News & Events
Norwich Public Utilities’ discount saved $370K on electric bills this year
The Bulletin - Norwich Public Utilities' Community Assistance Rate program has saved customers an aggregate of $370,418 on their electric bills over the past 12 months. The program is now in its second year. In 2025, 2,063 customers participated in the program, according to a community announcement. NPU is the first utility in Connecticut to offer a discount for qualified customers.
Hartford renews HEART team contract but cuts hours and changes access; council seeks funding details
The Citizen Portal - Hartford’s health director told the committee on Nov. 4 that the city has renewed its contract with the HEART team for Nov. 1, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2026, but that the program will operate with modifications because of decreased funding. "Modifications of the programming have been made because of the decreased funding," Ebony Jackson Shahid said.
Local food pantries and soup kitchens overwhelmed with influx of demand
NBC CT - Less than a mile down the street at Access Community Action Agency, an emergency food distribution pop-up took place Monday afternoon. The line stretched around the building as people waited to receive bags of food and other necessities.
Government shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for millions of low-income families
ABC News - Jacqueline Chapman is a retired school aide who relies on a $630 monthly Social Security check to get by. She was navigating the loss of her federal food aid benefits when she learned the assistance she receives for heating her Philadelphia apartment may also be at risk. “I feel like I’m living in scary times. It’s not easy to rest when you know you have things to do with limited accounts, limited funds. There isn’t too much you...
At Journey Home in West Hartford, State Announces $8 Million Grant to Impact Homelessness
We-Ha - Thursday morning’s press conference, which included Gov. Ned Lamont, several state lawmakers, and other officials, was held at the West Hartford furniture bank operated by Journey Home, an area nonprofit that is one of five area agencies that will split $4.5 million in the grant earmarked to support cold weather emergency shelters over the coming winter.
Supporting Basic Needs. Developing Access to Opportunities. Creating Vibrant Communities. Over $160,000 Awarded in Grants from Main Street Community Foundation
Main Street Foundation - HRA of New Britain has received a $4,000 grant from the Main Street Community Foundation to support the expansion of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This funding will help provide free tax preparation services for low-income residents in Bristol, Plainville, Plymouth, and Southington.
Hartford Teens Get Crash Course On Fiscal Literacy
Patch - 60 teens earlier this month participated in a financial training program hosted by Community Renewal Team and a statewide credit union.
Local food pantries brace for impact of SNAP cuts
NBC CT - “This is a program, which is today already, really tight in terms of people’s eligibility,” Rep. Joe Courtney said inside the Access Community Action Agency food pantry in Willimantic. “But, the new law is just going to eliminate a whole swath of people.”
Connecticut Pilots a Better Way for Unhoused Kids and Caregivers to Access Homes
Truthout - Connecticut’s “Head Start on Housing” program could serve as a blueprint for other states nationwide. Duran and her kids are in a much better place, both materially and emotionally. She attributes this to the staff at the Alliance for Community Empowerment in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where her son was enrolled in Early Head Start. The program case manager who was assigned to help her family played an important role in helping her find employment as well as stable housing.
800 Hartford youths join 1,200 in region gaining job experience via summer program
Hartford Business - From July 2 through Aug. 31, SYELP will place young people in career-exploration opportunities in retail, education and health care. Participants will get real-world work experience, resume-building, professional development and, in many cases, their first paid job, officials said. The SYELP employment providers in Hartford include the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Hartford; Center for Latino Progress; Community Renewal Team; ReadyCT; Our Piece of the Pie; and YWCA of Hartford.