Newtown Parent Connection on the Verge of New Fairfield Hills Home

For decades, the Newtown Parent Connection has served the community as a resource center for parents and loved ones of those dealing with addiction — in their own words, to "demonstrate the critical importance of prevention, early intervention and ongoing support for young people and their families."

Now the organization is on the verge of landing a permanent spot at the Fairfield Hills campus. And after a public hearing Monday night at the Newtown Municipal Center, it will be even closer to its goal.

"It's very exciting," cofounder Dorrie Carolan told Patch. "We'll be able to do more than we've been doing, because we'll be able to run workshops out of the facility."

The Newtown Parent Connection came together in 1993 when Carolan's son was in the throes of addiction. (Her son later passed away from an overdose.) Along with fellow parent Donna DeLuca, she started a small once-a-month support group.

"Finally, we sat down, and together we cried," Carolan said. "We said, 'What are we going to do? We have to get the word out.' Parents were in denial ... There was a lot of fear. When you're putting yourself out there, you're going to have publicity ... But it's come full circle."

The group is now up to 40 members a week, and the Newtown Parent Connection offers free workshops, educational programs, a lending library and other services at their Edmond Town Hall headquarters.

A $500,000 state grant will help the Newtown Parent Connection in their move. The funds were originally earmarked for Kevin's Community Center, a local free medical clinic, but selectmen said that organization wasn't able to take on the project.

The proposed lease is scheduled for a public hearing at Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting, where residents will have a chance to offer comments. At a meeting in October, selectmen said they trusted the organization with a 10-year lease. (The grant is intended for long-term use, and the town takes responsibility to pay back any remainder, should the venture fail.)

"I have no concerns at all that's going to happen," Selectman Pat Llodra said at the previous meeting. "This has been fully in place for 20 years. i can't see any way it's going to disappear."

Carolan said Llodra's help had been essential. The first selectman worked closely with the organization for the past three years in the hopes they'd make the move.

"I think it's a good match," she said. "She's been instrumental in getting us to apply for the grant. And the support from the town government has been wonderful — we had the meeting with [Selectmen] Jim Gaston and Will Rodgers, and they were very supportive also."

The proposed lease has gone before the town's design review board, Legislative Council and Board of Finance. The Newtown Parent Connection would pay the town 42 cents per square foot — the same amount Newtown Youth Academy and the future ambulance garage pay.

Carolan says the organization is hoping to move into Fairfield Hills by Spring 2013.