Community Access

We spoke with Jennifer O'Neill from Caritas Immigration Legal Services about their work providing legal assistance to low-income immigrant families in Central Connecticut. Caritas, formed in 2022, addresses the lack of affordable, trustworthy legal services for immigrants, many of whom are vulnerable to scams. They offer consultations, information, and legal representation. Jennifer shares a perso...

We spoke with Larisa Kottke from Leadership Greater Hartford at the Travelers Championship. Leadership Greater Hartford aims to develop and connect leaders to strengthen Greater Hartford, focusing on community leadership. Their programs, including training for nonprofit board members, foster collaboration across various sectors. Larissa highlights the importance of local impact and shares success...

We spoke with Lisa Lappe from The New Britain Museum of American Art, the oldest museum of American art in the nation, houses over 9,000 pieces of art spanning three centuries. The museum offers various social programs, including "Museum After Dark" events with themed parties like the annual "Mad Party" that attracts around 600 people in costume. The museum also hosts free community days on the th...

We spoke with Brianna Dunlap from South Park Inn, a 40-year-old homeless shelter in Hartford, about their services, including emergency shelter, veteran programs, and respite care for hospital discharges. The shelter currently operates at 80% capacity, rising to 100% in winter. They emphasize holistic support, including documentation assistance, sobriety programs, and mental health services. Brian...

We spoke with Nadine Thomas from Underground New England, an organization combating human trafficking in Connecticut since 2012, about the prevalence of trafficking across the state and the services they offer, including mental health, medical care, and housing for survivors. Donations directly support these services, helping survivors rebuild their lives. The organization also provides resources...

We spoke with Father Jeffrey Romans, Chairman of the Pastors Advisory Committee for the Archbishop's annual appeal, explains the Archdiocese of Hartford's role in supporting 93 parishes and over 160 local charities through the Vicaria Outreach Program. Last year, the appeal distributed over $1 million to these charities. Donors are encouraged to make their contributions before Sunday to receive th...

We spoke with Janice Castle from the Clay Arsenal Community Development Corporation (CDC) at the Travelers Championship. Janice explains that Clay Arsenal, a neighborhood in Hartford, is named after its historical significance and soil. The CDC, certified under the Governor's Poverty Reduction Act, aims to eradicate concentrated poverty by focusing on access to opportunity, including education, jo...

We spoke with Harry Bellucci, Executive Director of Hartford PAL, at the Travelers Championship. Hartford PAL, which stands for Police Activities League, provides free after-school and summer programs for youth in Hartford, focusing on sports, education, and community engagement. Harry highlights the success of their programs, including a STEM program, a culinary program that has become very popul...

We spoke with Donna Palomba, founder of Jane Doe No More, about her organization's mission to support victims of sexual crimes. Started 20 years ago, the foundation aims to improve societal reactions to victims and educate on consent and bystander intervention. Donations fund free programs in schools and self-defense classes for women and girls. Donna highlighted the removal of the statute of limi...

We spoke with Bridget Quinn from the Hartford Public Library about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus on donations to charities, including the Hartford Public Library, thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. The library uses the Library of Congress classification system and has expanded its digital collections and services, including HPL Studios for podcasting and video production...

We spoke with Cody Foss from Kind Works Inc. about their mission to inspire kindness through community art at the Travelers Championship. Kind Works, a nonprofit from Bethel, Connecticut, aims to connect communities and promote self-kindness. They emphasize the importance of kindness in combating social isolation and mental health issues, highlighting the ripple effect of small acts of kindness. C...

We spoke with Emily about Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW). NOW, a nonprofit since 2011, provides free sports opportunities and scholarships for youth in the Northeast 395 Connector area, serving 10 towns. They offer life skills, social-emotional support, and programs like Mindful Munchkins for young children. Donations support scholarships and low-cost programs, including soccer clinics...

We spoke with Dawn Saczynski from RJ's Goals, a foundation created in memory of Dawn's son RJ Giammattei, who passed away at 27. RJ's Goals aims to provide soccer balls to children, having donated to various organizations including the Brantford Soccer Club, Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, and New Haven Parks and Rec. Dawn shares that the foundation has grown through word of mouth and communit...

We spoke with Alison Dvorak, Senior Resources Agency on Aging about their work supporting older adults and caregivers in Eastern Connecticut. Allison explains their services, including senior nutrition programs, caregiver support, and Medicare assistance. They manage federal and state funds to provide resources like transportation, home health aides, and groceries. Allison highlights their Service...

We spoke with Renee LaBonte from the Southeast Connecticut Community Center of the Blind about their involvement in the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% bonus match for donations. The center aims to build community for the blind and low vision individuals, providing various recreational activities like birding by ear, chair yoga, and sports. Renee highlights the importance of commun...

We spoke with Michelle D'Amore from Ronald McDonald House about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. Ronald McDonald House provides essential services to keep families together during their children's medical crises, reducing the length of hospital stays and alleviating stress. They offer support for the entire family unit, including siblings, throu...

We spoke with Ashley Dunn from New Horizons, a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities in Unionville, Middlebury, and Canton. New Horizons provides barrier-free housing and community support, celebrating 40 years of operation. They offer transportation services to ensure residents attend appointments.

We spoke with Tara Gill from Girls on the Run Greater Connecticut, an after-school program for girls in third to eighth grade that focuses on self-esteem, teamwork, and the importance of movement, culminating in a 5K run. Tara highlights the program's growth in Connecticut, serving about 750 girls across various counties and celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

We spoke with Matt Heller from Friends of Feeney, a nonprofit founded by Eric Feeney, a teacher in West Hartford, to support local children and families experiencing tragedy. Since becoming a 501(c)(3) in 2019, they have provided over $315,000 to 151 families. The organization offers direct financial assistance to families affected by the loss of a loved one, significant illness, serious injury, o...

We spoke with Liz Styblo from Capital Squash Inc. at the Travelers Championship for Birdies for Charity. Capital Squash is a non-profit after-school program in Hartford that combines an hour of squash with an hour of academic tutoring for students. Liz emphasizes the program's commitment to helping students become well-rounded individuals, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 21 out of 25 g...

We spoke with Dawn Whalen, the executive director of Rebuilding Together Hartford, about their organization's work. Rebuilding Together Hartford focuses on no-cost home repairs for Hartford homeowners with incomes around 50% of the area median income. They serve a wide range of people, including homeowners with small children, senior citizens, veterans, and those who have lost a spouse. Last year,...

We spoke with Shelly Pope, Executive Director of Shepherd Meadows Equestrian Center in Bristol, about their equine-assisted services, which include adaptive riding, hippo therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. The center, celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves individuals from age 4 to 94, with a focus on unmounted therapy. They offer group programs and open barn days.

We spoke with Andrew Montgomery, raising funds for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber in honor of his daughter Sarah, who had a rare and aggressive blood cancer, aims to raise over $100,000 for Dr. Andy Lane's research. Andrew's first fundraising event raised over $20,000, and they have already raised over $2,000 through Birdies for Charity.

We spoke with Jeff Bravin, Executive Director of the American School for the Deaf (ASD), and his interpreter, Heidi. ASD offers a range of programs including a statewide birth-to-three program, K-12 education, residential treatment for students with emotional and behavioral challenges, a summer camp in Salisbury, Connecticut, an online academy, community sign language classes, and interpreting ser...

We spoke with Sivan Hines, President of Hartford Promise, about the organization's mission to provide college opportunities for Hartford students regardless of financial circumstances. Since its inception in 2016, Hartford Promise has awarded over $10 million in scholarships, with 500 graduates and 450 current students. The program offers comprehensive support, including individual college coachin...