In June, HGLHC awarded its annual scholarship to Samantha "Sammy" SaNogueira in a scholarship ceremony held by HGLHC, True Colors, and PFLAG to honor each group's scholarship recipients. All of our applicants this year were excellent candidates, and Sammy was our top choice.

Sammy gave a very moving speech about her life as a young member of the LGBTQ community, and about her experience in coming out to her family. The audience was teary eyed as our winner recounted her fears and how she overcame them, and fortunately her family's support and love carried them through those uncertain times.

 

The Scholarship Committee was impressed by Sammy's involvement in her high school GSA, including fundraising for a local alternative family in need, organizing trips to the True Colors Conference, being a member of the Connecticut Diversity Dream Team, and being active in her high school's GSA for four years, serving as co-president for her high school's GSA for the past two years.

 

She will be attending Gateway Community College and plans to work toward a nursing degree. She stated in her application, "It is my desire that upon my graduation to become more involved in helping LGBT children and teens. I believe that self-esteem is a major factor in a child's health, happiness, and success in life. Without acceptance and support, a child will have a lack of self confidence, self worth, and will have a lasting feeling of security." 

 

Congratulations to Samantha SaNogueira and best wishes to her in the future! We are proud of you.

John D. Halpern, CPA is the new Director of Finance for HGLHC.  John has been a part-time accountant for HGLHC and other clients since January 2004.  He is very excited about being a full time staff person now.  John has always enjoyed making contributions to different non-profits and can now focus on HGLHC.  John's major role will be to oversee the finances and help position HGLHC for growth.  He enjoys watching most team sports while participating as a golfer and tennis player.  John and his wife Deb have twin sons whom just turned 21 years old.
 
Join us in welcoming John to HGLHC full time!

 HGLHC celebrated 25 years of serving the LGBTQ community in Connecticut at this year's Connecticut PRIDE. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello, pick up some free goodies such as safer sex kits, information, carabiners, magnets, HGLHC balloons, pens, and other prizes! Click HERE for more pictures taken at PRIDE on our Facebook page.

Bill Brindamour and Peter Tognalli have volunteered at HGLHC for over 15 years. Bill stared in phlebotomy in the lab, and Peter facilitated our men's support group for many years with Gus Keach. They're both state certified HIV prevention counselors, and have been serving in the counseling capacity in the last several years. They have been together for over 30 years, and have recently welcomed a new member to their partnership, Jason Ainge. Bill and Peter are both retired phD elementary school administrators, and they are looking forward to moving permanently to their home in the gayborhood of Palm Springs, CA where they hope to volunteer at the Desert AIDS Project.

 
The entire HGLHC staff thanks them for their many years of devoted service to the community and we will miss them very much!

 

If you are interested in attending a going-away gathering for Bill and Peter, please call Donna Shubrooks as soon as possible, at 860-278-4163 x13.