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Welcome to

Parent Connection

Our mission is to educate and empower our communities in the prevention of substance abuse and to embrace the families affected by this crisis.

Educate, Embrace, and Empower 

We believe that knowledge is power, and by becoming better informed, we can begin to take the steps necessary to prevent or treat the problem. This is an issue that affects all aspects of our community, and your involvement will make a positive difference.

 

Our goal is to continue to work in conjunction  town agencies, police departments, schools, and religious communities to enlighten our community in order to prevent the use of drugs and alcohol among our youth.

 

Parent Connection is committed to addressing the problem of substance abuse directly, and is dedicated to helping increase awareness through education.

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Milford Hope & Support Group

Every Monday 

7:00-9:00 pm

71 River St. Milford, CT

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Meets in person each Monday at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. 

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Park behind building and enter through the RED door.

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Middlebury Hope & Support Group

Every Tuesday

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

1263 West Street, Middlebury, CT

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Meets in person each Tuesday at St. John's of the Cross.

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Newtown Hope & Support Group

Every Thursday

7:00 - 9:00 pm

2 Washington Square, Newtown, CT.

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Meets in person each Thursday at the offices of the Parent Connection. 

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LEARN MORE
Drinking, Smoking, Vaping:
Trends in Teen Use and What Parents Can Do

Support Groups

We offer a compassionate, family systems approach, providing holistic programs to educate, empower, and rehabilitate families. Our support groups are open, free and all are welcome.

Donations are always appreciated.

Learn more about how you can get involved and help us to keep our programs going.

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Founder & Executive Director  

Dorrie Carolan and her husband raised their four children in Newtown, CT.  Starting the Parent Connection was never part of her plan.  The issue of substance abuse became personal when her eldest son, Brian, became addicted and subsequently died at age 28 of a prescription drug overdose.  Through the struggles caused by Brian's addiction, Dorrie became aware that this was an issue that affected many others in the community.  She founded the Parent Connection in 1993 in an attempt to network with other concerned parents.  It was the impetus behind many policy changes in town and within the schools.  

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a committed body of volunteers who support our mission to keep our youth safe and substance free.
 

Testimonials

Wanted to take a few minutes to comment about The Parent Connection and my perception of its value to individuals and families. After living in Newtown for a few years, our son inexplicably ended up in an addictive situation.  We were at a loss as to what to do to get guidance and help.  We happened upon the Parent Connection when it was in its infancy.  We must say that Dorrie was welcoming, sensitive, and importantly, informed as to options we had as a family.

 

Without their “connection” to us, with their honest and straightforward guidance, I am sure that our outcome would not have been as favorable as it has turned out to be for our son and for the family.  They had the connections to resources across the United States where we were able to find help.  Beyond their resource connections, they, importantly, have maintained contact with us and our son for more than 8 years!

 

We were looking at the very worst situation for our son, and the good folks of Newtown Parent Connection “turned it around.”  Words cannot adequately express the thanks we have for them and all that they do for the community.

-Gary
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