The Connecticut Mirror and various Hearst CT Media outlets published different versions of an opinion piece that I wrote on the occasion(s) of Youth Justice Action, Domestic Violence Awareness, and Substance Use/Bullying Prevention Month(s)--October.

Relating Connecticut CASA and child welfare to the 119K Commission focused on concerns around some 119,000 young people ages 14-26 who are "disconnected" from school or employment or "at risk" of becoming so, the piece also addresses prevention priorities for children before age 14.

This month brings three public events involving Connecticut CASA:

• a September 12 documentary film screening in New Haven, with speaker Ijeoma Opara (PhD, LMSW, MPH) described in the Arts Paper, following an earlier article there;
• a September 19 book talk by Marc Brackett (PhD), at Athena Books, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Connecticut CASA; and 
• a September 25 joint presentation, by my undergraduate advisee Jeannot Basima and myself, about youth development--from Congo to Connecticut.  Register here to join in person in New York City or via Zoom.

Connecticut CASA's YouTube channel has several new videos--from an interview with CASA volunteer Nick Ramirez, to a forum with Billie Gastic Rosado and Patty Nicolari (for Pride Month).  To increase awareness of this movement for children, subscribe to the channel, and share its resources.

Connecticut CASA is participating in the April 26-May 2 online “Great Give”; it includes matching incentives, so please consider donating, and circulating information about this online philanthrophy event, including our profile.

Also, the Arts Paper covered our April 17 Benefit, held at the Yale Child Study Center with a musical performance by the Shades of Yale. Lead sponsors included Yale University and Claire's Corner Copia, with sponsorship also from Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the NewAlliance Foundation, and Better Rhodes. The Wine Thief donated wine. Thanks to everyone who attended/contributed, as well as to all who support our child advocacy work year-round!

In previewing the event earlier, a shoreline outlet noted two local neighbors among our new Board members.  (We also have Advisors and Ambassadors.)

This blog has periodically reflected on UConn men's basketball, for example in April 2011, April 2014, and April 2023.  Each of those years produced titles, as in 1999 and 2004.  Now, the Huskies have done it again.

One pre-season ESPN collection of predictions had excluded UConn altogether from the predicted final four for 2023-24; one pundit (M. Medcalf)'s forecast was that a "title hangover" from 2023 would doom the Huskies to an early exit from the tournament in 2024.

Yet UConn has shown that, with what is now a 12-1 record across 7 final fours in the last 25 NCAA men's tournaments, and a 6-0 record in title games, it isn't hyperbole to call Storrs the "basketball capital of the world"--at least the college world, particularly with the UConn women as holders of 11 championships and a remarkable 23 final four appearances during the past three decades or so.  (The UConn women are 11-1 in title games, making the men and women a combined 17-1 in those games.)

The result was yet another "shining moment."