VCF Honors Outgoing President, Embarks On New ‘Pathways’

PHOTO: Jodie Mozdzer GilThe Valley Community Foundation said farewell to outgoing president Jamie Cohen Monday (March 25) as the group reflected on the past year of giving in the Valley.

A crowd of more than 100 community leaders gave Cohen two standing ovations during the foundation’s hour-long Annual Meeting at Ansonia High School, and thanked him for the work he has done over the last five years.

This was an easy thing to do,” Cohen said, after the second standing ovation. I was taught well by my mother and father to honor the place you live.”

The Valley Community Foundation helps the community by managing funds for groups that will be used for anything from scholarships to city beautification projects. Under Cohen’s leadership, the foundation’s portfolio has grown to about $15 million in assets this year, according to the annual report released after the meeting. 

Cohen has overseen the addition of dozens of new funds and the relocation of the VCF offices to Derby. He also led the way as the Valley board gained more say in how Valley funds coming through the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven would be spent. 

Cohen’s tenure was a time when the Valley Community Foundation cemented” its role in community gift giving, said William Ginsberg, the president of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

Jamie,” Ginsberg said, I personally thank you for being a great friend, a great colleague and a great partner.”

Click here to read a profile on Cohen written after he announced his retirement in July.

Turning to the new president, Sharon L. Closius, Ginsberg said: You have a very tough act to follow.”

PHOTO: Jodie Mozdzer GilNew Pathways

Closius is just the person for the job, Cohen told the crowd. 

She has a passion for and commitment to philanthropy, which she has started to show our community,” Cohen said. 

Closius previously worked at the Fairfield County Community Foundation as the director of philanthropic services. Prior to that, she served as FCCFs director of development, and as director of finance and administration.

I’ve been here two months, and I can tell you, the Valley is like no place I’ve ever been,” Closius said, calling it a community of communities,” one where everyone works together. 

The theme for the VCFs annual report this year was pathways,” Closius said, as the group heads into its 10th year and continues moving forward amid changes. 

Two longtime board members are also retiring this year: Alan Tyma and William Bassett. 

New Funds

Amid the changes, the Valley Community Foundation continued to add new funds this year, which were highlighted during the annual meeting. 

The new funds are:

  • Bruno Battaglino Memorial Fund, which will help pay for a scholarship for worthy students pursuing culinary arts.
  • The Salvatore and Linda Tiano Coppola Fund, which will help Derby’s youth.
  • The Edward J. Cotter Jr. Memorial Fund, in memory of the founder of Derby Storm Ambulance. Click here for more details.
  • The Susan Coyle Family Fund, which will help support the arts and Griffin Hospital’s wellness center.
  • The City of Derby Community Endowment Fund, which has the goal to make Derby a better place” by funding scholarships and beautification projects. Click here for more details.
  • The Mario Garofalo Family Fund, which will help pay for children’s participation in youth activities.
  • The Robert Lang Fund, which will go toward Seymour’s softball program.
  • The Frank Lang Memorial Fund, which will help give scholarships to Seymour High School students who run track.
  • The Seymour Pink Endowment Fund, which will help the breast cancer-awareness group with its activities.
  • The Joseph Potter Memorial Fund, which will help fund scholarships for Ansonia High School students who want to pursue teaching careers.
  • The John Sabulis Memorial Fund, which will help fund scholarships for Ansonia High School students pursing careers in law enforcement.
  • The Shelton Congregational Church Fund, a fund created after the church sold its property and closed. The money will be used for Valley projects, such as food banks or elder services.
  • The Sally and Dominick Thomas Family Fund, created in the memory of Sally Thomas, to be used for programs to help children dealing with bullying or other issues.

Cohen presented the last fund, highlighting his long relationship with Dominick Thomas, a prominent Valley attorney. 

I was always honored to be his partner,” Cohen said. 

The new funds are just one more example of the work Cohen said he was proud to be a part of at the Valley Community Foundation. 

If you save one life, if you change one life, you can change the whole world. You will change the whole world,” Cohen said. Over the years, the Valley Community Foundation has changed many lives.”

Our success has now ensured the Valley’s philanthropic future forever,” he said. 

PHOTO: Jodie Mozdzer Gil

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