Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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Dear Community,
Among the many key determinants of health and well-being, including genetics, access to quality medical care, socioeconomic status and environmental factors, equally vital are our social support and engagement networks. Over time, they’ve become more intergenerational, with a commensurate positive impact on health outcomes. For example, 65+ year-olds are expected to account for 23% of the population by 2054. Research shows how they’re playing a larger role in their families’ lives by increasingly shaping their grandchildren’s physical, cognitive and emotional health, in what could become, in a sense, a return to pre-industrial norms.
It’s in this context that we champion New Canaan’s vibrant multigenerational community, as seen at many civic, artistic and lifestyle events around town. Equally dynamic, at Waveny LifeCare Network, family members of all ages visit loved ones daily throughout our residences and facilities, while hundreds of age-diverse volunteers support our compassionate work and engagement with the 1,000+ patients and residents we touch each and every day.

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Election 2024: Letters of Endorsement

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letters of endorsement. Send endorsement letters to editor@newcanaanite.com for publication here. ***

Editor:

The Connecticut General Assembly’s House of Representatives, which has its roots in the mid-17th century and was formally established in 1818, is a legislative body comprised of 151 representatives from communities or districts across our state. This year, we have a unique opportunity to vote for three impressive and experienced professionals and community advocates who will bring fresh perspectives and proven advocacy to the General Assembly. 

Jason Bennett (125th District) is a local entrepreneur with a track record in economic growth and technological innovation, who has also served as a volunteer crisis counselor, a vital public service. Savet Constantine (42nd District) has been a marketing professional and public education advocate, having served at the classroom level and as PTA president in Wilton, where she worked tirelessly to enhance educational outcomes for children.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here. ***
New Canaanites:
For years the League of Women Voters has sponsored candidate debates and brought candidates before the public to hear their positions on issues important to the voters. It has been drawn to our attention that with no debates scheduled this year in New Canaan they are sorely missed. We consider this a compliment to our past efforts to provide an opportunity for the public and candidates to meet one another.

Opinion

Letter to the Editor

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Dear Community,

This month, you may often be thinking about the upcoming elections and how you will place your votes to reflect your priorities.  I’m writing to ask that you similarly consider the importance of participating in our town’s first Community Health & Well-Being Survey.  Just as voting is an incredible right and responsibility, so too is the opportunity to include your voice in this moment. The New Canaan Behavioral Health Alliance is a group of 30+ organizations leading this charge.  It’s an impressive partnership of nonprofit organizations, schools, the Town, and many others who regularly work with children, families, and adults in our community.  Yes, they all touch behavioral health – but so much more.  And this survey is designed to answer much broader questions about the overall well-being of our community – the strength of our civic and social engagement, how families are managing across different age groups, whether people feel they can access the services they’re looking for or if there are barriers to be addressed.  

Data is incredibly powerful, and I know that New Canaan would want to lead the charge in harnessing the insights from this survey to drive meaningful change within our community. With this information, we can best address our community members’ needs and wants, put resources to work in the most impactful places, and track change over time.  Furthermore, New Canaan will be in a position to apply for available federal and state funding that many other surrounding towns are already putting to good use.  

Make your voice heard.  Please join me in taking this 5-minute anonymous survey: https://newcanaanbha.org/community-health-well-being-survey/.  

Sincerely,

Lauren Patterson

President & CEO, New Canaan Community Foundation