Winsted, CT – Northwestern Connecticut Community College is pleased to announce the award of a $15,000 grant from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, the Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund and the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. The grant funds will be used to support and aid students who have been, and continue to be, affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful to receive these funds at this time when more of our students are in financial crisis,” said NCCC President Dr. Michael Rooke. “Our students struggle in the best of times. This pandemic has intensified financial need for our students, most of whom work one or more jobs, primarily in the retail or restaurant sector. Many have been out of work the last several months and are struggling to survive on limited resources.”

The funds will be distributed through the NCCC Student Emergency Fund, which was created in 2016 through NCCC Foundation funding, grant funding, and private donations. The NCCC Emergency Fund works to assist students with immediate financial needs based on the student’s specific need and individual circumstances. The grant funds from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, the Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund and the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is expected to help approximately 30 students in a variety of ways, which may include supplying grocery cards or assisting with monthly living expenses that may include technology expenses needed for online study due to pandemic closures.

The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Inc. was founded in 1969 and services 20 towns in the Connecticut northwest corner. The Covid-19 Rapid Resource Fund was created in partnership with the Taconic Berkshire Foundation in March to help non-profits who provide basic needs to the community. The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation was established in 1987 and serves four counties in three states including Litchfield County. Their Neighbor to Neighbor fund program provides emergency grants for critical needs to individuals in crisis in the community.

“By providing these funds,” said Rooke, “this grant will allow students the ability to continue their education and provide a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Susan Stiller
Public Relations, Office of the President
(860) 738-6406 | sstiller@nwcc.edu