New Canaan CARES is holding its popular annual fundraiser, the Home Tour, on May 15.
We connected with the chair of the nonprofit organization’s board, Natalie Jones, ahead of the big day.
Here’s our exchange.
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New Canaanite: Before we talk about this year’s Home Tour, please tell our readers what New Canaan CARES is and does.
Natalie Jones: New Canaan CARES is a nonprofit organization that was founded over 45 years ago. Our purpose is to advance the health and well-being of youth and families. CARES provides responsive educational programs that support and strengthen parenting skills, positive youth development, and healthy lifestyles – all free-of-charge. We are guided by our goal to build community, strengthen families, and empower youth.
We are also the Local Prevention Council for the town of New Canaan. Through that role, we partner with other organizations in town to increase public awareness of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention and stimulate the development and implementation of local prevention activities primarily focused on youth.
A wonderful staff oversees our operations and includes Colleen Prostor, Executive Director, Maureen Asiel, Education & Program Manager and Jen Russey, Marketing and Communications Manager. In addition, we have an active and dedicated Board of Directors.
How is New Canaan CARES funded?
CARES is funded through our annual appeal which occurs in November, our Home Tour and grants.
How important is the annual Home Tour (May 15) to the organization’s ability to operate?
As our largest fundraiser of the year, the proceeds received from the tour allow us to offer all programming free of charge.
What does New Canaan CARES have lined up for this year’s Home Tour?
The tour will be held on Friday, May 15th from 10am-2pm. We have a fabulous CARES Home Tour Committee, co-chaired by Cecilia Brignole and Jen Fishman, that has been working diligently over the past six months to create a special day for our tour goers. Five fantastic homes will be featured, each with special, unique features, and we are very grateful to the homeowners who are willing to generously open their homes in support of CARES. We will also host a Post Tour Patron Party from 2-4pm on May 15th where guests will be able to tour a 6th bonus house, enjoy appetizers and drinks, and mingle with friends. A panel of design experts will provide tips on entertaining and decorating.
What else, if anything, would like to say about the organization or the May 15 tour?
The tour could not be possible without the generous donations from our sponsors. New Canaan is a special community and I am reminded daily through my work at New Canaan CARES how lucky we are to live here. We hope your readers will join us on May 15th for our 33rd Annual CARES Home Tour and will also attend our programming throughout the year. More details can be found on www.newcanaancares.org.