Fit Together Highlights
There’s Still Time to Apply for a HEAL Grant
Fit Together is still accepting applications for our $10,000 grant for Health Eating Active Living (HEAL) initiatives in Torrington and Winchester. Applications are due 8/14/26. Get all the details on our 2026 HEAL Grant Application page. And please share with any area non-profits who could use these funds.
New HEAL Equipment – A Team Effort!
July was a successful month for our Fit Together team! After over a year of planning and preparation, several environmental change projects were completed. It was truly a team effort supported by our community partners in Torrington and Winsted.
First, a bike rack was installed in the Riverview parking lot of the Torrington Library (on the west end by Prospect Street). Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Assistant City Planner of Torrington (Land Use Department) led this initiative with support from Caitlin Vinuelas of the NWCT YMCA and our Executive Director, Carla Angevine. Members of Torrington Public Works completed the final installation. The rack supports bikers visiting the library and other downtown attractions.
Next, Carla spearheaded the installation of the final two pieces of exercise equipment on the Sue Grossman Greenway. These pieces round out the 8 total that Fit Together gifted to the community to encourage more fitness and fun. Located in the Winsted section of the trail, the 7th piece of equipment is the Two-Person Back & Arms Combo unit. It enables you to work with a partner on back, arm, and chest muscles. It is approximately a half-mile south from the parking lot at Lanson Drive. The 8th piece is the Bench Press, which works the arms, chest, and shoulders. It is just north of the Lanson Drive lot.
Planning Fit Together’s Future
Also in July, Fit Together Steering Committee members met to discuss our health collaborative’s future. After wrapping up several of our most pressing environmental change projects, we are reaffirming our mission to help make healthy choices for individuals, easy choices. We welcome your input and participation. Please Contact Us if you would like to be involved.
Members present and pictured above included [FL to FR: Carla H. Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN (Executive Director); Pam Tino; Joanna Keyes. BL to BR: Greg Brisco (Co-Chair); Michael Curi, M.D (Co-Chair); Caitlin Vinuelas, NASM-CPT, NASM-FNS, NASM-CES; Nate Nardi-Cyrus, AICP, CZEO.] Learn more about Our Team here.
Healthy Activities in August
Fit Together members and partners are always hosting healthy activities throughout Northwest Connecticut. Check out August’s featured events, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates:
- 8/12, 8/19, 8/26; 4:30 pm, Free Yoga at Coe Memorial Park in Torrington* – The all-levels yoga series led by Sanctuary Power Yoga continues through August. Bring your mat, friends, and family! View the Sanctuary Power Yoga schedule online for updates
- 8/8, 10:30 am- 3:00 pm, Family Art Party – Join American Mural Project for fun, all-ages, interactive art-making including song, dance, sticker making, collage art, and a special community art project. Learn more and Register Here
- 8/12, 3:00-7:00 pm, Celebrate Belonging Community Field Day – Join together in community to celebrate our differences. [See Flyer] for more details.
- 8/12, Free Community Walks in Winsted – Join Winsted Recreation for Wednesday evening walks on the Sue Grossman Greenway. Meet at the DMV parking lot. [See Flyer and follow Winsted Recreation Facebook for updates.]
- 8/19; 12-1 pm, World Breastfeeding Celebration – A free breastfeeding resource event at Memorial Hall of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, CT. [View Flyer]
- Winsted Active Aging Senior Center – August 2026 Newsletter [PDF] – There are so many free and inexpensive healthy activities available for seniors 55+ in Winsted, CT.
* Free yoga is possible because of generous funding from Hartford HealthCare Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.
If you have a healthy event to share, please let us know at fittogether@how2fitkids.org.
Kids’ Corner – Breastfeeding Awareness in CT
August is “Breastfeeding Awareness” month. This year’s theme is RISE: Resilience, Interdependence, Self-Determination, Empowerment. It highlights the importance of community participation in supporting breastfeeding options for all families.
Attend a local World Breastfeeding Celebration at Memorial Hall, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, CT on Wednesday, 8/19/26, from 12-1 pm. [View Flyer for details.]
Find additional Connecticut and national breastfeeding resources in support of infant health below:
Northwest Connecticut Breastfeeding Resources
- Torrington WIC Facebook – The WIC program serving Northwestern CT is based out of Torrington. It offers breastfeeding support and nutrition education.
- Connecticut WIC Programs – A statewide resource for infant feeding guides and breastfeeding information.
- Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition – A CT-based organization providing resources, support, and research on breastfeeding.
- 211- Breastfeeding Resources – CT residents can call 211 to access free support, or you can visit their resource page for more info.
- Breastfeeding Support from Hartford HealthCare – Find breastfeeding education, access to breast pumps and a Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook from Hartford HealthCare.
National Breastfeeding Month Resources
- National Breastfeeding Month Information – resources from the US Breastfeeding Committee.
- Breastfeeding Handouts – a collection of printable handouts for caregivers and practitioners from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
Worksite Wellness Tip – Grief Awareness
Grief is an unfortunate part of life. Whether we are reeling from a local or national tragedy or experiencing a personal loss ourselves, going about the workday while grieving can be extremely challenging. The following tips and resources focus on supporting you and your coworkers in thriving through grief.
Grief Tips
To begin, it is important to understand that everyone grieves in their own way. The grieving process is highly individual and follows its own timeline. You can not rush or force the grieving process. But you can support yourself and others along the way with the following tips.
- Prioritize Self-Care – Eat a healthy, balanced diet; exercise; practice relaxation tips like meditation and deep breathing; cry when you need to; and prioritize breaks and sleep.
- Talk it Out – Talk through your feelings and emotions with friends, loved ones, and compassionate colleagues. Bottling up your feelings will only make them worse and could lead to health conditions like high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety. You have the power to break the stigma around grief by authentically expressing your needs.
- Join a Group – Join a support group or attend a grief program so that you don’t become isolated. Remember that everyone experiences grief, and many people are willing to share their experiences.
- Access Professional Help – Counseling or coaching with a professional can be helpful, as they offer a safe and confidential environment in which to express yourself.
- Seek Creative or Physical Outlets – The body and mind tend to hold onto heavy emotions like grief. Physical movement of all kinds, such as playing a sport, dancing to music, running, gardening, and taking an exercise class, can all help you release the heaviness. Creativity is also helpful in refocusing your attention on something you enjoy. Making art, baking, singing, playing music, taking photos, or writing in a journal can all provide support.
- Honor the Loss – Creating a memorial project, looking at photos, or establishing a new ritual around the person you’ve lost can help you celebrate their memory and keep them close to your heart.
[Tips are based on “Understanding and Navigating Grief Awareness Month” from StopStigmaSacremento.org.]
Grief Support in NWCT
- McCall Behavioral Health Network – We are proud of the work of our 2025 HEAL grant recipients! They offer supportive mental health programs and other resources. Their current grief support after substance-related loss program meets Wednesdays, 4-5 pm in Torrington or virtually. [See Flyer.]
- Susan B. Anthony Project – As a local leader in supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, their programs also address grief and trauma.
- Litchfield Community Center – The center offers a Grief Yoga program.
- Winsted Recreation – The Winsted Recreation department offers a HeARTwork program which encourages compassion and creativity. Follow their Facebook page for more info.
Grief Resources
- Grief Guide – A comprehensive resource explaining the symptoms and forms of grief, along with tools to help support the grief process from the Cleveland Clinic.
- Free Virtual Grief Support – an online program from HealthGrief.org to support all forms of grief and loss.
- Understanding Grief Awareness Month: Why It Matters – General information on the importance of grief awareness and how to support yourself and others from the Ness Center.
Healthy Recipes – Simple Summer Snacks
EVERYONE loves a little snack. But NO one wants to be spending time in a hot kitchen during the summer. Check out this month’s healthy recipe resource for 14 easy, Healthy Snack Ideas with minimal baking from ActionHealthyKids.org.
BONUS RESOURCE – How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables
With the outbreak of cyclospora, you might be nervous about snacking on fruits and vegetables. To reduce your family’s risk, watch for FDA recalls and be sure to wash all produce thoroughly. This guide on The Right Way to Clean Fruits and Vegetables, According to a Chef from EatingWell.com can help.
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