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Corporate Offices |
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Family Support
Room to Grow |
Welfare to Work Program |
Room to Grow
Room to Grow is a program designed to meet the needs of pre-school (3-5 year old) children who require a full day of care while parents work. It is a state-licensed facility, and NAEYC accredited, school readiness funded, which provides on-premises child care by a team of professionals.
Thomas Merton Family Center
Thomas Merton Family Center believes that families will be called to their highest potentials in an environment where their desire to become healthy is nurtured and their potential for positive change is encouraged. In working with an under-served population, we measure a family's progress only against themselves. Our program isn't a structured imposed on families; rather it is an on-going response to the complex, ever-changing needs of the families. We believe that the teachable moments that arise each day provide opportunities to creatively address these needs.
We serve families with preschool children:
- Who often come from the most difficult segment of the population in terms of multiple needs
- Who often need on-going, intense support for an indefinite period of time (possibly years)
- Who may lack basic necessities such as adequate housing, proper medical care, and nutritious foods
- Who often live in the midst of danger and violence
- Who may be headed by a single mother
- With parents who may be lacking in formal education and have minimal, if any, job skills
- With parents who may be mentally challenged or have issues with substance abuse or mental health
- Where the children may have developmental delays, mental health issues, medical needs, behavioral issues, etc.
Families attend on a completely volunteer basis, frequently travelling from distant parts of the city of Bridgeport and/or neighboring towns. (One token to get home and one token to get back to the program the next day are available when needed). We offer:
- Playgroup hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- A safe, hospitable, nurturing environment
- Nutritious, free breakfast and lunch
- A daily parent/child playgroup with activities, in a well-equipped playroom
- Open-ended tim limit for families' participation in program
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A professional staff providing:
> Trusting relationships based on respect and unconditional positive regard
> One-to-one attention to parents and children
> On-going modeling of positive parenting and life-skills (i.e. communication, personal responsibility, daily planning, pro-active discipline, etc.) - Assessment of cognitive, emotional, social, and physical well-being of children; referral to appropiate professional services; facilitation of receipt of services
- Due to the negative impact that many outside issues have on families that limit their ability to respond to the needs of their pre-school child, staff also provides advocacy and support on multiple levels including crisis intervention, housing issues, court involvement, benefits, finances, employment, educational opportunities, etc.
- Specialists on-site with expertise in the areas of early childhood development, mental health, group play, etc.
Welfare to Work Program
ESP Services help balancing work and home, with transportation needs, and with finding specialized children's services.
Having Problems?
ESP offers many services to help you succeed at work and at home.
- Basic needs assistance
- Referrals to specialized services
- Building self-esteem
- Help with problems that interfere with work or related activitities
- Coping with stress
- Help getting services from state and community-based agencies
- Help getting along with your co-workers and others
- Budgeting skills
- Help planning for the future
- Help finding reliable and safe childcare
- Help keeping your job and improving skills
ESP Services Worksteps (Safety Net Services)
A partnership with Untied Way Infoline of CT that is funded by Department of Social Services. Safety Net Services are provided if:
- You have used up your 21 months of cash assistance.
- You were not granted an extension of cash benefits due to non-compliance.
- Your income is below the amount you received from DSS for assistance.
Safety Net Services will assist you with:
- Job Training Finding and maintaining employment
- Childcare
- Basic Needs
- Referrals to community agencies/services
- Social and personal issues that interfere with employment
Project SOAR Services Outreach, Assessment & Retention
Funded by Department of Labor to work with TFA recipients to:
- Help with job retention
- Help increasing wages or number of hours employed.
- Complete or remain in an assigned JFES activity
Prevention Services
Individual Performance Contract (IPC) Funded by Department of Labor to work with TFA recipients to give you a second chance if:
- You have two sanctions from DSS
- You quit a job, were fired, reduced your hours or did not accept a better job in the last 6 months of your 21 months of TFA.
- You are expected to cooperate with an agreed upon service plan/contract that will restore your eligibility for an extension of cash benefits at the end of your month time limit.
If you would like more information about the Employment Success Program, please call 1-800-505-9000.
Family Loan Program
Finding and keeping a job can be a challenge for working parents. Occasionally, expenses arise that a family is not prepared for.
The Family Loan Program was established to help families deal with these kinds of situations. We help working parents maintain employment and economic stability by providing small loans to cover job-related expenses, transportation, and housing costs. Applicants who are approved for loans will also receive budget and credit counseling to help them make the most of their income as well as prepare for their future. Loans help families maintain their self-respect and move toward attaining a positive credit history.
The Family Loan Program is a Community Partnership helping families achieve self-sufficiency. Typical loans are for used car purchases, car repairs, tools for trade, and child care. Security deposit funds are also provided in the form of small loans as part of the Key Rings Program.
In order of qualify for a loan:
- The parent must be employed at least 6 months on the same job.
- The family must be the custodial parent of at lease one child under the age of 17.
- The family must live in the greater Danbury area.
- The family must be unable to qualify for other funding sources.
- The family must demonstrate the ability to make a modest monthly payment, which will vary depending on loan amount and term. Terms vary from 6 to 24 months.
- The loan must be related to helping make employment a success.
How does this program work?
- Loan decisions are made by a loan review committee.
- Repayment schedules vary from 6 to 24 months.
- Loan amounts vary from $500 to $3,500.
- Monthly payments are made directly to the bank.
Program Coordination: A program of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA), working in association with Catholic Family Services of Danbury, an agency of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County.
Funding Sources: Loan pool funds for the Family Loan Program have been donated by: Newtown Savings Bank, Union Savings Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury and Fairfield County Bank Corp.
Other Program Support: Newtown Savings Bank, United Way of Fairfield County, Fairfield County Community Foundation, Non Profit Development Corp., New Fairfield Knights of Columbus, and The Catholic Charities Danbury Advisory Board.
The Family Loan Program Mission: To support and strengthen families by providing low interest loans to working parents to maintain employment, stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient.
Eligibility: In order to qualify, applicants must be employed on the same job for at least six months, live in the greater Danbury area, be the custodial parent of at least one child under the age of 17 and have sufficient disposable income to make modest monthly payments. Terms vary from 6 to 24 months. The Family Loan Program is open to all regardless of religion, race, or income.
For additional information regarding the Family Loan Program, Call Carolyn Silliman at Catholic Family Services of Danbury: (203) 743-4412, ext. 242.
Senior Citizen Outreach Program
Provides specialized outreach assessment and psychiatric counseling of the elderly in their own homes or place of residence. Senior Citizen Outreach 30 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: (203) 743-4412
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