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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to celebrate a life dedicated to service, courage, and hope. As we remember Dr. King’s powerful vision of equality and peace, we are called to carry his legacy forward through acts of kindness, justice, and community engagement.
Please see below for some great community events over the next few days to celebrate this occasion. |
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New London and Groton Town Hall
I hope you'll join me and State Reps. Dan Gaiewski and Aundré Bumgardner next Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6-7pm at the New London City Hall (181 State St., New London) for a legislative town hall. This event is a great opportunity to update you on the legislative session, tell you about our priorities this year, and hear what's on your mind.
I hope to see you there!
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Yellow Envelope Rollout and Community Training Symposium
I was proud to take part in the Yellow Envelope Rollout and Community Training Symposium.
Connecticut’s Yellow Envelope Program is about making everyday interactions safer and more respectful for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. The program helps improve communication between first responders and community members by clearly signaling when extra time, communication support, or accommodations may be needed during a traffic stop or emergency.
The Yellow Envelope is voluntary, simple, and effective. It helps reduce misunderstandings, lowers stress in high-pressure situations, and supports calm, accessible interactions for everyone involved.
Starting in 2026, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles will begin providing Yellow Envelopes as part of a larger education and training effort for first responders across the state. This is a meaningful step forward in building understanding, safety, and dignity for all.
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SNAP & Cash Benefit Loading Date Changes
Connecticut passed new legislation requiring DSS to spread out SNAP benefit issuance dates throughout the month rather than concentrating them in the first few days. This change will help reduce congestion at retailers and improve the overall client experience.
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Program
AARP CT is inviting eligible local nonprofit organizations and government entities to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program. This initiative funds quick-action projects that make communities more livable by enhancing public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, and more.
This year, AARP will award over $8 million in grants as part of its nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live, especially for residents age 50 and older. All project application must be consistent with AARP's mission to serve the needs of people 50 and over and meet other eligibility criteria. The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis.
This application cycle, AARP has three different grant opportunities:
- Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and disaster resilience. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000.
- Capacity-building microgrants are paired with expert support, webinars, and cohort learning for projects to improve walkability and bikeability; implement safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training. Awards are $2,500.
- Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety, with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet access and adoption, with funding support from Microsoft; and housing choice design competitions. Awards typically range from $10,000-$20,000, not to exceed $25,000.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 4th, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
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State Veterans Home Tour
Thank you to Connecticut Veterans Affairs for giving the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee a tour of the historic State Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. We appreciated learning more about the exceptional services and programs available to the Veterans who live on campus and those served across Connecticut. It was also great to see the newly renovated area that will soon be available for Veterans to reside in on campus. Connecticut Veterans Affairs
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Education Initiatives in Connecticut
From the development of the Early Childhood Education Endowment to the influx of Special Education funding, 2026 is looking BRIGHT for the future of education in Connecticut. You can read more about these initiatives in the graphics below.
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Water Street Waffle Company's Ribbon Cutting
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Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative
This week, Governor Lamont announced the launch of the Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative, or C4. This is a new digital platform designed to connect businesses, organizations, and agencies with content creators and influencers who authentically represent Connecticut.
C4 serves as a centralized, searchable database where content creators can list their profiles at no cost, and where businesses can easily discover, filter, and connect with creators based on industry focus, geography, audience demographics, and content specialty, from lifestyle and culinary to travel, culture, family, and entrepreneurship.
Users can explore creators by:
- Content category (culinary, lifestyle, travel, family, culture, business)
- Geographic focus
- Audience demographics
- Platform reach and specialties
C4 is free for creators to join, boosting visibility, credibility, and access to new opportunities while giving businesses a trusted, efficient way to find partners who bring stories to life.
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If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.
Sincerely,
Anthony Nolan
State Representative |
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