CT Collaborative to End Loneliness

12/09/2025

We are delighted to recognize COMEGA - Connecticut Men's Gathering as a CT Connection Champion!

For more than 30 years, COMEGA has been building an intergenerational, diverse community of men dedicated to developing healthier masculinity. Twice a year, over 100 men come together at Camp Hazen YMCA for a powerful weekend of workshops, peer support, experiential learning, and shared connection.

But the heart of COMEGA’s impact happens between gatherings. Through in-person bi-weekly small groups, virtual men’s groups, monthly meetings, and weekly “Wing Man” partnerships, they create year-round opportunities for men to connect, support one another, and strengthen their social health. With a commitment to inclusivity, generous financial aid, and expanding diversity that reflects Connecticut, COMEGA continues to foster belonging and reduce loneliness across our state.

👏 Congratulations to COMEGA for championing connection and healthier communities for men!

Learn more about COMEGA at comega.org.

Visit endlonelinessct.org/connection-champions to learn more about this recognition program or nominate a group fostering social health in Connecticut.

12/03/2025

🎉 Announcing the Newest CT Connection Champion! 🎉

We are proud to recognize the Enfield Together Coalition (ETC) for launching Enfield Connects, a new initiative focused on strengthening social connection across Enfield.

Through this town-wide campaign, ETC will:
✨ Share existing opportunities for residents to connect
✨ Host new signature events that bring neighbors together
✨ Promote a culture of belonging and community well-being

To our knowledge, Enfield is the first municipality in Connecticut to take on a community-wide social connection effort - an exciting and inspiring milestone for our state.

👏 Congratulations to the Enfield Together Coalition on this leadership and innovation in social health!

Learn more about ETC at https://enfieldtogether.org/

Visit www.endlonelinessct.org/connection-champions
to learn more and nominate a group creating connection in your community.

11/13/2025

🎉 Celebrating Connection! 🎉

We are proud to name the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute UConn Waterbury as a CT Connection Champion!

For 19 years, OLLI at UConn has been bringing adults 50+ together to learn, share, and connect - offering courses, lectures, and intergenerational experiences that foster curiosity, purpose, and meaningful relationships. Their member-driven programs create opportunities for friendship, growth, and social engagement, helping reduce loneliness in our communities.

👏 Congratulations to OLLI at UConn for inspiring connection and lifelong learning! Learn more about OLLI at UConn at https://olli.uconn.edu/

Visit www.endlonelinessct.org/connection-champions to learn more about this new recognition program and nominate a group fostering social health in CT.

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the men and women who have honorably served our nation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your service and for the sacrifices made by you and your families.

11/05/2025

Today, we are sharing this powerful short film on loneliness and the power of social connection and belonging by L'Arche Greater Washington, DC.

Loneliness, friendship, and belonging—discover why loneliness isn’t inevitable in our 7-minute short film “On Loneliness."😔➡️🤝 *Watch the film, then share ...

11/03/2025

📣 Introducing CT Connection Champions!

We’re excited to launch a new statewide recognition program celebrating organizations that are strengthening social connection and building belonging across Connecticut.

From small grassroots initiatives to large institutions, these organizations are showing what’s possible when connection comes first - helping create a more connected, resilient Connecticut.

Does your organization foster connection and belonging?

Apply today to be recognized as a CT Connection Champion!

See link in first comment below.

10/03/2025

Enfield is leading the way with a townwide social connection campaign by the Enfield Together Coalition. A great example of a community building connection and wellbeing!

YOU'RE INVITED! Join ETC as we kick-off our new campaign: Enfield Connects! Enjoy good company, food & activities as we introduce a new way to foster connection.

Don't miss our amazing guest speaker from CT Collaborative to End Loneliness

Register today: https://a113102.socialsolutionsportal.com/apricot-intake/82fd9357-b2e8-49d2-b938-7bb54f3ef6d3

09/29/2025

It was wonderful to join the Hartford Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative’s quarterly meeting, convened by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) CT. CT Collaborative to End Loneliness Advisory Council member Rick Brush introduced Frances Kraft from the Foundation for Social Connection - F4SC and Rev. AJ Johnson from the Center for Leadership and Justice.

Together, they led an interactive discussion to help shape the Community Roadmap for Increasing Economic Mobility in Third Places. This roadmap will support communities across the country in building stronger social capital, improving economic mobility, and guiding investments in the spaces where neighbors connect.

We are pleased to have contributed to Hartford’s selection as one of only six communities nationwide invited to join this Gates Foundation–funded project.

09/25/2025

We applaud the creation of the Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate. This new independent office will help reduce barriers to care, support providers, and ensure residents can access the behavioral health services they need.

Social connection is a core component of behavioral health. Strong relationships and a sense of belonging not only support mental well-being, they also help people manage stress, cope with life’s challenges, and build resilience. Conversely, challenges in behavioral health can make it harder to stay socially connected, creating a cycle that affects overall health.

💙 By supporting behavioral health, we can also strengthen the connections that keep our communities healthy, resilient, and thriving.

Governor Ned Lamont has announced the creation of the Office of the Behavioral Health Advocate, a new independent office dedicated to improving access to mental health resources across Connecticut. Howard Sovronsky, a licensed clinical social worker with more than four decades of leadership experience in behavioral health, has been appointed as the state’s first Behavioral Health Advocate.

This office will work to break down barriers to care, support providers in receiving timely insurance payments, and ensure residents can access the behavioral health services they need.

Read the full press release: https://shorturl.at/1iAET

09/17/2025

📢 Exciting news: the Pathways for Inclusive Connection Action Guides are here!

Created with input from adults with developmental disabilities, caregivers, and support professionals, these free guides provide practical tools to build social health, belonging, and meaningful community connections.

Supported by a grant from the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities, the guides are designed for:
✅ Adults with developmental disabilities
✅ Caregivers
✅ Support agencies
✅ Community members looking to foster inclusion

🌐 Access all guides here: www.endlonelinessct.org/inclusive-connection

09/09/2025

A big thank you to Walter Glomb for inviting us to share our 9-month Pathways for Inclusive Connection project at the CT Council on Developmental Disabilities' Annual Meeting! We were thrilled to preview the full set of Action Guides with the audience and celebrate the collective effort to strengthen connection and belonging for adults with developmental disabilities.

It was also a pleasure to connect with Maureen McIntyre, Executive Director at the North Central Area Agency on Aging and a valued member of CCEL's Healthcare Provider/Patient Loneliness workgroup.

Adults with developmental disabilities experience loneliness at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of others - a gap these Action Guides are designed to help close. Watch for the release of this important toolkit on the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness website on September 17!

For All Ages

08/06/2025

🌱 Big things are brewing behind the scenes.

This summer, the CCEL Patient Loneliness/Healthcare Provider workgroup is moving full speed ahead with UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine students leading the charge.

In collaboration with the Emergency Department at John Dempsey Hospital, these students have identified a pilot group of patients and are preparing to launch an innovative program that pairs medical students with patients for ongoing connection and support.

We’re grateful to Dr. Adam Perrin for his thoughtful guidance in helping bring this program to life within UConn Health.

For All Ages, convener of the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, is proud to serve as an advisor on this initiative, with generous support from the Law Stroud Foundation.

We look forward to sharing progress on this meaningful initiative.

More to come this fall - stay tuned! 🌿