Westport Rotary Is Co-Sponsoring the Compo Beach Playground Renovation
Upcoming Speakers and Events
February 11: Valita Luckett, Vice Chair of Board of Directors – Bridgeport Boys Choir
The concept of a boys’ choir was created by Bridgeport educators and residents, the late James and Gwendolyn Johnson in the early 1980s while witnessing the effects Bridgeport’s changing landscape had on the city’s youth. Although Bridgeport was situated in Fairfield County, one of the nation’s most affluent counties, the city experienced a significant decline in its once vibrant economy. The loss of its manufacturing businesses and jobs, scarce employment opportunities and the loss of households coupled with high taxes plagued the city. As in other urban areas, the effects were manifested in lower household incomes, lower home values, lower educational attainment, and higher poverty levels than compared to the national average.
In 1985, the Johnson’s concept came to fruition and The Bridgeport Boys Choir was formed. The choir was created to help soften the negative effects of inner city living among the young men of color and offer positive alternatives for them. With their vision affirmed by others in the community, the organization gained an initial backing from the Afro-American Educators Association, Inc. in 1988 and a board of directors was established.
The legacy of that Board and the Johnson’s vision continues today. The Bridgeport Boys Choir continues to grow and offer new and exciting opportunities that enhance the choir’s existing program for its current and future members.
February 18: Jeremy Kosbob, Manager of Philanthropy Catalyst CT
Our mission is simple yet profound: to foster change and create a lasting impact on the communities we serve. We address issues linked to school engagement, restoratve justice, behavioral and mental health for children and teens and families in Fairfield County and beyond.
We walk alongside our neighbors, from pre-K to adulthood, offering support to guide them on their journeys to success. These resilient youth and their families face incredible challenges, navigating the complex realities of a post-pandemic world, substance misuse and addiction, persistent violence, enduring poverty, mental illness, and the burden of generational trauma.
Catalyst CT advocates for a Connecticut where opportunity knows no bounds and zip codes don’t dictate destiny. We stand with the underserved and marginalized because we believe everyone deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
Poetry Month in April.
March 4: Donna Disch, Westport Poet Laureate
March 11: Green Village Initiative
March 18: Mark Yuriw, Ukraine
Native New Yorker now 28yrs in Wesport Mark left graduate school in Astrogoephysics to start a business creating Storytelling Sculpture for the Fortune 500 Companies. The work you saw in all forms of media over 25 years till 9/11 happened. Mark left the business behind to focus on fine art in 2002 and restoring a 1728 historical property in Westport.
Ex. for New York Cares Mark created the now iconic Homeless Statue of Liberty which became the symbol for the N.Y. Coat Drive. To date has helped bring 2 million coats to the homeless in NYC.
April 8: Wakeman Town Farms, Liz Milwe & Christy Colasurdo
The Wakeman Town Farm Sustainability Center is an organic demonstration homestead dedicated to serving the Westport Community. The Farm is a model facility created to educate the community with local healthy food production, responsible land stewardship, sustainable practices and community service orientation. Activities include educational workshops, student internships, after-school environmental clubs, children’s summer camp programs, growing fruits and vegetables, animal husbandry, providing a farm stand and CSA pickup location.
Mission
The mission of Wakeman Town Farm is to serve the community as an educational demonstration center for sustainable living.
Vision
In keeping with our agrarian roots, Wakeman Town Farm provides a place where we can experience hands-on homesteading practices, encompassing time honored and cutting edge methods, such ascomposting, succession planting, solar and wind power technologies. Wakeman Town Farm offers a wide array of educational programs in agriculture, land stewardship and animal husbandry which serve to inspire the community to unite for the mutual benefit of a healthy environment and a more sustainable future.
Want to Join the FUN of Westport Rotary LobsterFest?
The Goal of LobsterFest
All funds raised at LobsterFest are donated to local and international charities. Giving to the Westport Rotary Club is “one-stop shopping”. Donations support a wide range of both local nonprofit organizations and many international humanitarian projects. The Westport Rotary Club Charitable and International Giving Committees vet each grant application determining suitability and the greatest levels of need.
Interested in becoming a LobsterFest sponsor?
Please contact one of our Co-Chairs of Fundraising:
Kenny Epstein – [email protected]
Leslie Roberts – [email protected]
What Is Rotary?
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.4 million business, professional, and community leaders spread throughout 37,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries.
Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, share the main objective of service — in the community, in the workspace and throughout the world.
Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Membership is by application or invitation.
Westport Rotary Club invites you to join a meeting to learn more
Meetings are held every TUESDAY except the last Tuesday of the month in person at 12:00 pm. For more information please contact the club president or member chair.
In person lunch meetings are held at: Greens Farms Congregational Church – 71 Hillandale Rd Westport, CT 06880
Member Chair: Audrey Demetres – [email protected]
Mailing Address:
Westport Rotary Club
P.O. Box 743
Westport, CT 06881-0743
AVENUES OF SERVICE
We channel our commitment to service through five avenues, which are the foundation of club activity.
Club
Service
A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
Vocational Service
Rotarians work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
Community Service
We find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
International Service
We promote peace & understanding globally by sponsoring or volunteering on projects around the world.
Youth
Service
Rotarians work to empower young people through leadership development programs, encouraging the next generation of leaders.