Governor, Prevention Partnership

Recognize Businesses

HARTFORD — The Governor’s Prevention Partnership recognized Webster Bank, which has a Newtown branch, Travelers, and CBS Radio of Hartford with individual first-time awards for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the well-being and success of Connecticut youth.

The inaugural Partners in Prevention awards were presented October 22 at the Annual Governor’s Luncheon, held at Central Connecticut State University. The Governor’s Prevention Partnership is a public-private collaboration co-chaired by Gov Rell and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield President David Fusco.

“By giving back on behalf of Connecticut children, these companies are shining examples of corporate engagement and reinvestment in the future,” Rell said. “Our future depends upon giving our children, wherever they live, the strongest possible start and guiding their growth into responsible, public-minded adults. These companies are to be commended for their efforts in doing just that.”

Waterbury-based Webster Bank was recognized with the Partners in Prevention Innovation Award for advancing prevention through school-based mentoring. In 2002, nine employees at Webster, working with The Partnership, initiated a program to mentor young people at their local schools that has since grown into a model endeavor.

Today, Webster program involves more than 80 mentors in 25 towns.

“I believe a strong community is made that much stronger by companies, like ours, who take their corporate responsibility seriously,” said Kathryn Luria, Webster’s vice president of community affairs. “It is part of the ‘Webster way.’ When our employees become mentors, it puts this philosophy in motion.”

Travelers received the Partners in Prevention Leadership award for its significant championship in furthering science-based prevention across the state. For many years, Travelers has provided substantial resources for programs that improve children’s lives and opportunities, including funding of The Partnership’s mentoring evaluation project and its own 27-year-old tutorial program.

“At Travelers, we believe that prevention work in our community is key to ensuring that as a society, we are working toward improving the social, economic, health, and quality of life issues that affect all of us every day,” said Andrew Bessette, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Travelers. “We firmly believe that a key element to attract and retain top talent, especially as our hiring environment grows more competitive, is our commitment to the community and the many opportunities we provide for employees to get directly involved with the community.”

CBS Radio Hartford, which broadcasts from its Farmington offices, received The Partners in Prevention Media Award for its outstanding commitment to raising public awareness. In addition to airing public service announcements, CBS Radio has created campaigns promoting mentoring and safety, including its Kids Shout Out campaign, which broadcasts messages written and recorded by young people.

“I believe all corporations have a responsibility to support work in prevention strategies,” said CBS Radio Hartford General Manager Suzanne McDonald. “Like the work of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership, they help build a better community, one person at a time. It also translates into creating a strong workforce for the future, so we all benefit.”

Jill Spineti, The partnership’s president and CEO, said the awards are testament to the importance of Connecticut’s business community in helping to provide the foundations for success to Connecticut’s children.

“No single entity can overcome the problems our children face, but together we can make a difference,” Ms Spineti said. “Prevention efforts are only as strong as the local, daily efforts that caring adults make. Because of the commitment of companies like Travelers, Webster Bank, and CBS Radio Hartford, the fabric of prevention in Connecticut is strong here in Connecticut, and growing even stronger.”

Created in 1989, the Governor’s Prevention Partnership is a public-private partnership between state and business leaders devoted to keeping Connecticut’s youth safe, successful, and drug-free. It is the only statewide organization focused exclusively on prevention, and is among the state’s largest organizations dedicated to preventing alcohol and drug use among youth and to combating school violence.