Ava is a 26-year-old Southington resident. She met Jeff during her last year of high school. They married right after graduation. Soon they had a child and then another. The realty of life without a trade or profession hit hard. Finding an affordable apartment, bills, doctors’ visits, clothing, daycare, working two jobs, never getting ahead, were huge challenges. Jeff’s personality began to change. He became overbearing, controlling and jealous. He created a daily schedule for her and set rules for when she could eat and shower. He forbid her to visit friends or family. He became abusive. Ava knew that she had to leave but worried she couldn’t support her children. She stayed feeling trapped, hopeless and worthless. The final straw came when Jeff became abusive to her children. Ava heard about and called the Prudence Crandall 24-hour hot line (888-774-2900). Prudence Crandall gave her and her children temporary, safe housing. They provided a Civil Court Advocate to help her file for divorce and stay with her throughout the process. They provided counseling so she could heal, identify her strengths, set goals and achieve them. With Prudence Crandall’s support and guidance, Ava was able to build a new, healthy life for herself and her children. Unfortunately, every year there are Southington residents in similar situations. Fortunately, there is a place to go for help.

Said is a young man who like most of our ancestors left his home, family and friends to come to the United States for the opportunity of a better life. His home is Algeria where his parents and sisters still live. In Algeria, Said graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Italian Language. He is fluent in 3 languages: Berber, Arabic and Italian. He now lives in Southington and works as a pizza driver. His new goal is to return to school for a degree in Information Technology. But to do that, he must become fluent in English -both written and spoken. To help him master the English language, Said contacted Literacy Volunteers. He now meets weekly at the library with Sue Zoni, a Southington Volunteer. Sue is teaching him all aspects of English including our colloquialisms like what is a “Charlie horse” or what does “falling through the cracks” mean. And, Sue is learning about the Algerian culture. She says teaching adult foreign students is interesting and increases her knowledge of the world and it’s cultures. The best part, however, is seeing her students succeed.

As soon as she arrived from Jamaica, Maya, a young single mother of two, began asking people where she could find good, affordable daycare for her youngest child who had medical issues. Several people recommended the Margaret Griffin Center. She investigated this suggestion and found that Margaret Griffin charges clients on an income related sliding scale, their teachers are trained in medical administration, CPR and first aid, and they provide superior education within the daycare program. Feeling secure with her child there, Maya took a job as a waitress, continued to be a mom to her children and enrolled in college with the goal of becoming a teacher. She also studied to become an American citizen. “Never think the American Dream is not alive and well,” says Maya, “With hard work, I was able to achieve my goal of citizenship and am now a teacher working in a neighboring school system. However, I couldn’t have done it so quickly, if I wasn’t secure knowing that my child was in an educational environment that allowed her medication to be administered when needed.”

Mark Pooler, CEO of the Southington Community YMCA, says unexpected, life changing events can happen in a minute. Sudden death, a terminal illness or long-term diagnosis, fire, losing a job, dissolving a marriage can turn a family’s life upside down. If a person does not have family or a strong support system, these challenges can seem unsurmountable. Fortunately, the YMCA’s financial assistance program is designed to help in times like these. A few years ago, Southington Community Services notified the YMCA that a single mom, Katlin, found herself in a desperate situation. Kate’s car broke down in town. She and her two children were without a home, had almost no money and no family in the area. Two organizations, Southington Community Services and the YMCA, worked together to help Kate and her children get on their feet. Community Services helped providing the Southington family temporarily place to stay. Kate found a job as an EMT, a job she had in a previous state. The YMCA provided financial assistance for child care so Kate’s children could attend the preschool program at the Y’s Learning Center along with before and after school care. Kate says that without knowing that her children were in a safe, caring environment, she would not have been able to work and study to become a Paramedic. Katlin and her family are now thriving.

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover is just once of the things our Southington volunteer, Sue, learned as a driver for Senior Transportation Services, Inc. Tom is legally blind, has hearing aids and multiple medical problems including cancer and heart disease. He needs to be driven to St. Francis Hospital, to specialists and physical therapy appointments. Tom is 70 and lived with his parents all his life. When they passed, he had no one – no family and few friends because of his lifelong dependence on others for transportation. Tom looks disheveled and shuffles when he walks. But looks are deceiving. Sue feels that Tom is one of the most amazing people she has ever met. He is a pure soul, full of joy, gratitude, appreciation and humility. Tom works out at a gym, takes online courses at CCSU, loves to study history and can have interesting conversations on almost any topic. “Tom has maximized his strengths while overcoming his physical challenges. He is a role model for my family and me,” says Sue.

Southington Community Services is unique because it provides everything from energy, housing services, and food as well as Back to School packets, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas meals, Children’s Christmas Shopping Party, Shop with a Cop, Holiday Presents, Easter meals, and more. Additionally, individuals, whether business owners or individuals, can come into the office to ask questions or obtain information about state and federal programs. In 2018, Salvation Army Volunteers raised $17,000 for Southington Community Services. These funds, along with money donated by United Way of Southington paid for food in the food pantry, assistance with the holiday programs and energy and emergency needs for Southington residents.

In 2018 Southington Community Services Provided the following:

Food Pantry: 969 individuals
Back to School: 302 children
Holiday gifts: 1,498
Thanksgiving meals:1,351
Christmas meals: 1,462
Children’s shopping party: 263
Easter: 197