A dedicated group of advocates in Eastern Connecticut have created a unified platform for advocacy that we believe can positively impact our communities. By uniting various nonprofits, advocacy groups, and community members behind a common vision, we believe we can more effectively address these concerns and work towards positive, lasting change in Eastern Connecticut to end child poverty now.

Our Vision

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut is a lead partner in a nonprofit advocacy collaborative that envisions a thriving and economically robust Connecticut, where no child experiences the debilitating effects of poverty. We believe that every child deserves access to basic necessities, quality education, and a nurturing environment that fosters their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. We engage with lawmakers and policy influencers to promote and enact policies that address the root causes of child poverty, including income inequality, access to healthcare, safe and affordable homes, and quality education.

Our collective goal for the 2025 legislative session is to advance the following:

Achievements from the 2024 legislative session

In 2024, we also lobbied for paid sick days which previously only covered 12% of workers in Connecticut. It was passed by the legislation, expanding paid sick leave to nearly all workers, including domestic workers who were previously excluded. The bill guarantees 40 hours of paid sick leave annually and introduces broader protections, marking a significant victory for domestic workers and setting a model for other states.

In addition, lobbying efforts around universal no-cost healthy meals resulted in partial coverage of children from families with lower incomes. We will continue efforts to make this a universal benefit for all students.

CFECT Testimonies in Support of Legislative Bills for 2024 Session:

  1. Just Cause Evictions: S.B. 143
  2. Adjusting the State Budget: H.B. 5048
  3. Connecticut Paid Sick Days: S.B. 7
  4. Child Tax Credit: S.B. 36 and H.B. 5113
  5. Funding for School Meals: H.B. 5510

Additional Testimony from Trustees and Community Partners

Just Cause Evictions: S.B. 143 (Community Foundation Trustee Carol Williams)

Organizations who have signed onto the End Child Poverty Now platform:

Access Community Action Agency

Alliance for Community Empowerment

Always Home

Castle Church

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich

Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity Eastern Connecticut (CHEO)

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut

Child & Family Agency of Southeastern CT

City of New London, CT

Community Foundation of Eastern CT

Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness

Connecticut Fair Housing Center

Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

Connecticut Legal Services

Connecticut Network for Children and Youth

Connecticut Voices for Children

Connecticut Youth Services Association

CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs

EASTCONN

Eleven+

Girls on the Run of Southeastern CT

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Hartford HealthCare

Haven’s Harvest

H.O.P.E.

Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding

Higher Edge

Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern CT

Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy/The New School

Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation

Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut

La Grua Center

Mitchell College

Montville Youth Service Bureau

NAACP Norwich Branch

Northwest CT Community Foundation

Ocean Community YMCA - Naik Family Branch

Partnership for Strong Communities

Project Oceanology

Safe Futures

She Leads Justice

St. Vincent de Paul Place

States United to Prevent Gun Violence

TEEG

Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA)

The Arc Eastern Connecticut

The Housing Collective

The Riverfront Children’s Center

United Community & Family Services

United Way of CT

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

Windham Area Interfaith Ministry

Yellow Farmhouse Education Center


If your organization would like to be part of this important effort to End Child Poverty in Connecticut, contact Lauren Lyons, Program Officer.