14 Connecticut Mayors Will Spotlight National Service, Joining Colleagues Nationwide
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Fourteen Connecticut municipal chief elected officials - 12 mayors and two first t selectmen - will be joining colleagues from across the country on April 1 in spotlighting the impact of national service and thanking those who step up to provide voluntary service to their communities. The nation’s mayors are increasingly turning to national service as a cost-effective strategy to address city challenges, officials say. By unleashing the power of citizens through AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, the two lead national service programs, participating individuals have a positive and lasting impact – making our communities better places to live.
The second-annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service will include Bridgeport’s Bill Finch, Fairfield’s Mike Tetreau, Hartford’s Pedro Segarra, Middletown’s Dan Drew, New London’s Daryl Finizio, and Wes
t Haven’s Ed O’Brien. Also signing on as participants in the day of recognition are Deb Hinchey of Norwich, Mark Boughton of Danbury, Hamden’s Scott Jackson, Manchester’s Leo Diana, New Haven’s Toni Harp, North Haven’s Michael Freda, Stamford’s David Martin and Windham’s Ernie Eldridge.
On April 1, mayors will hold public events and use traditional and social media to highlight the value and impact of national service to the nation’s cities.
Officials report that more than 3,700 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through national service in Connecticut. Serving at more than 600 locations throughout the state, these citizens tutor and mentor children, support veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment, respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage volunteers.
This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will commit more than $9,390,000 to support Connecticut communities through national service initiatives. Through a unique public-private partnership, this federal investment will leverage an additional $2,720,000 in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support, and increase return on taxpayer dollars.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. CNCS annually engages more than five million Americans in service to meet local needs through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and national days of service; improves communities through the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative.
Last year, 832 Mayors representing nearly 100 million citizens participated in the inaugural Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. The initiative is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service; Cities of Service; the National League of Cities; and Mesa, AZ, Mayor Scott Smith, President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
