Forum Discussions - GNH Community2024-03-28T08:17:58Zhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/forum?feed=yes&xn_auth=noHelp us tell your State Rep and Senator that CT Student Borrowers need a Student Loan Ombudsman + A Private Student Lender Registry! Add your name!tag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2023-02-16:3365802:Topic:2037642023-02-16T02:29:50.099ZCristher Estrada-Perezhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/CristherEstradaPerez
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<p><strong><u><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968080887?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968081683?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968081683?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968080887?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"></a>Nearly half a million Connecticut student borrowers and their families owe $18.9 billion…</u></strong></p>
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<p><strong><u><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968080887?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968081683?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968081683?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10968080887?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Nearly half a million Connecticut student borrowers and their families owe $18.9 billion in student loans, with an average student debt of $40,086 per person. This number is much higher among borrowers of color. $18.9 billion puts CT fifth in the nation for its residents' student debt.</u></strong></p>
<p>As a high-debt state, CT needs resources and support to navigate the predatory maze of private lenders and federal student debt repayment.</p>
<p>Although CT was the first state in the nation to pass the Student Borrower Bill of Rights in 2014, we have failed to make its promises a reality. Specifically, CT does not fund a Student Loan Ombudsman or implement a student loan private lender registry to protect borrowers.</p>
<p>Private student loans make up 8% of outstanding student debt and are much more expensive and risky financial products, but they are primarily regulated state by state. In CT, as with most states, these lenders fly under the regulatory radar. In CT, you don't need a license if you aren't making loans above 12% APR and most private student loans are below 12% APR.</p>
<div>The Student Loan Ombudsman's Office provides student loan borrowers with critical legal protections. It gives borrowers a place to go for assistance if they suspect their student loan servicer has mistreated them and acts as a resource for student borrowers.</div>
<div><a href="https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-legislators-to-protect-student-borrowers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Add Your Name Here!</a></div> CT Folk is Seeking New Board Memberstag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2023-01-12:3365802:Topic:2034622023-01-12T03:41:39.435ZLisa Kastonhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/LisaKaston76
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10929466852?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-left" height="225" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10929466852?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="196"></img></a></p>
<p>INTERESTED IN SERVING ON CT FOLK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? </p>
<p><span>It takes all kinds of instruments to make music. It also takes great people working together behind the scenes to make it all happen.</span></p>
<p><span>CT Folk is seeking to expand, and to grow a more diverse board of directors -- geographically and demographically (including…</span></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10929466852?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10929466852?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left" width="196" height="225"/></a></p>
<p>INTERESTED IN SERVING ON CT FOLK'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS? </p>
<p><span>It takes all kinds of instruments to make music. It also takes great people working together behind the scenes to make it all happen.</span></p>
<p><span>CT Folk is seeking to expand, and to grow a more diverse board of directors -- geographically and demographically (including individuals from under-represented groups). We welcome those with a demonstrated commitment to community, and those with prior board experience.</span></p>
<p><span>Please click on this link <a href="https://www.ctfolk.org/staff-board">https://www.ctfolk.org/staff-board</a> (or view attachments) to </span><span>learn more about CT Folk, board responsibilities and to complete a request for board appointment. </span></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10929466852?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p> Sanctuary Kitchen Hiring a PT Program Associatetag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2022-01-24:3365802:Topic:1987292022-01-24T23:03:59.579ZCortney Rentonhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/CortneyRenton
<p><strong>Sanctuary Kitchen Program Associate</strong></p>
<p><strong>New Haven, CT</strong></p>
<p>Sanctuary Kitchen, a program of CitySeed, partners with immigrant and refugee chefs to build economic opportunity and authentic connections through food. We are seeking a part-time Program Associate to support all aspects of Sanctuary Kitchen programming and our social enterprise. Our vision is to enhance the culinary skills of refugees and immigrants in a supportive environment that honors…</p>
<p><strong>Sanctuary Kitchen Program Associate</strong></p>
<p><strong>New Haven, CT</strong></p>
<p>Sanctuary Kitchen, a program of CitySeed, partners with immigrant and refugee chefs to build economic opportunity and authentic connections through food. We are seeking a part-time Program Associate to support all aspects of Sanctuary Kitchen programming and our social enterprise. Our vision is to enhance the culinary skills of refugees and immigrants in a supportive environment that honors story and diverse cultural traditions, fosters community and understanding, offers professional development, and generates economic success in the most delicious way possible. We do this through refugee and immigrant-led cooking classes, supper clubs, and other culinary events. Our social enterprise provides multicultural catering and food products that support employment, professional training, and integration for refugees and immigrants in Greater New Haven.</p>
<p>The ideal candidate is detail oriented, hardworking, and creative with an enthusiasm for connecting communities through food. The Program Associate will gain broad experience about the nonprofit sector and food industry, and be mentored and trained by professionals with decades of combined experience in these spaces.</p>
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<p>Details:</p>
<p>● Desired Start Date: ASAP</p>
<p>● Location: New Haven, CT (some in-person duties required)</p>
<p>● This position is part-time, approximately 24-32 hours a week at $20/hour</p>
<p>● The Sanctuary Kitchen Program Associate will be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends, to support events and programs, as needed.</p>
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<p>Full job posting and details can be found here: <a href="https://cityseed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sanctuary-Kitchen-Program-Associate-Job-Description-DRAFT-2.pdf">https://cityseed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sanctuary-Kitchen-Program-Associate-Job-Description-DRAFT-2.pdf</a></p> Access Health CT and the American Rescue Plan Acttag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2021-04-28:3365802:Topic:1943872021-04-28T17:24:44.431ZDamaris Velezhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/DamarisVelez
<p>Project Access-New Haven, is one of two Access Health CT Navigator programs in our state. We have been working closely with Access Health CT and community partners throughout the state to spread the word about health insurance options offered through Access Health CT and to provide individual assistance with health insurance applications.</p>
<p>A new federal law was passed in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, and it changed the way Access Health CT calculates financial help for…</p>
<p>Project Access-New Haven, is one of two Access Health CT Navigator programs in our state. We have been working closely with Access Health CT and community partners throughout the state to spread the word about health insurance options offered through Access Health CT and to provide individual assistance with health insurance applications.</p>
<p>A new federal law was passed in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, and it changed the way Access Health CT calculates financial help for customers for this year and 2022. Many more customers will now qualify for financial help to make plans more affordable. Whether a first-time shopper, or an existing customer, there could be big changes ahead for households who qualify, and we want to make sure everyone knows how to take advantage of the new financial help available.</p>
<p>We would also love to work together to raise awareness of Access Health and open enrollment in other ways. For information please call 203-773-0838 or<br/> 855-805-4325.</p> Fundraising Challenge for Community Improvement Projectstag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2020-08-21:3365802:Topic:1093052020-08-21T12:01:55.478ZJackie Downinghttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/JackieDowning
<p><strong><a href="https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/giving-events/act20/home/">A Community Thrives</a></strong><br></br> A Community Thrives, a grantmaking and crowdfunding program of USA TODAY NETWORK with funding from the Gannett Foundation, invests in community-building initiatives across the country. The program is a way to share community improvement ideas on the national stage, gain support through donations and local connections, and get a chance at receiving a portion of an…</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/giving-events/act20/home/">A Community Thrives</a></strong><br/> A Community Thrives, a grantmaking and crowdfunding program of USA TODAY NETWORK with funding from the Gannett Foundation, invests in community-building initiatives across the country. The program is a way to share community improvement ideas on the national stage, gain support through donations and local connections, and get a chance at receiving a portion of an additional $2,000,000 in grants to help projects succeed. During the campaign, nonprofit organizations have the chance to raise funds for their charities on their official A Community Thrives challenge page. At the end of the crowdfunding period, the Gannett Foundation will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $100,000 to selected organizations. Nonprofit organizations and municipal programs such as libraries and schools are encouraged to apply by September 11, 2020. To learn more about how to participate in the program visit the A Community Thrives website.</p>
<p></p> Your experience with Neon or eTapestry CRMs?tag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2019-05-08:3365802:Topic:1026272019-05-08T17:44:19.573ZKelly Hebrankhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/KellyHebrank
<p>Hi all,</p>
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<p>IRIS is planning to transition to a new CRM to manage donors/donations and volunteers. (We currently use Giftworks and have been perpetually frustrated by it.) We've narrowed it down to Neon and eTapestry by Blackbaud (the slightly scaled back version of Raiser's Edge). </p>
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<p>If your organization uses one of these systems and you'd be willing to have a brief conversation with me about your experience, please let me know. I promise I won't take much of your…</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
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<p>IRIS is planning to transition to a new CRM to manage donors/donations and volunteers. (We currently use Giftworks and have been perpetually frustrated by it.) We've narrowed it down to Neon and eTapestry by Blackbaud (the slightly scaled back version of Raiser's Edge). </p>
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<p>If your organization uses one of these systems and you'd be willing to have a brief conversation with me about your experience, please let me know. I promise I won't take much of your time, just a short phone call.</p>
<p>Or, if you considered one of them but decided against it, I'd love to know if you saw any red flags that made you go elsewhere.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Kelly Hebrank</p>
<p>khebrank@irisct.org</p> Why Everyone Should Be Paying attention to the Medicaid Debatetag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2017-09-05:3365802:Topic:907172017-09-05T16:10:19.480ZDavid V. Hunterhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/DavidVHunter
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<div class="published-date">AUGUST 31, 2017</div>
<h1 class="entry-title">by <span style="font-size: 13px;"><a class="url fn author-czepigalaw1 author-2 post-author-link" href="https://www.czepigalaw.com/" rel="author" target="_self">CzepigaDalyPope LLC</a></span></h1>
<div class="sharelinks sharelinks-2331 sharelinks-horizontal" id="sharelinks-2331"><a href="https://www.czepigalaw.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AdobeStock_79789853.jpeg"><img alt="AdobeStock_79789853-300x199" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2333" height="199" src="https://www.czepigalaw.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AdobeStock_79789853-300x199.jpeg" width="300"></img></a> While the American…</div>
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<div class="published-date">AUGUST 31, 2017</div>
<h1 class="entry-title">by <span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://www.czepigalaw.com/" class="url fn author-czepigalaw1 author-2 post-author-link" rel="author" target="_self">CzepigaDalyPope LLC</a></span></h1>
<div class="sharelinks sharelinks-2331 sharelinks-horizontal" id="sharelinks-2331"><a href="https://www.czepigalaw.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AdobeStock_79789853.jpeg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2333" src="https://www.czepigalaw.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AdobeStock_79789853-300x199.jpeg" alt="AdobeStock_79789853-300x199" width="300" height="199"/></a>While the American Healthcare Act or ACA (also known as Obamacare) has so far escaped the repeal-and-replace hatchet, the debate over how to restructure healthcare in this country is far from over.</div>
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<div class="content"><div class="entry-content"><p>One of the most controversial elements of that debate is Medicaid. Despite the broad news coverage on this topic, there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about what Medicaid is, who uses it, and how it’s spent.</p>
<p><strong>Not just for the unemployed and the poor</strong></p>
<p>Conservative groups opposed to Medicaid spending would have the public believe that the program is creating an “entitlement society” in which able-bodied people choose to depend on government programs like Medicaid instead of working.</p>
<p>Partly because of the way this kind of rhetoric has been repeated by certain media outlets, many people mistakenly assume that Medicaid is spent strictly on providing healthcare services to the unemployed and the poor. However, the actual numbers do not support this assumption.</p>
<p>According to a report published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), approximately <a href="http://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/medicaid-and-long-term-services-and-supports-a-primer/">28% of the overall Medicaid budget is spent on long-term care for seniors</a>. In a related report, the KFF shows how that percentage translates into <a href="http://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/nursing-facilities-staffing-residents-and-facility-deficiencies-2009-through-2015/">Medicaid paying for 62% of all nursing home residents in 2014</a>.</p>
<p>The harsh truth is that long-term care is exorbitantly expensive, and that even people who have tried to plan ahead and save enough to cover the costs simply cannot afford the care that they need.</p>
<p><strong>Costs of Care in Connecticut</strong></p>
<p>In 2016, Genworth (a life and annuity insurance company) ran a <a href="https://www.genworth.com/about-us/industry-expertise/cost-of-care.html">Cost of Care Survey</a> that included data from15,000 respondents across 440 regions in the United States. For the state of Connecticut, the median monthly and annual costs for various kinds of long-term care were as follows:</p>
<p>Home Health Care: $3,813 / $45,760</p>
<p>Home Health Aide: $4,195 / $50,336</p>
<p>Adult Day Health Care: $1,751 / $21,008</p>
<p>Assisted Living Facility: $4,950 / $59,400</p>
<p>Nursing Home – Semi-private Room: $12,364 / $148,373</p>
<p>Nursing Home – Private Room: $13,383 / $160,600</p>
<p>Looking at those numbers, it’s not hard to see why many people, even middle-class people who have done their best to prepare for needing long-term care, end up having to rely on Medicaid. Even people who have done all the right things, made smart financial decisions, and set money aside specifically for long-term care very often find that the money they saved doesn’t go nearly as far as they’d hoped.</p>
<p>It’s also important to note that paying for nursing homes and other kinds of long-term care is a challenge and hardship that most people will eventually have to confront. The <a href="https://longtermcare.acl.gov/the-basics/who-needs-care.html">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a> estimates that “70% of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives.” This is clearly an issue that will touch most senior Americans.</p>
<p><strong>Burden falls on caregivers<br/></strong> <br/> In addition to the direct effects on the finances of the seniors who need long-term care, the rising costs of nursing homes and potential changes to Medicaid pose a very real threat to the financial stability and general well being of family members and friends.</p>
<p>If Medicaid is unavailable to cover the costs of long-term care, family and friends will need to step in to provide care. The financial and emotional burden of taking on this kind of responsibility can lead to extreme financial crisis, not only draining bank accounts but also keeping younger family members from being able to work. Apart from the cost concerns, taking on the role of primary caregiver can lead to depression, high stress, and anxiety.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that Medicaid is a critical part of our healthcare system. It’s a program that helps a wide variety of people and is particularly crucial to seniors from all walks of life who need long-term care as they get older. The Medicaid issue, and by extension the entire healthcare debate, is something everyone should care about.</p>
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</div> Survey: Artist Housing Needs. Closing: June 8, 2017tag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2017-06-06:3365802:Topic:879772017-06-06T14:40:52.073ZJen Gelbandhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/JenGelband
<div><p><strong>The Arts Council of Greater New Haven needs your thoughts and ideas to help plan the Clock Shop Lofts</strong>, a unique, affordable live/work community for artists and creatives in the 150-year-old New Haven Clock Company factory complex, once one of the largest clock makers in the world.</p>
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<div><p>This exciting project is being proposed by Reed Realty Group, a for-profit developer based in Portland, Oregon, with a long-standing commitment to arts development, historic…</p>
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<div><p><strong>The Arts Council of Greater New Haven needs your thoughts and ideas to help plan the Clock Shop Lofts</strong>, a unique, affordable live/work community for artists and creatives in the 150-year-old New Haven Clock Company factory complex, once one of the largest clock makers in the world.</p>
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<div><p>This exciting project is being proposed by Reed Realty Group, a for-profit developer based in Portland, Oregon, with a long-standing commitment to arts development, historic preservation and affordable housing, as a fully-renovated, creative community with 125 lofts, juried selection process, and low, long-term controlled rents.</p>
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<div><p>If you would like to apply for a loft, you will have the opportunity to be among the first on the waiting list by indicating your interest and providing your contact information toward the end of the survey.</p>
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<div><p>Bill Kraus, of C.W. Kraus Preservation & Development, a CT-based consultant specializing in economic development through historic preservation and the arts has been retained to conduct this survey to determine the creative community’s needs and desire for this space.</p>
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<div><p>If you are a member of the arts/creative community, your opinions are important to us whether or not you are in need of housing or would consider relocating to the Clock Shop Lofts. All information collected from this survey will be kept strictly confidential.</p>
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<div><p>New Haven is a vibrant city, just two hours from both New York City and Boston by rail or car. Founded in 1636, New Haven is rich in culture, history, food and architecture. New Haven is home to world-class institutions such as Yale University, and outstanding shops restaurants, museums, live music, theater (and, of course, amazing pizza). New Haven is diverse, walkable, bikeable and set among beautiful hills and estuaries.</p>
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<div><p><strong><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/d936uc/5ml3vz/dtj85d" target="_blank">The survey can be accessed here</a>. The deadline is June 8, 2017.</strong></p>
</div> Chairs, file cabinets, a desk....tag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2015-05-18:3365802:Topic:719022015-05-18T16:48:03.371ZJackie Downinghttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/JackieDowning
<p>We've done some moving around in our office, and we have a few nice items that need new homes. Six big black "leather" conference chairs, suitable for a meeting room. Three matching waiting-room type chairs. A couple of rolling desk chairs, a few file cabinets 2 drawer and 4 drawer, a square, glass topped wooden table and a very nice wooden desk. Contact me if you want pictures or want to come pick stuff up. We need to move it out within the week!!! jdowning@cfgnh.org</p>
<p>We've done some moving around in our office, and we have a few nice items that need new homes. Six big black "leather" conference chairs, suitable for a meeting room. Three matching waiting-room type chairs. A couple of rolling desk chairs, a few file cabinets 2 drawer and 4 drawer, a square, glass topped wooden table and a very nice wooden desk. Contact me if you want pictures or want to come pick stuff up. We need to move it out within the week!!! jdowning@cfgnh.org</p> New Haven Bike Monthtag:gnhcommunity.ning.com,2015-02-18:3365802:Topic:691692015-02-18T02:34:30.555ZNew Haven Bike Monthhttps://gnhcommunity.ning.com/profile/NewHavenBikeMonth
<p><strong>This May will be the first New Haven Bike Month.</strong><span> New Haven Bike Month is a month-long celebration of bicycles and bike culture events, hosted by Elm City Cycling, the New Haven Department of Transportation, and many other community folks.</span><br></br><br></br><span>Through </span><strong>events all across New Haven's neighborhoods</strong><span>, we hope to bring more people into our city's bicycling community. There will be </span><strong>bike classes, maintenance…</strong></p>
<p><strong>This May will be the first New Haven Bike Month.</strong><span> New Haven Bike Month is a month-long celebration of bicycles and bike culture events, hosted by Elm City Cycling, the New Haven Department of Transportation, and many other community folks.</span><br/><br/><span>Through </span><strong>events all across New Haven's neighborhoods</strong><span>, we hope to bring more people into our city's bicycling community. There will be </span><strong>bike classes, maintenance workshops, social rides, festivals, parties, and more</strong><span>.</span></p>
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<p><span>Check out our website: <a href="http://www.newhavenbikemonth.com/">http://www.newhavenbikemonth.com/</a></span></p>
<p><span>GoFundMe campaign: <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/newhavenbikemonth">http://www.gofundme.com/newhavenbikemonth</a></span></p>
<p><span>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/newhavenbikemonth">https://www.facebook.com/newhavenbikemonth</a></span></p>
<p><span>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bikemonthnhv">https://twitter.com/bikemonthnhv</a></span></p>
<p><span>Also, send us an email at nhvbikemonth@gmail.com!</span></p>
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<p><span>Get involved! Host an event! Come join! And, most importantly, HAVE FUN!</span></p>