Welcome to the Connecticut State Video page.
Watch these videos and be inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
We begin Connecticut with an interview of Debbie Schwartz. An adoptive parent herself, and
someone who works with Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Debbie saw a need to address
something no one else seemed to be focusing on. Namely, she wanted to help adoptive
families and their children deal with the issue of religion as it pertains to Jewish
adoptive parents who were adopting children from non-Jewish families. Watch this video to
see how one person saw a need and found a way to fill it in her community. A true example
of a problem solver, watch and be inspired as to how you can solve a challenge your
community is facing.
Next, meet Gayle Weinstein. With no background in politics Gale Weinstein moved from New
York to the small town of Weston Connecticut and found herself getting involved in a grass
roots effort to prevent overhead power lines. From there she has now become involved as a
town selectmen and is championing Service and Volunteerism in her community. Watch this
video to see how getting involved is sometimes just a matter of paying attention to what's
going on around you and following your passion. Gayle Weston is another example of one
person making a difference in her community and helping get others involved through service
and volunteer initiatives thereby moving her community, her state, and ultimate this
country forward
Next up on the Journey we meet 50 Nancy McCormick. A simple desire to get involved with her
daughters school has led to a multitude of volunteering for this Mother of two. Watch this
video and be inspired by one Mom's path to getting involved, not waiting to be asked, and
not complaining unless she's willing to do something about it. Nancy McCormick is one
person making a difference throughout her community, her state and showing the rest of
America what it means to move this country forward.
In Westport we find a heartbreaking story yet one full of hope. Meet Monica Chusid. A
mother's worst nightmare is the loss of a child and especially a baby barely 15 months old.
For most mothers, the most heart-wrenching moment is the last time they are allowed to hold
their baby. This was true for Monica as well, but this was also the moment she made a
promise to her baby daughter. A promise to find a way to help her name live on. Watch this
inspiring video of a remarkable Mother who took the most painful moment in her life and
turned it around to find a way to give back to the community. Listen to the story of
Rebecca and the legacy her family carries on. But be warned, don't watch this video without
a box of tissues handy
Moving over to Weston we see Woody Bliss. For many, to help build community means to serve
in some public office. This is true for Woody Bliss. A First Selectman in Weston
Connecticut, he cares about preserving the community that is Weston and champions those
things that help keep this secret of Connecticut such a beautiful place to live. Watch this
video of a man who loves his community and does everything he can to help those who live in
it.
Still in Weston, we next interview Melissa Zales Koller. Some people see a need and
complain about it, others see a need and decide to do something about it. Melissa Zales
Koller saw a need in her community to improve the schools her children were going to and
she got involved. In a community that had doubled in size but whose school infrastructure
was the same as in the 1970's she fought against a community that believed 'if it was good
enough for our kids it should be good enough for yours'. Though she didn't believe she had
the leadership background to fight she fought alongside other leaders and helped improve
the schools. Later, when the schools were being challenged to repeal all the work she had
done, Melissa was now the leader who was ready to take on the fight once more. Watch this
video of one woman who is wiling to stand up for her children, the children of her
community and for herself as she shows you that one person can indeed move their community,
their state and ultimately America forward.
Connecticut concludes with an interview of Tim Koller. Tim has been involved for years with A Better Chance, a program to help youth attend high schools and college prep schools they otherwise would not normally be able to attend. Listen to this interview of a man who believes education is the key to helping communities improve and who has been involved in helping that happen for many years. Making a difference in communities isn't always about doing something by yourself, sometimes it's about being part of something that's bigger than you are. Tim shows us that by helping an organization in whatever way you can you too can make a difference in your community. It's all about doing something... one community, one state at a time.
Below is a form for you to tell us what we might have missed while we were in Connecticut.
LET'S RALLY!
Welcome to your Pep Rally page.
This is your spot to tell America everything that rocks about where you live, watch the videos of the people who have inspired us and tell us your ideas for solving your own community problems.
This Journey is about you and about your community. I hope you have enjoyed my visit to your state and that you will be as inspired as I was!
Tell us about your State: Connecticut
Why you love where you live?
What is the best kept secret about your State?
What is your favorite attraction or location?
Ideas for solutions in your community?
Who did we miss? Problem solvers and idea generators?
Your Name
Your Email
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IMAGES
STATE VIDEOS
Debbie Schwartz
Gayle Weinstein
Nancy McCormick
Monica Chusid
Woody Bliss
Melissa Zales Koller
Tim Koller
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