Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI), Future 5 and Women’s Mentoring Network presented $5000 each
The Connecticut chapter of GOPIO International (GOPIO-CT) organized a fundraiser to benefit the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) and two other charities — Future 5 and Women’s Mentoring Network.
CIRI, a statewide nonprofit organization assists refugees and immigrants in resolving legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers to becoming self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community.
It does so by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross-cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
With a full house and overflowing, GOPIO-CT raised $15,000 at its Holiday Party on Dec 15. A check for $5,000 was presented to CIRI President and CEO Susan Schnitzer, according to a press release.
READ: GOPIO raises $5,000 for Building One Community for new immigrants (January 12, 2021)
“At CIRI we provide legal, economic, linguistic and social services to immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking throughout Connecticut to our clients who come from more than 90 countries,” said Schnitzer.
GOPIO-CT also presented checks to two other charities with similar amounts, Future 5 and Women’s Mentoring Network. These two later groups have been supported by GOPIO-CT since 2016.
Accepting the check, Future 5’s Executive Director Amanda Dubois Mwake said, “GOPIO has been very supportive to Future 5 which helps motivated low-income high school students in Stamford lifting them to their full potential leading to independence.”
Women’s Mentoring Network’s Executive Director Lana Gifas said “GOPIO has been always supportive to our program in Stamford focusing on economic empowerment of single women and their families and providing support services that focus on finding better employment and educational opportunities.”
In her welcome speech, GOPIO-CT President Dr Jaya Daptarda gave an account of the various activities for the year.
“GOPIO CT has been providing variety of supportive programs to our community including cultural programs, educational tax seminars, panel discussions and networking for students, fundraisers for charities and specifically our health and wellness seminar, and this year celebrating mental health month by organizing seminar on mental health stigma among Indian parents. It was very well received,” she said.
GOPIO-CT Board Member Prof Sujatha Gadkar-Wilcox, who is a professor at Quinnipiac University, was recognized on being appointed by Governor Ned Lamont as a Commissioner at Connecticut Human Rights Commission.
Gadkar-Wilcox said the Commission aims to eliminate discrimination and establish equal opportunity through civil and human rights law enforcement as well as advocacy and education.
GOPIO-CT also honored its Past President Anita Bhat at the Holiday Party with Liberty Award 2023 for community leadership and for her services to GOPIO for over a dozen years.
GOPIO-CT has reelected the team for 2024 at the General Body Meeting held before the Holiday Party. The new team members are President Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani, Vice President Prachi Narayan, Secretary Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Associate Secretary Ashvini Persaud and Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu.
The General Body also elected Dr. Thomas Abraham and Totty Narang to the two open positions of Trustees. Continuing Trustees are Shelly Nichani (Chair), Joe Simon, Shailesh Naik and Prasad Chintalapudi. Up to 11 new Board Members will be appointed by the Executive Council.