AARP Connecticut está aceptando solicitudes de subvenciones para proyectos de mejora comunitaria en todo el estado.

El programa "Comunidades Habitables" otorga subvenciones de hasta $5.000 para proyectos que puedan completarse rápidamente y beneficien a personas de todas las edades. Los proyectos anteriores incluyen el parque de bolsillo de Thrive 55, las canchas de bochas cerca del Centro Comunitario Riverfront y un espacio verde al aire libre en el Centro para Personas Mayores de Plainfield.

Nora Duncan, de AARP Connecticut, dice que las subvenciones pueden financiar buenas ideas que brinden alegría a muchas personas mientras los pueblos y ciudades se aprietan el cinturón.

"Podrías estar sentado en tu centro comunitario, tu biblioteca, tu centro para personas mayores, como empleado municipal, incluso un departamento de policía ganó recientemente, y pensar: 'Oh, nunca conseguiremos financiar esto'. Ve la oportunidad de subvención, usted solicita, obtiene la financiación y el trabajo está en marcha," enfatizó Duncan.

Los proyectos deben tener un impacto positivo en los residentes locales y deben cumplir uno de los ocho criterios de "habitabilidad", desde vivienda hasta participación social, pasando por servicios comunitarios y de salud. Las solicitudes deben entregarse antes de las 5 p.m. el 16 de agosto. Para más información en línea, visite el sitio web 'AARP.org/CT.'

El grupo ve entre 50 y 75 solicitudes, pero Duncan menciona que están descalificadas por no haberse completado correctamente. Señala que las personas deben prestar atención a los detalles de los requisitos de la subvención y recordar qué no se considerará. En los siete años de historia del programa, Duncan añade que tiene algunos favoritos.

"Iniciar un festival de cine abierto para personas de todas las edades durante un verano; ha habido una biblioteca de préstamo de dispositivos, por lo que es posible que las personas quieran probar dispositivos tecnológicos antes de comprarlos para poder envejecer en el lugar; quiero decir, hay muchísimos," insistió también Duncan.

Otros favoritos incluyen proyectos para hacer que los senderos sean más completos y accesibles, o el programa de arte intergeneracional de Simsbury y la búsqueda del tesoro en toda la ciudad. Duncan argumenta que los ganadores de las subvenciones se anunciarán en algún momento de septiembre, dependiendo de cuántas solicitudes reciban.

Large wildfires have ravaged parts of northeastern Minnesota and relief organizations are out in full force to assist displaced residents.

They said monetary donations help, while hoping others are inspired to volunteer in the future. As of midweek, state and local leaders said the fires have destroyed roughly 150 structures and a number of homes are under evacuation orders.

Dave Schoeneck, a public affairs volunteer for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the American Red Cross, said because there are a lot of cabins in the region, it's hard to say yet how many people are without a place to live long-term. In the meantime, the Red Cross is set up at evacuation centers, where those affected can get short-term help.

"We are assisting folks coming in there who need a shelter or a place to refresh themselves, to get food and hydration and replacing lost medications," Schoeneck explained.

He noted monetary donations ensure the Red Cross is well-stocked with supplies and people should avoid donating such items as water and clothing because of the potential for logistical problems.

For future disasters, Schoeneck pointed out response crews always welcome additional volunteers. There is training for emergency shelter management, information gathering and other roles.

Katy Lofquist, creative director for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, echoed the call for donating money, if someone wants to help right away. Her organization is gearing up for assisting residents with recovery needs once the fire threat fades. Even if they have temporary shelter, there is an overwhelming sense of need.

"Especially in the case of a fire, people are so shaken, they don't know where to go or what to do next," Lofquist observed.

The fires come after widespread flooding affected the region last year. For the wildfires, United Way chapters in the northeast part of the state are setting up special recovery funds for donations. Lofquist stressed victims traditionally have to apply for the aid, and 100% of funds raised go directly to those who need it.


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Montana's wildfire risk is 74% higher than other states, so experts are encouraging Montanans to think ahead Saturday on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.

When wildfires ignite homes, an ember or small flame is usually to blame, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That means prep work in the "immediate zone" - or the five feet surrounding a home - is effective.

Anne Cope, chief engineer for the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, said that zone is critical because that's where wind eddies deposit embers and where flammable materials including mulch, bushes and stacked firewood tend to be.

"When you bring those two things together, boom, that's where that teeny little fire is gonna start, that you could have just stomped out with your boot," she said. "That is sadly what's going to take down a house."

Cleaning roofs and gutters, installing metal mesh screening over open vents, repairing damaged shingles and window screens and removing items stored under porches are simple ways to prepare for wildfire season.

A home's "intermediate zone" ranges five to 30 feet out and its "extended zone" could reach as far as 200 feet. In these areas, experts suggest paying attention to decks and patios, walkways, the height of mowed grass, dead foliage, as well as the density of shrubs and plants and the distances between them.

Cope said it's effective for neighbors to tackle these together.

"It is amazing how much that can do," she said, "how much it reduces the likelihood of your home igniting and then taking down all your friends on the cul-de-sac."

Nearly a half-million homes in Montana are directly exposed to wildfire risk, meaning they could ignite by adjacent vegetation, flying embers or nearby structures.


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In many small Minnesota communities, city hall windows display "firefighters wanted" posters. Lack of interest is a reality local fire chiefs have to confront, but they're not giving up.

The National Volunteer Fire Council said coming out of the recent pandemic, the number of non-salaried firefighters had declined to around 675,000. In the early 1980s, the number was close to 900,000. Researchers noted the majority of U.S. fire departments are volunteer.

Brett Anderson, chief of the Mora Area Fire Department, which has 31 on-call firefighters, said fortunately, they just reached a full staff thanks to local advertising and emphasizing a sense of camaraderie.

"You gotta get the training, you gotta get the education. You gotta do that stuff so that you know what you're doing when the pager goes off," Anderson outlined. "But if you have the most qualified firefighter in the world, but he doesn't have the passion, or she doesn't have the passion to go to a call at 3 o'clock in the morning, doesn't matter how good they are at their job."

He feels the "family" selling point has slipped away over the years and reestablishing it can be a "word-of-mouth" tool in attracting applicants. Anderson pointed out surrounding departments are struggling with staffing levels, potentially leading to longer response times for mutual aid. Volunteer firefighters may not be salaried but do receive compensation, including certain benefits.

Ben Duske, chief of the Waverly Fire Department, said his team of volunteers is below where it should be. He said one positive development is messaging about the prevalence of remote work, making it easier for people to pause their full-time jobs and help out when needed.

"We have three or four people that are on our department that are able to respond to daytime calls, which is a huge benefit," Duske acknowledged.

The department leaders point out there's no magic formula, citing the pressure facing households, to solely focus on family supporting careers, as one of many things making application piles shorter.

Jim McCoy, chief of the Austin Fire Department, agreed and said beyond the hourly wages, conveying the message of community-minded spirit is something they have to lean on.

"You help people in their worst times on their worst day," McCoy observed.


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