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Morgan Helps to Improve Lives of Others

One word to describe BJ Morgan is helper-whether it's people or animals, BJ likes to help others achieve happiness.

The lifelong North Haven resident accomplishes this through her work and her volunteerism.

BJ has been helping people through her work for the last 25 years at CornerStone on Linsley Street.

BJ says she first visited the store, which she describes as a combination of a bookstore and health store, as a customer. She met the store owner, Barbara Marcati, who is also a life coach. "I've been here ever since," says BJ.

"It is a nice place to find direction. If you're looking for direction or a book, Barbara offers free consultations. I was an earlier recipient of that."

BJ was in her 20s when she first arrived at CornerStone, and "being 21, that's when you look for guidance," says BJ. "I'm a book lover, too. It was a good progression for me."

BJ says she really enjoys helping other customers find their way.

"One of the most rewarding parts is helping people find good books to read, find direction, and [improve] their health," she says.

BJ's interest in caring for animals doesn't take her a great distance from North Haven's town center, where she works. She has helped take care of abandoned cats in that area, an initiative that has been going on for about 30 years.

Years ago, North Haven resident Becky Cornelius helped take care of the cats, and Marcati had built Tabby's Place, a small shelter for the pets, so BJ says she was just following in the tradition.

BJ says that 18 kittens were rescued this summer and that she participated in a trap-neuter-release program in May with the Greater New Haven Cat Project. The goal is "a controlled population, because no one likes to see homeless cats," says BJ.

She says it's important for people to know about trap-neuter-release programs, which ensure that stray cat populations don't grow, and how useful they are.

"You're controlling a serious problem," she says.

Now, BJ just takes care of the adult cats.

The cats that reside outside CornerStone are well cared for by BJ.

"I keep their area clean and them well fed," she says.

This allows the cats to live on the block, but prevents them from roaming.

"It's important to me that they're happy," says BJ, noting that preventing the cats from roaming the neighborhood maintains the integrity of the block.

BJ also takes care of the grounds at CornerStone. She says she enjoys gardening both at the store and at home.

"It's very peaceful," she says.

While it is important to BJ to maintain the area around Linsley Street, she has also helped beautify another part of town. For many years, she helped Marcati with a home renovation project at 2 Maple Avenue in North Haven, completing many different aspects of the renovation herself.

"At night, when I was done working in the store, I did the home restoration projects," says BJ.

In addition to all of her work and volunteer projects, BJ also home-schooled her daughter Bonnie, now 31.

BJ has certainly enjoyed watching everyone and everything grow over the years.

She says it has been rewarding to help people keep up on the latest healthy trends.

"It's where the trends are going today. You have to eat right," says BJ, who likes to cook and uses healthy ingredients when she does.

Between helping people and animals, BJ couldn't be happier to assist others when they need a hand.

"I have definitely found my niche," says BJ.