Community Fund of Darien Executive Director Carrie Bernier Leaves Job for Norwalk Post

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The Board of Directors of The Community Fund of Darien announces Carrie Bernier’s departure as executive director. Bernier will join the Norwalk Community College Foundation as executive director in June. ___________

— an announcement from the Community Fund of Darien

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Bernier assumed leadership of The Community Fund in 2013, and drove the organization’s innovation to better respond to critical human service needs in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk. “Under Carrie’s leadership and innovation over the past five years, we grew as an organization and adapted to the changing needs of our community. We are proud of our growth and energized by the commitment of our engaged and dedicated staff, board, advisory board and volunteers” said board President Steve Ward.

The Impact Vine logo 03-29-17

Community Fund of Darien Launches a GoFundMe-Like Website Just for Area Nonprofits

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Through a crowdsourcing website that Darien nonprofits are beginning to use, you can now contribute to a specific cause for a specific group in town, and one of the first local nonprofits to use it is At Home in Darien, which wants $1,065.74 to replace brakes and tires on its van for seniors. Actually, At Home now wants $565.74, after the law firm of Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky gave $500 to the cause. Joe Pankowski Jr., chairman of the Darien Aging Commission, is a member of the firm and presented the check to the Community Fund of Darien. The rest of the money will be raised through a new website, The Impact Vine, an online giving website developed by the Community Fund of Darien that lets people support projects they care about. Impact Vine works as a crowdfunding platform for lower Fairfield County nonprofits to use as a tool to raise money for projects in their communities.

Dancabilities class Darien Arts Center 912-05-16

Darien Arts Center’s Danceabilities Class Gets Grant from Community Fund

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The Darien Arts Center recently received a grant from The Community Fund of Darien for its Danceabilities dance program for those with disabilities. Danceabilities, a creative movement class for both children and adults, was started in 2009 by DAC Dance Director Bonnie Gombos and DAC dance instructor Marie Maccarone. The program presently has 17 students. In addition to Gombos and Maccarone, Elizabeth Hall and Jordan Cassetta currently teach Danceabilities classes with many volunteer assistants at the DAC Weatherstone Studio and the Andrew Shaw Scout Cabin in Darien. The classes provide a supportive learning environment in which students explore the world of dance by using classical ballet, tap and modern techniques.

Darien Road Race Runners

Darien Road Race on Sunday to Temporarily Clog These Roads

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Expect short-term delays and some detours Sunday, Sept. 11, along a short stretch of the Post Road and streets between it and Pear Tree Point Beach, as an expected 700 runners participate in the annual Darien Road Race. Here’s an announcement from Darien police about traffic delays and detours:
The annual Darien Road Race will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. The road race, hosting approximately 700 runners, will start at Pear Tree Point Beach and proceed to Long Neck Point Road, Rings End Road, Harbor Road, eastbound on Post Road, Old Kings Highway South, Andrews Drive, Red Coat Pass, Tory Hole Road, Sunswyck Road, Goodwives River Road, and back to Pear Tree Point Beach. Motorists and residents of the area are advised to expect short term delays and detours along the race route. Officers will be positioned along the route to facilitate the flow of traffic and the safety of the runners.

Darien Road Race graphic 2016 8-26-16

Runners: Run for a Cause, Join the Darien Road Race as a Runner or Volunteer

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The Darien Road Race is a beloved Darien community event celebrating its 37th year. The race includes a scenic 10k and a 1.5 mile “loop” around the picturesque Pear Tree Point Beach golden coastline, and attracts over 500 runners, family and friends for a day of fun, music, food and a celebration of community. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. SIGN UP NOW:  CLICK HERE

TheDarien Road Race proudly supports The Community Fund of Darien and its mission to enhance the quality of life for our neighbors in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk. The Community Fund of Darien is about people helping people, locally changing lives with investments of time, expertise and financial support.

Community Fund of Darien logo 6-19-16

Community Fund of Darien is Looking to Hire an Office Manager

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The Community Fund of Darien seeks a professional with strong organizational, computer and communication skills to provide overall office management and technical support for a small nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk by funding vital human services and community programs.

Job Description

Office Manager

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Office Manager will provide overall office administration and management, including but not limited to:

* Manage office maintenance, supplies, service contracts, professional office appearance, calendar and scheduling

* Provide administrative support to Executive Director, as well as to Development Director, Grants Director and Thriving Youth Program Coordinator as needed

* Maintain website and coordinate postings on social media; send press releases to local media

* Coordinate volunteers to assist TCF in a variety of projects

* Coordinate TCF special events; design invitations (online and printed), track RSVPs, make gift bags, name tags, coordinate decorations, menu, etc. * Work with Development Director to assist with data entry and acknowledgement letters; assist with office mailings

* Board meeting preparation and email correspondence with board

* Assist the Chair of the Human Services Planning Council and other board chairs as needed

Skills and Qualifications:

* B.A./B.S, 3-5 yrs minimum of prior office management experience;

* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with donors, board members and volunteers. * Organizational, clerical and computer skills. * Experience with MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, PhotoShop, Publisher and ability to learn eTapestry donor management database program. Knowledge of mail merge for letters and labels.

CFD moving out 3-11-16

Letter: Community Fund of Darien Office Is Moving

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To the editor:

I would like to thank the Town of Darien for allowing The Community Fund of Darien use of the historical home at 701 Post Road for the past 35 years. For more than half of our 65-year history, we have been able to serve the needs of Darien residents, and the residents of our bordering towns of Stamford and Norwalk, from a quaint and iconic home in our beautiful town. We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with the Town of Darien and for their support and generosity. We look forward to many more years in the future when we can work together to continue our mission of making our community a stronger, more vibrant and healthy place to live and work. We will be moving from 701 Post Road on April 1, and we look forward to continuing to meet our mission to fund basic needs, youth success, self-sufficiency and local initiatives with our “eye on Darien” from our new location at 30 Old King’s Hwy.

Thriiving Youth 15-10-27

$100K Grant Awarded for Darien Youth Substance Abuse/Mental Health Program

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The Community Fund of Darien has received a competitive annual grant of $100,000 for the next five years to implement a strategic prevention plan to reduce substance abuse and improve mental health among Darien’s youth and their parents. ______________

— an announcement (slightly edited) from the Community Fund of Darien

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With this grant, the State of Connecticut recognizes The Community Fund’s prevention and asset-development work with the Thriving Youth Initiative and the student asset survey. The Community Fund of Darien will dedicate resources to engage the whole community in a long-term plan to promote positive youth development and mental health. “We are thrilled to be a recipient of this important prevention grant. It allows us to collaborate town-wide with leaders working with youth and to invest on a deeper level in our Thriving Youth Task Force,” said Executive Director Carrie Bernier.

Emily Larkin

Community Fund of Darien Hires Emily Larkin to Run ‘Thriving Youth’ Program

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The Community Fund of Darien has hired Emily Larkin as the Thriving Youth Program Coordinator. The Thriving Youth Task Force includes over forty-two town leaders who work with teens and their parents to improve resiliency, positive assets and to reduce risky behaviors among the youth in Darien. Larkin will serve as a co-chair of the Thriving Youth Task Force with Alicia Sillars, Youth Director for the Town of Darien. __________

This is an announcement from the Community Fund of Darien. __________

 

Larkin, a graduate of Wilton High School, is excited to contribute to The Community Fund’s work of promoting healthy asset development in Darien’s youth.