Newtown Parent Connection is a local nonprofit organization that aims to educate, embrace, and empower families in crisis and in the prevention of substance abuse. Newtown Parent Connection was founded in 1993 by Dorrie Carolan, a Newtown resident who was personally affected by substance use and abuse. Her goal was to network with other parents who were affected by this issue, and now Newtown Parent Connection hosts weekly support groups around the area, community events, and educational programs in the schools.

Kevin Carolan, Newtown Parent Connection’s new interim executive director, has recently stepped in for his mother’s organization. Carolan always thought of himself as involved with Parent Connection, but on the outskirts. That was, however, until he started organizing the KJC Memorial Golf Tournament a few years back in honor of his father. Now the tournament is Parent Connection’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Now, as interim executive director, his goal is to help Parent Connection “figure out what we wanna be when we get older.” Carolan wants to continue driving Parent Connection’s mission, which is to educate, empower, and embrace the community.

Last year, Parent Connection brought Tricia Dahl, a senior research assistant at Yale School of Medicine, to talk to Newtown Middle School students about the dangers of vaping. Dahl has been involved in research regarding effects of vapes on adolescent behavior, as well as how the flavors of vapes can affect the initiation and development of nicotine addiction.

Newtown Parent Connection also brought in former NBA player Chris Herren to talk to Newtown High School students. Herren grew up in Massachusetts and played basketball in high school. His talents were recognized, and he went on to play basketball in college. In college, Herren was introduced to drugs and traveled down a path of addiction and eventually found recovery.

“I got pulled onto two or three different town, parent-led message boards,” Carolan shared. He added that the message boards had 60-70 posts each about Herren’s presentation at their children’s schools and how much it had impacted them. “That means their kids are coming home and talking to [their parents] … From an education standpoint, that is our number one commitment for this next year.”

“In 2026, our biggest commitment to the community is the education of our youth around, I’m gonna say, substance abuse, but it’s way, way bigger than that,” Carolan said.

While he did not have any details to share about upcoming events, he did mention that things are “in the plans” for this upcoming school year. Carolan also hopes to host more educational programs for parents this year, briefly mentioning a panel discussion that is being planned for early March.

Newtown Parent Connection also offers several support groups for the community. Hope & Support groups are for parents and caregivers with children or loved ones affected by substance use. The groups are facilitated by a licensed therapist but are peer-to-peer. Carolan said that the peer-to-peer aspect can really help people “peel back the blinders” and listen to others’ “real life experiences” that have shaped and defined these relationships. There is also a monthly bereavement group held the first Wednesday of every month, 7-8:30 pm at Newtown Parent Connection, 2 Washington Square, for those who have lost loved ones to substance use or catastrophic circumstances.

In 2025, 775 people attended the various Hope & Support Groups, of which 443 were Newtown residents. The bereavement support group reached 148 people, of which 105 were from Newtown. Parent Connection also connects families and individuals to treatment facilities and resources. In 2025, Parent Connection received 104 calls, of which 30 were successfully placed in treatment facilities.

“The problem’s real. We can put on our blinders. We can pretend it’s not there, but the facts tell a different story,” Carolan said. “The community needs the support of the community addressing this problem. We are just one conduit to bringing that to life.”

Newtown Parent Connection’s Annual Gala

Every year, Newtown Parent Connection hosts a gala to spread awareness and recognize one individual for their efforts and contributions to Parent Connection. While Carolan did not “spill the beans,” he did share the theme: Denim & Diamonds.

“Trying to make it a little less formal than we’ve done in the past … A slightly upscale Western, cowboy theme,” Carolan said. There will be line dancing, live music, new friends, old friends, and dinner. Carolan said it should be a “very fun evening,” and invites all who wish to attend to join them for the night.

The gala is planned for Saturday, March 14, 7-11 pm, at Heritage Inn, 522 Heritage Road, Southbury. Tickets are on sale now at ctparentconnection.org/denim-and-diamonds.

For more information about Newtown Parent Connection, go to ctparentconnection.org or call 203-270-1600.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.