Naugatuck Valley Project
WHO WE ARE
Founded in 1983, The Naugatuck Valley Project (NVP) is a network of 23 dues-paying congregations, local labor unions, housing cooperatives, and ethnic organizations. The NVP’s leaders and members work together to build power to affect systemic change for the improvement of their local communities.
The NVP builds its power through intentional relationship building, leadership training, issue exploration, and direct-action activities. We empower low and moderate-income people and their allies to have a strong voice in decisions that affect their lives. The NVP works with allies where interests intersect on collaborative campaigns that affect policies at the municipal, regional, state and federal levels.
OUR SUCCESSES
Below, just a few highlights of our numerous impacts and successes in the Naugatuck Valley Community. None of this would be possible without the engagement, support, and determination of community members like you.
Environmental
Secured national “pilot” status for the Valley and more than $800,000 in funding to start the redevelopment of toxic industrial sites
Training
Developed the leadership skills of hundreds of adult and youth leaders through formal and informal leadership training
Jobs
Organized white and blue collar workers in three employee buy-outs of factories threatened with closing
AND MORE...
These are just a few examples of the change NVP has accomplished!
Housing
Organized to win the development of Brookside, 102 units of permanently affordable, cooperatively-owned housing
Public Services
Organized the Valley’s first Latino/Hispanic Resource Center to provide translation services and referrals for new immigrants
OUR LEADERSHIP & TEAM
Staff
Kim McLaughlin - Lead Organizer, Staff Director
As Lead Organizer, Kim is responsible for overseeing the staff efforts in carrying out the work plan of the Project as developed by the Annual Convention, Delegates Assembly, and Executive Council.
Karime Pimentel - Organizer
Karime joined NVP in 2017. Her organization, Dominicanos-US, INC joined NVP in 2018. Karime is now a member of the NVP staff. As Community Organizer, she coordinates several of NVP's committees and programs.
Executive Council
Richard Natale - President
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Waterbury
Brenda Morisette - Vice President
SEIU 1199NE, Waterbury
Angela Aybar - Treasurer
Iglesia Cristiana Casa del Perdon, Waterbury
Secretary
Rotating assignment month-to-month
Karime Pimentel - Environmental Justice Committee Representative
Dominicanos-US, INC, Waterbury
Bernadette Sands-Jordan - Brookside Cooperatives Representative
Unity Cooperative, Waterbury
Kit Salazar-Smith - Hospital Accountability Committee Representative
Western CT Area Labor Federation, Waterbury
Steve Schrag - Hospital Accountability Committee Representative
Western CT Area Labor Federation, Waterbury
Father John Cooney- Domestic Workers / Comunidad de Trabajados Domésticos Unidos
Retired
Jacqueline Bayas - Domestic Workers / Comunidad de Trebajados Domésticos Unidos
Comunidad de Trabajadores Domésticos Unidos
Reverend Lionel French - Congregation Representative
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Dino Pantoni
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Funders
Archbishop Annual Appeal
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
Presbyterian Hunger Fund
Connecticut Community Foundation
Watertown Foundation
Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities
Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Universal Health Care Foundation
Unitarian Universalist Fund for a Just Society
William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Woodward Foundation
Community Partners
Connecticut AFL-CIO
ConnectiCOSH
Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury
TEAM