Kyle L. Ballou of New Haven

Executive Director, Community and Government Relations,Yale New Haven Health System

Debi J. Geyer of Coventry

Vice President, Environment, Health, Safety and Corporate Social Responsibility,Stanley Black & Decker

Jennifer Jackson of Madison

President and CEO, Connecticut Hospital Association and Affiliates

Melinda B. Kaufmann of West Hartford

Counsel, Pullman & Comley

Susan E. Sprano of Thomaston

Advertising Director, Republican-American Newspapers

Deborah Ullman of Litchfield

Retired CEO, YWCA of the Hartford Region

Abby M. Warren of Hartford

Associate, Robinson + Cole

“Our Trustees are the leaders among hundreds of volunteers and supporters whose dedication allows the Hall to flourish and grow,” says Alleman. “We are proud to welcome these women to our Board and are excited to have them on our team as we guide the Hall into its next 25 years.”

About the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame

The mission of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (CWHF) is to honor publicly the achievements of Connecticut women, preserve their stories, educate the public and inspire the continued achievements of women and girls. Founded in 1994 in Hartford, the CWHF is a provider of innovative educational programs and tools that inspire women and girls to believe in their unlimited potential. The CWHF’s 118 Inductees are role models for women of all ages, and their stories are proof of all that women can accomplish. Leveraging those powerful stories, the CWHF makes history relevant through programs for educators, multi-media presentations, and traveling exhibits offered free-of-charge. The CWHF’s work fosters the courage and confidence women need to overcome barriers and advocate on their own behalf. Each year through the CWHF’s initiatives, 65,000 women and girls see what’s possible and become empowered to take an active role in shaping their future. The CWHF website, www.cwhf.org, is a “Virtual Hall” where visitors can explore all that CWHF has to offer. To join CWHF via social media, find and like ctwomen on Facebook and follow @ctwomen on Twitter.

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Fourth of July Ultra-Marathon Event Kicks Off Fundraising for New Life Skills-Based Therapy Project

WHO:  Fit Farmer Jeffrey Fleming of New Hartford will attempt to run 100 miles (or more!) in 24 hours. He’s putting his miles where his mouth is to make the ultimate statement about his commitment to seeing through the development of FIT FARM, a new Life Skills-Based Therapy project he and childhood friend Paul Matthews began in September 2017.

WHAT:  “One Farmer. One Hundred Miles. One Day.” is the name of the special Fourth of July ultra-marathon event designed to kick off fundraising efforts for FIT FARM. Fleming and Matthews need to raise about $300,000 to move the project forward. Titled “Reclamation,” meaning to reclaim a right or cultivate wasteland into productive farmland, Fleming’s and Matthews’ vision includes unearthing the once pristine roots of the FIT FARM property and planting seeds (literally and figuratively) to teach people sustainability as well as how to be self-sufficient.

Founded on the belief that when people learn to build and create things, they also learn to build and create themselves, FIT FARM’s “Life Skills-Based Therapy” model teaches people new skills while emphasizing personal health and wellness and promoting self-advocacy and self-care. Learning new skill sets improves individuals’ self-image, increases their confidence, and instills in them a sense of self-worth.

At present, FIT FARM is working closely with New Haven-based Continuum of Care, Inc. whose mission is to enable people who are challenged with mental illness, intellectual disability or other disability, and/or addiction, to rebuild a meaningful life and thrive in the community. One of the largest agencies in the state charged with “rebuilding lives,” Continuum has approved a pilot program, called “Yard A Facts,” that implements FIT FARM’s Life Skills-Based Therapy model and the synergy between the two organizations is simply inspiring.

Supported by Continuum in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Young Adult Services (YAS) Division, Yard A Facts teaches life skills in an entrepreneurial concept model. Since May, a group of eight Continuum clients between 19 and 26 years old have been visiting the FIT FARM property to build a business that sells wood constructed products such as picnic tables and other yard novelties. They’re tackling everything from establishing business operations to creating a logo for the company to building the products.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 4, 2018, 6:00 a.m.-Thursday, July 5, 2018, 6:00 a.m. (Jeff may begin running earlier than 6:00 a.m. – Wednesday could be a scorcher!)

WHERE: FIT FARM, 1170 Litchfield Turnpike, New Hartford, CT (and virtually @FitFarmCT on Facebook and Instagram)

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Talk with Jeff Fleming and Paul Matthews about their vision for FIT FARM.
• Interview Jeff Fleming about why he is running 100 miles, how he trained for the event, etc.
• Watch Jeff Fleming running consecutive laps on and around the FIT FARM property.
• See the FIT FARM property and learn how the Life Skills-Based Therapy program will work.

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CONTACT:

Laura Ward | WardComm Public Relations, LLC

(860) 573-4809 | laura@wardcommpr.com

Last May, SHE RECOVERS blew hearts and minds wide open when it brought the cyber-recovery movement to real life with a first-of-its-kind event in New York City. Fast forward to today, and the very same team of women in recovery who created SHE RECOVERS in NYC are bringing this year’s event to the iconic Beverly Hilton in LA … because if there was ever a time to roll out the red carpet for recovery, it is now. SHE RECOVERS in LA (#SheRecoversLA) will take place from September 14-16, 2018.

“Building out from our mission statement that includes the mantras ‘we are all recovering from something’ and ‘we’re stronger together,’ this event will ignite and inspire the ever-increasing population of women choosing to recover their lives and their potential,” says SHE RECOVERS founder Dawn Nickel, Ph.D. “As long as our movement continues to grow and evolve, we will keep hosting creative – and alcohol free – opportunities for women to come together in real life to connect, support, and empower one another and celebrate the fact that recovery is possible.”

SHE RECOVERS in LA will feature the following speakers:

• Cheryl Strayed, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir WILD;
• Janet Mock, New York Times bestselling author of memoirs Redefining Realness and Surpassing Certainty;
• Tara Mohr, women’s leadership and well-being expert and author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead;
• Mackenzie Phillips, actress, singer, author of High on Arrival and Hopeful Healing, inspirational recovery advocate and speaker, and substance use disorder counselor; and
• Laurie Dhue, award-winning national news anchor, respected recovery advocate, and speaker.

Other guest presenters include celebrity trainer and author Nicole Stuart, meditation teachers Sarah Blondin and Biet Simkin, and comedian and memoirist Amy Dresner (My Fair Junkie).

On Saturday, September 15, 2018, the SHE RECOVERS Foundation Gala will celebrate the launch of the organization’s non-profit arm with speakers, music, and the presentation of two prestigious awards – they are: The first-ever Legacy Award to the late Betty Ford (accepted by her daughter, Susan Ford Bales) and the annual Hope Award to #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke.

In addition to listening to speakers, the 600 women attending the three-day event can take in spoken word performances, yoga and meditation sessions, a Pilates class, and a run. Panels on breakout workshops will help to paint a picture of what modern recovery looks like for women in the 21st century. Event sponsors, exhibitors, and vendors will showcase the diverse range of wellness approaches, resources, and products women are seeking in order to heal and sustain body, mind, and spirit.

The event is being presented by SHAMEBOOTH, an art installation project and movement that helps people let go of the stigma and the pain of shame, and Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to empowering people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. Event partners to date include Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Alkermes, Hint Water, No B.S. Skincare, and Encore Event Technologies.

SHE RECOVERS in LA will focus on celebrating strength, diversity, inclusion, and innovation by women for women in the world of recovery. Seeking to help end the stigma, SHE RECOVERS is committed to showing women (and the world) what recovery looks like. A reunion of friends for some, the event will be an important first foray into the land of healthy and sober sisterhood for others. To register, visit SheRecovers.co.

About SHE RECOVERS

Created in 2011 by Dawn Nickel and her daughter Taryn Strong, two recovering women from the Pacific Northwest, SHE RECOVERS began as a Facebook page and recovery retreat program that advocated for the adoption of many and multiple pathways of recovery for those struggling with addiction. The message resonated. The popular online social community has grown to a loyal and engaged following of over 270,000 people, mostly women, recovering primarily from drug and alcohol, food, work, and gambling addictions, but also many who are recovering from other life and mental health challenges such as abuse, disordered eating, anxiety and depression, codependency, trauma, illness, and grief.

Through education and awareness, the newly-formed SHE RECOVERS Foundation seeks to connect, support, and empower women in or seeking recovery to develop individualized pathways and holistic plans of recovery. The organization promotes access to resources, shares research on modalities that yield transformational outcomes for women, and produces public awareness initiatives and events that shatter the stigma and shame associated with recovery thus enabling earlier intervention for those still struggling.

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Written, Directed, Produced by a Hebron Volunteer Firefighter,

PSA Issues Serious Call to Action

April 2, 2018 | Cromwell, CT – The Everyday Hero CT volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign, in partnership with Hebron volunteer firefighter and New York City-based cinematographer Matthew Troy, today launches “See You Out There,” a recruitment public service announcement that brought some Hollywood to Connecticut last August during three days of production. The PSA can be seen beginning today via social media and other online platforms, television, and various partnerships. Designed to increase awareness and visibility for the volunteer firefighter shortage in Connecticut, 30-, 60-, and 90-second versions of the PSA include captivating footage and visually groundbreaking moments as well as feature fire personnel from 16 different departments, including at least one from every county in Connecticut.

“From start to finish, the production of this PSA was an undertaking like none I’ve ever witnessed,” says Everyday Hero CT program manager Fred Dudek, retired chief of the Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company. “Lots of folks have made volunteer recruitment videos in the past, but none have had the great fortune to partner with Matthew Troy to produce something of this caliber that was then brought to an even higher level by Matthew’s passion for volunteerism and the fire service.”

The Everyday Hero CT program is proud to release the PSAs and the members of the steering committee are excited to see the impact it will have throughout Connecticut – from changing the way people regard their local fire departments and their neighbors who volunteer to igniting (no pun intended!) people’s passion to step up and lend a hand.

“It has been a dream come true to be at the helm of this production,” says Troy. “This is the proudest production of my career thus far – it is different from anything we’ve ever seen from the volunteer fire service before.”

Highlighting volunteer firefighters operating at various emergency scenes and performing some of the many skills they possess thanks to the professional training they receive, the PSA illustrates that volunteer firefighters come from all walks of life. They’re male, female, teachers, business owners, retirees, mothers, fathers, students, and more. And, they want more members of their communities to answer the call. The video ends with a plea: “So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to make a difference? Are you ready to join our team? Your community needs you. We need you.”

Connecticut has more than 300 fire departments staffed by over 26,000 firefighters, 83 percent of whom are volunteers and are professionally trained. Volunteer firefighters can be called upon 24 hours per day, seven days per week to abandon the warmth and comfort of their homes in the middle of the night or during a holiday celebration, leave the fun of family gatherings on sunny summer afternoons, enter burning buildings, rescue stranded hikers and struggling swimmers, extricate victims from automobiles, and more. Volunteer firefighters save their communities millions of dollars every year.

The majority of fire departments throughout the state are experiencing a volunteer shortage. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities, people willing and able to respond to emergencies whenever called upon, as well as support personnel such as fire police, administrative assistants, and more.

About Everyday Hero CT

Everyday Hero CT, a program dedicated to increasing the number of volunteer firefighters throughout the state. A partnership of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Everyday Hero CT campaign is a Volunteer Workforce Solutions (VWS) initiative designed to address the shortage of volunteer firefighters in Connecticut. It is helping achieve a viable and sustainable volunteer firefighter workforce for fire departments throughout Connecticut. Everyday Hero CT is funded by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded to the CFCA by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a model to enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

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I say it all the time. I am good at public relations, but I could never do my own taxes. Or, I’m wonderful at securing publicity for my clients, but terrible at carving out time to compile reports illustrating my success. As business owners, we’re all guilty (some of us more than others) of working so hard in the business, we fail to work on the business. We all need help. And, for the past 10 years, my “grow the business and pay the bills” mindset and drive to move away from project work has limited my ability to help those business owners unable to invest long-term in ongoing, comprehensive public relations programs.

Done Write changes that. With my love for writing at its core, this special division of WardComm offers fully customizable packages designed to meet the most basic public relations needs of small businesses, and I am pleased to announce services in the following categories (click on each image to learn more):

It’s virtual PR, set up in a way that allows me to assist anyone, anywhere, anytime via Fiverr®.

Please join me in welcoming Done Write the right way by connecting with me on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and sharing this news with anyone you think might be interested in learning more or anyone who might know someone who needs a little bit of PR assistance. Thank you so much!

~Laura

Founded in 2010, with offices in New York City, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Tel Aviv, Fiverr is the world’s most transacted marketplace for digital services, and it is shaping the future of work, every day, by shifting the freelance economy online. Fiverr’s horizontal marketplace provides nearly any digital service in just one click, without haggling over the service deliverables or the price. Buyers can choose from the world’s largest catalog of pre-packaged services ranging from graphic design to music/video editing to marketing and copywriting. Fiverr sellers have delivered millions of high-quality Gigs® from 150+ categories of services, and across 196 countries.

Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Campaign Seeks to Prevent Fires and Personal Injuries

May 24, 2017 | Cromwell, CT – With the return of warm weather and the official start of summer next month, people are firing up their grills and cooking delicious meals and growing excited about Independence Day fireworks. Whether it’s burgers and dogs on a propane grill, kabobs and s’mores over an open flame, or fireworks and sparklers, the members of the Everyday Hero CT volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign cannot stress enough the importance proper use and safety precautions.

“This time of year, there’s nothing better than a backyard barbeque with family and friends,” says Chief Fred Dudek, Everyday Hero CT program manager. “However, grilling poses an increased risk of home fires and personal injury. July is the peak month for grill fires, and more fires are reported on July 4^th than any other day of the year. But, by following some simple safety guidelines, people can stay safe and make the kind of summer memories you want to last a lifetime.”

Grilling

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), two out of three households own a gas grill, and grilling causes an average of 8,900 home fires every year. The NFPA says failure to clean the grill is the leading factor in all grill structure fires, followed closely by the grill being placed too closely to something that could catch fire. And, gas grills are responsible for more fires than charcoal grills.

The NFPA offers the following general grilling guidelines:

• Only use propane and charcoal grills outdoors.
• Place grills well away from homes, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep grills clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave grills unattended.

Before using propane grills, look for the following:

• Check the major connection points between the gas (propane) tank hose and the regulator and cylinder, and where the hose connects to the burners. Tighten if loose.
• Check the gas (propane) tank hose for the potential (gas) leaks. To do that:
  • Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or spray bottle.
  • Turn the propane tank on. If there is a gas leak, the propane will release bubbles around the hose (big enough to see).
  • If there are no bubbles, the grill is safe to use.
• If there are bubbles, turn off the tank and check connections, then have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If the leak doesn’t stop, call the fire department immediately.

When propane grills are on, remember:

• If you smell gas, turn off the gas tank and burners.
• If the leak stops immediately, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If the smell continues, move away from the grill and call the fire department immediately. Do not move the grill.

For charcoal grills, remember:

• If using a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When done grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

Fireworks

With the start of summer, Fourth of July celebrations also begin and, with them, dozens upon dozens of fireworks displays. Although consumer fireworks are legal in Connecticut, the members of the Everyday Hero CT volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign strongly discourage amateurs from using them.

“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display orchestrated by trained professionals,” says Dudek. “Fireworks are responsible for 40 percent of the fires reported on July 4^th each year.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every July 4^th thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. In 2013, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries; 55 percent of those injuries were to the extremities and 38 percent were to the head.

Injuries caused by fireworks typically require hospital emergency room treatment – they include severe burns, fractures, scars, permanent disfigurement, and even death. It’s important to remember that even sparklers, considered by many to be a safe and harmless alternative to fireworks, reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (water boils at 212 degrees and glass melts at 900 degrees).

The risk of fireworks injury is the highest for children under up to four years old. In 1991, three-year-old Michael Shannon was killed when a legal consumer firework struck him in the head during a July 4th family celebration. He was standing 40 feet away from it, between his mother’s legs where he was presumed safe.

Volunteers Needed

Eighty percent of all fire personnel in Connecticut are volunteers, and the majority of fire departments throughout the state are experiencing a volunteer shortage. Local fire departments need volunteers of all skill levels and abilities, people willing and able to respond to emergencies whenever called upon.

“The skills and experience gained as a volunteer firefighter are invaluable and have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of others,” says Chief Dudek. “Those who join their local fire departments sign up for one of the most rewarding opportunities they’ll ever have.”

About Everyday Hero CT

A partnership of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Everyday Hero CT campaign is a Volunteer Workforce Solutions (VWS) initiative designed to address the shortage of volunteer firefighters in Connecticut. It is helping achieve a viable and sustainable volunteer firefighter workforce fire departments throughout the state. Everyday Hero CT is funded by a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded to the CFCA by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a model to enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. For more information, visit www.EverydayHeroCT.org.

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SHE RECOVERS TO BRING CYBER-SOBER MOVEMENT

TO REAL LIFE IN MANHATTAN

WHO:       An online village embracing and advocating for women struggling with addiction, She Recovers includes more than a quarter million women, most of whom know one another only through recovery blogs and private Facebook groups. More than 500 of them – women who have united in the cyber-sober space and encouraged and supported one another for years from behind computer and device screens – will finally meet in real life at She Recovers in NYC.

Sold out more than three months in advance, She Recovers in NYC (#SheRecoversNYC) will bring the cyber-sober movement to life as women from across North America (and beyond) gather to connect, engage, learn, and share about the multiple pathways of recovery and wellness. Keynote addresses will be given by:

• Elizabeth Vargas (ABC News journalist, 20/20 anchor, and author),
• Marianne Williamson (#1 New York Times bestselling author and spiritual teacher, speaker),
• Gabrielle Bernstein (#1 New York Times bestselling author and speaker), and
• Glennon Doyle Melton (#1 New York Times bestselling author, activist, and speaker).

WHAT:     She Recovers began in 2011 as a Facebook page that advocated for the adoption of many and multiple pathways of recovery for those struggling with addiction. The message resonated; today She Recovers is the largest female online recovery community in North America, with a loyal and engaged following of over 260,000 people, mostly women, recovering primarily from drug and alcohol, food, work, and gambling addictions.

Building out from a mission statement that includes the mantras “we are all recovering from something” and “we’re stronger together,” She Recovers in NYC will continue to ignite and inspire the growing movement of women choosing to live clean and sober as they recover their lives and their potential.

WHEN:     Friday, May 5-Sunday, May 7, 2017 (schedule in press kit)

WHERE:   Conrad New York, 102 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282

PHOTO | INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

• Meet and talk with She Recovers co-founders (mother and daughter) Dawn Nickel and Taryn Strong about the cyber-sober movement – what it is, and how it is making a difference in so many lives.
• Listen to and interview keynote and other speakers about their addictions and recoveries.
• See women united in the cyber-sober space and meeting in person for the first time – speak with them about how and why they have helped one another; ask them what it feels like to come together in real life.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Laura Ward | WardComm Public Relations

860.573.4809 (call or text prior to arrival at event) | laura@wardcommpr.com