For over 20 years, Wisdom House has proudly presented the "Wisdom Award" to members of the Northwest Connecticut community who have dedicated significant volunteer service to improving the lives of others and enhancing the environment. This award celebrates individuals who embody values of creativity, education, hospitality, justice, generosity, and outreach to the vulnerable—making the presence of Divine Wisdom felt among us. The Wisdom Award is a recognition of their profound impact and an affirmation of their role as beacons of inspiration and transformation in our community.

This year, we are honored to present the Wisdom Award to Jeff Geddes and Maria Gonzales, whose tireless efforts have truly made them a physical manifestation of the Divine in our midst.

6:00 PM- Cocktail Hour

6:45 PM- Dinner

Purchase tickets using the link below.

$250: individual sponsorship with 2 tickets

$150: individual sponsorship with 1 ticket

$85: 1 ticket

Meet the Award Recipients

Maria Gonzalez, Director of Community Services, at New Opportunities INC. of Greater Torrington came from the Dominican Republic at the age of 17. Relocating to the Bronx, NY with my mother, one sister and three brothers. I graduated from William H. T, HS in Bronx, NY, then attending Manhattan Community College and the University of El Paso Texas for Business Administration. I Maria have completed Hands on Training Circles Campaign, Move the Mountain Leadership Center, Family Development Credential & Training Empowerment Skill for Leaders, a program of the Children’s Trust Fund & the University of Connecticut School of Human Development and Family Studies. Along with that I have completed Family Development for Leaders Certificate and Training Facilitator from the Children's Trust Fund & University of Connecticut School of Development and Family Studies. Community Health Worker Training obtaining a CT License, for Community Health Worker. I have received a certificate of Appreciation for Community Partnership, from the Urban and Community Studies Program University of Connecticut/Torrington Campus, from the Dominican American coalition of CT and the Dominican Embassy in NYC, Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau, Torrington PAL Spirit of The Community, Northwest Unity Way Women’s Leadership Initiative 2019 Woman of the Year.

For 16 years I worked as a Manager of a Travel Agency in NYC. I then moved to Winsted CT in 1992 with my older daughter. Now having two daughters, one born in Torrington and a granddaughter from my oldest. My eldest is a Paralegal for a Law firm and my youngest graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University and is now working as a Director of Program for Torrington Winchester Youth Service Bureau. I also have two lovely ladies that I took in from the state that have lived with me one for 18 years and one for 9 years.

When I moved to Winsted, I worked at Pearson M School as teachers Aid. And served as a liaison to a newly upcoming Latino Community. I worked with parents and teachers.

Then I worked for Alternative Employment, where I was able to employ the majority of the Latinos that were looking for employment at that time. I also worked at LARC Community Employment Resource House at the Department of Labor. During those years the Latino Community, did not have resources to any training program. When I started to work, I noticed there were many Latinos that weren’t able to do different trainings. I suggested to Northwestern Community College to start a Nursing Assistance Program with a bilingual component to help people that were not able to speak English, be able to participate in the training. Our first group of students that was able to participate completed the training and passed the state exam and was able to find jobs immediately.

Since I moved to Northwest corner of CT, I have always been very involved with the Latino Community. In 2008 I started an after-school program (Youth Group) for Middle school and HS student, to push high school graduation rate and increase higher education attendance among the Latino youth. And to try to decrease the number of teen pregnancies and involvement with the juvenile court system by Hispanic youth. The first year of the after-school program (Youth Group) I had 40 students. Out of the 40 student 40 of them finished High School, 25 finished a 4-year college and 5 are in college pursing degrees and 10 completed vocational programs.  In 2020 I continued with Youth group with 90-100 kids enrolled in the program. In the program we have a set time to dance and practice our cultures dances. We also perform all over the state showcasing our culture.

Jeff Geddes, VP, Community Relations | Jeff’s banking career spans nearly 40 years. In his current role he oversees community relations and charitable giving, coordinates employee volunteerism to support area nonprofits and community groups and participates in many fundraising initiatives in support of local non-profits. Jeff is also the executive advisor to the bank’s internal Employee Advisory Board. Prior to becoming Community Relations Officer Jeff was Senior Vice President with oversight of the residential and consumer loan division including all aspects of lending from origination through servicing for 28 years. In March 2023 Jeff purchased Borla and Associates Real Estate brokerage formerly owned by longtime friend Annesa Borla. He intends to carry on her tradition of excellence in real estate and hopes to grow the firm in the future. Jeff has always worked in community banking and enjoys building relationships with customers and community stakeholders. He is passionate about real estate and real estate lending; of particular interest to Jeff are affordable housing initiatives because he believes everyone deserves access to an ample supply of clean, safe housing options as renters and buyers. Jeff holds a CT Real Estate Brokers license and leverages that training in his work at the bank. He also earned the ABR® and MRP® designations from the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC). Jeff also believes deeply in giving back to the community and helping others that are often unable to care for themselves. Food insecurity, homelessness, and mental and physical health are areas of focus. Jeff is an active member of the community. He currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of Prime Time House and Secretary on the Board of Directors of Community Health & Wellness Center. Jeff is a member of the Torrington/Winsted Rotary Club and currently serves as the Club Service & Membership Chair. Jeff recently joined the Northwestern CT Community College Foundation board and enjoys working to help students overcome obstacles so they can stay in school and graduate. He has also served as Chairman of the board of the United Way of NW CT, United Way Campaign Chair, President of the board of Litchfield County Board of Realtors®, and Region 2 VP and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Association of Realtors®. Jeff is also a member of the National Association of Realtors®. In 2021 Jeff assumed the role of volunteer support group coordinator for Brooker Memorial; leading the Relatives as Parents support group. Jeff is a co-founder of Stock the Shelves, a food initiative established in March 2021 by Jeff and four friends to help keep food on the shelves of NW corner food pantries and soup kitchens. To date Stock the Shelves has collected and distributed over 15 tons of food and over $45,000.00. Jeff serves on the Perkins Advisory Committee for Torrington High School. He has enjoyed volunteering at Kevin’s Place, preparing, and serving meals to those experiencing food insecurity and volunteered with Vita to prepare tax returns for low-income taxpayers each spring and is a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Jeff received the Litchfield County Board of Realtors® Unsung Hero Award in 2017 for his commitment to volunteerism and the community and received the Partner in Recovery Award from Community Mental Health Affiliates in 2017. In 2018 Jeff received the Litchfield County Board of Realtors® Realtor® of The Year Award, and in 2020 received an honorable recognition from the American Bankers Foundation for his nomination for the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award. Jeff is a lifelong resident of Thomaston and has the privilege of being the 4th generation to live on family farmland. He and his wife, Peggy, are proud parents of two grown children, Tyler, and Megan and in 2021 became grandparents when their granddaughter Lyvia arrived. The family is currently awaiting the October ’24 arrival of a grandson. In his spare time Jeff enjoys golfing, gardening, baking, reading, traveling and family time, especially with Lyvia.