Homes With Hope Airs 40th Anniversary Documentary At Branson Hall Sunday
The crowd of more than 80 people applauds CEO Helen McAlinden as she thanks board members.
On Sunday, Homes With Hope honored Dr. James Gillespie who was instrumental in developing the Interfaith Housing Association which is now the well-known Homes With Hope organization. As part of the event the organization screened for a second time their 40th Anniversary documentary film created by Livio Sanchez, formerly of Westport.
The documentary includes over 50 testimonials, each with a unique message in creating Homes with Hope's legacy. From the humble beginnings to the monumental milestones, the storytellers have narrated tales of resilience and the collective spirit that had shaped the organization.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above left and right, CEO Helen McAlinden adressed the crowd, including giving a shout-out to VP and Chief Operating Officer Paris Looney, center.
The Gillespie Center, operated by Homes With Hope is an emergency shelter for single men, and home to the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry was dedicated to Dr. Gillespie in 1989. The screening was attended by more than 80 people, many of James’s family members including sons Bryan and Craig, volunteers, and local supporters. Homes’ former CEO Jeff Wieser who led the organization for several years was also in attendance.
Homes with Hope, formerly the Interfaith Housing Association opened in 1984 as a homeless shelter for single men, and occupied a retired firehouse owned by the Town of Westport. Local religious organizations worked together to create the Interfaith Housing Association in response to an increased number of homeless individuals, primarily men, who were turning to them for aid. The documentary includes reporting on the growing housing crises which has touched Westport and has only grown substantially in CT in recent years.
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A collection of memorabilia from years past was available for viewing.
Homes with Hope has grown significantly since 1984. As the need began to increase, they realized that food and shelter alone were not enough to help people move from homelessness to self-reliance.
In response, Homes with Hope expanded the support services and housing options currently available to our clients by providing the resources needed for them to be successful in their journey out of homelessness. The organization also operates Hoskins Place, located in the same building, is a 4-bed emergency shelter for single women.
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Fairfield County’s Biggest Animal Adoption Event & Family Festival Returns Tomorrow & You’re Invited!
Tomorrow is the largest animal event in Fairfield County, if not the entire state. It is a huge family festival and pet adoption event in addition to the celebration of the life of and the 18th birthday of Catherine Violet Hubbard, one of the little angels at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
It is called Catherine’s Butterfly Party and it held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470. Over the course of the day up to 12,000 (not a typo) people come to celebrate Catherine and the other beautiful children from Sandy Hook Elementary.
From the CVH Foundation website:
You’re cordially invited to the 8th annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party – the renowned FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH SUPER ADOPTION EVENT!! Every year, the sanctuary honors Catherine’s birthday and her love of animals with Catherine’s Butterfly Party, Newtown’s largest single day FREE event welcoming over 12,000 people! This year, the celebration falls on a very special day – June 8th – what would have been her 18th birthday. We’re so excited to see Catherine’s Butterfly Party growing up right along with her. 2024 promises to be our best event yet, bringing smiles, purrs and tail wags to all!
12,000 guests annually 31+ animal rescue organizations featuring over 200 adoptable animals 151+ animals adopted last year including dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more! Live “ambassador” wildlife, police k-9 & educational presentations Pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to our sponsors, Catherine’s Butterfly Party always remains FREE to participating rescues AND the public. This allows hard working animal welfare groups to focus on their animals while we take care of everything else.
Westport Shows Our Pride For All To See
Two of the more glamorous participants in Sunday’s Westport Pride event, Angelina Fierce Doll (L) and Bleach (R) flank one of the many performers who entertained the crowd.
Pride In Our Town, Pride In Each Other
Westport Pride's annual Pride Celebration took place on Sunday, June 2, at Jesup Green in Westport, Connecticut. This joyous event was filled with vibrant local performances, engaging activities, and heartfelt community spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The celebration included Girl Scout Troop 51003 raising the pride flag, setting the tone for a day of inclusivity and love. Attendees were treated to an array of local talent, featuring performances by Westport students including Bridget Reddy, The Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell, and Jonathan Ridel of The Rubber Skulls. All performers were from Westport except for Ridel.
Highlighting the event, State Treasurer Erick Russell spoke, and Senator Ceci Maher presented a State General Assembly citation in recognition of Westport Pride’s significant contributions to the community with Represetative Jonathan Steinberg. Additionally, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered a Proclamation to officially declare June as Pride Month in Westport, underscoring the town's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above are some of the day’s performers on stage entertaining the crowd. Several performed original songs which passionately told their story and their truth.
The celebration included a Drag Story Time with local drag queens Angelina Fierce Doll and Bleach, who added their unique flair and energy to the festivities. There were a variety of family friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, and yard games. With food trucks and local vendors on site, there were plenty of delicious options and unique items to explore.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and the Right Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church offered song, prayers and blessings at the start and conclusion of the event, fostering a sense of unity and peace.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Out-Of-Town Entitlement At Parker Harding
A group of passers-by look in amazement a a truck illegally parked on the Parker Harding access road which prevented another truck from passing safely.
We are all too familiar with the sense of entitlement that leads to “bad parking” as our favorite Westport blog has regularly posted about. WestportLocalPress posted on a doozy last year on September 24th (What WAS She Thinking) and earlier on March 26th (Poor Parking Job causes Parker Harding Gridlock).
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Now it seems we are importing bad parking from out of state. An interesting situation developed on Tuesday afternoon on the Parker Harding access road from Main St. to the Post Road. A panel truck with the USDOT registration number 3998939 which show the owner to be Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC out of Stroudsburg, PA decided to simply park on the road in the apparent belief that a single lane was wide enough for passing cars. It in fact was. What is was not however was wide enough of a lane for other truck traffic.
As the photos show, one of the several NO PARKING signs on the road was in fact about 8 or 9 feet from the driver’s windshield, which he seemed to believe did not apply to him as he is somehow entitled to park where less important folks cannot. Sound familiar? When an Ace Endico truck drove in, as all traffic does on the way to the Post Rd. he saw that he was unable to pass the parked Legacy truck. Frustrated and upset, the Ace drive waited patiently for the other truck’s operator to come from one of the Main Street stores. This went on for more than 15 minutes. The Ace truck, unable to safely pass then caused all access road traffic to come to a standstill. Drivers, seeing the mess began trying to back up in reverse so that they could turn around in the section of Parker Harding which is two-way and where that is permitted. That became an even bigger mess.
After more than 15 minutes the Ace driver, who had deliveries to make, couldn’t take it anymore and he exited his truck to see if there was enough room for him to jump the curb and pass the thoughtless offender without hitting the No Parking sign on the left side of the road. He knew it would be close and risked his truck scraping the side of the Legacy truck. He skillfully managed to do just that, somehow, with only 2 inches or so to spare.
Once he had cleared the obstacle traffic again began to flow. Eventually the Legacy driver emerged from one of the Main St. and by that time a Westport PD unit had arrived and the officer had a conversation with the Legacy driver, the result of which is unknown. As many Westporters are well aware, there is a loading zone next to the Washing Well laundry which is a frequent stop for delivery trucks. Not, however, for the Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC truck!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.