Looking to recreate yourself? Hosts Ann Baldwin and Chief Strategy Officer for The Connection, Beth Connor speak with Devra Sisitsky, Executive Director of MakerspaceCT. Devra had a vision to set out to build a space that allows anyone and everyone to learn new skills in hardware and software, as well as the newer technologies and additive manufacturing and the response has been tremendous. MakerspaceCT is a creative space to play with the skills learned and create, innovate and find new pathway...
Aug 04, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Maria Librio, Vice President of Rose Hill Memorial Park located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. With years of experience, Maria gives her insight to listeners who are grieving from the loss of loved ones and adds advice and comfort to those struggling to find closure. If you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a loved one or if you just want to be inspired-- you won’t want to miss this episode of The Connection!
Jul 28, 2019•25 min
On this week’s program, NBA All Star and U.S. Gold Medalist Vin Baker joins hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore for a very candid conversation about his struggles with alcoholism that began after he turned pro. After losing it all, Vin Baker rebuilt his life, which he chronicled in his book, God and Starbucks, and now is the Assistant Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. Vin has also started the Bouncing Back Foundation, which is all about saving lives from the perils of addicti...
Jul 14, 2019•23 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Linda Bordonaro about her late husband, David. David passed away from melanoma in 2015 and a few months after he passed, the Knights of Columbus Council 7 asked Linda if they could hold a memorial car show in her husband’s name. David was a huge car enthusiast and owned a car he had bought when he was fifteen, a 1965 Fastback mustang. All of the proceeds are used by The KofC to provide support for the community, along...
Jul 07, 2019•25 min
The first of a 2-part series, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Christine Grimes, a recovering heroin addict whose 18-year struggle with addiction led her to jail and the dark side of the streets before she finally decided to turn her life around. She did just that with the help of The Connection’s women’s services and other programs like REACH. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, or if you just want to feel inspired--you won’t want to miss this episode of The ...
Jun 30, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Alison Friar, Director of Clinical Development at The Connection. This week’s topic: how to become your best self and realize your personal goals by eliminating triggers, focusing on the positive, eliminating clutter in your life, and practicing self- care. We also discuss how The Connection and its various mental health, addiction, and behavioral services can help those in need. It’s time to be your best self so tune in this Sunday!
Jun 23, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Elizabeth Howard, Program Manager for the Sierra Center at The Connection. Established in 2001, the Sierra Center is a 60-bed, all male facility that houses men transitioning out of prison. This work release program provides trauma informed comprehensive case management, job readiness skills, substance abuse and mental health education to adults under the supervision of the Department of Correction—so they can successfully reintegrate into t...
Jun 16, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Ryan Murphy. Ryan is the Director of The Connection’s Re-Entry Assisted Community Housing (REACH) program, which provides help for men and women transitioning out of incarceration and back into everyday life. This program provides temporary housing, job assistance and help securing permanent housing. For those just coming out of prison, this program can be a life saver…literally. Ryan has recently started the Danbury Re-Entry Collaborative w...
Jun 09, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Beth Connor, Chief Strategy Officer for The Connection. Beth speaks about a recent fundraiser at the Portuguese Club in Danbury, where people shared their stories of addiction and recovery. Other topics discussed at the fundraiser included the organization, CARES and suicide prevention. The Connection wants people to know it is never too late to ask for help.
Jun 02, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Chelsea Humphrey, Associate Director of Behavioral Health for The Connection. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to address whatever emotional problems you may be facing. Many of us are suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, or other mental issues that need to be addressed. Chelsea and the Behavioral Health Program at The Connection are here to help. On this show, you’ll learn how to get the support you ne...
May 26, 2019•25 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Debra Borzellino, Director of Family Support Services for The Connection. May is Foster Care Awareness Month and this is a subject near and dear to our hearts! Deb, a therapist and also an expert on foster care explains how thousands of children in Connecticut are in need of foster parents and tells us how The Connection can help make it happen! Fostering children is a beautiful thing, both for the kids and the parents. If you’ve ever though...
May 19, 2019•25 min
On this week’s show, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Michael Longo, a recovering drug addict. Like so many addicts, Michael’s story began with a troubled childhood, marked by relationship difficulties with his father. His addiction took hold years later when he became a regular in the club and party scene. After years of battling his addiction, Michael finally surrendered and got the help he desperately needed. It’s a story that will hopefully inspire others to get clean a...
May 12, 2019•30 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Charles Barber and William Juneboy Outlaw III. Charles works with the Connection and is also the author of several books, including the upcoming book “Citizen Outlaw: One Man’s Journey from Gangleader to Peacekeeper”. It chronicles William’s life, whose journey has taken him from housing project youth to ruthless gangland kingpin to change-making community advocate. William was originally sentenced to 85 years for his crimes but has now turn...
May 05, 2019•29 min
Apr 28, 2019•29 min
On this program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Blaine McKay, who exemplifies a true success story of someone who has benefited from the amazing services available at The Connection. He discusses his battle with addiction and how he turned his life around.
Apr 21, 2019•29 min
On this program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Mae Maloney. Since 2007, Mae has worked with Leadership Greater Hartford in a variety of capacities. Mae currently serves as the Program Director for the Leaders on Board program, where she connects individuals to nonprofits in need of new board members. Mae also conducts workshops regarding nonprofit board service for local nonprofits and volunteer groups. On this show, Mae discusses her passion for the work and how she gui...
Apr 14, 2019•28 min
There is a big event coming to the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury, CT on Saturday, May 11th. On this show, host’s Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMattis-Lepore are joined by Dawn Blom to talk about this fundraiser that will benefit the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, as well as The Connection. Dawn’s Pizzazz Group is passionate about issues related to suicide and substance use and this event will feature speakers surrounding these topics, as well as messages of hope and support. Tickets to this event are a...
Apr 07, 2019•29 min
Meet Willie, a man who spent 56-years of his life in addiction and 18 years behind bars. After losing his parents at a young age, Willie turned to the life in the streets coping with drugs and crime. It wasn’t until he was put in touch with Helen McAlinden at The Connection that his life drastically changed for the better. Tune in to hear this man’s amazing story with host Ann Baldwin and guest host Beth Connor.
Mar 31, 2019•29 min
In this segment of The Connection, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore talk with Sherrie Weaver, Program Director of Women and Children’s Services at The Connection. On March 1, Sherrie launched The Women’s Reach Program where passionate, dedicated staff members are trained in gender responsive, co-occurring enhanced, and trauma informed women’s services. Find out the information you need to connect the important women in your life with the services they need to get help and get ahead....
Mar 24, 2019•28 min
Join hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMattis-Lepore for a captivating conversation with former television news anchor, and recovering addict, Brandon Lee. In this emotional segment of The Connection, Brandon shares his horror stories of drug addiction and how a twelve step meeting changed his life forever. Today Brandon, nine years sober, is a motivational speaker and soon to be author. This is a show you don’t want to miss!
Mar 17, 2019•30 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin CEO of Baldwin Media and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore CEO of The Connection are joined by 5th district State Representative Brandon McGee Jr., a self-proclaimed community activist and architect of social solutions. He shares his thoughts on what his priorities are for the City of Hartford, the Town of Windsor, and for the people of Connecticut. Tune in as we discuss criminal justice reform, legalization of marijuana and much more!
Mar 03, 2019•30 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin CEO of Baldwin Media and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore CEO of The Connection sit down for a real and raw discussion in the studio. They talk about the challenges of dealing with elderly parents and keeping life in perspective. Tune into this show for an engaging conversation on everyday life.
Feb 24, 2019•30 min
It's very easy to forget about yourself in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. February is National Self Check Month, created to encourage us to all be proactive about our health and wellness. This week, host Ann Baldwin, CEO of Baldwin Media, and guest host Beth Connor, Chief Strategy Officer of The Connection, are talking with licensed marriage & family therapist Marty Newbury about the importance of self-wellness and self care.
Feb 10, 2019•30 min
Meet Willie, a man who spent 56-years of his life in addiction and 18 years behind bars. After losing his parents at a young age, Willie turned to the life in the streets coping with drugs and crime. It wasn’t until he was put in touch with Helen McAlinden at The Connection that his life drastically changed for the better. Tune in to hear this man’s amazing story with host Ann Baldwin and guest host Beth Connor
Feb 03, 2019•29 min
Ann Baldwin, CEO of Baldwin Media and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore, CEO of The Connection, sit down with Roger Sherman House graduate David. David shares his story, tells us how he is doing today, and talks about the special connection he has with a staff member who inspired him and helped him rejoin society after incarceration.
Jan 27, 2019•29 min
Radio show hosts Ann Baldwin, CEO of Baldwin Media and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore, CEO of The Connection sit down with Ian- a Graduate of Farrell Treat Center. In this segment they discuss Ian's journey to soberity and how Farrell Treatment Center facilited the process.
Jan 20, 2019•28 min
On this episode of The Connection, Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore reflect on Connecticut’s new administration and their hopes for the future of civil services. Lisa and Ann also discuss the greater impact on the community in the long run.
Jan 13, 2019•29 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa Dematteis- Lepore are joined by Alison Friar the director of clinical development at The Connection. With so many new years resolutions floating around they discuss how to become your best self and realize your personal goals for 2019 by eliminating triggers and practicing self care. They also explain how the connection and its various services can help those in need of mental health, substance abuse and other services succeed exponentially more this year.
Jan 06, 2019•29 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore are joined by State Senator Matt Lessor who has just recently been elected. They will discuss his goals for his term in office with an overall message to make things easier for people who are struggling and how programs like The Connection make all the difference.
Dec 02, 2018•30 min
Hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis- Lepore are joined by Rebecca Lemanski director of Middletown WORKS, a program dedicated to improving the lives of single parent families living below the poverty line. They will be discussing the program as well as its upcoming event and the hope that Middletown WORKS will better the community.
Nov 25, 2018•27 min
