Women’s Giving Circle, Aiming to Improve Lives of Women and Girls in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills, Awards First Grants The Women’s Giving Circle at Connecticut Community Foundation, formed in 2017 so members could pool their dollars, study local issues and award grants together to nonprofit organizations tackling issues affecting women and girls in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills, has awarded their first grants—totaling $34,000— to seven community groups. Kathy Bower of Southbury, chairperson of the Women’s Giving Circle, said, “It’s a thrill to award the first grants from the Women’s Giving Circle—made possible by the generosity of nearly 90 women in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills! We are energized and activated, and are driven to make lives better for women and girls and uplift local communities in the process. Our hearts and doors are open to welcoming more people into the Women’s Giving Circle and building on the momentum—and impact—of our first year.” The grantees:

  • Butterflies with Voices was awarded $4,000 to support mentoring and leadership skills and personal empowerment workshops and activities for girls in Waterbury.
  • Naugatuck Valley Community College Foundation in Waterbury was awarded $10,000 to enhance the college experience and improve retention leading to graduation for a select group of women who, despite overwhelming challenges, demonstrate resilience and tenacity in furthering their education.
  • Pratt Nature Center in New Milford was awarded $1,980 to empower girls and women through nature based activities.
  • Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury was awarded $1,250 to support a 22-week small group prevention and treatment self-esteem enhancement program for girls 8-18 years-old. They will build life skills, connect to resources and develop positive relationships with peers and adults. A second grant for $3,250 was awarded to Safe Haven to support crisis services for survivors of sexual assault, including providing women and girls with opportunities to attend alternative therapy programs (yoga, salt caves and music and art).
  • Save Girls on F.Y.E.R. in Waterbury was awarded $4,000 to support the social-emotional and physical health of Waterbury Public School students via afterschool programs.
  • Waterbury Youth Services was awarded a $7,357 grant to support an afterschool club for 14 high school girls based on the nationally acclaimed Girls Who Code program. Girls will learn computer software coding in a fun and supportive environment.
  • Woodbury Public Library earned a $2,000 grant to help girls in grades 6-12 learn to code in a safe and supportive environment of peers and role models and learn to see themselves as computer scientists. The program is also based on the national Girls Who Code model.

Learn more about the Women’s Giving Circle at Connecticut Community Foundation and how you can contribute, renew or join. View photos from the Women’s Giving Circle grantmaking meeting