Nonprofits, shelters and food programs ask City Council for CDBG and city funds during public hearing

At the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearing on Feb. 18, roughly 11 speakers from local nonprofits and service providers presented requests for city funding and described program needs.

Speakers and requests included:

- Michelle McCabe, executive director of the Connecticut Main Street Center, said the organization has partnered with the Black Business Alliance and the city’s cultural district commission on “Diversity on Main,” a vacancy-mapping and storefront-activation effort that used a Ginkgo geospatial tool. McCabe said the project previously received “a little over $5,000” from the council and requested additional funding as part of a block-by-block beautification effort that would support façade, signage and window-display grants.

- Eugene Thoreau (TVCCA) outlined Meals on Wheels and congregate meal programs. He said the program provides nutritious delivered meals and wellness checks and noted participating seniors are asked for a voluntary contribution that averages about $0.33 per meal in New London. He warned that a funding shortfall could force reductions in meal deliveries and services.

- Gina King (TVCCA Senior Volunteer Program) requested funds to reimburse volunteer mileage; staff currently spends about $350–$500 per month on mileage reimbursement and expects that to rise as services expand.

- Kat Hannah, CEO of Covenant Shelter of New London, asked for $11,533 to replace deteriorating beds at the shelter, citing safety, cleanliness and bed-bug prevention concerns.

- Mary Ann Martinez, director of the New London Community Meal Center, requested funding to fix a damaged rear entryway and resurface a delivery area used to move large quantities of food into the center’s basement freezers. She described current access as hazardous for volunteers carrying heavy loads.

- Maggie Marley (Gemma Moran United Way Labor Food Center) said the center replaced two double-deck freezers to expand capacity and reported the local need remains high; she thanked the committee for Development Block Grant support and said the center served more people than the prior year.

- Tanya (Tanya) Jackson (Steps, youth program) and Jennifer Chidukiewicz (SCAD) described requests for youth programming, fatherhood initiative curriculum and fencing improvements at SCAD-owned property where a sidewalk drop poses a safety hazard.

- Sean Easley (Children’s Placement) described a guardian/advocacy and volunteer recruitment program that supplements state funding and benefits children involved with juvenile and probate courts; the organization uses limited state funds and requested local support to recruit and train volunteers.

- Rhianna Dice (Drop-in Learning Center) asked for $20,000 to support an eight-week summer enrichment program serving children 5–13 at two sites; the program provides full-day care and aftercare, field trips and literacy components and serves as a summer feeding site.

Mayor Michael Passaro and council staff noted that the Citizens Advisory Committee will finalize recommendations and forward them to the mayor’s office and the council; funding remains contingent on federal allocations and the council’s eventual appropriation.

Ending: The Citizens Advisory Committee and community development staff will evaluate the applications and make funding recommendations to the mayor and council in the coming weeks.