This season, our department is proud to support 3 impactful initiatives dedicated to serving CT residents: Community Service Officer Jim Barrett’s Homeless Outreach Program, Hands On Hartford, and Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.
As warmer months arrive, and financial instability continues to rise, community support is more important than ever.
About Community Service Officers & Officer Jim Barrett
Learn about Officer Barrett here: https://youtu.be/miVDWB2X3Yc
Community Service Officers work directly within Hartford neighborhoods, building relationships, attending community events, and addressing quality-of-life concerns. Officer Jim Barrett, the city’s homeless outreach officer, goes above and beyond to support unhoused individuals. His compassionate work has been recognized locally and nationally.
About Hands On Hartford (HOH)
Support their work here: https://handsonhartford.org/support/
Hands On Hartford strengthens the community through housing support, food access, homelessness prevention, and outreach services. Their MANNA Community Pantry, Backpack Nutrition Program, Supportive Housing, and Shared Use Kitchen all play a crucial role in meeting basic needs and fostering long-term stability. Their participation-based restaurant, Gather55, welcomes everyone—regardless of ability to pay—creating a space where community and compassion meet over a shared meal.
They also operate a Day Program that provides referrals, shelter support, health screenings, and a safe environment for those experiencing homelessness. With more than 1,400 volunteers each year and support from civic, faith-based, and organizational partners, Hands On Hartford continues to create a healthier, more inclusive Hartford for all.
About the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI)
Learn more about their mission here: https://cirict.org/who-we-are/
CIRI provides a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social, and educational programming for refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking and torture.
CIRI is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. CIRI achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
How You Can Help
This year, many community members are facing reduced assistance, unexpected hardships, and limited access to food or clothing. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference—especially items like $5 fast-food gift cards, which provide unhoused individuals the opportunity to purchase a meal.
Most-needed items include:
- Financial contributions
Please contact the following emails:jindavis@uchc.edu, lcook@uchc.edu, samociuk@uchc.edu, and parris@uchc.edu
- Nonperishable food
- Full-size toiletries & household essentials
- Food for children’s backpack nutrition program
- Hygiene products
Examples but not limited to: body powder, travel size toothpaste, and deodorant - Diapers (sizes 4-5)
- Baby wipes
- Reusable water bottles
- Small water bottles
- Pedometers
- Clothing
Examples but not limited to: Boxer Briefs ( L, XL, 1X, 2X), Tee Shirts (M, L, XL, 1X, 2X) - Adult Back Packs
- $5 fast-food gift cards to McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts
- Bus passes
Your generosity directly supports individuals and families navigating challenging times. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact this season.