2023 Accomplishments

COMMUNICATION

FONS continued its robust communications strategy Through weekly emails to over 750 recipients announcing activities of interest to seniors in Newtown, sponsored by FONS and other organizations. These include volunteer opportunities and townwide special events. The FONS Sunshine Committee sent approximately 120 cards and messages of support to seniors experiencing medical issues, family losses, or celebrating a special anniversary or event. FONS also kept close contact with other organizations to partner with them on activities relevant to seniors, such as presentations on implementation of AARP’s HomeFit Program.

ADVOCACY

FONS focuses its advocacy activities primarily on affordable senior housing initiatives and expansion of transportation options. The outcome of the process of designating the Fairfield Hills (FFH) campus as a historic property will play a vital role in the development of housing on the campus, and FONS continues to closely monitor the situation.

FONS supported NSC in obtaining grant funds for a 10-passenger van for the Senior Center, and subsequently lobbied the Newtown Board of Selectmen for use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to procure a second van. A transportation survey conducted by FONS was presented to CT state legislators for review as support for a possible state-funded bus route for Newtown.

FONS organized visits to New Canaan health facilities, by Newtown municipal, corporate and private parties, resulting in the formation of the Newtown Health Alliance. The Alliance will review the possibilities for leveraging existing Newtown resources to promote Senior health and fitness.

FONS was a leader in developing Newtown’s long-range Livable Community Plan, which in 2023 was approved and published on the AARP website, and available at Newtown/AARP Livable Communities Map (https://livablemap.aarp.org/member/newtown-ct).

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

FONS maintained a strong working relationship with the NSC and NHS and in 2023 increased interactions with the COA. FONS sponsored a table at the Lions Club Duck Race and the Newtown Health Fair, marched in the Labor Day Parade, and donated a decorative holiday sleigh for the Festival of Trees. FONS also co-sponsored a local authors’ program with the C.H. Booth Library.

Partnering with these and other groups has bolstered its efforts to promote overall awareness and improvement of services for Newtown seniors. In addition to these organizations, FONS supports and promotes the activities of the Newtown Historical Society, Newtown Youth & Family Services, Newtown Non-Profit Council, and other service groups. This collaboration fosters a livable community for all of Newtown.

ACTION

FONS CHORE SERVICES PROGRAM
FONS Chore Services responded to 96 calls for assistance from seniors in the community. Calls included requests for referrals regarding plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, handymen for painting, dump runs, step repairs, installation/removal of air conditioners and storm windows and doors, sheetrock, mailbox repairs, rides to doctors’ appointments, help with the moving of furniture and light bulb replacement. Numerous calls were received asking about FONS’ services and other services available such as Meals On Wheels and the Hart Bus. Chore Services also assisted in the relighting of a furnace, the repair of a well pump struck by lightning, as well as making a connection for a senior needing an air conditioner with a family wanting to donate one.

Partnering with Boy Scout Troop 370 and JB Grounds and Lawn Care LLC, FONS was able to provide lawn clean up services for five seniors.

FONS SENIOR SALON PROGRAM
FONS and Dan Riccio, the owner of Ricci’s Salon, established a program for seniors to receive free or reduced-fee hair and grooming services (haircuts, wash/blow dry, color or mini foil, manicures) through Ricci’s Salon. Coupons for 90 free haircuts were distributed to seniors. Services are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and are performed by students at Ricci’s Academy, supervised by professionals.

AARP HOMEFIT PROGRAM
FONS launched a community wide outreach program to share our concerns about safety in the home for all town residents. FONS led presentations at the Senior Center and Community Center on the implementation of the AARP HomeFit Program. FONS purchased File of Life magnets that are available at the Senior Center and Community Center for any senior wanting one.

OUTREACH
The FONS Outreach Committee organized visits to senior shutins and those with disabilities. FONS “adopted” seven seniors for the holiday season and provided them with gifts and holiday cheer.

The FONS Social and Events Committees sponsored monthly dinners and other special events to provide seniors with opportunities for social interaction.

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ACHIEVEMENTS – Up to and including 2022

Photos courtesy of Shannon Hicks, The Newtown Bee, & FONS Board Members 

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INCREASED COMMUNICATION 

For 2022, FONS set a goal of having 100 active participants in activities and committees. The first step in reaching that goal was to increase the number of email subscribers to the FONS weekly e-newsletter, Constant Contact. FONS raised the number of our email subscribers to 750 in 2022. As a second step, FONS launched an advertising campaign focused on FONS and the services it provides, spread over two months in the Newtown Bee. In addition, monthly senior social events were held at local restaurants that enjoyed active participation, including many new participants. The Events Committee began with a Meet and Mingle Event and an Oktoberfest at the NewSylum Brewing Company with many new faces. FONS also sponsored a well-attended performance at the Newtown Little Theatre, as well as booths at the Newtown Lions Great Pootatuck Duck Race and at the Newtown Arts Festival. 

For 2021, we continue to be guided by our mission and use the energy and knowledge of community members to promote the welfare of seniors in Newtown. FONS maintains an ongoing connection to our email subscriber base through our Constant Contact weekly mailings. We also effectively use the Newtown Bee to keep seniors informed of special events and programs.

2022 IMPROVE AND EXPAND SERVICES TO SENIORS 
FONS augmented the Chore Services budget with grant funding from NextFifty. In 2022, Chore Services responded to 125 requests from Newtown seniors for help in home repairs, shopping, and transportation. For Senior Earth Day, Chore Services provided help with yard work for eight senior properties. In addition, FONS attended the AARP’s HomeFit presentation and began follow-up with the Builder’s Association. In an effort to raise awareness of senior health issues, FONS joined Nuvance Health’s community health initiative, made plans to study New Canaan’s pilot health programs, and participated in focus group discussions of equity in healthcare sponsored by Nuvance Health. 

2022 ADVOCACY AND ACTION 
FONS improved its website and the format for its email outreach, Constant Contact, in 2022. Partnering with Newtown Savings Bank, FONS hosted a paper shredding event as a fundraiser. Other fundraisers in 2022 included a 50/50 raffle at the Oktoberfest at NewSylum Brewing Company, as well as the sale of locally produced Kettle Corn. FONS also co-sponsored the Jingle Bell Ride and Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard benefit for the Newtown FAITH Food Pantry. FONS provided holiday gifts to seniors in need and ongoing contact for seniors who are housebound or ill. FONS coordinated with Newtown Human Services staff and the Board of Selectmen in completing and submitting Newtown’s Livable Community Plan to AARP; it was subsequently approved. 

2022 WORK WITH SENIOR SERVICES AND COMMISSION ON AGING (COA) ON SENIOR PROGRAMS
FONS provided financial and personnel support for the Senior Center Thanksgiving and Holiday luncheons, and arranged for musical entertainment for the Holiday luncheon by the Harmony on the Sound Chorus. FONS also provided financial support for a number of other programs at the Senior Center. The FONS Board has invited the Director of Human Services to attend its monthly meetings to facilitate cooperation and avoid duplicating or conflicting projects. FONS also cooperated with the COA in developing the Livable Community Grant application. In addition, FONS was successful in obtaining four grants in 2022: NextFifty, WCAAA Title III Chore Services, WCAAA Title III Transportation, and CT Humanities Grant. 

2022 DEVELOP A COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
In 2022, FONS created a more focused committee structure with the addition of the following committees to those currently in existence: Events Planning, Outreach, Constant Contact, and HomeFit. 

2021 Social: FONS returned to monthly social events at local venues and offered an opportunity to all to get together over dinner and catch up with others, especially important during the time of COVID. These events were well attended and well received.

Transportation: FONS applied for and received a grant to fund transportation for seniors in need. This grant was written in partnership with the Newtown Human Services Director, Natalie Jackson, and was funded in full. FONS provides funding for transportation needs on a case by case basis in cooperation with Newtown Human Services.

Chore Services: FONS has implemented Chore Services program that responded to 111 requests for assistance. Service requests included yard work, housecleaning, help with organization, snow removal, check-ins for shut-ins, minor home repairs, and major home repairs including roof replacements. Much of the work was accomplished by volunteers, some by paid professionals and in some cases by professionals who donated labor and material to complete the work.

Funding: FONS funding comes from three sources, grants, fundraising and donations. Grants have supported Chore Services during 2021 and grants are in place for 2022 for Chore Services and Transportation. Fundraising initiatives included a paper shredding event, Kettle Corn sales, and
coffee sale event. Donations are received, with much appreciation, through the generosity of our membership during our annual fund drive.

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Grants: Art Grant. Seniors were asked to write essays about their experiences during the pandemic, and then create a ceramic art piece that reflected their emotions, feelings, fears and joys of what they wrote. The essays were published in a book, and the ceramic art pieces were assembled into a larger display that is hung in the Newtown Senior Center.

Chore Services: This grant provided funding for Chore Services to help more than 100 seniors in need. Service included grocery shopping, railing addition, roof repair, leak repair, yard clean up, snow removal, holiday food baskets, and many referrals for assistance. Another grant is in place for next year.

Collaboration: FONS maintains productive working relationship with Human Services Department and the First Selectman’s office, as well other local business and nonprofit agencies. Two members of the FONS Board also served on the Commission on Aging, and officers of the COA are often included on communications within the FONS organization. All worked closely on the recently completed
transportation survey as one example of this ongoing collaboration. First Selectman, Dan Rosenthal, and Director of Human Services, Natalie Jackson, continue to review and discuss the Livable Community draft plan presented to the Town by FONS President John S. Boccuzzi Sr. We continue the process of plan development. Natalie attends FONS Board meetings and providing advice and guidance.

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Up to and including 2020