CRT’s First Women’s Empowerment Networking Event is May 2, 2018 in Hartford

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535


HARTFORD — The extensive experience of the Community Renewal Team (CRT) in working with women and their families throughout Central Connecticut has prompted the agency to develop a new Women’s Empowerment Center that will enable women to achieve personal economic stability, forward their careers, and better provide for themselves and their children. “For more than 50 years, CRT has helped individuals and families to create opportunities that better their lives – now, and in the future,” said Lena Rodriguez, CEO of the Community Renewal Team. “Our new Women’s Empowerment Center will focus our areas of expertise on helping women to realize their dreams.”

To support the vital work of the Women’s Empowerment Center, CRT is hosting a special networking event and fundraiser on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 (from 5:30 – 8:00 pm) at the Gershon Fox Ballroom (960 Main Street) in Hartford.

The keynote speaker for the event is Cheryl McDonald, co-owner of Bear’s Restaurant Group, which owns Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Blind Pig Pizza and Chango Rosa in Hartford. “Through the work of Bear’s and our other restaurants, we are constantly striving to find new ways to help our employees make the most of every day on the job, and to grow in their own careers,” said Cheryl McDonald. “The work that CRT plans to do with its Women’s Empowerment Center has perfect synergies with the work we are doing at Bear’s Restaurant Group, and I’m excited to support this program.”

The host for the evening is Renee DiNino, On Air Personality at The River 105.9 FM and Director of Community Affairs & On Air Community Programming for iHeartMedia in Hartford. Guests at the event will enjoy the opportunity for personal and business networking, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and more.

Lead sponsors for the networking event are CENCAP Federal Credit Union and Liberty Bank.

About CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center:
In 2017 Community Renewal Team helped create opportunities for more than 86,000 individuals and over 35,000 families; of those served, 59% were female, and 32% of the families served were headed by single mothers.

The Women’s Empowerment Center will serve as a safe and open place for women from Hartford and Middlesex counties to access intensive mentorship, holistic case management, personal development classes, support groups, conferences, workshops and leadership training focusing on supporting financial literacy, entrepreneurship, career and workforce readiness, as well as networking opportunities.

All proceeds from this networking event will be used to support CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center, addressing the challenges women face in building a successful future.

Press Release

Income-eligible residents can make their homes more energy efficient now and for years to come

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535

HARTFORD — Another snow storm in New England is a reminder that the cost of heating your home each winter can be very expensive. Do you want to save money on your home heating costs next winter, while making your home more energy efficient throughout the year? Now is the time to sign up for the Community Renewal Team’s (CRT) weatherization services, which helps income eligible residents throughout Connecticut to make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.

The completion of weatherization services helps people to reduce their home energy costs. CRT’s certified auditors visit homes to perform a Home Energy Assessment to determine energy saving measures for installation by pre-approved contractors. Typical services include: sealing air leaks and drafts, installing energy-saving light bulbs, and installing water-saving measures. The weatherization work may also include installation of insulation in attics and sidewalls, boiler/furnace replacement or repair, water heater assessment, as well as window repair or replacements and other services.

The Community Renewal Team (CRT) was awarded the statewide Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) contract by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. (DEEP) and the supplemental statewide weatherization barrier removal contract to provide weatherization services to income-eligible residents throughout Connecticut.

More information about how to apply for income-eligible weatherization assistance is available on CRT’s website. Individuals may also call 860-560-5354 or email: [email protected].

Funding source:
A U.S. Department of Energy grant administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection funds CRT’s Weatherization Assistance Program services, with additional federal funding and state administration supporting the removal of barriers to weatherization.

Other weatherization services are available statewide through utility-administered programs, funded in part by a charge on customer’s energy bills. Visit www.EnergizeCT.com or call 1-877-WISE USE.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the DEEP at 860-418-5910 or [email protected].


Community Renewal Team, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties and is the largest non-profit provider of human services in Connecticut. The agency’s mission is Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges. The mission is achieved each day by helping people and families become self-sufficient while making sure basic needs are met. CRT’s programs include Meals on Wheels, school readiness, energy assistance and weatherization, supportive housing and shelters, and many others, serving people in more than 60 cities and towns in both our core catchment area and throughout Connecticut. www.crtct.org