Goshen Good Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The hardships associated with unanticipated emergencies can easily exceed the limitations of government programs or insurance coverages to mitigate them. That’s where the Goshen Good Neighbor Fund (GGNF) has been making a difference.
GGNF was formed in 1977 by a group of concerned residents who had united to assist a family in town after they experienced a catastrophic house fire. Their fundraising efforts helped this family make it past a significant event and empowered them to gradually move on with their lives. That experience led the founders of GGNF, comprised of members of notable Goshen families--Howe, Kobylenski, Allen, Hiltz, Pardon, Grusauskas, Morehouse, Barker and many others—to recognize the positive impact they could have on a continuing basis, helping Goshen residents facing short-term emergency financial needs. The Fund was formally established as a nonprofit corporation so that Goshen families had a resource available for short-term assistance to help overcome a financial 'hiccup' in their lives. It aims to empower Goshenites to overcome temporary hurdles being experienced due to illness, job loss, injury or a catastrophic event. Generally, GGNF, Inc. does not provide ongoing coverage.
The board is today comprised of a diverse array of 13 Goshen residents who volunteer their time to the organization. They hold periodic meetings during the year but most of their activity is done online so that needs can addressed and carried out expeditiously--usually within just a few days.
According to GGNF President Kit Wright, requests for assistance are generally received either directly or as a result of being contacted by the Goshen town office, a concerned neighbor, a school official, or members of the clergy. Board members are then contacted via group email with as many details of the circumstances as possible but without ever sharing the name/s of those involved. Requests are always handled with discretion and confidentiality, the organization's number one priorities. Board members then 'reply all' with their thoughts. If a majority consensus is reached and approved, GGNF issues payments made out directly to the creditor and those checks are given directly to the individual/family so they can be remitted directly.
In the years since the GGNF was established, scores of families or individuals have been assisted in times of emergency need. GGNF has provided assistance with home heating oil, electric and utility payments, auto payments, car repairs, medical bills not covered by insurance, mortgage payments and rental expenses. They have also provided gift cards for gas, Price Rite and Ocean State Job Lot basic needs purchases, and covered home repairs for critical needs such as furnace emergencies.
The annual Goshen Calendar has become a familiar fundraising fixture for GGNF, incorporating original photography illustrating the beauty of the town and its natural surroundings. But GGNF, Inc. also receives and relies upon financial support from individual and business donations and fundraising initiatives large and small, grant programs, our church communities and corporate matching gift programs. The group has expressed their gratitude for that support and their hope is that Goshen Good Neighbor Fund, Inc. is available as a resource for future generations of Goshenites when need arises.
For more information:
The Goshen Good Neighbor Fund, Inc.
PO Box 492
Goshen, CT 06756-0492
GoshenGoodNeighborFund@gmail.com
