ACES Gala 2022

Honoree

Town Fair Tire Foundation, Inc. (TFTF) is a private not-for-profit philanthropic organization established by Neil Mellen in 2000. Our mission is to financially support entities and institutions that help people in need of social, health, welfare, educational and other human services across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and beyond. The Town Fair Tire Foundation is dedicated to helping create and sustain vibrant and healthy communities, families and individuals. To accomplish this purpose, TFTF invests in local community-based organizations that promote self-reliance, economic and social advancement and improved quality of life. Town Fair Tire Foundation is especially committed to helping individuals and families who struggle daily with the effects of poverty. An essential theme underlying The Town Fair Tire Foundation's approach to giving is to pay it forward-respectfully asking those who benefit from grants to pay the kindness forward to others in need when they are able. TFTF's ultimate objective and mission is to promote positive change in the lives of those less fortunate to an exponential degree. 

Honoree

Dr. Maysa Akbar

Dr. Maysa Akbar is a groundbreaking psychologist, best-selling author, and healer. Dr. Akbar is a thought leader and expert in racial trauma, allyship, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is an engaging and dynamic speaker who is sought by corporations, philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, urban school districts, and social service agencies in their efforts to promote antiracism and advance racial equity. She brings insight, courage, and passion to her conversations with communities of color and white communities alike.

In her first book, Urban Trauma, A Legacy of Racism, Dr. Akbar introduces the Urban Trauma framework, unpacking how people of color live in a state of crisis due to oppressive societal systems, resulting in feelings of anger, rage, and hopelessness. In her second book, Beyond Ally: The Pursuit of Racial Justice, with wisdom and compassion, Dr. Akbar advances her racial justice work through the creation of the Ally Identity Model, which details the stages of allyship in dismantling systemic oppression.

Dr. Akbar is a board-certified clinical psychologist and has held a Assistant Clinical Professor position at Yale University, School of Medicine. She is also the founder of Integrated Wellness Group, a psychotherapy practice in New Haven, CT specializing in treating race-based trauma since 2008.

Honoree

Julain Roman

Julain Roman attended ACES Village School and ACES Whitney High School East/Whitney Academy from March 2013 to October 10, 2021 at which time he graduated high school.  During his time at ACES, he was "Awarded Worker" of the month two consecutive years in a row (2017, 2018).  This is an award that is given to workers who have excelled in many characteristics of a good employee. Julain has participated in many aspects of the ACES High School program.  He was a valued and active member in the Chorus and Drama Club and performed major roles in two plays: "Once Upon This Island" and "The Lion King".  Julain was also learning to play the guitar and ukulele.  He had numerous paid and volunteer job experiences while in high school including the ACES Workfloor, Culinary Arts, Chartwells, Animal Shelter, Fascia's Chocolates and National Paper. Julain is a very hard worker and values doing the best he can in every job he participated in.  Upon graduation, Julain has worked as a parking attendant at Quinnipiac Sports Arena.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Gold

Thomas Danehy & Maria Malfa

Cheryl & Louis Saloom

Silver

Carol & Thomas Bunk

Peter & Judith Young

Bronze

Elaine Sein

Judith Terrill

Friend of the Foundation

James Barber

Lynn Campo

Gina Drury

Elm City Communities

Emily Freel

Joshua & Suzanne Gold

Carolyn McNally

Jennifer Santarcangelo

Janice & Sean Saunders

Olga Simoes

Virginia Tagliatela

Vanessa Taragowski

Robert Tatham

Tau Xi Omega

Wheelers Auto Service

WTNH

Thank You to our Donors!

Michael Angelis

Marlene Camputaro

Alicia Clapp

Madelyn Colon

Kathryn Cuozzo

Erika Forte

Jennifer Gambardella

Ethel Grant

Thea Guidone

Kathryn Smith Janis

Jeremy Katona

Harold Kramer

Leonard Litvinoff

Derrick Luppino

Kevin O'Brien

Nicholas Onnembo

Janis Panagrossi

Karen Sportino

The Thendara Foundation