News and Views

Looking Back on a Transformative Experience

August 11th, 2018

Looking back on my year of service, I can’t help but be swept up in a wave of nostalgia. I have grown so much as a person, and I am going to miss dearly everyone I’ve worked with here at Hands On Hartford. It is tempting, I think, to paint over the rougher parts of […]

Youth Immersion Project

August 3rd, 2018

Recently, we had a group of 12 young people and three adults from the  United Methodist Church of Rockville here at Hands On Hartford. This group dedicated three full days to service, putting their own  hands on our city. While they were here they did many projects, including cleaning up the neighborhood, running a food […]

Hands On Hartford Announces Election of New Board Chairperson

March 12th, 2018

Hands On Hartford is pleased to announce that Rev. Donna K. Manocchio of Wethersfield, Connecticut, was recently elected as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the agency.   Donna is a retired pastor of the United Church of Christ, and along with her family, Donna has a longtime association with Hands On Hartford, which includes […]

A Bittersweet Farewell

January 31st, 2018

There was a lot of laughter and a few tears as well as we said farewell to Michelle Jarvis who has been a valuable, loved and appreciated member of the Hands On Hartford Team for the past 6 ½ years.  Michelle contributed hugely to many aspects of our services and programs, and was connected to […]

Holiday Giving

January 12th, 2018

As is usual at this time of year, we are feeling overwhelmed here at Hands On Hartford, but overwhelmed in a good way.  Over the past month, we have seen so many friends, both old and new, providing an incredible outpouring of support for our Hartford neighbors.  Over 70 groups and individuals brought in-kind donations […]

Harvest Supper 2017

October 10th, 2017

Last Thursday’s Harvest Supper was a resounding success and lots of fun!  Please visit our Facebook page for lots of photos of the event, thanks to our photographer (and Backpack Nutrition Program coordinator) Tabatha Cosme.  For those who weren’t able to attend, guests partook of beer tastings from Hog River Brewery, delicious soup, salad and […]

Let’s Talk About Crêpes!

August 18th, 2017

[In addition to specialty coffee and tea, paninis, salads and sandwiches, The Café at Fifty-Five, here at 55 Bartholomew Avenue in Hartford, offers sweet and savory crêpes for breakfast, snacks and lunch.  Kathleen  has a few things to share about crêpes today!] “Crêpe” is pronounced with a flat e as in “bed.”  That was news […]

2017 Volunteer Appreciation Event

April 17th, 2017

The April 6 Volunteer Appreciation Event was, once again, a fun event with tasty food, live music (courtesy of Straight from the Hart, jazz players from the Hartt School of Music) and lots of recognition for our awesome volunteers. This year’s award winners were Avon Old Farms School (School Volunteer Award), Emanuel Lutheran Church in […]

Spotlight on Jaime Ortega, Senior Case Manager

February 28th, 2017

This morning, I sat down with Jaime Ortega, a Senior Case Manager with Hands On Hartford’s Housing Services Program to find out a little about him and the work he does here.  Since Jaime was young, he has had an interest both in social justice issues and in the arts.  When he got his bachelor’s degree, […]

Basking in the Glow of the Holidays

January 13th, 2017

It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through January in a new year, and it seems like we are just catching our breath here at Hands On Hartford after a wonderful, warm, generous and exciting holiday season! Starting with Thanksgiving, there was an incredible outpouring of support from many of our friends all for […]