Businesses, Nonprofits Unite For Breakfast

A chamber of commerce breakfast Friday morning helped to bring awareness to a local nonprofit while driving social capital in the community.

, which was started in 1995, is a statewide nonprofit that provides support, training and assistance to those in the foster community.

"We build a sense of community through our programs," said Outreach Coordinator Heather LaCasse. "We build awareness of foster and adoptive youth in Connecticut."

LaCasse said she believes in nonprofits working together with large and small businesses and Friday was a chance to do just that.

"I think this (breakfast) is always a way to build those relationships," she said.

May is foster care awareness month, so the staff at Connecticut Association of Foster & Adoptive Parents thought it would be a good time to host the chamber breakfast.

Local business owners and Chamber of Commerce members gather the third Friday of every month at a local business to network, eat breakfast and discuss topics affecting small businesses. The event is called the .

"The Rocky Hill Chamber where we drive commerce," said  using his usual tag line. The next Gathering Place breakfast will be June 8 at from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

The breakfast was also a chance for Chamber of Commerce to continue its goal of promoting social capital.

"We are building social capital by helping people find foster homes," said Carr, whose background includes working with nonprofits. "I am very happy to work with Connecticut Association of Foster & Adoptive Parents and its families,"

Connecticut Association of Foster & Adoptive Parents also won a for best nonprofit.

"Every relationship I have ever had has had meaning," said LaCasse, who has visited a previous .

On Friday morning, LaCasse unveiled a new "dress down" program, which allows employees of a company to wear casual clothing on a certain day of the week, usually Fridays, for a fee. The proceeds would go to the Connecticut Association of Foster & Adoptive Parents.

In the end, Lacasse said the true goal of the nonprofit is "to strength communities" and is always looking for more foster/adoptive parents. 

"We want to make sure all foster families are successful on their journey," she said.

For more information about the Chamber of Commerce, call 860-258-7633, email execdir@Rhchamber.Org or visit its website.

The Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 860-258-3400 or visit its website, www.cafap.com.

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