“Community is a place where connections are made, relationships are built, and support is given.” –Sandra Day O’Connor The quote above emphasizes the vital role of social interaction in…
John Johnson, Director, Open DOHR Program, Women and Families Center John Johnson serves as the Director of the Open DOHR (Developing Opportunities in Human Resources) Program at the Women…
In a world that often rewards performance over presence, it takes courage to be real. Authenticity isn’t flashy. It doesn’t demand attention or chase applause. It is a quiet,…
Close to 10 years ago, as his family was trying to cope with a loved one who was struggling with addiction, Jonathan and his wife began attending Hope &…
So many people have something to say about the disease of addiction. Many of those opinions, rightly so, are firmly rooted in the lived experience of those affected. Below…
Every so often, someone comes along who inspires compassion, embodies commitment, personifies persistence and impacts the vision of organizations who are making a difference locally and globally. Keith McGilvery…
Thank you to all those who came to see TriCircle’s 2nd Memorial Quilt alongside the 1st one at Wallingford Public Library on April 19, 2025. We lovingly craft these…
TriCircle is pleased to introduce our amazing new Board of Directors President, Colette Anderson, LCSW. Colette comes to us rich with experience in the field of mental health and…
The following article was taken from an online resource called GEO. The link below will take you to the full version of this informative piece. “Financial struggles are a…
Susan is a long-time community activist whose day job, of three decades, was with a CT health insurance company. In retirement, she is the full-time volunteer Executive Director of…
Fact: Many public funding sources have been frozen and may never become available again. The current state of affairs may appear bleak to some and promising to others. My…
We are extremely honored to spotlight “The Collaborative” a training track of over 100 hours funded and made poss by United Way of Meriden and Wallingford’s PowerUp program! CONGRATULATIONS…
Banana Bread and a Grandmother’s Unconditional Love I woke up early one morning, just before Christmas, thinking of my Grandmother Gopoian, which I often do. My grandmother was an…
Ceci Iliff has been involved with TriCircle since its inception in 2016, when she met Ana through a mutual acquaintance. She has hosted many fundraising events through the years…
2025: Focus Forward with Us! Here we are, two months into 2025 already. Wow, time flies faster with each passing year! We recently completed the recruitment of a brand…
Meet Rachel Smith Rachel Smith first became involved with TriCircle through The Women and Families Center. She has teamed up with us recently to provide community education for CPR/AED/First…
Recovery is Possible I am so very proud to say I am 29 years in! I deserve to be proud – recovery is really hard sometimes. I am not…
We recently had the honor and privilege of gaining some insight into the life and times of Owen McLean. Below, he shared his story and shed some light on…
The award-winning ‘For the People’, produced by John Voket, focuses on issues related to aging, veterans, youth, education, health and human services, public safety, workforce and consumer issues and…
This Time… Upon learning about two more young people overdosing and dying during these past couple of weeks, I feel gut-punched and devastated…two more people from two more families.…
Most people know Ana Gopoian as the Founder and Executive Director of TriCircle, but she also created TriCircle Restoration LLC, which was recently featured in another publicly shared video…
Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zones Certain situations can make us all feel awkward or anxious. Stepping out of my comfort zone and into new territory is daunting for me…
We are thrilled to spotlight Enitzaida Rodriguez, the founder of Inside ARTside, LLC, and a beacon of Creativity and Healing. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her passion palpable! In…
Vintage Soul Productions has created a full-length community health and awareness-focused documentary.< Silence on the Streets, Documentary (2022-present): In a significant milestone on our journey from writing, directing, and producing…
Co-Existence or Co-Creation? As I think back over the past 38 issues of The TriCircle Connection, I ponder how many times we have talked about how we can be…
Nathalie Villeneuve is a well-loved author and a talented artist who lives in Meriden, CT. She is also a woman who, like so many of us, is affected by…
The Story Behind the Story: Responses to Stress, Trauma, and Unhealed Wounds Most people who have been affected by the disease of addiction have, at one time or another, asked…
The Holiday Roller Coaster For many people, this time of year is all about the love of family and friends, festivities, joyful gatherings and the spirit of giving. For…
Maryvette Morales has risen from some of life’s most challenging adversity to become a champion for others who want to have a better life. She has overcome obstacles that…
Witnessing Beauty in Chaos We are all familiar with the phrase collateral damage. It is often used in reference to war and refers to injury inflicted on something other than…
When she was a little girl, Melissa Gionfriddo’s grandfather called her “Tesoro Mio”, my treasure. He sensed some things about Melissa; she was somehow gifted…he could clearly see her…
The Many Faces of Vulnerability Vulnerability is a word we use in so many different contexts. We can be physically, emotionally, socially, economically or environmentally vulnerable. We are constantly…
“It’s humbling to volunteer with men and women who lead with love and compassion, and never give up,” said Keith McGilvery, a popular and well loved anchor for the…
Why are we Hyper-Focused on Grades? When we consider the concept of success, we seem to immediately gravitate toward the tools we have developed over the years to assess…
Julie Lyons, a bereaved mom and longtime supporter of TriCircle, is planning an amazing fundraising event to honor her son Philip and to support TriCircle’s mission and message, especially…
It’s All About Perspective When we consider the disease of addiction, many things come to mind. Decidedly, our individual perspectives are deeply dependent on our vantage points. Where do…
Gratitude, Humility, and Awe To stand in awe is truly an amazing experience. It instills a sense of peace, wonder and reverence and creates in us a desire to…
Why Is Hope So Important? Hope is defined as: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. a feeling of trust. a sense that one…
Barbershop/Academy owner and master Barber Jay “Majors” Raposo set out to create a barbering event, uniting barbers and stylists from all over the world in his hometown state of…
Finding Balance During Change Getting in balance is not so much about adopting new strategies to change your behaviors, as it is about realigning yourself in all of your…
Maria Campos-Harlow is the Executive Director of United Way of Meriden and Wallingford. Her first experience in the non-profit world was as a volunteer, and, more than a decade…
The One and Only… From his infectious smile to his talent as a photographer, from his wit and charm to his culinary skills, Bernie is a volunteer extraordinaire who…
Intention, Intuition, Inspiration, and Ideas! I have often wondered where inspiration comes from. We are inspired to act in so many ways each day. Sometimes, it is the subtlest…
Tamarack Lodge sits in a peaceful and enchanting forest setting where rustic elegance turns into magical memories! Listen to amazing live music and dance under a sky full of…
Loneliness and Isolation Provide a Playground for the Disease In recovery, we often find a sense of loneliness and isolation blowing up our barometers as we attempt to navigate…
Now more than ever, The Alex Fisher Foundation continues to educate the public on the perils of opioids and substance use. The foundation was formed to honor the memory…
Gizmo and Gadget are frequent guests of honor at TriCircle’s many events. They occupy an important space in the room and in the hearts of many. Their human, Jen…
Dylan Howley is the Founder of The Lefty Cycles Project, established in 2020; He is a one-armed athlete, finishing his first Ironman 140.6 last year, supported by his family…
The Benefits of Exercise for SUD and Mental Health Wellness Personally, if you were to go back in my story, prior to finding recovery on July 13th, 1995, I…
Giving Back, Selfless Service and the Joy of Sharing! Recently, while I was preparing to write “The Gratitude List” for the day, I looked at the glossary from one…