On this week’s program, host Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Alison Friar, Director of Clinical Development at The Connection. Alison talks about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic recession negatively impacting many people’s mental health. The Kaiser Family Foundation’s poll conducted in mid-July, reported 53% of adults in the United States said their mental health has worsened due to worry and stress over the Coronavirus. Tune in thi...
Dec 13, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, host Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Karen Buckley, Vice President of Advocacy for the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA). Karen helps lead the development of CHA’s advocacy priorities and is integral to the development of the strategies to implement those goals. She leads and coordinates initiatives and collaborations with external groups, including state agencies, on joint advocacy, education and relationship-building activities. Tune ...
Dec 06, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Faith Murray, Graduate of The Connection’s Supportive Housing for Families Program. The Supportive Housing for Families Program helps families thrive by finding homes in safe, nurturing neighborhoods and providing the support necessary for achieving economic independence, developing healthy relationships and a stable and caring home environment. Faith is a mother of three boys who has been taking a “first time home bu...
Nov 29, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Feature News Reporter, Sarah Cody, from WTNH Channel 8. For 20 years Sarah has been sharing stories of inspiration throughout Connecticut and on this program she talks about how so much of her reporting today revolves around the increased challenges due to Covid-19. She talks about how her Thanksgiving plans with her two boys and her husband and how things are going to look much different this year. Sarah also sha...
Nov 15, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Kelvin Young, a Community Health Worker at InterCommunity Healthcare. Kelvin, a certified Sound Healer, is also a founding member of the Connecticut Black Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. Kelvin shares the importance of integrative medicine, health throughout communities and his journey in sustained recovery. Tune in this Sunday to hear more from Kelvin and his commitment in recognizing formerly incarcerated...
Nov 08, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Gian-Carl Casa, President and CEO of The Alliance; a strong and persistent voice representing mission-driven nonprofit organizations across the state of Connecticut. Gian-Carl talks about the financial struggles that many Connecticut nonprofits are facing due to Covid-19 and ways the public can contact state legislators and candidates about questions, comments and concerns.
Nov 01, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Dr. Anthony Hatch; Associate Professor and Chair of Science in the Society Program at Wesleyan University. At Wesleyan, Dr. Hatch is affiliated with African American studies, Environmental studies and sociology. Dr. Hatch shares the importance of statistics and data contributing to the pandemic and how health conditions are identified and treated in the American medical system. Tune in this Sunday to hear more from Dr...
Oct 19, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Cerina Savino, Registered Dietitian and Wellness Program Manager at Anthem. Cerina leads wellness programs, both internally and for Anthem customers across Connecticut while continuing to emphasize the importance of food and health in her monthly newsletter filled with great tips and recipes. Tune in this Sunday to hear more from Cerina and her efforts to help those that are food insecure and the work she does with Co...
Oct 11, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, host Ann Baldwin and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Shannon Perkins, Director of Education and Training at The Connecticut Women’s Consortium and President for the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The Connecticut Women’s Consortium is a pioneer in the behavioral health field; effectively adapting and responding to the gender and trauma needs of local communities. Shannon shares the importance of understanding the impact of trauma at...
Oct 05, 2020•23 min
On this week’s program, host Ann Baldwin and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Jamal Jimerson, Owner and Chief Equity Officer at Thought Partner Solutions and Founder and Executive Director at Minority Inclusion Project Inc. Minority Inclusion Project Inc. is a nonprofit organization creating pathways to leadership for people of color, while helping community organizations become more diverse, inclusive and equitable. Jamal is partnering with The Connection for its upcoming November conferenc...
Sep 27, 2020•22 min
On this week’s program, host Ann Baldwin and guest co-host Beth Connor speak with Patrick Fallon, Director of Community Justice Services at The Connection. When asked to oversee the opening of a new program for those testing positive for COVID-19 within the Community Release Network of Care by the Department of Correction, Patrick provided a place for those coming out of incarceration to recover safely. Since it opened in April of this year, 62 people have successfully recovered from COVID. Tune...
Sep 20, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Beth Connor wrap up Domestic Violence Month with Liza Andrews from the CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Liza talks about the frequently ignored signs of domestic violence against men & women in the home, as well as in the workplace. CCADV is the state’s leading voice for domestic violence survivors and the agencies that serve them. Tune in and find out how you can take an active role in helping victims and survivors, as well as how to lear...
Sep 13, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, Ann Baldwin and guest host Beth Connor from The Connection welcome a very special guest to the show! Cindi Bigelow, third generation president and CEO of family-owned Bigelow Tea joins us to talk about how her grandparents started the business here in Connecticut following the Great Depression and how today the company has become the US market leader of specialty teas, producing over 2-billion tea bags annually. Bigelow Tea has recently launched its newest product, the “B...
Sep 06, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Karen Ablondi, founding board member and Vice President of the Connecticut Alliance of Recovery Residences and founder and owner of Shoreline Recovery Sober Living. Founded in 2014, Shoreline Recovery offers four level II recovery residences in Branford and East Haven, CT. Karen successfully turned her long-term recovery into a safe place for others to get clean and sober. Tune in this Sunday to hear more about Karen ...
Aug 30, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, host Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speaks with Latisha Belin. Both Lisa and Latisha have a special connection to Hallie House for Women and Children in Middletown. This is where Lisa started her career in 1997 and where Latisha found the support and help she needed for her substance abuse issues. Fast forward to today and Lisa is now President and CEO of The Connection and Latisha is 23-years clean and sober and working for the organization as a women’s recovery navigator. You wo...
Aug 23, 2020•25 min
On this week's program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis Lepore speak with Gary Steck, Chief Executive Officer of Wellmore Behavioral Health. Gary talks about how caring for those with mental health, substance abuse, recovery and support services has changed during the COVID Pandemic and how organizations like Wellmore and The Connection have had to adjust to meet the growing needs of their clients. From telehealth to mobile treatment sites, hear how non-profits in our state are working toge...
Aug 16, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Sherrie Weaver, Program Director of Women & Children Services at The Connection. We talk about Hallie House in Middletown and Mother’s Retreat in Groton, residential treatment facilities for pregnant and parenting women who desire to live a clean and sober life. Programs that are and near and dear to Lisa’s heart, as she was instrumental in starting these programs, when she first started working with The Connectio...
Aug 09, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Molly Satalino, Assistant Clinical Director of Outpatient Programing for Connecticut Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA). As many non-profit behavioral health providers have had to implement telehealth visits during this time of COVID-19, both Molly and Lisa talk about how that is working for their clients who are struggling with various mental health and substance abuse issues and are in danger of relapse. Keeping folks ...
Aug 02, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, Ann Baldwin and Beth Connor welcome Brad Palazzo, Director of Community Impact for Comcast. Since the Covid 19 outbreak, the world has been a different place, socially and financially. During this time, Comcast is doing its best to help those in need stay connected through their “Internet Essentials” program, designed to keep connectivity affordable and possible. It’s just one of many programs that Comcast is offering as a way to help the community during this unprecedent...
Jul 26, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis- Lepore, welcome Gina Luongo O’Connell (Cookie) to the show! Gina is not only Lisa’s best friend, she is an amazing woman with many talents, one of which is being a stand-up-comedian. The Connection is honored to have her as the emcee for their 3rd Annual Community Links Golf Tournament fundraiser on Monday, August 17th at Great River Golf Club in Milford. Gina talks about her belief in supporting nonprofits and why she is donating her talen...
Jul 20, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, Ann Baldwin and Beth Connor from The Connection share some exciting news about two great events benefitting The Connection. Pam Minish from the CFA Society - Hartford talks about their the CFA Society’s Virtual Corporate 5K from July 27th to July 31st. The first 500 people to register get a tech shirt. And on August 17th, The Connection is holding their 3rd Annual Community Links Golf Tournament at Great River Golf Club in Milford. We talk to Jeff Velleca, one of the golf...
Jul 12, 2020•18 min
Happy Father’s Day! On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with one of The Connection’s long-time strategic partners, Ryan Lawless from The Schuster Group, a full-service employee benefits firm. Ryan talks about how the landscape has significantly changed over the years when it comes to employee benefits and offers ideas on how The Connection, other non-profits, and individuals are having to be more creative when it comes to people benefitting from their benefi...
Jun 21, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa Dematteis-Lepore speak with Louanna O’Connell, a recent graduate of Immaculate High School in Danbury. When Louanna was 8 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She underwent surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. Although the surgery was a success, she was left with a scar on her leg that she now considers a badge of honor. In her lifetime, Louanna has earned multiple titles in cheerleading and has never let her cancer ...
Jun 14, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Michele Klimczak, Training Director at The Connection about a new on-line training program, “Parenting in a Pandemic”. This training is designed for all parent’s struggling with stresses due to COVID-19. Michele also shares some great advice on how to manage the fears and frustrations of young people, while keeping ourselves centered. The on-line program, “Parenting in a Pandemic, runs June 24th-July 22nd. For more in...
Jun 07, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Connecticut State Representative Brandon L. McGee, who is serving his 4th term representing the areas of Windsor and Hartford. A good friend of The Connection and a passionate community activist and advocate of social solutions, Representative McGee talks about how he is continuing to address societal problems in the midst of COVID-19. From helping those incarcerated, to feeding folks and increasing testing, hear why ...
May 31, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, Ann Baldwin and guest host Beth Conner talk with Beth’s daughter Amanda Conner, a 6 th grade Math teacher about some of the pros and cons of distance learning after COVID-19 forced teachers and students out of their classrooms and learning from home. While this has been a major adjustment for teachers across the country, Amanda talks about some of the issues have been addressed, in her school community, from providing Chromebooks and hotspots to those student’s who didn’t...
May 24, 2020•25 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore discuss how COVID-19 has turned graduating high school seniors’ worlds upside down. Lisa’s 18-year old son, Nico Lepore, is just one of many young people missing out on milestones like prom and high school graduation. He and others like him are now dealing with what attending college is going to look like during this “new normal”. It is a unique perspective that you won’t want to miss.
May 17, 2020•24 min
Happy Mother’s Day! On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Lelaneia Dubay from Hartford Flavor Company. Hear the amazing story of how this family owned distillery has reinvented itself as a result of COVID-19. Using their stocked ingredients, Hartford Flavor has created their own recipe of hand-sanitizer for front line healthcare workers. They are assisting organizations protect their staff and clientele. This story is getting national attention! Don’t mis...
May 10, 2020•24 min
On this week’s program, hosts Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore speak with Teresa Ferraro, Director of Behavioral Health at The Connection. Teresa sheds light on the impact COVID-19 has left on those suffering with mental health problems, as well as an increase in family violence for some of their most vulnerable clients. Tune in this Sunday to learn more about The Connection’s staff, mission, creative solutions post-pandemic and professional advice on what we can all do to relieve stress du...
May 03, 2020•25 min
On this week's program, Ann Baldwin and Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore welcome Bill Carbone, Senior Lecturer at the University of New Haven and Executive Director of the TOW Youth Justice Institute, to the show. We discuss how young people in the Juvenile Justice population are being impacted by this COVID-19 pandemic and why he feels early release for some of these offenders is the right thing to do to ease crowding and to maintain their safety.
Apr 27, 2020•23 min
