Community

By Eileen Duggan

AARP Fraud Watch Network, People’s United Bank, N.A. & the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are joining forces this month to offer free events across the state to help Connecticut residents fight fraud as part of the second annual “Operation: Stop Scams” initiative. Join the AARP Connecticut volunteer team and representatives from People’s United Bank and USPIS at one of the two-hour sessions packed with information! Our team of experts are ready to help you FIGHT FRAUD!

In March, 2010 The University of Connecticut Nonprofit Leadership Program successfully launched Encore!Hartford and is excited to be offering its eighth class from May 8 – September 21, 2018. This offering creates an opportunity for Hartford area residents to participate in the Department of Public Policy’s award-winning program providing business professionals and managers age 50 and older with well-honed skill sets and extensive work experience assistance to transition from a corporate career to one in the nonprofit sector. Entering its eighth year, Encore!Hartford, holds an impressive track record with 91% of participants finding employment (70% full-time), and 73% of those employed landing in the nonprofit sector.

The 2018 AARP Community Challenge is now accepting applications through May 16, 2018 to fund “quick-action” projects in communities across the country. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to several thousand for larger projects. The program is now in its second year and is part of AARP’s nationwide work on Livable Communities, helping neighborhoods, towns and cities to become great places for all ages.

Are you over 50 and looking for ways to improve your current financial situation? Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss? AARP Foundation and the University of Hartford will host a free Work for Yourself@50+ workshop to help you get started on Friday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prosser Public Library in Bloomfield.

By Jasmine Carvalho with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

What a year we had, thanks to all of the volunteers and members in the state... thank you and consider this an open invite to everyone to join us in 2018!

AARP Connecticut members can save money and support local, nonprofit educational and cultural venues throughout the year, including at The Bushnell theater in Hartford. As part of a special offer, AARP members and their guests can save on select performances of three different shows at the theater: A Christmas Story, The Color Purple and Hartford Symphony Orchestra – Holiday Cirque Spectacular.

On Friday, Nov. 3, AARP members have an opportunity to secure seats to Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. As part of the special one-day offer, AARP members will receive a 30 percent discount on up to four tickets in the mezzanine seating area to show on Friday, Nov. 17, as well as up to four tickets in the rear orchestra seating for performances on Monday, Nov. 20; Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Tia Murphy is the AARP Connecticut volunteer state president. She launched the “Travels with Tia” blog series as part of her presidential journey. She will travel around the state to meet dedicated AARP volunteers and have them show her what makes their corner of Connecticut a special and fantastic place to live.