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For Immediate Release Contact: Bill Furgueson The Arc Eastern Connecticut bfurgueson@thearcect.org 860-889-4435 x118 www.TheArcECT.org July 10, 2023 Eastern CT Savings Bank Foundation Awards Grant to The Arc Eastern Connecticut The Arc ECT’s Community Life & Advocacy (CL&A) program received $700 from the Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation to offset the cost of meeting space for its Self-Advocacy group. Additionally, the grant will allow for the purchase of a wireless voice amplifier for the peer facilitator. “This is great news,” said Debbie Densmore, CL&A’s Program Coordinator. “Our Self-Advocacy group has grown exponentially this year and has tackled some important issues such as coping with grief, securing safe and affordable housing, and championing civil rights.” Many CL&A participants also testified at Family Hearing Day at the Capitol this spring, urging legislators to increase funding for programs that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the staff who assist them. “Having a meeting space convenient to both our northeast and southeast CT participants is so helpful in getting people back to in-person sharing and discussions,” noted Ms. Densmore. “Our peer facilitator is a good public speaker but can’t project his voice very far; the amplifier will allow him to be heard by everyone in the room.” To learn more about The Arc Eastern Connecticut’s Community Life & Advocacy program and its other programs for people with IDD throughout eastern Connecticut, please visit: www.TheArcECT.org or contact Denise Tift at (860) 889-4435, ext. 116.