Press Release

Westport Rotary Club donated $1,075 to Homes with Hope, a Westport-based nonprofit organization, in support of its After School Academic Program, known as ASAP. Westport Rotary Club Foundation Chair Julien Beresford presented the check to Homes with Hope President Helen McAlinden; Lynn Abramson, ASAP Program Director; and Paris Looney, Homes with Hope Vice President on Wednesday, February 24.

“These funds will enable Homes with Hope to provide a safe and supportive after-school program for children in families in transitional housing,” said Foundation Chair Beresford.

Homes with Hope ASAP was selected by Westport Rotary Club to receive the funds as part of the club’s Covid-19 Community Response Grant program. The funds will be used to transport children living in Homes with Hope’s housing to the after-school program, where they receive food, tutoring, supervision, and mentoring. This need is especially important given the increase in online learning modules and the widening of the academic gap for those without a parent available to assist them. This need is immediate as some of the children are unable to get to the ASAP program. It also is temporary as usually there are a greater number of volunteers providing transportation.

In recognition of the tremendous strain on local communities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rotary District 7980 has allocated additional funds to support Westport Rotary Club’s community relief efforts.

“The Westport Rotary Club is thrilled to offer extra support to our community during this time,” said Westport Rotary Club President Leslie Roberts. “Homes with Hope is one of the many organizations in need.” Westport Rotary will be distributing all of the funds donated by the community to its 2020 LobsterFest Charitable Giving fundraiser. Grant recipients will be announced and receive the funds in the next two months.

Homes with Hope is a Westport-based organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Fairfield County. It provides safe emergency shelter, food, and supportive services as tools to help its clients achieve independent lives. For those who wish to provide additional financial support to the Homes with Hope (HwH) ASAP program, HwH president Helen McAlinden requests checks be sent to: Homes with Hope, ATTN: ASAP program, 90 Saugatuck Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

Representing a cross-section of local business and professional leaders, the Westport Rotary Club is an organization of men and women united in service to their community, vocation and the world. One of 35,200 Rotary clubs worldwide, the Westport Rotary Club is known for philanthropy and for providing hands-on project leadership both locally and internationally. More information is available at www.westportrotary.org.

Rotary Club luncheon meetings are currently being held virtually three Tuesdays a month from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. The Club welcomes membership inquiries. Please contact Club President Leslie Roberts or Membership Chair Fides Ostbye on the club website at www.westportrotary.org.