The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury will honor Mr. Neil M. O’Leary with a Community Builder award at their annual Gala celebration this October 22. Mr. O’Leary is being recognized for his leadership in building communities through the Waterbury Police Activity League, Inc (PAL).
The Waterbury Police Activity League (PAL) is a not for profit organization which promotes partnerships between youth, law enforcement, and the community through educational, athletic, and recreational programs designed to encourage team building and foster positive relationships. This is achieved through programs that emphasize education and learning, as well as participation in sports and activities. The goal of PAL is to enable all young people, regardless of race, religion, income or handicap to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
The Board will honor Dr. Daisy Cocco de Filippis with a Community Builder award at their annual Gala. Dr. Daisy Cocco de Filippis is being recognized for her efforts in building stronger communities through education which cross racial and financial boundaries.
As President of Naugatuck Valley Community College, Dr. Daisy Cocco de Filippis serves as a role model for youth and the community at large. She has been involved in numerous other grant projects supporting research in integrating technology into teaching foreign language and the U.S. Hispanic Heritage Project at the University of Houston. She was named Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Association of Dominican American Supervisors and Administrators. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and has authored or edited numerous books and published articles. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury is proud to award this well-respect ededucator who has successfully opened the doors of opportunity for many.
The Board will also honor Mr. James H. Gatling with a Community Builder award. Mr. Gatling is being recognized for his leadership in building communities through his organization, New Opportunities Inc. based in Waterbury, CT and his support of the Torrington Police Activity League (PAL).
Dr. James Gatling is a highly influential and respected leader in the Waterbury region who is recognized as a strong voice for change in his own community-based organization as well as the entire region, and on state and national levels. Through the past three decades, he has employed operational expertise with skilled abilities to develop relationships among culturally diverse groups. Dr. Gatling has made significant contributions to the development and implementation of statewide and regional community action programs. The New Opportunities, Inc. agency operates a large number of social programs including Head Start, Day Care, School Readiness, energy assistance, weatherization, housing, Generic Case Management, various self sufficiency instructional programs, One Stop, and emergency services program, an elderly nutrition program, RSVP, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and HIV AIDS Medical Case Management. The Torringont Police Activity League (PAL) is a not for profit organization which promotes partnerships between youth, law enforcement, and the community through educational, athletic, and recreational programs designed to encourage team building and foster positive relationships.
The Gala will take place at the Grand Oak Villa located at 550 Sylvan Lake Road, Oakville, CT on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 7pm-10pm. Tickets are available online at www.h4hgw.org. The annual Gala offers individuals and businesses an opportunity to support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury’s mission while taking part in a fun, celebratory event. All proceeds from the Gala will go directly toward helping a local family in need of decent housing. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury has no paid employees, only volunteers dedicated to its mission of “Building Dreams One Home at a Time.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury is a nonprofit organization that works side by side with volunteers and partner families to build simple and decent homes. Through the work of Habitat affiliates, thousands of low-income families have found new hope in the form of affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity brings together churches, community groups and others to build homes for deserving families and to make decent housing a matter of conscience. Today, Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian ministry, has built more than 200,000 houses, sheltering more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide.
For more information, to donate or to volunteer please contact HFHGW at 203-596-0014 or visit www.waterburyhabitat.org