in people with disabilities and provides technology to nonverbal people to aid with communication. The store serves as a source of job skills training (e.g., young adults price and scan books, organize the store, input data, and more) as well as a place those with special needs can hang out. TGF funding helped the store hire young adults from Syd’s transition program from volunteers to employees. “We have many employees who start as shy, in the background souls and blossom into extroverted people with excellent customer service,” explains owner Meredith Dagget. “Syd’s is a nurturing place where we want all to feel comfortable and do their best!”

Gavin & Friends: TGF grants provide operational support for Gavin & Friends, a new program managed by SARAH Tuxis that provides day services, recreation and leisure opportunities, and respite care for individuals with intellectual or other disabilities. “This program, due to its proximity to the Guilford Green, is a way for individuals in our program to be incused in community events and activities as well as to visit and/or volunteer at organizations, and businesses,” notes Ken Alberti, Executive Director of SARAH. Individuals in the program have increased opportunities not only to be involved but also to give back through volunteering.

ALEX, Inc.: Alex stands for acceptance, love, equality, and xenacious. The mission is to promote a safe and compassionate community and coordinate educational opportunities for LGBTQIA+ youth, families, and allies. The goal is not only to educate and inform but also to provide spaces and events for the LGBTQIA+ to completely be themselves. ALEX hosted Guilford’s first known pride event in the spring of 2023. In December of 2023, it sponsored its first annual queer prom with over 60 attendees. “There are many people in Guilford whose lives will and have been touched by someone in the LGBTQIA+ or who are part of the community themselves,” says founder Sarah Celotto.

Sound Life Connections: TGF funds are helping SLC expand operations to include the development of a vocational training/ employment location for young adults with disabilities through ‘The WAVE’ (or Work, Advocate, Value, Empower) and its mobile gelato café truck. “Our mission is to create an inclusive community in which people with disabilities feel welcomed and valued,” says Keri Climie, founder of SLC. “By offering hands-on experience in a supportive environment we aim to address the staggering unemployment rate for adults with disabilities, which currently exceeds 80%.”

Guilford A Better Chance: GABC, in its 50th year, offers academically gifted girls of color the opportunity to attend Guilford High School, live in a caring community with a strong professional support team, and achieve success through academic achievement and personal growth. “The goal is to lessen the economic divide, one scholar at a time, and to prepare them for a lifetime of achievement,” notes GABC Co-President Nancy Patton. The girls (six for the 2023-2024 academic year) are chosen from hundreds of applicants. They live in the ABC house on Church Street during the school year. Each student is paired with a student advisor, an academic advisor, and a host family. Since 1974, more than 80 GABC scholars graduated from GHS to go on to prestigious post-secondary institutions.

Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT): The overall program uses sports to transform lives by inspiring inclusion, understanding and respect for people of all abilities on and beyond the playing field, across the state and around the world. SOCT is still rebuilding their program after the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the state, SOCT hosts over 100 tournaments and competitions in 28 different sports where over 12,000 athletes and partners participate.

TGF’s grant was directed to the Central Shoreline local program funding, which will help purchase new equipment, subsidize athlete registration fees, and secure bus transportation to competition events throughout the state.