Press Release, Branford Microfund

Within the first quarter of 2024, nine loans totaling $24,800 were requested from the BranfordMicrofund to support individuals and families in Branford who are experiencing unexpected financial obstacles. The fund currently has 20 active loans, which shows the importance of their ongoing efforts to provide Loans for Neighbors in Need.

To assist with the increasing workload of the loan committee, the BMF has been seeking new board and advisory members, and recently welcomed three new board members: Rilla Dath, Alana Kaplan, and Rachel Mirsky.

Rilla Dath moved to Branford from Northford in 2012 after a 40+ year career in banking. Most of her career was in retail banking working in branch and regional management at Bank of America and its many predecessors. Dath’s part time job was always volunteering. She was active for 30 years in Financial Women International. When her daughters were in school, she was active in PTOs and Girl Scouts. She also served on the CT Advisory Board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, chairing the Branford Annual Walk Like MADD for 10 years. Since moving to Branford, she has been elected to her condo’s Board, serving as president for two years.

Alana Kaplan has lived in Branford since 2022. She grew up in Woodbridge and graduated from Amity High School. After college she moved to New Jersey but recently returned to Connecticut to be nearer to her family who live in Branford and Orange. Kaplan is a business professional specializing in the development of grants to support continuing medical education in oncology and works for Kaplan North America (no relation). She has an MBA from the Hartford Graduate Center of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is a Director of the Board for the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions. Kaplan has become active in the community as a new member of the Branford Garden Club. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, sailing, and golf.

As a Connecticut resident for 11 years, Rachel Mirsky has resided in the Short Beach community of Branford for the last two years. Prior to moving to Connecticut, Mirsky spent the first 25 years of her life in Maryland, outside of Washington D.C. and has also lived in South Carolina, Kentucky, and New Hampshire. Mirsky has been an attorney for the past 10 years. She spent her entire legal career helping low-income clients and is currently a supervising attorney for Disability Rights Connecticut, where she advocates for individuals with disabilities who are institutionalized. Prior to this, Mirsky owned a law firm in New Haven where she defended clients in the criminal, family, housing, and probate courts, many of whom struggled financially. In addition to the Branford Microfund, Mirsky currently volunteers for the Branford Land Trust, the Legacy Theatre and Shubert Theatre. She is an avid yogi, reader, history buff, and travel lover.

“We are more than pleased to have them join us and welcome their skills and compassion as we work to expand the good work of the Branford Microfund,” said chairperson Mina West.

If you or you know of other people interested in joining the team, please contact the BMF. They are currently seeking fundraising help. For more information, visit branfordmicrofund.org, email us at info@branfordmicrofund.org.