Thanks to Towns & Villages (setting a good example) from Lakeville Journal CT newspaper and to Trade Secrets Fundraiser for Women's Support Services in Sharon CT

Submitted by livfully

on Sat, 05/18/2019 - 01:12

May means many things starting to grow and 'summer season' resources and events happening. In the NWCT area that includes a special publication from the Lakeville Journal called Towns & Villages. I recall sharing a request with a former editor for that kind of publication to list all the area town information in one place that could be kept handy year-round.

I learned today that someone who did something similar in the past for the CT coastal towns was the one who officially got that ball rolling or did the format. However it came into being, I really appreciate it for 'putting all the towns under one roof' and in every home. The amazing amount of work it takes to run 'small towns' or larger ones (which total 169 in CT) for a total of about 3 million people is something worth applauding.

On top of the paid positions which have demanding and varied requirements, there are a plethora of Volunteers. So many cheers for the volunteers on all fronts. I had asked that the Lakeville Journal explore what it takes to volunteer in a school, at the fire department, or other area...and they chose to highlight various volunteers in some issues. The advertising did not come as readily for that, but at least the jist of the the towns services are well covered (with those handy dandy Phone Numbers...)

In the past there was a wonderful small publication (with a nice free distribution) called The Corner Market Directory which had many listings. Those in bold were paid advertising. I think it may have been online as well eventually, but both the founders have now passed. Still many people found it helpful as it bridged the CT/NY northwest corner of CT area. There's plenty online, but one needs to think about what one wants to look up. The idea of networking and appreciating who was doing what was part of what I liked.

Meanwhile there are special annual events each time of year. May includes the Trade Secrets event that benefits the Womens Support Services (formally Women's Emergency Services) which was one of 17 Domestic Violence Prevention programs with advocacy for victims. Their number in the office is 860-364-1080 (I'm sure they'd accept donations any time of year but they'll let you know details)...and for emergency help and support the number is 860-364-1900.

The Trade Secrets event is a stellar gardening forum which is held at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon CT. Find out more on their website at wss.org. The parking this year due to wet fields will be about 5 miles away in Limerock at the Race Track with shuttles going to the event.

I put the following on the Northwest Corner Chatter FB site (for the CT forum that has recently become public) about safety and domestic abuse. I would like to have shared some of this information with people at the Toastmasters Conference in Albany NY this weekend (at the Desmond Hotel) which may have a few tickets left. One of the reasons I joined that program was to help advocate for community networking and cover topics the media too often overlooks (and even many DV advocates cannot explore due to their funders or non-profit status which precludes criticizing the government...how weird is that in a free country?)

Here's my post which can also count as a toast for the conference and all gatherings in public and even in private... gather your thoughts and warm your hearts with feelings of being a miracle, special, worthy, includes, capable and connected...and 'Let's get this party started!'

t'd be great for more people to consider the resources I have listed in letters to CT's Lakeville Journal and on my blog livfully.org regarding safety on many fronts..self-care, driving, planning for groups and events...and the theme of being pro-active in learning about caring for people in our community. 

Domestic abuse pertains officially to people who live in the same household, who are related, who have a child together (even if they do not live together) and people who are in an intimate relationship (over a certain age...I think 16, but again, worth checking on.)

Every state may have its own criteria for DV and IPV (Intimate Partner Violence, another difficult term but important for young people on up to comprehend regarding coercive control, needing mutual consent and really a ton of information about logistics of living together or being involved, being pregnant and caring for children and much more.) 

Then there are realities about separating (short-term or longer, a controlled separation, or pursuing a divorce or legal separation and much more.) Sites such as CA Protective Parents Association are filling in major gaps in the media and the systemic coverage of important topics and safety measures.

The US has a long way to go to 'get it right.' And even to 'Start meaningful conversations' in every community via the web with short videos and checklists, strategies and support teams for every person, especially women and children.

Good guys could help promote the wisdom and support for all people to feel safe...and good women too could step up their outreach. That could help more people comprehend their set of options sooner and promote a more amicable way of inclusion and addressing conflict early on and over the life span.

Good resources to know about include 211.org (Infoline) --and in NYC, that's 311. One can call 2-1-1 for help during the day, or 3-1-1 in NYC for social services and more. In an emergency, the number is still 9-1-1 in every state...always good to have one's cell phone handy and to have basic safety plans in place in terms of having a friend or other person to call and ideally be able to stay with for short periods of time (hours if not days throughout a difficult time or even if one is not well or needs help with kids or elders etc.) 

Trading and spending time at local libraries, community venues whether at schools or faith groups or senior centers or nursing homes and events can help one feel more connected so if needs do arise there might be more natural supports to draw upon.

Ideally everyone could have support in building up that network whether visiting or new to an area or even being a longer term resident, working or not.

Promoting ways for people to have help with transportation (affording rides even on public transportation in urban areas, or having a bicycle or support with getting rides to medical or shopping outings, ushering or volunteering at events and attending local meetings or other programs could be a shared endeavor for each town and region in a state.) 

Thanks to everybuddy who has worked along these lines and promoted area resources..."it takes a friendly capable village to be a worthwhile village...'

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Finding More Ways to Share and Care about Ourselves