IVCG and Wheel It Forward
May 1, 2026
Coming July 1: Mae’s Closet Joins Wheel It Forward to Expand Lending Durable
Medical Equipment in New Haven County
For the past seven years, Mae’s Closet volunteers have operated a brave and extraordinary community program—lending expensive new and gently used durable medical equipment for just one dollar to individuals and families seeking to live with dignity and independence. Over the years, thousands of residents across New Haven County have benefited from this locally rooted initiative.
Mae’s Closet was named in honor of Mae, the 100‑year‑old aunt of co‑founder Marilyn Bergen, who herself relied on a rollator obtained through a similar lending program in a nearby town. Inspired by that experience, Mae’s Closet launched in 2019 as a program of Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Greater New Haven (IVCG), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting older adults and vulnerable neighbors throughout the region.
Effective July 1, Mae’s Closet will transition from IVCG to Wheel It Forward, a nonprofit lending library for durable medical equipment currently operating locations in Stamford, Bridgeport, Newtown, and North Haven (at the QU campus). Through this transition, Mae’s Closet will continue its mission of access and compassion while gaining new operational support to ensure long‑term sustainability.
"We are honored to build on the remarkable foundation that IVCG and Mae’s Closet’s dedicated volunteers have established," said Elliot Sloyer, CEO and Founder of Wheel It Forward. "Their leadership created a program with enduring value, and we are deeply grateful for the trust placed in Wheel It Forward to carry this work forward."
The goal of this shared transition is to strengthen sustainability, broaden reach, and ensure that Mae’s Closet continues serving individuals and families across greater New Haven with dignity, efficiency, and care.
"After seven very successful years as a program of IVCG, we are excited to join Wheel It Forward, where we can expand and modernize Mae’s Closet operations," said founders Marilyn Bergen and Ann Levison. "This partnership will ensure Mae’s Closet remains a strong presence in Greater New Haven for many years to come."
"We are pleased to share that Mae’s Closet will be transitioning to Wheel It Forward on July 1," said Daniel Camenga, Executive Director of IVCG. "Both organizations’ boards have agreed on a thoughtful transition plan, and our shared focus is ensuring continuity and a smooth experience for everyone who depends on this service."
Camenga added, "We are deeply grateful to the founders of Mae’s Closet and the many long‑time volunteers whose compassion and dedication built a legacy of care and access. That legacy will continue to change lives through this next chapter."
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About Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Greater New Haven (IVCG)
Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Greater New Haven (IVCG) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving older adults and neighbors across the New Haven region. Through volunteer‑driven programs, IVCG supports independence, dignity, and quality of life by providing transportation, companionship, resource connection, and essential supports that help neighbors remain safe and engaged in their own homes and communities. It is also home to Experience Corps of GNH – delivering 1:1 tutoring to K-3rd grade students with 50+ yr old volunteer tutors. Founded on interfaith values of service and compassion, IVCG has been a trusted community partner for more than four decades.
Contact: Dan Camenga, Executive Director
About Wheel It Forward
Wheel It Forward is a Connecticut‑based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to durable medical equipment for individuals and families in need. Operating lending libraries in Stamford, Bridgeport, Newtown, and North Haven. Wheel It Forward provides wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, shower chairs, and other essential equipment at no cost, reducing financial barriers and promoting independence, recovery, and dignity. Through community partnerships and volunteer support, Wheel It Forward ensures that vital medical equipment is reused, shared, and delivered with care.
Contact: Elliot Sloyer, Founder and Director