A picture of Ms. Munet's house was shown to all in a slideshow created by executive Director Joe Mann that
provided a visual display of the impact that NEON has on the community that it serves. The show highlighted many
of the ways that NEON serves the community by defining in concrete numbers some of the It is the mission of NEON
to provide economically disadvantaged residents of the greater Norwalk area with the range of community, social
and economic development and emergency assistance services needed to enhance the quality of life…
Lori Manigo, also a participant in NEON's IDA program, spoke to the evening's guests about her journey in
purchasing her first home. She entered the IDA program in 2001, but her story didn't stop at her first home. Manigo
learned that she has a knack for real estate, and by 2004 had purchased three more homes.
The Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program is a Federal and State funded program, that matches
participant savings that can be used save for a down payment on a first time home, start a business, or work on
post-secondary education.
NEON NorwalkWorks customer, Ouafaa Oudouni, said that she has received many wonderful services from NEON
such as, energy assistance, job readiness skills, and even credits staff in helping her find a job. As she closed her
story, Oudouni mentioned she wanted to learn more about the IDA program after hearing the testimonies from the
previous NEON customers.
NEON was honored to have two featured speakers for the evening, the Commissioner for Connecticut's Department
of Labor, Patricia Mayfield and Commissioner Patricia Wilson-Coker of the Connecticut Department of Social
Services.
Each year, NEON's Executive Director awards its NEON Community Action Awards to community members and staff
who are recognized for giving of their time, commitment, and efforts to NEON, its clients, and the Norwalk area
community. During the evening, Dina Kubelle, of NEON, Rev. Jeffery Ingraham, of Calvary Baptist Church, David
Kennedy of the Norwalk/Wilton United Way and Daisy Franklin were recipients of this award, honoring their part in
making the community stronger and assisting people to become more self-sufficient.
NEON's 41st Anniversary Dinner Celebration was a time to thank our friends, staff, funders, and partners for all of
the support that they have given to NEON throughout the years, and to ask them to join us in working towards our
future endeavors.
provided a visual display of the impact that NEON has on the community that it serves. The show highlighted many
of the ways that NEON serves the community by defining in concrete numbers some of the It is the mission of NEON
to provide economically disadvantaged residents of the greater Norwalk area with the range of community, social
and economic development and emergency assistance services needed to enhance the quality of life…
Lori Manigo, also a participant in NEON's IDA program, spoke to the evening's guests about her journey in
purchasing her first home. She entered the IDA program in 2001, but her story didn't stop at her first home. Manigo
learned that she has a knack for real estate, and by 2004 had purchased three more homes.
The Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program is a Federal and State funded program, that matches
participant savings that can be used save for a down payment on a first time home, start a business, or work on
post-secondary education.
NEON NorwalkWorks customer, Ouafaa Oudouni, said that she has received many wonderful services from NEON
such as, energy assistance, job readiness skills, and even credits staff in helping her find a job. As she closed her
story, Oudouni mentioned she wanted to learn more about the IDA program after hearing the testimonies from the
previous NEON customers.
NEON was honored to have two featured speakers for the evening, the Commissioner for Connecticut's Department
of Labor, Patricia Mayfield and Commissioner Patricia Wilson-Coker of the Connecticut Department of Social
Services.
Each year, NEON's Executive Director awards its NEON Community Action Awards to community members and staff
who are recognized for giving of their time, commitment, and efforts to NEON, its clients, and the Norwalk area
community. During the evening, Dina Kubelle, of NEON, Rev. Jeffery Ingraham, of Calvary Baptist Church, David
Kennedy of the Norwalk/Wilton United Way and Daisy Franklin were recipients of this award, honoring their part in
making the community stronger and assisting people to become more self-sufficient.
NEON's 41st Anniversary Dinner Celebration was a time to thank our friends, staff, funders, and partners for all of
the support that they have given to NEON throughout the years, and to ask them to join us in working towards our
future endeavors.
On Friday Evening, October 27, 2006, Norwalk Economic
Opportunity Now, Inc. (NEON) celebrated the 41st
Anniversary of serving the low-income and economically
vulnerable who live in the greater Norwalk area.
The event was held at the Continental Manor and was
attended by approximately 200 individuals, including Mayor
Moccia, Congressman Christopher Shays, and Dianne
Farrel. Also in attendance were State Senator Bob Duff and
State Representatives Larry Cafero, Toni Boucher, Joe
Mann (also NEON's Executive Director). Common Council
members, Herb Grant, Carvin Hilliard, Phyllis Bolden, Gwen
Briggs, Joanne Romano, Doug Hempstead, Rick McQauid.
Former Mayors Alex Knopp, Bill Collins and Frank Zullo
were also in attendance. Board of Education members
Richard Fuller, Rosa Murray, Migdalia Rivas and Planning
Chair Walter Briggs, Board of Estimate & Taxation Chair
Fred Wilms and obviously many others.
The theme of the evening, "The Meaning and Promise of
Community Action, was vividly portrayed by former Norwalk
Fire Chief Sanford Anderson who had won the top raffle
prize, a Weber Charcoal Grill, donated by HoCon Gas of
Norwalk, and then promptly gave it to one of the NEON
clients, Cynthia Munet who had just spoken to the gathering
about NEON's help in purchasing her first home.
Munet, a single mother of three and a foster parent, and
who had recently became a first time homeowner, shared
her story during the Anniversary Celebration. She
acknowledged that NEON, Inc. had been a significant help
to her, especially through its Individual Development
Accounts (IDA) program. Through the IDA program, Munet
was given the opportunity to participate in financial
education, open a savings account, and make community
connections that have made purchasing a home possible.
Opportunity Now, Inc. (NEON) celebrated the 41st
Anniversary of serving the low-income and economically
vulnerable who live in the greater Norwalk area.
The event was held at the Continental Manor and was
attended by approximately 200 individuals, including Mayor
Moccia, Congressman Christopher Shays, and Dianne
Farrel. Also in attendance were State Senator Bob Duff and
State Representatives Larry Cafero, Toni Boucher, Joe
Mann (also NEON's Executive Director). Common Council
members, Herb Grant, Carvin Hilliard, Phyllis Bolden, Gwen
Briggs, Joanne Romano, Doug Hempstead, Rick McQauid.
Former Mayors Alex Knopp, Bill Collins and Frank Zullo
were also in attendance. Board of Education members
Richard Fuller, Rosa Murray, Migdalia Rivas and Planning
Chair Walter Briggs, Board of Estimate & Taxation Chair
Fred Wilms and obviously many others.
The theme of the evening, "The Meaning and Promise of
Community Action, was vividly portrayed by former Norwalk
Fire Chief Sanford Anderson who had won the top raffle
prize, a Weber Charcoal Grill, donated by HoCon Gas of
Norwalk, and then promptly gave it to one of the NEON
clients, Cynthia Munet who had just spoken to the gathering
about NEON's help in purchasing her first home.
Munet, a single mother of three and a foster parent, and
who had recently became a first time homeowner, shared
her story during the Anniversary Celebration. She
acknowledged that NEON, Inc. had been a significant help
to her, especially through its Individual Development
Accounts (IDA) program. Through the IDA program, Munet
was given the opportunity to participate in financial
education, open a savings account, and make community
connections that have made purchasing a home possible.
