Comptroller Kevin Lembo Archive > News
COMPTROLLER LEMBO DELIVERS NEARLY 100 SCHOOL BAGS DONATED BY COMPTROLLER EMPLOYEES TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO FOSTER FAMILIESComptroller Kevin Lembo, joined by Waterbury and Department of Children and Families (DCF) officials, delivered nearly 100 book bags and school supplies to the DCF Regional Office in Waterbury.
Dozens of employees from the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) collect school supplies every year and distribute them to organizations or families that may benefit from them.
Lembo, who adopted two of his three children from foster care, said they chose to distribute the supplies to foster and other DCF client families in the Greater Waterbury area this year to demonstrate community support - and the importance of education -- for these children.
"We want to demonstrate our commitment and appreciation to foster children and their families," Lembo said. "These children, and their families, deserve every extra bit of support we can give them to start the school year off right.
"We are grateful to these families who open their home and lives to children who need them - and to those in the community, school system and at DCF who are determined to see them succeed," Lembo said. "I'm particularly grateful to my fellow OSC employees - dozens of them - who come together every year to support this education initiative, opening their own pockets and hearts for great purpose."
Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz said, "Comptroller Lembo has been a consistent and strong advocate for foster care and adoption in Connecticut. Promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of children is a complex effort that requires the entire community to play an active role. We are certainly appreciative of his efforts to help our foster children and, more generally, to raise awareness about the need for continued support."
Lembo was joined by Vanessa Dorantes, DCF Regional Administrator in Waterbury, who is facilitating the distribution of supplies, as well as Waterbury Mayor Neal O'Leary and Waterbury Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen M. Ouellette who came out to show their support and commitment to Waterbury foster children and families.
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