The board of directors of Acts 4 Ministry, Inc., a non-denominational, non-profit charitable organization in Waterbury, announced the addition of three new members: Timothy J. Blankenship of Southington, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial; Christine Jones of Waterbury, print and marketing consultant with Sir Speedy Print and Marketing; Teresa “Terri” Carrier of Bristol, a branch manager with Ion Bank.
“Acts 4 Ministry is growing with great vigor. As our organization grows, so does our non-profit need to expand our board of directors with individuals from different arenas throughout the Greater Waterbury region. Our existing board sought individuals who would bring experience with specific disciplines,” stated Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta, executive director. “These three additional new members to the board bring an intelligence and strength which will help us achieve the next level of growth. Their community mindset will provide the necessary guidance to the organization.”
Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. is dedicated to building relationships with people while providing them with the basics of daily living needs. “Our mission,” explained Carabetta, “is to provide individuals or families who have suddenly lost their homes to a fire, flood or other unexpected devastation or upsetting life event to come to our facility to personally select clothing, dishes, glassware, furnishings, and other basic needs at no charge.
We partner with churches, social service agencies, and public schools to help identify and serve people with these needs regardless of their faith, race, creed, or national origin, or their willingness to participate in religious activities.” Each year the organization distributes clothing to nearly 4,000 people plus over 1,000 pieces of furniture and house wares to people of varying income levels throughout the Greater Waterbury area.
Timothy Blankenship has been a member of Walnut Hill Community Church for the past 27 years. During that time, he has served on the elder board and currently leads the youth ministry program at the Waterbury campus. Professionally, Blankenship manages a financial advisory practice for Ameriprise Financial. His passions include his family and his faith.
Christine Jones has worked in the marketing and print services arenas for over sixteen years. As a graphic designer she has worked with various print shops and was a partner with a local copy center in downtown Waterbury between 2007 and 2010. In 2011, she began working with Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing in Middlebury in sales and marketing. She stated that her ambition is to, ”Assist people struggling to meet their marketing and print needs while lowering their burden by streamlining how they market themselves.” In 2014, Jones received national recognition through Sir Speedy franchise services called the ‘Application Innovation Award’.
Teresa “Terri” Carrier has worked with Ion Bank, formerly Naugatuck Savings Bank, for 15 years as a branch manager. Currently she manages both the East Main Street and Wolcott Road branches. Mother of three boys, and serving as a foster parent for eight years, Carrier stated she, “Believes in doing my best through my actions not just words.” Coming from a large family with a solid work ethic, she believes that a person’s character is defined by how they strive to succeed in love, life and faith.
Current Acts 4 Ministry board members are Ellen Rogers, retired school teacher of Cheshire; Robert Zdanowski, CMA, Vishay International of Waterbury; Susie Jones-Szoldra, LCSW, of Plymouth and a staff member with DaVita Waterbury Heights; Robert Knebel, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Waterbury; Dave Rogers, retired project manager with IBM Corporation of Cheshire; Eda Llulla of Cheshire, a senior financial analyst at St. Mary’s Hospital; and Peter Damore of Wolcott, a business project manager with Cigna insurance.
To learn more about Acts 4 Ministry, Inc., and a listing of current tax-deductible donation needs, visit www.acts4.org, or contact Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta at 203-574-2287 or via email to executivedirector@acts4.org