Transportation Coalition for Eastern Connecticut (TCEC)

TCEC, the Transportation Coalition for Eastern Connecticut, is a collaboration of people and organizations concerned about the transportation needs of older adults and persons with disabilities in Eastern Connecticut. Our goal is to work together to strengthen and enhance transportation options.

To that end, TCEC has achieved a number of significant milestones. In 2002 TCEC co-sponsored, along with Senior Resources - Agency on Aging, the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Connecticut Department of Transportation a free one-day conference on transportation issues in Eastern Connecticut. The conference drew over 100 persons and featured a panel of national and local leaders:

• United States Congressman Rob Simmons (R-2nd District)
• Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and head of the federal Administration on Aging
• State Senator Edith Prague (D-19th District)
• Christine Lewis, Director of the Elderly Services Division of the CT Department of Social Services
• Michael Sanders, Transit Administrator, CT Department of Transportation
• Jeffrey Beadle, Executive Director, Windham Regional Community Council and President, Connecticut Association for Community Transportation
• Carrie Czerwinski, Advocate, Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut
• David Taylor, Chair, Tri-Neighborhood Transportation

In addition to providing a wealth of public education workshops, TCEC members have also presented at local, regional and national conferences. Using grant funding from the Connecticut State Office of Rural Health, TCEC created and distributed a free directory of transportation resources for older adults and persons with disabilities in Eastern Connecticut and conducted survey projects on the transportation needs in Eastern Connecticut. TCEC helped to shape the first Eastern Connecticut Day held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on March 11, 2003. This event galvanized considerable attention on the issues facing persons who live and work in Eastern Connecticut, including transportation needs. TCEC also collaborates with transportation advocates across the nation. As such, TCEC has emerged as a leader for the region's transportation needs and is active in ensuring that the rural charm of eastern Connecticut is enhanced by reliable, convenient transportation services throughout the entire region. TCEC regularly meets on the last Monday of the month from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Senior Resources.

Persons interested in TCEC should contact:

Rose Fowler, TCEC Chairman, at the McSweeney Regional Senior Center at (860) 423-4524 or via e-mail at mcsweeney@snet.net or

Lisa Reynolds at Senior Resources - Agency on Aging at (860) 887-3561, toll free at 1-800-690-6998 or click here to e-mail.

On behalf of our community, thank you for taking the time to make a difference!