Valley Community Foundation

Congratulations to Derby High School Class of 2026 Salutatorian Sara Poric, pictured here with the Valley Community Foundation's (VCF) President & CEO, Sharon Closius. Sara was awarded the Joseph and Pauline Warichar Memorial Scholarship!

The scholarship, managed by VCF and awarded annually through Derby High School, supports graduating students pursuing higher education in nursing, pharmacology, or agriculture. We are proud to recognize Sara's outstanding achievements and wish her continued success as she begins the next chapter of her educational journey.

"Our worth was never measured by a GPA, a ranking, or a title. No matter what road you take, every path can lead to success,” Sara said in her graduation address to her fellow classmates and their families Monday. “And maybe the biggest lesson high school taught us is this: growth is rarely comfortable. Growth looks like failing and trying again. We arrived here as students trying to figure out the future. We leave as people who understand ourselves a little more than we did before. And although we may not remember every assignment, every test score, or every homework deadline, we will remember how this place made us feel: challenged, supported, stressed, hopeful and ultimately, transformed."

The Joseph and Pauline Warichar Memorial Scholarship is just one of dozens of scholarship funds stewarded by VCF, helping local students pursue their educational goals and honor the legacies of generous donors who believe in the power of education.

To learn more about VCF-managed scholarships available to students in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton, visit our scholarship pages at the VCF website -- ValleyFoundation.org -- and discover how these opportunities are helping shape the next generation of Valley leaders.

The Van Egghen Family Fund at Valley Community Foundation reflects a belief that strong communities are built through civic engagement, volunteerism, education, and neighbors helping neighbors. Through support for local initiatives and organizations that strengthen the Valley, the fund continues a legacy of active community involvement and shared responsibility.

Because Valleyness is more than where we live. It’s how we show up for one another.

As part of our “The Future of Valleyness” series, this story highlights how investing in community leadership and local engagement helps shape a stronger future for generations to come.

Learn more: https://youtu.be/bxygJDzfGC0?si=Pkrn_bxOH4kTCYyE

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What does it mean to plan for the future of a community?
Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is proud to introduce 25 for the Next 25 -- a new initiative focused on strengthening the foundation and the Valley for the years ahead.
This isn’t a typical fundraising campaign. It’s about building long-term support through planned giving and growing the resources that help respond to needs in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton as they evolve.
It’s about making sure the Valley continues to thrive -- not just today, but for generations to come.
Learn more https://www.valleyfoundation.org/investing-in-the-valley/25-for-the-next-25

We are thrilled to share that Traveling Toys has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Valley Community Foundation to fund the 1st children’s and teens’ toy lending library at the Derby Public Library!

This funding will provide families with access to high-quality toys and games that promote play, learning and connection.

Did you know Derby is preserving its history one plaque at a time?

Today, VCF's carriage house building on Elizabeth Street got its own.

As part of the City's 350th anniversary celebration, the Borough of Birmingham Historic Signage Project has placed commemorative plaques at some of Derby's most significant historic sites, including the historic library, the Sterling Opera House, Birmingham Green, and the Brian Dennehy Bridge, to name just a few.

The project helps tell the story of downtown Derby's rich past while celebrating its ongoing revitalization. Special thanks to the Derby Public Works Department for installing the plaque today and to local community leader and historian Jack Walsh, and the many volunteers who helped bring this project to life.

City of Derby, CT Derby Historical Society

Latest New Fund Video for the Valley Community Foundation - powerful story of loss and legacy. Proud to be entrusted to help tell such stories in a way only video can.

Yesterday at 12:46 PM, units were dispatched to Oak Cliff Cemetery on Hawthorne Avenue for a worker experiencing a medical emergency.

Upon arrival, Storm Ambulance & Rescue personnel discovered the patient had suffered a medical emergency and fallen approximately 25 feet down a steep embankment at the rear of the cemetery. Due to the difficult terrain, a rope rescue response was requested.

Members of Storm Ambulance & Rescue conducted a low-angle rope rescue operation and safely retrieved the patient from the embankment. During the incident, the Storm Ambulance Robotics Division launched a drone to provide aerial observation of the rescue effort, marking the first operational deployment under the organization’s new drone program.

Units operated on scene for approximately 30 minutes under the command of Chief Thomas Lenart Sr. Assistance was provided by Valley EMS and the Derby Police Department.

“For generations, rescuers have relied on ropes, training, and teamwork. Today, we add drones and advanced technology to that toolbox, giving responders better information while maintaining the same commitment to saving lives.” Chief Lenart

This incident highlights the value of specialized rescue capabilities and emerging technologies in supporting patient care and responder safety.

Units Operating:
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Derby Police Department Northeast Fire-Rescue

Elliott Moscato was known for his kindness, work ethic, generosity, and the way he made people feel valued. Though his life was far too short, just 22 years old, his impact on family, friends, classmates, and the Valley community continues to live on through the Elliott Moscato Scholarship Fund at the Valley Community Foundation.

The scholarship supports Emmett O’Brien graduates pursuing careers in Precision Machining Technology -- helping hardworking young people build futures while carrying forward the qualities Elliott embodied every day: compassion, dedication, integrity, and heart.

That is the power of a legacy that lives on.

Learn more: https://youtu.be/fa4W9pJ0wtM?si=gG5q0QSMDR50CDP0

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