FREE Workshops! FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER AND CREDIT COUNSELING

With Rosa Carrero of Liberty Bank

Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, and 25th, 6pm-8pm

Rosa Carrero from Liberty Bank present four info sessions designed to help people take the first steps toward buying a home. Topics include credit counseling (Session 1), finding the right home (Session 2), the lending process (Session 3) and understanding Legalities (Session 4). Participants in all four will receive A certificate of completion that meets one eligibility requirement for The City Of Middletown grant and down payment assistance, CHFA and CHFA Down payment assistance programs.


All workshops are FREE and open to everyone, though registration is required. All workshops are being co-presented by the North End Action Team and the Green Street Arts Center. All workshops will take place at the Green Street Arts Center. Childcare is available upon request. Please request childcare when registering for class.


For more information, or to register, call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845 or email at neat@neatmiddletown.org. Or, come on in!

FREE Workshops! BUILDING COMPUTER BASICS

Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, and 25th from 6:30pm—8pm

The North End Action Team and Green Street teaching artist Shawn Hill present a short, free introduction to computer basics. Learn how to create writing samples in Microsoft Word and explore the possibilities of budgets and lists in Microsoft Excel. By the time you have completed all four sessions, you will have the building blocks needed for adding a new skill to your job application, or for organizing your household bills. Absolute beginners, and people with all levels of computer experience, are welcome.

All workshops are FREE and open to everyone, though registration is required. All workshops are being co-presented by the North End Action Team and the Green Street Arts Center. All workshops will take place at the Green Street Arts Center. Childcare is available upon request. Please request childcare when registering for class.

For more information, or to register, call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845 or email at neat@neatmiddletown.org. Or, come on in!

Get Your Taxes Done for Free

Free income tax assistance by IRS trained and certified volunteers is available at the local volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site for people with incomes under $42,000.

By Appointment Only!
To schedule an appointment
call 860-347-0337 on:
• Mondays & Tuesdays, 11:30 am — 7 pm
• Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9 am — 4:30 pm
Appointments will be made from February 5 — April 11
for Thursday evenings, 5—7:30 pm and for Saturday
afternoons, Noon—4:30 pm

The VITA site is located at the Literacy
Volunteers office on Court Street,
next to Russell Library in Middletown.

What you need to bring with you to your appointment:
• Valid picture ID
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse and any dependents living with you born before Dec. 31, 2008
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents
• Income documentation including W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, etc., from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks or other financial institutions (Forms 1099)
• Total paid for child care. Bring day care provider’s address and tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or business Employer Identification Number)
• A copy of last year’s Federal and State income tax returns, if available
• Current year’s tax package, if you received one

Bring a blank check from your checking account for direct deposit of your refund.

If you have a savings account, bring a statement from your bank or your passbook with your bank
account name, number and the 9-digit American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number. Contact
your bank if you need assistance identifying the ABA number.

You could qualify for the
Earned Income Credit (EITC)
and Child Tax Credit as much as $4,824!

The quickest way to get your refund —usually within a week— is through DIRECT DEPOSIT to your bank account. Ask us if you need information about setting up an account. This needs to be done BEFORE your appointment with the VITA tax preparer.



Sponsored by the Middlesex VITA Coalition, a consortium of agencies including Middlesex United Way, Community Renewal Team, Middlesex Coalition for Children, Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut, Women & Families Center, Easter Seals Goodwill Industries, Russell Library, and the Connecticut Association of Human Services (CAHS).

Monumental Day at Macdonough

I was lucky enough to be with the kids at Macdonough Elementary School this afternoon to watch the innauguration of President Barak Obama. There were ample cheers and claps and I noticed (and not just from myself) a few tears. It was a really moving day. If you want to see some more pictures, click here.

Middlesex Community College Chosen as College Goal Sunday Site

Middlesex Community College (MxCC) has been chosen as one of the 12 sites for Connecticut’s second annual College Goal Sunday, being held on January 25, 2009. The college’s main campus in Middletown100 Training Hill Road) will be open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. to assist prospective college students and their parents in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid administrators offer this service at no charge. In addition to receiving assistance in filling out the FAFSA, participants will receive general information regarding state and federal financial aid programs.

The Connecticut College Goal Sunday program is an effort by hundreds of volunteers from across the state who will come together on Sunday afternoon, January 25, with the common goal of making sure the process of applying for college financial aid does not become an obstacle that would keep any person from pursuing an education beyond high school.

By attending a College Goal Sunday event, participants will receive free hands-on assistance in completing the FAFSA, and will leave the event with a completed financial aid application for the 2009-2010 school year and the satisfaction of knowing they have accomplished one of the major steps in getting ready to go to college.

Irene Martin, Director of Financial Aid at MXCC, advises, “Now is the time to start your financial aid application process. It can take as long as four to six weeks but if your financial aid hasn’t come in before the start of the semester, the college offers flexible installment plans to carry you until your aid comes through.”

For more information on College Goal Sunday at MxCC, contact Irene Martin at 860-343-5740 or imartin@mxcc.commnet.edu.

Schedule of Community Conversations

Middletown Community Conversations

On January 20, 2009, please join your neighbors at one of the following conversation locations so that we can speak and listen to each other as we ask questions and find answers.

Organization Location Time Open to:

American Association of Retired St. Pius Church, 1:30 members
Persons (AARP) 310 Westfield Street

American Association of Wesleyan Wasch Center, 7:00 members and students
University Women 51 Lawn Avenue

Dunkin Donuts South Main South Main Street 7pm the public

Eddy Shelter The Connection Offices 11:30 staff and clients
955 South Main St.

First Church & Jonah Center 190 Church Street 6 pm the public

Green Street 51 Green Street noon the public

Healing Racism Coalition Firehouse Steakhouse 11:30am the public
412 Main St.

Heritage Commons 38 Boston Rd noon & 8pm Residents, families, Seniors

Middlesex Community College Chapman Hall, 100 Training Hill noon & 6pm the public
Rd

Middlesex County Community Wadsworth Mansion 5pm speaker & discussion
Foundation (this is a fund raiser -admission is $20)

Middletown City Hall Dekoven Dr. Council Chamber noon & 6pm the public

Middletown Public Schools various various Students and staff

Public Restaurant 337 Main Street 7 – 10 pm Jazz & discussions.
Donations to benefit the food pantry

Russell Library – Hubbard Room 123 Broad Street noon & 6pm the public

Senior Affairs Senior Center, 150 Williams St. noon seniors

Village at South Farms 645 Saybrook Rd pm residents

Wesleyan Usdan Center Wyllys Avenue 10 am the public

North End's Community Conversation

Last night at the Green Street Art Center, North End residents and stakeholders gathered to discuss issues facing Middletown and our community in a community conversation.

As one of many conversations being held around town inspired by the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, we discussed the need for a community policing model, ways to build the North End's image, education in the North End and Middletown as a whole, job development and even a renewed sewing club.

On Inauguration day, January 20th, Community conversations will be held across Middletown. There will be two conversations held at Russel Library at 12pm and 6pm on inauguration day. This is a great opportunity to make the North End's voice heard. To check times and places for other community conversations go to: www.middletowncommunityconversations.blogspot.com

Community Conversation

Last Night at the Green Street Art Center, 20 North End residents and stakeholders gathered to discuss issues facing Middletown and our community in a community conversation. As one of many conversations being held around town inspired by the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, we discussed the need for a community policing model, ways to build the North End's image, education in the North End and Middletown as a whole, Job development and even a renewed sewing club. On Inauguration day, January 20th, Community conversations will be held across Middletown. To check times and places for other community conversations go to: www.

Solar Energy Information Session: Spin Your Meter Backwards!

The Sunlight Solar Energy Group is sponsoring a free solar energy session to find out more about affordable ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Learn about solar electricity and how to take control of your increasing energy costs. Better yet, find out about solar incentives available in Connecticut homeowners, including CT Solar Lease Program. So grad your neighbors and join us to take advantage of community pricing!

Food and beverages provided.

Date: Jan 17th
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Middlesex Community College
Chapman Hill Rm. 808BCD
Middletown, CT 06457

For more information or to register call (203) 878-9123 or email diana.bercury@sunlightsolar.com

January Membership Meeting: Jan 14th 7pm

Just a reminder, NEAT's membership meeting will be held next Wednesday, Jan. 14th at 7 PM at the Green Street Arts Center. Please note the time change. Childcare will be provided and there will be pizza for the kids.

NEAT Schools Committee

NEAT's Schools Committee used it January monthly meeting to set our priorities for the upcoming year. We are currently focused on monitoring the 2009-2010 School Budget process and ensuring the upkeep of Donovan Park (the Macdonough School playground). Schools committee representatives attend regular Board of Education meetings each month. January's Board of Education meeting will address the budget and will be next Tues, Jan 13 at 7pm. Anyone who is interested in coming as a NEAT member, please call the NEAT office (346-4845).

The next NEAT Schools committee meeting will be Wednesday Feb 4th at 7pm at the NEAT office.

Happy New Year

NEAT would like to wish everyone a happy 2009. We apologize for only having a few posts over the last couple weeks. We are now back in full swing and getting prepared for a productive year.

Don't Forget the next NEAT Membership Meeting is Wed January 14th, 7pm at Green Street Arts Center.

North End Stories: Nehemiah Housing and Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor is the Executive Director of Nehemiah Housing Corporation. His agency works closely with NEAT members, revitalizing the North End through housing.

The North End Action Team and Nehemiah Housing Corporation share much more than office space. In October 1996, the directors of each agency stood side by side in the back yard of a adjacent property, mourning the death of a young man. Residents peered from porches looking on and soon locked themselves inside to protect their children. Building on the hope to end violence and believing in the right for each family to have safe and decent housing, a wide collaboration formed to transform a small neighborhood. NEAT became the voice of the residents, business owners and a variety of stakeholders.

When the residents met, their foremost concern was to transform dilapidated housing into decent homes. They believed that well managed homes would help to create a well managed neighborhood. That was the start of a long and fruitful partnership between NEAT and Nehemiah. Even though NEAT doesn’t build houses, it does help to create homes. For instance, NEAT organizes home-buyer training seminars for first time home buyers, some who may buy the North End homes Nehemiah is rehabilitating. Nehemiah is a community-based development corporation. Like NEAT, the agency exists to serve the community and over the years has worked to help NEAT grow so that the community would have a megaphone for its voice.

Nehemiah continues to be grateful for all the active members of NEAT who form the foundation of the North End. Without NEAT and the many community partnerships that it fosters, the North End would not have come as far as it has, and would not have as much hope for the
future.

North End Stories: Joanne Krekian & Sue Aranoff

Joanne Krekian and Sue Aranoff are North End residents and members of the Erin St. Garden. They found each other at the garden and grew a lasting friendship.

Joanne had lived in the North End for 10 years and Sue had just moved in. Neither of them knew her neighbors, but they struck up a conversation on NEAT’s annual Earth Day clean up. Since that chance meeting, Sue and Joanne have spent many days together
at the garden, planting, staking tomatoes, watering, and sharing meals made from their hard earned harvest. Both Joanne and Sue agree that the garden has changed their lives. Joanne no longer feels isolated in her apartment but now has many friends within walking distance that she met through NEAT.

Sue has also met several people from the neighborhood that have changed her life. The Erin Street community garden is a perfect example a simple idea. Neighbors coming together to create a better community. At any given time during the summer, one can see folks tilling the land, kids listening to African drumming, children making scarecrows, people walking their dogs or simply sitting on one of the benches enjoying the perennial garden. So often we go on with our day to day lives without even realizing the resources and support we may have next door. The Erin Street Community garden makes one realize.

“Living one block from someone you enjoy spending time with is about the greatest thing. Since meeting Sue and working in the garden, I have also met many other neighbors who I consider friends as well. The garden as a meeting place and the experience of sharing my vegetables with neighbors has made me feel more a part of my neighborhood than ever before (and I lived her 10 years )! Really, because I joined the garden, I never feel isolated I know, I can walk one block and be welcomed.”

White Out Night, 2008

Each day in the United States forty-eight people die as a result of alcohol related crashes.  The Middletown Substance Abuse Prevention Council will be holding its 3^rdAnnual White Out Night on Saturday, December 27th to encourage people to be mindful of the dangers of drinking and driving while celebrating on New Years Eve.  This is a youth led event during which participants will be walking down Main Street, wearing self-made white t-shirts with safe driving messages on them.  They will also be handing out flyers to shoppers and diners promoting a safe New Years holiday without drinking and driving. The students feel passionate that this is an extremely effective way to ensure that they convey how important it is that everyone use good judgement and remain safe this New Years.  Rushford's school-based youth leadership programs at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Keigwin Middle School helped to make posters with safe driving messages for the event, while members of Middletown High School’s youth leadership group Dragons In Action decorated the t-shirts. 

In past years, similar presentations have been made during Middletown High School Boys Basketball games and during the school day at Middletown High School.    

Between 5:30 and 6:00 the group will meet in the board room on the basement level of the Chamber of Commerce at 393 Main St.  From approximately 6:10-7pm, the group will be walking Main St.

Come join these Middletown Youth in raising awareness of an important issue.

Participating members of the MSAPC represent the following organizations:

Middletown Youth Services Bureau, Middletown Board of Education, North End Action Team, Rushford Center, Woodrow Wilson Middle School’s Rams In Action, Jay Keiser Real Estate, Middletown High School's Dragons In Action, Assets Community Team, Emblem Club

 

 

 

North End Stories: Tierra Gaskins

Tierra Gaskins is an 18-year-old North End resident and a recipient of NEAT’s new College Scholarship program. She is the first “NEAT Kid” to go to college.
“NEAT has given me the opportunity to do things” Tierra moved to Ferry Street when she was 10 years old from Rochester, NY where she said there was nothing to do but hang out at the playground. Living across the street from the old NEAT office on Ferry Street had a big impact on Tierra and she did do a lot of things. She helped make the original community garden on Ferry Street, build the Dream House, participated in the DaVinci Club where she worked on two documentary videos about the North End, participated in the mentoring program, helped build the Amazing Rowing Machine, regularly attended the math homework group, and has hiked regularly with the NEAT hiking club including all 4 overnight trips.
“Through NEAT I have learned that anything is possible, climbing Mount Washington taught me that.” Tierra also says she has learned teamwork in the video and boat-building project. At the math group she learned to ask for help. Tierra looks back and appreciates how people pushed her to achieve in school and give back to her community. She is now working in an after-school program and is a positive role model for other kids.

Tierra says the bonds she has formed with people, kids and adults, has been the best part of NEAT. She says “I wouldn’t be where I am today” without the friendships and mentoring that she has experienced as a consequence of NEAT. Tierra is proud of the fact that she is the first person in her family to graduate from high school. She is currently attending Middlesex Community College and is looking to transfer to a four-year college to study computers. Tierra was one of three recipients of NEAT scholarships presented for the first time this year at the Annual Garden Party in August.

LETTER FROM THE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Friends,

NEAT’s job is to help the North End find its voice.
And few things are a better expression of that voice than a vote.

Leading up to this election, NEAT’s youth leadership group the Teen Dreams Society worked hard to register voters and educate people about the issues, the candidates and the importance of their participation. And this year alone, voter registrations increased in the North End by 40%, drastically increasing the neighborhood’s voice and emphasizing the value of civic participation.

On Election Day, NEAT volunteers manned a table at Macdonough School, the North End’s only polling place, and talked to hundreds of people, many of them first time voters. NEAT showed them a sample ballot and made sure they understood the referendum questions, the different offices and how the new voting machines worked. We helped bring out numbers of voters, but we also helped them make an educated vote.

It’s just one of the ways that NEAT is active in the North End, connecting residents with the institutions around them and empowering them to take more active community roles. Your dollars help to fund many programs that reach all types of people all around the neighborhood.

This year NEAT has:

*Hiked up Mt. Monadnock with 18 North End kids.
*Established a relationship with Macdonough School and worked along-side parents and teachers to keep the school open
*Maintained a monthly hot spot list and worked with the city to create a new code-enforcement ordinance
*Hosted Community Conversations on issues such as: Miller/Bridge Street Safety, Homeownership Preparation, Youth Issues,Community/School Partnerships, Civic Participation Education; an average of 70 people attended each
*Advocated on behalf of Portland St./ Miller & Bridge St.
*Maintained a Community Policing and Code Enforcement partnership with the city and other North End Stakeholders
*Started a North End Quilting Club
*Hosted workshops (in partnership with GSAC) on Homeownership Preparation & Credit Counseling, Computer Basics & Financial Aid (FAFSA). This year, 35 people graduated and are more prepared to own a home.
*Worked with Harding Development & Nehemiah Housing Corp. on the Liberty Square Project and North End Housing Revitalization
*Encouraged economic development in the North End
*Hosted five Arts in the Garden workshops with GSAC at both the Arts Center and at NEAT’s Erin Street Community Garden
*Encouraged Leadership Development among NEAT members, sent one NEAT member to a training in Boston.
*Graduated! Tierra Gaskins, Rohanna Powell & Dylan Hansen graduated from High School. Tierra and Rohanna are in college now.
*Worked closely with Wharfside Commons to engage new residents
*Helped North End kids go to Camp Ingersoll, The Green Street Arts Center, Oddfellows Playhouse, YMCA Swim Lessons
*The Garden Committee established new plots and was the focus of this year’s summer Homeroom camp, which serves North End families
*Hosted North End Pride Clean-up Days
*Moved Office to a more accessible Main Street location
*Launched a Voter Registration and Voter Education Drive along with NEAT’s new youth group, the Teen Dreams Society
*Had a record number of participants at meeting & Events
*Improved NEAT’s outreach infrastructure to include a bigger email list, a North End blog and an improved website (check it out! www.neatmiddletown.org & www.northendnews.blogspot.com)
*Increased Fundraising
*Become a better resource for residents
*Increased partnerships with the City of Middletown and others

As you can see, NEAT is making a difference. During these difficult economic times, we need your support more than ever. Your donation will help us to keep our forward momentum. Please give generously.

Thank You,
Pam Wahl
Chair of Fundraising Committee

Click here to donate securely online

North End Stories: Cookie Quinones

Cookie Quinones is the past president of NEAT, has a son in NEAT’s Teen Dreams Society, and after renting in the neighborhood for 27 years, her family now owns its own North End home.

Before joining NEAT, Cookie Quinones wasn’t active in her community. Eventually, she started to come to NEAT community meetings, but even there, she didn’t talk.

“I never thought I could have a voice. I wasn’t that type. I used to talk a lot, but in a loud voice. People heard me, but they didn’t listen. NEAT helped me realize that effective leadership isn’t talking loud, that it’s speaking clearly and with strength. Even my youngest son didn’t talk much, but now he is confident in himself…Working with NEAT’s Teen Dreams Society, he found that his ideas are important.”
Cookie was elected vice president of NEAT. “It was one of the most exciting things that had ever happened to me. No one had ever asked me to speak, to have a voice.” Since then, Cookie has gone back to school to get her high school diploma, and has inspired her children to attend Middlesex Community College to do the same. “I feel proud that I could inspire my kids. It was cool to see my girls go back to school after I did.”

After moving away, her kids have all come back. “Now, my son and his family bought a home here. All my kids are in the North End. He bought a home, and we’re all digging in.”

As a NEAT member, Cookie has learned to make big changes within herself. As President, Cookie has made big changes in her neighborhood, and is encouraging others to do the same.

North End Stories

Over the next few weeks, we'll be highlighting people, families and institutions that are making a difference in the North End or are just making a great life for themselves. If you have a profile that you'd like to post, please email me at izzi.greenberg@neatmiddeletown.org.
Thanks,
Izzi

Community Conversations

Common Council member Ron Klattenberg is using the inauguration of Barack Obama as an occasion upon which to engage community members in the changes we'd like to see happen in Middletown. Here's the information he's sent along.  If people are interested, NEAT could host an event...

Where are “We the People”? The answer is in Middletown, according to a group of citizens invited to come together by Councilman Ronald Klattenberg. On Tuesday January 20, 2009, the country will pause to Inaugurate the 44th President of the United States, President-elect Barack Obama, and this informal group feels that may be the best time for the people of Middletown to come together and focus, as a community, on the questions most important to the greater Middletown area in this time of great change and opportunity. 

The group (currently acting as a planning committee) has secured Russell Library for 12 noon and at 6:00 pm on Inauguration Day for the public to watch President Obama address the nation together and participate in a facilitated community conversation. This is a not a political event but rather a grassroots initiative to identify the needs of our community in these difficult times. We will record reactions and prioritize ideas that will help Middletown proactively contribute to and take advantage of the inevitable change which is coming. Obviously, the Library has limited space, so the Community Conversations group is asking any and all community organizations in the Middletown area to join this effort and host focused conversations at other sites including homes, thus creating a true community event with the largest possible representation of needs and concerns. 

Community organizations are asked to contact the planning committee to contribute additional sites, obtain assistance, distribute information or help in any way to make this an engaging and exciting community success. There will be a second planning meeting on December 20th, 10:00 am, in the Library’s Hubbard Room, to develop a general Community Conversations format, assess resources needed and prepare for a facilitators training meeting scheduled for January 3. 

This effort will need volunteer facilitators, sites and of course the people of our diverse community. In the end, we will record and collect results that will culminate in an unprecedented document of what the people of Middletown feel are the priorities for our City. This is the first step toward effective change. 

Any organization or group of individuals interested in supporting this effort in any way is asked to immediately contact Councilman Grady Faulkner at GFaulk1484@aol.com or 860-344-9395 in order to begin organizing and identifying host sites to publish for the general public. If individuals are having private celebrations, it is important to have those discussion results included as well.