$50,000 Presented To 2024 Norwalk Mayor's Ball Beneficiaries

Information via the city of Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling recently presented the 2024 Mayor's Ball beneficiaries, Person to Person and the Norwalk Housing Foundation, with $50,000.

According to a news release provided by the city, Rilling and First Lady of Norwalk Lucia Rilling presented both beneficiaries with a check after this year's event raised $50,000.

The Mayor's Ball, established as a nonprofit charitable institution in 1993, is an annual nonpartisan event that brings people together to help raise funds for local organizations selected by the mayor of Norwalk.

This year's event, which was held on May 18, marked the twenty-ninth year of the city of Norwalk tradition, and each organization was awarded $25,000, according to the city.

"I'm thrilled that this year's Mayor's Ball raised a total of $50,000, benefiting two incredible organizations that are instrumental in helping individuals break the cycle of poverty in our community: Person to Person and the Norwalk Housing Foundation," Rilling said in a news release. "Person to Person provides those in need with critical resources such as food and emergency assistance to help them get on a path towards achieving economic security. The Norwalk Housing Foundation provides scholarships and other educational services to youth living in affordable housing, helping them gain the necessary tools to increase their employment opportunities and attain long-term economic security."

Person to Person, a 501 c3 organization, is dedicated to transforming lives by providing essential resources to help families and individuals navigate the challenges they face and move towards economic stability.

The organization, which was established in 1968, delivers on the promise of its mission as a community-supported agency that provides emergency assistance for basic needs.

They provide essential services to residents of lower Fairfield County, including access to food assistance, clothing and care programs, a financial opportunity center, emergency financial assistance, camperships, scholarships and seasonal programs, according to the city.

The Norwalk Housing Foundation is a 501c3 entity of the Norwalk Housing Authority (NHA), whose mission is to connect residents with education, empowering their ability to transform their futures and break the cycle of poverty.

The NHF was created in 1998 to finance scholarships and other educational services for Norwalk students living in affordable housing. The NHF believes in education as the most accessible pathway out of generational poverty.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor's degree can increase lifetime earnings by $1 million or more compared to a high school diploma. For low-income public housing students, this can mean financial self-sufficiency and the end of reliance on public housing, according to the city.