Celebrating Positive Impacts

 Most of us celebrate birthdays with a little revelry. But how do nonprofits blow out the candles on their big days? These five Stamford-based organizations celebrated landmark anniversaries in 2012 by continuing to pursue their long-established missions of service to others. Much has been achieved, but there’s no time for self-congratulation. As they look to the future, they consider the challenges that remain. For now, congratulations to all on work well done!

Domus

As Domus celebrates forty years of providing stability and support to the area’s most at-risk youth, Executive Director Michael Duggan hopes for continued success. “We’re fortunate to have built a movement of people—individuals, corporations, and foundations—committed to helping the community’s most disenfranchised, vulnerable children,” he says. “There is so much still to be done for these young people. While our vision at forty years—no child shall be denied hope, love, or a fair chance in life—hasn’t yet been met, maybe it will be in another forty years. I hope to put us out of business.”

Stamford Land Conservation Trust

The SLCT understands the importance of untouched, open spaces in our city. “We started with one three-acre parcel in 1972 and now, at forty, protect 400 acres on fifty parcels around the city,” says President Richard Chiaramonte. “Protected open space provides a reserve for local animals and plants as well as an interconnected system for wildlife movement. It strengthens neighborhoods by providing a sense of community ownership and, in that role, increases property values. Perhaps most important, open space—land as nature left it—provides a chance for solitude in an increasingly hectic world.” Looking to the future, he adds, “We think of our fortieth birthday as simply a good beginning.”

Boys & Girls Club of Stamford

The BGCS has provided a fun haven for children to learn and develop positive relationships since 1927. A task that, because of funding, isn’t always easy. “Each year, we need to raise 95% of our operating budget from five annual special events, individual and corporate gifts, and from foundations and government grants,” says Christine Larsen, chief development officer. Underprivileged families struggle to contribute toward the remaining 5%, which is why the BGCS is always thankful for the generosity of donors. “Because of your past contributions,” Larsen continues, “we have been able to continue giving our kids a better chance of success in life.”

Bennett Cancer Center

For the past twenty years, the BCC has treated each person who walked through its doors as a whole individual. Though the center has grown, Liz Manfredo, director of the cancer services, says, “We have never lost sight of our most important and rewarding feature—the relationships we have developed with our patients, their families and the community.” Looking to the future, Manfredo says: “Our vision is to be the recognized regional center for cancer care, offering the best in technology and patient-centered care from screening and diagnosis all the way through end-of-life care or, hopefully, survivorship.”

AmeriCares

AmeriCares might have a global reach—providing immediate emergency medical assistance to people around the world—but it started right here in our backyard thirty years ago. “AmeriCares’s progression has been remarkable. We’ve grown from a kitchen-table operation to the world’s largest charity delivering donated medicines and supplies,” says President and CEO Curt Welling. “Over the years we have supplied $10 billion in aid to 164 countries, and our global health expertise has enabled millions of people all over the world to live longer, healthier lives.” He adds: “As we look ahead...we are mapping out a strategic vision that allows us to tackle complex global health problems and increase our impact.”