SPOTLIGHT: New Opportunities, Inc.

Recently, Senator Richard Blumenthal announced a $150,000 federal grant for New Opportunities, Inc. in Torrington. This  is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Community Economic Development (CED) program. The CED program promotes equality and inclusive practices in community economic development endeavors.  It also helps  promote job possibilities for those who have faced barriers in obtaining fair employment opportunities.  

Sen. Blumenthal stated that he is  “Excited & proud to announce a $150,000 grant to New Opportunities Inc. a nonprofit in Torrington, to expand its thriving hydroponic lettuce growing business. Proceeds from the business support jobs, services & lots more. Great stuff—& very green”.

President and CEO of New Opportunities, Bill Rybczyk, spoke to the Goshen News about his organization.  “New Opportunities, Inc. is the community action agency serving Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 27 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

 Currently, the organization’s hydroponic greenhouses and Warehouse are located at 350 Technology Park Drive in Torrington.  According to Bill, the greenhouses grow six varieties of lettuce which are sold in grocery and other food stores in Thomaston, Watertown, New Milford, Washington, Bantam and Avon.  You can find their produce in Big Y, Gessler’s, Fresh Market, Adam’s and Avon Prime Meats.

The income from sales of their produce allows them to continue their charitable work with those who are struggling financially in the form of the organization’s Fuel Assistance Program, Housing Assistance, Meals on Wheels, to name a few.  When asked what his goals are for the organization his response was to empower people to live a better life with the organization’s assistance programs and provide opportunities for employment.  New Opportunities has an annual budget of $41 million dollars which helps support 61,000 people yearly through their programs. Their headquarters are in Waterbury and they administer more than 50 social service programs according to Kathleen McWilliams, Senator Blumenthal’s Communications Director.

The organization now employs 300 people.  More employment opportunities will be available now that Senator Blumenthal has helped obtain these funds, which will allow New Opportunities to use their other property in Torrington for an additional fifteen bays of hydroponic growth.