FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2008

Contact:     Heather B. Habelka, Office of the Mayor, 203.385.4001 
                  Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Fairfield County Community Foundation, 203.334.7511

Stratford Senior Services awarded $10,000 Grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation

Stratford, Connecticut (February 1, 2008) – Mayor James R. Miron, together with Yolanda Caldera-Durant of the Fairfield County Community Foundation and Diane Puterski, Director of Stratford Senior Services, today announced that Stratford’s Family Caregiver Support Program has been awarded a $10,000 grant as part of their fall competitive 2007 grants cycle.

Stratford’s Family Caregiver Support Program serves caregivers of all ages including spouses caring for spouses, adult children caring for parents, and grandchildren caring for grandparents. The program offers a bereavement support program for caregivers who have lost a loved one, an on-site Resource Center, a web page and chat room to provide information on respite care, day care facilities, long-term care, assisted living facilities and applications for community programs.

“This grant will allow us to expand our Family Caregiver Support Program to include assessing the needs of younger children and teenagers of the caregivers, who may have their own stress and other issues they are trying to manage when a parent is caring for an aged relative,” said Puterski.

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The community foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Fairfield County Community Foundation merged with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in January 2008. The merged foundation’s net assets approach $150 million. The combined history includes over $90 million in grantmaking to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.

For information on the Stratford Family Caregiver Support Program, please contact the Baldwin Center at 203.385.4055.

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