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Sponsored by: Hands On Hartford
October 21, 2021 Giving Guide 2021

Hands On Hartford

 

MISSION: 

Hands On Hartford, in partnership with others, strengthens community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives and renew human possibility.

Hands On Hartford transforms lives by working with tenants, clients, and guests to ensure they have enough nutritious food to eat; have safe, stable, and affordable housing; are receiving good health care; and can access other resources to move toward self-sufficiency. We work with community members to educate them about issues of poverty and offer opportunities to make a difference.

GOALS

  1. To have both the staff and financial resources necessary to respond to the ongoing fallout of the COVID crisis among our most economically disadvantaged neighbors. We offer financial assistance for utilities, security deposits, rent and other expenses, and connect folks to outside resources, and we anticipate an uptick in the need as extra unemployment assistance and the eviction moratorium expire.
  2. To continue our work in the homeless outreach area, in an interdisciplinary collaboration to connect with folks living outdoors, match them with the services they need, and guide them on the path to a home of their own.
  3. To work with other community partners to develop much-needed affordable housing in Hartford.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES

Hands On Hartford’s annual Hands & Hearts Together event is an opportunity for people to learn about the important work we are doing, participate in a silent auction, celebrate local talent in the form of entertainment, and break bread together all to raise funds to support our Hartford neighbors. Funds are raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, silent auction purchases and donations.

Hands On Hartford also participates in the Connecticut Foodshare Walk Against Hunger to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger and food insecurity. The public can support Hands On Hartford walkers, join the Hands On Hartford Friends and Family Team, or form their own team to support Hands On Hartford’s food programs.

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Financial donations are gratefully accepted, in the form of checks, cash and online donations. We also accept gifts from donor-advised funds, gifts of stock, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. We have two targeted endowment funds maintained by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. In-kind donations of food, toiletries, gifts of warmth and other items are always appreciated. And we are always looking for our friends to introduce their friends and acquaintances to Hands On Hartford.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are central to our work, and we have opportunities in most of our programs. We also organize customized service projects, immersions, “dashes for a difference” and other service learning opportunities for large and small groups, both at our programs and at other nonprofits, schools, and parks across the city of Hartford. At Faces of Homelessness speaking events, groups can hear firsthand the perspective of folks who have experienced homelessness.

POST PANDEMIC

Over the last year, we added air purifying and filtration systems, masks, and extra sanitizing. Our Community Meals Day Program moved from downtown Hartford to our Center in Parkville and we offer meals to eat in or take out. Folks coming to our pantry have the option of on-site shopping or taking pre-packed bags of groceries. We have developed virtual volunteer events and Faces of Homelessness presentations by Zoom. Our Meal/Day Program will remain at our Parkville location, and we are continuing to explore which other changes will best serve the community going forward.

“My experience with Hands On Hartford has been quite a journey and it’s been very amazing and fundamental to the well-being of our family.... they always are with their hands and their hearts open for us. We feel welcomed when we come here. This is home. This is our family.... Who is Hands On Hartford? They are you and I. They are our community. They are who we are. They look at you like you’re a human being, worthy of dignity, worthy of respect.”

-- Sonia Cruz, community member, Hartford, Connecticut

ABOUT US

Year established: 1969

Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $4,045,150

Total number of employees: 40

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S):

City of Hartford

TOP FUNDING SOURCES:

Government Funding: 33%

Foundations: 23%

Individual, business and faith groups: 20%

In-kind donations: 14%

Income and Events: 10%

CONTACT:

55 Bartholomew Avenue, Hartford CT 06106

860-728-3201

www.handsonhartford.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barbara A. Shaw Executive Director
Brian Neary, Chairperson: The Hartford

Thomas Kainamura, Vice Chairperson: MUFG Union Bank

Michael Tetreault, Treasurer: Travelers

Sharon M. Ware, Secretary: University of St. Joseph

Harry Amadasun, Board Member: Travelers

Cynthia Bates, Board Member: Retired

Nichole Berklas, Board Member: Bocarsly, Emden, Cowen, Esmail & Arndt LLP

Autumn Bosworth, Board Member: Lincoln Financial Group

Christopher Brechlin, Board Member: Compass Youth Collaborative

Lisa Cameron, Board Member: Travelers

Christopher Collibee, Board Member: Office of US Senator Richard Blumenthal

Michele Frey, Board Member: Prudential

Katonya Hughey, Board Member: Fiserv

Jenn Plasse-Puzey, Board Member: Aetna

Bobbi Schmidt, Board Member: Retired

Ngoc Trang, Board Member: Aetna

LaToya Tyson, Board Member: Advancing Connecticut Together

Dianna M. Wallquist, Board Member: Travelers

Nicole Grant Yonkman, Board Member: First Church In Windsor, UCC