November 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

MADD Times Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter Highlights

Volunteer Spotlight

Victim Services

Youth Programs

Events

madd.org/ct

@maddconnecticut

MADD Connecticut 339 Hemingway Ave. East Haven, CT 06512 Phone: 203.764.2566 Email: ct.state@madd.org

HOPE for the Holidays Campaign

The holidays can be a stressful time for most of us, with shopping, cooking, cleaning, and decorating. All leading to time spent with family, and friends in celebration. For victims of the tragic and senseless crime of impaired driving, stress, grief, and sorrow increase to heighten levels as empty seats around the family table signify the tremendous loss the family has suffered because someone made the wrong decision to drive after consuming alcohol, and or drugs. Families are often left without a caretaker, or main provider, injured victims can have huge medical bills to overcome, or may be out of work for an extended period due to injuries sustained, often leaving children without HOPE for a somewhat normal holiday. Each year, MADD’s Victim Services Team is asked by victims in need, for assistance. These requests seem to multiply during the holidays for all the reasons mentioned above. No Child should have to go without at any point but especially during the holidays. We ask that you consider making a difference in a child’s life today by making an end of year donation in support of MADD’s Victim Services and the critical work being done each day for the many victims we serve. Please Donate Today by sending a check to MADD Connecticut 339 Hemingway Ave East Haven, CT 06512. Please designate on check HOPE. Thank you for your consideration.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to our Volunteers of the Month Erin and Larry Hermann! Erin and Larry contacted MADD back in 2018, after losing their son Kyle in a drugged driving crash. Pretty much immediately, they wanted to do all they could to prevent this type of tragedy from happening to others. Only 8 months later, they started sharing Kyle’s story at our Victim Impact Panels. The courage and strength that takes is unimaginable. Since then, they have spoken at countless impact panels, schools, businesses and press conferences. They have manned tables for us at National Night Out and the Boat Show up at Mohegan Sun. They have been there to support any and every event they can possibly attend. Larry has shown up at our lobby days and events to recruit new volunteers, just to support us. Erin has leant her experience and knowledge to creating and presenting a seminar on Grief for our victims and survivors. And their advocacy does not stop at the state level. They have been worked hard in the War Room with our National Office on the Halt Act to stop impaired driving all together. We wish we never had to meet you both in the way that we did, but we are glad you found your way to MADD Connecticut so we could be a small part in how you honor Kyle every day.

Grief and trauma impact us all in different ways and therefore how we care for ourselves after experiencing grief and trauma can look different too. With this in mind, our Victim Services Team would like to introduce our MADD: Prioritizing You Self-care campaign. What is Self-care? Self-care is the practice of holistically and intimately coming to know yourself THEN choosing to show up in ways that breed and sustain overall well-being. Our intent with this campaign is to deepen our care of you, for you and with you. Join us as we explore many different facets of self-care, and find out what works best for you!

Follow our Facebook page @maddconnecticut for more self-care tips.

SUPPORT GROUPS Our support groups are available for all victims and survivors to feel supported through their healing process and to come together with others going through similar feelings. Please reach out to Michelle at michelle.chamberlain@madd.org for the bereavement support group or Stephanie at stephanie.stacy@madd.org for the injury support group.

7:30 PM Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Tuesday, December 10, 2024- Bereaved

7:30 PM Virtual via Microsoft Teams

Monday, December 16, 2024 - Injured

Law Enforcement Recognition Awards Ceremony October 4, 2024

Walk Like MADD Branford October 5, 2024

MADD About Corey Kent October 18, 2024

Walk Like MADD Fairfield October 19, 2024

Volunteers needed to help day off. Community Service will be given to college students. Contact jennifer.rossi@madd.org for more information.

Join the Movement to End Impaired Driving!

No matter where you live, you can save lives through Driving Change with MADD: Let Your Purchase Have a Purpose. This exciting campaign is a partnership with vehicle dealers committed to ending impaired driving. Dealerships select a one-month period to donate a portion of their profits per car/vehicle sold to support MADD's vital work. In return, we provide marketing materials & promotion to highlight the dealerships. We invite all vehicle dealerships (yes that includes boats, motorcycles & more!) to join us in this life-saving initiative. And all supporters to connect us to their local auto groups or vehicle dealerships. Visit www.madd.org/drivingchange to learn more and be part of the solution.

Together, we can end impaired driving!

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