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connecticut Building Game Changers Alana Williams, 11, enjoying herself at a PLAYer level class at Goodwin Park in Hartford. Annual Report 2020 55 GOLF CLUB ROAD, CROMWELL, CT 06416 • 860.882.1660 • FIRSTTEECONNECTICUT.ORG What will your legacy be? It’s your choice! Hear from Dr. Glen Rapoport on why he chose First Tee. I believe it started or stemmed from tenure as a member of our Board still a personal relationship I had with Dr. stands out in my mind. We had hosted James Mulvihill, who was a native of a luncheon for Board Members along Wethersfield and a National Trustee with several graduates of the First Tee of The First Tee. Our relationship – Connecticut program and the young began in 1968 with my interview at man sitting next to me was a minority the Harvard School of Dental Medicine student from the City of Hartford. He where he was the Assistant Dean of lamented that we were not attracting Students. It grew to something more sufficient minorities, kids like him, professional after I graduated from the to make the trek from the inner city UConn School of Dental Medicine and to Cromwell. He felt that we needed became a practicing Pediatric Dentist to explore more ways to spread the in West Hartford. I attended a series message to his community so that of courses at The Long Island Jewish more kids could have the coaching Hospital where he was teaching and and could grow into better people. the President. Finally, he returned He was correct! We needed to do to Connecticut to become the VP of better. Heath Affairs at the UConn Health It occurred to me later, however, Center. Dr. Mulvihill was a very strong that even though there was an influence in staying engaged and imbalance in the numbers of suburban giving back to organizations and kids participating alongside inner institutions. city kids that friendships might be He approached me because of formed, maybe lifelong between kids our mutual interest in golf and the from diverse neighborhoods, cultures, well-being of children. First Tee and ethnicities. Making friends while seemed like a good fit to me. I happen learning golf all with an eye on the 9 to be an only child and I think that Core Values; that is good stuff!! my choice of profession, Pediatric Now that I am retired after 38 years Dentistry, might have allowed me of Pediatric Dental practice, giving to play the role of a ‘big brother’ to back to First Tee through the legacy my patients in encouraging them to gift program makes me feel that I learn and practice healthy oral habits can still make a healthy difference that would contribute to their overall in some children’s lives. The stories health. First Tee allowed me to blend of the individual successes that are my passion for golf with encouraging recounted in the newsletters are proof healthy habits. that the dollars donated are put to One experience early on in my good use with tangible results. Planned giving is for people from all walks of life and all income levels, who want to make a difference in the world; who want to leave a legacy; who want to make the world a better place. For donors, planned giving may be a way to give their life new meaning, to keep doing good even after death. Planned giving can play a critical role in ensuring a nonprofit’s long-term financial health. A legacy gift can be structured over a period of time or can be deferred, and it can involve a variety of assets, including cash, stock, business interests, real estate, artwork, tangible personal property, life insurance, retirement plan assets and more. For more information on leaving a legacy gift, please contact Development Director, Christy Miller at cmiller@ firstteect.org. 2 • First Tee – Connecticut • Annual Report 2020 Chairman of the Board’s Message: Dear Friends your support. Loyal corporate sponsors We are entering year 3 of of First Tee – sponsored the events that were held, responsibility for Fairfield County, Connecticut, and individual contributions were up and have made real progress in considerably over 2019. Thanks to you, expanding our network of participants If ever there we are well positioned to continue and supporters. Thanks to a strong were a year impacting over 71,000 (and growing) partnership with the City of Bridgeport, where we children across the state of Connecticut. Fairchild Wheeler is our second largest needed to We remain committed to ensuring programming site, and gives us a real focus on our every child in Connecticut has the presence in one of the state’s largest core value of opportunity to benefit from our cities. We remain constrained in lower perseverance, programming. We have learned that Fairfield County without an outdoor it was 2020. Spring programming was equal access doesn’t lend itself to equal facility to conduct our programming. It’s cancelled, events were postponed, participation. In some communities, a difficult challenge, but one we are not facilities were implementing new we need outreach to educate, recruit shying away from. I’m confident with rules or closing altogether. The staff, and transport less advantaged our continued focus, we will persevere volunteers, supporters, and our Board children. Our efforts in New Haven and provide children of lower Fairfield responded masterfully to all the have demonstrated that when we focus County the same opportunity to learn changing dynamics and we ended intently, we can make meaningful and enjoy. the year stronger than we started. Our progress. The pandemic may have Each year brings new challenges and coaches found new and innovative ways slowed some of these efforts in 2020, opportunities. 2020 was no exception. to offer virtual lessons until we could but we are persevering by redoubling I believe that key to our incredible return to in-person programming, and our efforts and devoting additional success over the past 21 years, from seamlessly adapted the new rules that resources going forward. Thanks to 18 kids at Goodwin Park in Hartford were implemented to keep the children Ellie Large for leading our Diversity, to 71,000 across the state, has been in safe. Equity and Inclusion Task Force of never losing sight of our goal of teaching I’m truly grateful for the dedication board members, community supporters, children of Connecticut life skills and support all of you showed when parents, and staff to guide our efforts. through the great game of golf. Thank we needed it most. When some of our Their tireless energy will ensure that the you all for persevering with us. fundraising events had to be cancelled, children participating in our programs many of you stepped up to increase reflect the communities we serve. David Dixon Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) First Tee – Connecticut is committed to a culture of inclusion, as we aim to provide programs and opportunities that are accessible, welcoming, impactful, and fun. That said, we recognize that there are ongoing structural and systemic barriers that often keep underrepresented youth from trying First Tee programs and golf in general. Our Board’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce is exploring ways we can better address inequities in fulfilling our mission. While keeping the kids and their families at the center of our thinking, we are also mindful of the interconnections of and impact by other stakeholders: coaches, community partners, volunteers, staff, board, donors, and alumni. As the Taskforce articulates long-term DEI goals and a framework for achieving them, we will need your help as advisors, advocates, and implementers! If you are interested, please contact Ilona Emmerth, Director of Strategic Partnerships ([email protected] / 860-316-2697). Thank you to our core DEI Taskforce, composed of board members Ellie Large (Chair), Tim Bunt, Javier Colon, David Dixon, Manu Mazumdar, Henry T.A. Moniz, Michael Moraghan and Skip Wyatt. They are working especially closely with staff members Ilona Emmerth, Christy Miller, Mark Moriarty, and Mark Murnane. We look forward to a growing group as we move forward. First Tee – Connecticut • Annual Report 2020 • 3 explained, “I was incredibly intrigued teaching/coaching and known that by its roots in CT, and its commitment it could move a child down a path to youth development through the of immense, personal growth.“ Most Our Front 9 game of golf…a game I’ve loved all recently, Meiser accepted the challenge Media Partner: Creative my life.” Baldwin learned the game of of Taskforce leader taking the helm Services Director at WFSB, golf from his father. “As I look back for our newly formed Fundraising Greg Thomas has been now, he instilled in me many of the Taskforce. “Enhanced engagement as a key partner of First same core values that the First Tee a Taskforce leader with the energized Tee – Connecticut for has adopted as its own,” Baldwin said. First Tee – Connecticut staff and several years. WFSB “Helping to develop young minds and Board to seek like-minded community has been instrumental in character focused on principles such members and businesses to support helping us get our message as honesty, integrity, respect, courtesy this mission of changing lives through out to a larger audience. Thomas and perseverance are valuable tools golf, has been natural for me and said, “We look for charities and non- First Tee Alumni will have for the rest certainly has been my pleasure,” Meiser profit partnerships with similar values of their lives.” Baldwin said that since said. as WFSB. First Tee – Connecticut is his introduction to FTCT and his buy-in a perfect fit for Channel 3.

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