News & Events
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.
Stronger Together: Community Mental Health Fair at library
New Britain Herald - As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the New Britain Public Library will host “Stronger Together: A Community Mental Health Fair” on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room.
Family Bridge Program For Newborns ‘Alive And Well,’ ‘Fully Funded
CT News Junkie - Despite recent federal funding cuts to many health programs in Connecticut and across the nation and a press release from the office of Gov. Ned Lamont that may have created some confusion, the state’s Family Bridge program is alive and well, according to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut (UWSECT).
Access Receives $5.5 Million for Innovative Community Hub
Access Community Action Agency announced that it has been awarded $5.5 million in CT Bond funds - $5 million through the Community Investment Fund (CIF) and $500 thousand through the Urban Act, to renovate the former church at 254 Broad Street expanding vital services for families and individuals across Northeastern Connecticut. To read the press release, click here.
TVCCA and CT Office of Early Childhood Launch Norwich Family Bridge Program
WSHU - The second iteration of a state program to support the parents of newborns was launched in Norwich, Connecticut this week. Family Bridge is funded by the CT Office of Early Childhood, and will be run by the nonprofit Thames Valley Council for Community Action.
Access’ New Housing Education and Counseling Center to offer financial literacy classes
The Bulletin - Access Community Action Agency, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and The Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, launched the Access Housing Education and Counseling Center. This center will address housing insecurity in northeastern Connecticut through free financial literacy workshops and homeownership counseling.