The mission of A Better Chance is to provide academically talented and highly motivated young women of color the opportunity to live in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and to study at Ridgefield’s public high school. The nonprofit provides educational, social, and cultural enrichment as they strive to prepare the Scholars to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in American society. Since 1987, fifty-six RABC Scholars have graduated from Ridgefield High School and have gone on to major universities and colleges. RABC, affiliated with the national nonprofit, A Better Chance, operates as one of their 20 public Community School Programs and is a 501c3.

Ability Beyond is a nonprofit that supports people of all abilities and their families to discover, build and celebrate the ability in all people. The organization is dedicated to empowering every person, no matter their ability, to have the opportunity to live, work and thrive as an integral part of their community. The organization has developed groundbreaking programs in community job training and placement, supported living, and recreational and educational enrichment, to empower the individuals they serve to live full and rewarding lives. The mission is to ensure that the people served have a place to call home, enjoy independence through work, and have a forever home where they can age with dignity.

ACT of Connecticut’s mission is to foster a sense of community through the arts by producing exceptional theater and encouraging an environment of inclusivity and artistic excellence. The theatre seeks to elevate the level of entertainment in Fairfield County and presents limited engagement runs of well-known musicals, as well as world-premiere productions by the next generation of writers and composers.  Its extensive theatre education program encourages young students to grow and thrive through theatrical training and performance experiences.

Ann's Place provides comfort, support, and resources to people living with cancer and their loved ones. The nonprofit serves Connecticut and Hudson Valley New York with professional counseling, support groups, wellness activities, and educational resources.  Thousands of people facing cancer come to Ann's Place for support, all at no charge. The nonprofit seeks to be an "oasis of safety, comfort, and support for all facing cancer and their loved ones, regardless of identity".  Their mission includes making services more accessible to those who are overlooked and underserved in our community.

According to estimates from Feeding America, more than 490,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger; more than 131,000 children are food insecure. These are people from all walks of life – children, working parents, seniors, or people living with disabilities. The CT Food Bank works through a network of community-based programs, such as soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters to provide nutritious food to people in need. Last year, Connecticut Food Bank | Foodshare distributed enough food to prepare nearly 47 million meals to people in need in Connecticut.

Mobility Outreach International enables improved mobility for people in under-resourced areas of the world, serving over 30,000 adults and children impacted by limb loss and deformity. Through the organization's global programs and partnerships, MOi provides corrective treatment to children with clubfoot, as well as prosthetic and orthotic services, physical rehabilitation, advocacy, and orthopedic surgical outreach to adults and children.

Please join us in supporting these and other charitable organizations during the coming weeks. To learn more about nonprofits and  how to make the most impactful gifts, visit: https://www.charitynavigator.org/