2026-09-17T08:48:51-07:00 2025-12-31 061609121 Adam P Cohen CPA LLC 81 South Main St Suite 9 West Hartford CT 06107 990 2025-01-01 844647186 CLICC Inc CLIC 2036410991 470 James Street 7 New Haven CT 06513 David Reif Treasurer 2026-08-22 true Adam P Cohen P00046319 8605216400 X 2025 Hon Mary Sommer Chairman 176924 false X www.connectingfamilies.org X 2020 CT Mentoring and literacy activities to strengthen communication and deepen bonds between children and their incarcerated parents and to reduce recidivism rates for incarcerated mothers and fathers, while also reducing the shame and stigma that their children can experience. 9 9 3 50 0 250602 169061 0 9139 7863 0 259741 176924 0 0 164819 167775 3325 0 4341 49864 52293 218008 220068 41733 -43144 455538 412394 0 455538 412394 Mentoring and literacy activities to strengthen communication and deepen bonds between children and their incarcerated parents and to reduce recidivism rates for incarcerated mothers and fathers, while also reducing the shame and stigma that their children can experience. false false 185795 Mission and Vision - CLICC literacy and mentoring increases communication and strengthens relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. We contribute to deeper connections between parents and children, despite the barriers and effects of incarceration. One in 14 children in the United States have or have had a parent in jail or prison.Three-Prong Method: 1) Develop parenting and communication skills in weekly meetings in prison with trained mentors; 2) Hold weekly meetings in the community with children, one to one, guided by trained and supervised mentors, to help with reading and homework and serve as a supportive person in their lives and; 3) Encourage conversations through mail, phone calls, and visits between parents and children about books the children pick to read.Since 2014, CLICC has served nearly 1,000 parents and 400 children, and trained approximately 800 mentors. Most mentors are college students in Connecticut in disciplines such as criminal justice, social work, education and psychology. A study by the University of Connecticut (2023) showed that children who met with a CLICC mentor experienced fewer emotional, behavioral, attentional and relationship difficulties during their year with CLICC. Some of the improvements were that children were less likely to fight and also less likely to feel unhappy or depressed. While the study is not a guarantee that all children in CLICC will have the same experience, it confirms what we at CLICC have known for a long time: Participating in CLICC and meeting with a CLICC mentor can help children with an incarcerated parent or loved one feel and behave better. *A 2024 grant project to provide intensive support for fathers in three prisons concluded in September. The grant brought together providers of the 24/7 Dad curriculum, CLICC literacy and mentoring, and post-release support services, in hopes of underpinning families in need and decreasing the recidivism rate for returning fathers. The grant was awarded by the federal Department of Justice to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, which brought CLICC into the project.*This was the first full year of a new CLICC literacy program to serve families with children of pre-reading age (infant to age 4). Incarcerated parents pick books they would like to read to their young child during phone calls, and video or in-person visits. Copies of the same books are sent home so the child can follow along at home, and also read with their caregiver. About 25 families participated in this first year.* We also continued our practice of providing basic-needs support to participating families during the December holidays. CLICC mitigates pressing challenges:1) Strained, often destructive relationships among families which include an incarcerated parent. Reinforcing the literacy skills of re-entering parents and their children will help to ease their transition, help the family move forward more cohesively, and better equip formerly incarcerated people to enter the workforce.2) Children of the incarcerated can experience a combination of shame, stigma, trauma and toxic shock that, if left unchecked, can thwart healthy development and pose health challenges that last a lifetime. Having an incarcerated parent is one of 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences, as classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caring adults, such as CLICC mentors, can help.The CLICC model calls for volunteer CLICC parent mentors to meet at the facilities to help parents read books and write letters to their children, while children do similar activities with their own mentors at community sites near their homes.The program also includes childrens caregivers, who tend to have complicated relationships with incarcerated parents, yet are so important to the future of the children and their families.CLICC matches pairs of mentors and children. Mentors serve on average families composed of about 30 children per year, plus their parents and caregivers, for a total of 90 people per year. Another 70 parents or so are not in regular contact with their children, but attend weekly CLICC group to hone the parenting and communication skills necessary to build those relationships. Other siblings and family may benefit indirectly from family support CLICC provides. At least 160 people served per year. $179,194. 30000 Pro bono mentoring estimated at 2,000 hours, valued at $30,000. -30000 Contra - Pro bono mentoring services, not included in program services in Form 990,Part I or Part VII, Revenues. 185795 true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 2 0 true 3 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 9 9 false false false false false false false true false false false true true true true false false false false false X David Reif Treasurer 2036410991 470 James Street Ste 7 New Haven CT 065133175 Joy Loewe Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 80000 0 0 Mary Sommer Chairman 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 David Reif Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Cynthia Cox-Roman Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Caroline Nobo Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Benjamin Justice Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Hiram Brett Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Monte Frank Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Fred Ury Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lori Gruen Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 80000 0 false false false 0 169061 169061 0 7863 7863 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 176924 7863 0 0 0 0 80000 60000 16000 4000 0 74592 74592 0 0 13183 11478 1364 341 0 0 2765 2765 0 0 0 8112 8112 0 0 2297 2297 0 0 6890 6890 0 450 450 0 0 0 19453 17953 1500 Books for clients 4464 4464 Payroll service 4023 4023 Refreshments and luncheon 1506 1506 Storage 1147 1147 1186 800 386 220068 185795 29932 4341 90685 147033 364853 265361 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 455538 412394 0 0 X 455538 412394 455538 412394 455538 412394 -43144 X X false false false X 277440 259220 241188 250602 169061 1197511 0 0 277440 259220 241188 250602 169061 1197511 520585 676926 412 5809 9139 7863 23223 0 0 1220734 0.55450 0.54014 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The organization engaged a CPA who assists with accounting and preparation of the Form 990. The CPA reviews the Form 990 with the Treasurer and Executive Director. The Form 990 is distributed to the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Board members have an ongoing affirmative obligation under the by-laws to disclose potential conflicts of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing documents, policies and financial statements are made available in accordance with state law.