The USO is dedicated to strengthening the well-being of America’s military service members and their families. With support from the Lowe’s Hometowns grant, the center will undergo critical updates, including asbestos and lead paint removal, fresh wall paint, new flooring, drop ceiling tiles, and the installation of updated lighting and a heating element. A dividing wall will also be constructed to improve storage.
The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department has a diverse and dedicated volunteer base that includes both men and women, as well as members from the LGBTQ+ community. The Lowe's Hometowns grant will provide brand-new bunkrooms that allow for the volunteers to have privacy while serving their shifts. An office relocation and full kitchen renovation will create a comforting space to foster connection among volunteers.
The Place, a grocery store-style food pantry operated by Southeast Connecticut Community Land Trust, serves community members throughout the day, evenings and weekends. The Lowe's Hometowns project will support renovations of the ‘food wing' which will include painting and replacing the flooring in the kitchen and hallway, installing a commercial stove and oven, and replacing the walk-in cooler. These updates will create space for community nutrition classes and help serve even more families and individuals.
The St. Vincent de Paul Vocational Arts Fair Trade Program will provide instruction for members of the community struggling with homelessness, addiction and mental health and are unable to work in mainstream employment. As volunteers create crafts to sell for fair trade, this project will renovate the basement rooms of a local church to create adequate space to run the program.
With the Lowe’s Hometowns grant, the Alternative Services Gardening Facilities will expand their vocational programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. A greenhouse, farm stand for distribution to the community and a shed will all be constructed. Having a garden will help clients build life skills and the produce, flowers, and plants grown in the new gardening facilities will provide the community access to fresh produce and help alleviate food insecurity in the area.
The Harry R. Bartlett American Legion Post 89 has renovation plans that include removing and replacing windows, replacing a 50-plus year old gas stove and exhaust hood and modernizing the kitchen so it can continue hosting community events.
This project from the Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury includes the building of a pergola and the commission of a mural for its shipping container shed to attract people into the space to connect, network, uplift the blighted neighborhood, garden, practice mindfulness and yoga, meditate and enjoy their community in a safe, sheltered space.
A community center that provides resources and opportunities for local children seeks assistance in making much-needed improvements to its art room, a staple of the center that provides out-of-school enrichment programs that help children succeed academically, make them more likely to develop healthy lifestyle habits and less likely to engage in risky behavior.