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Community Corner

Order of Malta group speaks at Greenwich Rotary Club

In the Photo - (from left to right): Nick Yanicelli, Cindy Cloney, and Kathleen Taylor, Dennis Arrouet, and Gary Miller of Greenwich Rotary.

On May 22nd 2013 The Greenwich Rotary club hosted the Order of Malta group to speak to the club. The speaker Nick Yanicelli educated the Rotary club about prison statistics in the state of Connecticut. There is a shocking statistic from the U.S. Department of Justice that On January 1, 2008 in the United States more than 1 in 100 adults in the United States were in prison or jail. The cost to keep a person in jail in Connecticut for a year is over $40,000.00 per person, more than what we spend on higher education per person. The Order of Malta educated us about ways to work with State Legislators on criminal reform and is involved with several civic organizations to help qualified, screened ex offenders find employment. The problem seems to be that we have over crowded our jails with first time offenders for things like drugs and alcohol, when other jail alternative punishments or community service projects could have work to alleviate this burden. Also present from the Order of Malta Group was Cindy Cloney, and Kathleen Taylor. The wonderful work they do changes lives for families, children and individuals every day. It is truly life vital to our communities and changing the world we live in for the better. The group is always looking for volunteers, and people interested to get involved. Their work reminded me of the Margaret Mead quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." For more information on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta American Association, USA, please contact Kathy Taylor, Executive Director of the Malta Prison Volunteers of Connecticut at 203-691-1760 In the Photo - (from left to right): Nick Yanicelli, Cindy Cloney, and Kathleen Taylor, Dennis Arrouet, and Gary Miller of Greenwich Rotary. This photos was taken at Greenwich Rotary’s weekly 12:15 meetings at The J House (1114 E Putnam Ave Greenwich, CT 06878). All welcome. Info at http://www.greenwichrotary.org/ Please note meetings start at 12:15 for lunch in Greenwich at the J House and all are welcome to attend. A non-profit 503c organization, the Club of approximately 70+ members, who are by Rotary International requirements from different occupations, raises money locally for distribution to worthy causes locally and internationally. The J House is a boutique hotel which offers way more than chic lodging. It has an assortment of pleasures. There is a an stylish outdoor dining room, bar and lounge areas. When you walk in you smell and see fresh chocolate from fountains at the “Chocolate Lab” located inside this multifaceted contemporary hotel. The J house radiates a modern atmosphere and houses seasonal American Cuisine from their restaurant “Eleven 14 Kitchen”.

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