Derby-Based Nonprofit Shares In $350,000 State Grant

DERBY, CT — Derby-based nonprofit TEAM Inc. (Training, Education And Manpower) is one of three area organizations that will share in a $350,000 state grant designed to support youth development, announced state Sen. Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) and state Rep. Kara Rochelle (D-Ansonia, Derby).

The funding will be spread out over the next two years and will also be used to help prevent youth violence and assist fathers in the region. The money was authorized under the biennial state budget passed in June.

In addition to TEAM, the other two organizations that will share in the funding are Valley Save Our Youth and Hamden Fixing Fathers.

"Nonprofits are vital to our communities and I am proud to secure these funds for organizations doing great work across the Valley," said Cabrera, who helped secure the funding for the grant. "From Valley Save Our Youth providing our young people with safe opportunities to engage with their peers, to TEAM offering many crucial human services people rely on, to Hamden Fixing Fathers, an exciting new nonprofit helping fathers, specializing in supporting dads and keeping families strong and connected, these nonprofits and community organizations will be able to continue to benefit those they serve in ways they have come to expect and appreciate thanks to these additional funds. I am deeply grateful for all these organizations do for our community."

Rochelle added these funds will help secure positive futures for the Valley’s next generation.

"This new funding will touch lives and shape futures," she said. "Fostering a strong future begins with building up our children and ensuring they have enriching programming and the supports necessary to set them up for success. TEAM and Valley Save Our Youth both have strong track records of meeting the needs of our residents, families, and children. I am so grateful for all these organizations do for the Valley and to be able to assist them in our common mission to support our children."

According to the two legislators, Valley Save Our Youth will receive $75,000 in the 2022 and the 2023 fiscal years for Youth Services Prevention. TEAM will receive $50,000 in both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. Hamden Fixing Fathers will receive $50,000 in both the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The 2022 fiscal year starts on July 1, 2021. Throughout the summer and fall, the state will begin releasing funding for these youth development and youth violent prevention programs.

Valley Save Our Youth is a nonprofit organization that provides programs to keep children active and involved in their communities, meanwhile TEAM is a human services agency that seeks to strengthen the Valley community through education, support and empowerment. They provide economically disadvantaged residents with basic needs and case management, employment and training support, elderly services and Meals on Wheels, Early Childhood and Head Start and more. Hamden Fixing Fathers, which will receive a total of $100,000 over the next two years, specializes in helping fathers strengthen their bond with their children and their families while educating them on the importance of their role in their family. They provide programs to assist fathers in breaking through past personal trauma, navigating parenthood and staying involved while co-parenting.