State Lawmakers Applaud Grant Award for Family Resource Center Expansion Effort in East Haven

HARTFORD— State Rep. Joe Zullo, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, and State Sen. Paul Cicarella on Tuesday applauded the approval of a $250,000 state grant to initiate planning for the expansion of the East Haven Family Resource Center.

The funding, awarded through the state’s Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030, was approved by the CIF board during a meeting at the Legislative Office Building. Candelora (R-86), a board member, said the project aligns with the program’s mission to support economic and community development in underserved areas.

“I am excited to see this investment support our local families and children. As many residents still feel the impacts of inflation, our Family Resource Center is critical to bringing East Haven residents essential services that include daycare, reading programs, our diaper bank, and a mobile food bank,” said Zullo (R-99), who Candelora credited as a strong advocate for the Family Resource Center and the project. “I look forward to seeing this funding offer new opportunities for recreation and community activities, while continuing to provide parents expanded assistance in raising their families.”

Marissa Mollica Velazquez, Program Facilitator of Overbrook Early Center & East Haven Family Resource Center, emphasized the impact of the funding. The organization currently serves approximately 200 children through early childhood programming and supports nearly 900 families across multiple locations in town through its varied offerings, which includes their collaboration with adult education. The grant, she explained, will fund the planning phase for expanding the Gerrish Avenue facility, with the goal of consolidating services into a single community hub.

“The CIF funding is a game-changer for our community,” Velazquez said “These funds will allow us to enhance our programming, provide families with more resources, and strengthen the critical support systems that help children thrive. Investing in early childhood education and family engagement is essential for building a strong foundation for lifelong learning, and we are grateful for this opportunity to make an even greater impact in East Haven.”

State Sen. Paul Cicarella echoed the importance of the investment, stating, “thank you to the CIF Board for approving this investment in East Haven’s families. This grant will enable the Resource Center to expand and allow for more access to essential programs for families, especially early childhood education. These are programs that are vital to quality of life in the town.”

Eligible applicants for CIF grants include municipalities designated as Public Investment Communities or Alliance Districts, community development corporations serving eligible municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations supporting these communities. CIF funding can be used for capital improvement projects such as brownfield remediation, affordable housing, and infrastructure, as well as planning activities like community engagement, feasibility studies, and project development. Learn more about CIF here.