Updated 3:14 a.m. Wednesday
NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON) will reopen all programs in Norwalk and Stamford Wednesday, including Head Start, according to a press release sent by NEON at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday.
“After a two day closure of most (NEON) programs, the agency will re-open tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9th — and all NEON staff have been instructed to report for their normal work schedules,” the release read. “All NEON programs in Norwalk and Stamford, including the agency’s childcare programs, will be open during their regular operating hours.”
Most programs had shut down Monday and Tuesday after NEON was unable to make payroll Friday. Most employees were told to stay home. Some employees were paid Monday, but the majority received their pay Tuesday.
The shutdown came a week after new NEON Board of Directors Chairman Michael Berkoff took office as six board members resigned in an 11-day period.
The agency cut $683,000 from its budget between May and Sept. 11, CEO and President Chiquita Stephenson said Tuesday. A proposed $2.5 million in cuts will be presented to board members Wednesday evening, she said.
“We are not by any means taking our financial situation and sitting on it,” she said. “We’re taking our financial situation and we’re saying to the communities that we serve, that we have to restructure, and we have to restructure in order to save, rebuild and revitalize the significant programs being offered by NEON.”
NEON has laid off or furloughed employees in its Information Technology Department, client family services and reception, she said.
New board members will be installed at Wednesday evening’s board meeting, she said. More are on the way after that, she said.
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