Hulbert Family Fund: Continuing a Family Tradition of Service

When Carolyn Hulbert Cary and her husband Arnold decided to establish a fund in 2014 for the benefit of the Community Fund for Women & Girls, they wanted to honor the spirit and memory of Carolyn's father's family.

Carolyn says her father, aunt and grandparents all were role models during her childhood in Colorado, providing service to others by organizing volunteer efforts for the American Red Cross, promoting nutrition, counseling prisoners or assisting veterans.

"My father, Milan Hulbert, spent years volunteering to help prisoners in the Canon City Penitentiary in Colorado prepare for reentry. A veteran himself, he also counseled veterans — through the VA — who were suffering from PTSD, something he himself suffered from. He led by example teaching me that I am indeed 'my sister's keeper.'"

Carolyn lost both parents while still a child, and looks back on the value of having a strong and loving support system during that time.

"It can make all the difference in encouraging resolve, resiliency and accountability that can lead to a whole and fruitful life. I hope that my fund, along with many others, will impact the lives of many women and children, giving them the financial support and leadership to accomplish their own goals and then pay it forward."

Carolyn has followed in her family's footsteps, volunteering her time through her church as well as with several organizations in the Greater New Haven area. She says, in particular, she is inspired by some of the women she meets at Martha's Place, a shelter operated by New Reach Inc.

"Their weekly sharing with me of their own struggles and moments of courage and resolve have taught me much about how we survive — even in the midst of unconscionable circumstances."

Carolyn hopes her fund will support the Community Fund for Women & Girls as it finds new and innovative ways to help women and girls grow into powerful and lasting contributors in our community.

"I know I am one of many who do as much as we can to walk with and help as many as we can — especially women and children — create brighter futures and release themselves from challenging circumstances."