AR2022

Colin and Jeanmarie’s story

Colin Cooper has been connected to The Village for his entire life—first when he was adopted at a young age, and today as a longtime and dedicated supporter alongside his wife, Village board member Jeanmarie Cooper. Through their generous support, The Coopers have been instrumental in helping The Village fulfill its mission and are creating a lasting legacy to continue making an impact.

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Meet Stephanie

Stephanie’s first priority is making sure her children, Jazlene and Josavian, are happy and safe. As a working mom, finding child care during the after-school hours was a struggle. Thanks to The Village’s free after-school program at her children’s school, she didn’t have to worry— Jazlene and Josavian are now able to get homework help, enjoy enrichment activities and make new friends in a safe, nurturing environment. 

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Meet Jayden and Naobi

Jayden had a hard time expressing his emotions in a healthy way. Once he enrolled in The Village’s six-month day program, he was able to develop and practice coping skills. When Jayden participated in a special basketball clinic as part of an educational sports-therapy program at The Village, he learned trust, teamwork and communication.

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Meet the Team That Meets the Moment

The Village can deliver life-changing services to children and families because of our incredible staff. During FY22 we invested $1.5 million in wage and benefit increases and earned a Top Workplace Award for the third year in a row. The Village is proud that our staff represents the diversity of our clientele, and we will continue hiring new team members who will strengthen our culture of collaboration and innovation.

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Meet Norman

Norman became a first-time father at the age of 54. His new responsibilities coupled with his wife’s personal struggles caused intense feelings of fear and loneliness. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, The Village was there to help. He received the support—and as he says, “another family”—that he needed to connect with other dads, embrace fatherhood and become a role model for his son. Today, Norman and his wife are proudly parenting Alexander together.

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Two Teams, One Village

After children complete their care at Eagle House—The Village’s psychiatric residential treatment facility—many transition to foster care. During a surging mental health crisis, amid the pandemic, this transition was harder than ever. Backed by an extensive network of dedicated foster parents, and as the state’s largest foster care provider—covering Hartford, Manchester and New Britain—The Village foster care team works hard in tandem with clinical staff at Eagle House to ensure children are placed in homes that meet their individual needs and provide them with safety and stability so they can grow and thrive.

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Meet Genesia and Galia

Once her baby girl was born, Genesia’s life changed. Like many new moms, she needed support as she embarked on her journey of caring for a newborn. When self-doubt creeped in, The Village helped answer Genesia’s questions about how to properly care for her daughter and make sure she was on the right developmental path. The Village was also by her side to help ensure her basic needs—like food and diapers—were met, so Genesia was able to focus on developing a strong bond with her baby.

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Meet Sonia, Adryan and Sheyla

As a single mom without any family in the United States, Sonia needed support when her children, Adryan and Sheyla, experienced emotional abuse by a friend of the family and were suffering. That’s when she reached out to The Village. Through therapy and support services, Sonia and her children were able to learn ways to navigate through their fears and work together as a family unit. They are also now part of a church community and continue building a network of social support.

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Village Second Chance Shops

Village Second Chance Shops

The Second Chance Shops support The Village’s programs by selling new and gently used clothing and household items. Thanks to the dedication of volunteer Auxilians at the four Second Chance Shops—in Glastonbury, Simsbury, Suffield and West Hartford—a combined $440,300 was raised this year. Over the last 60 years, the Second Chance Shops have generated more than $6 million to support The Village.

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Samar Amin, Village client

Meet Samar

Samar was completely broken after escaping a domestic violence situation. She reached out to The Village for help, despite being told by others that she wouldn’t be able to make it as a single mother of four children. In the months that followed, Samar was able to care for her kids, continue her education and start a career in the nursing field. She has big dreams and is working hard to create the life she always wanted.

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Meet Speaker Matt Ritter and Rep. Tammy Exum

The Village is proud to work with policymakers to reform and strengthen Connecticut’s mental health system. Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives Matt Ritter and Deputy Majority Leader and State Representative Tammy Exum were named as Village Champions for Children for leading the passage of landmark legislation addressing our state’s mental health crisis in the 2022 legislative session.

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Sulma, Kimberly and Julio

Meet Sulma, Kimberly and Julio

Sulma, Kimberly and Julio left Honduras for a better life in the United States. During their travels, they became victims of human trafficking. Sulma and her children came to The Village for help coping with what they experienced. Through therapy, Kimberly and Julio are working through their trauma. Julio is calmer and his nightmares have stopped. Kimberly is acclimating well to her new school and has learned how to become an advocate for herself.

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Meet Tammy

Tammy—like so many others— became unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When her faith and confidence started to fade, she knew she needed help. That’s when she reached out to The Village’s Financial Opportunity Center.

Soon after, Tammy got help with her budget and credit, in addition to receiving support for her emotional health.

Today, with renewed self-esteem, she’s working full-time, going to school to advance her position in the healthcare field and is actively saving to purchase a home.

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Meet the Misorskis

Dana Misorski—who is known as “Mrs. Christmas”—and her family have helped hundreds of Village clients purchase gifts, food and other essentials during the holiday season. After raising more than $7,000 to purchase gift cards for families in 2020 she increased and surpassed her goal by raising over $9,000.

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