News, Events & Press

A Night to Remember: The 2nd Annual Mini Golf Classic Shines in Waterbury

Waterbury, CT, May 9, 2024 – What a fantastic evening at our 2nd Annual Mini Golf Classic! The event, held in support of our Waterbury child and family services, brought together community members for a night filled with fun, food, and friendly competition.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event a resounding success. The presence of Mayor Pernerewski as our keynote speaker added a special touch, and we are deeply grateful for his support and inspiring words.

We are thrilled to announce that we have already surpassed $20,000. These funds will go a long way in supporting our vital services for children and families in the Waterbury area.

Governor Lamont Announces $1.1 Million in Capital Funding to CMHA

New Britain, CT, April 10, 2024 – Governor Ned Lamont hosted a press conference at Community Mental Health Affiliates’ (CMHA) downtown New Britain headquarters to announce $35.5 million in state funding to CMHA and other nonprofit providers across the state. The capital improvement funds were released through the state’s Nonprofit Grant Program, administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management.

CMHA will receive $1.1 million for the agency’s Affordable Housing Initiative at 235 Beaver Street in New Britain. The property, currently rented by CMHA, houses the agency’s Intensive Assertive Community Treatment Team (IACTT) program, a 12-unit, apartment-style supported housing program serving 15-18 individuals per year. IACTT provides supportive services to empower residents with the life skills they need to step-down to lower levels of care and live independently in their community. The grant funds will enable CMHA to purchase and renovate the property, which needs numerous structural repairs and renovations. Owning the property will allow CMHA to contain costs for residents and reinvest lease payments into direct services for clients.

“This award will enable us to improve services, decrease homelessness for at-risk individuals, and make a substantial, positive impact on the greater New Britain and Central Connecticut community for years to come,” said CMHA President & CEO Raymond J. Gorman. “We are grateful to Governor Lamont and his administration for their support of service providers like CMHA and the work we do to care for the state’s most vulnerable individuals.”

“Connecticut’s nonprofit providers support residents in every town and are a vital part of our social services safety net,” Governor Lamont said. “Providing funding to make strategic investments helps these organizations deliver the services some of our most vulnerable residents depend upon. This grant funding will help the residents that these organizations support be able to utilize their personal strengths, talents, and passions.”

Established in 2013, the CT Nonprofit Grant Program has provided more than $130 million to the state’s nonprofit organizations, supporting about 750 projects. Today’s awards, which support 94 projects, are the program’s eighth round of grants. More on this initiative and a full list of grant recipients here.

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non-profit treatment provider headquartered in New Britain, with eight locations throughout the city and in Waterbury. CMHA partners with clients and the community to promote recovery from mental illness and substance use, treating more than 7,500 adults and children each year. CMHA is Connecticut’s first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home and is a SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.

Celebrating Black History Month: Advancing Health Equity in Communities of Color

On February 22, CMHA had the privilege of hosting "Advancing Health Equity in Communities of Color,” a compelling panel discussion in honor of Black History Month. The event brought together a diverse group of Black leaders in healthcare from within our organization and the community. The dialogue was insightful and deeply inspiring, providing invaluable lessons for all of us.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed panelists, whose wisdom and expertise illuminated the discussion. Dr. Huiam Mubarak, Rev Frederick (Jerry) Streets, Christopher Porcher, Taylor Tucker, and Dr. Camelia Lawrence, thank you for sharing your experiences and insights. Your voices are crucial in the ongoing effort to address health disparities and promote equity in healthcare.

We also want to acknowledge our incredible moderators, Edward Ford and Jan Sykes, whose skillful facilitation ensured that the discussion was both engaging and informative. Your dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is truly commendable.
For those who were unable to attend, we are pleased to announce that the recording of the panel discussion is now available for viewing here. We encourage everyone to take the time to watch and listen to the important conversations that took place.

Events like these remind us of the importance of honoring and celebrating Black history not just during the month of February, but year-round. They also serve as a call to action, urging us to continue working towards a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for all.
As we reflect on the lessons learned from yesterday's discussion, let us recommit ourselves to advancing health equity in communities of color. Together, we can make a difference.