Hands On Hartford Receives $600,000 Hartford Foundation Grant
Hands On Hartford has received a three-year, $600,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to support the implementation of key aspects of the agency’s strategic plan.
“The Hartford Foundation’s support and confidence in our work is a huge boost to us all, and we are very excited about plans for moving our mission forward and deepening our impact over the coming three years. We couldn’t be more grateful,” said Barbara Shaw, Hands On Hartford’s Executive Director.
Hands On Hartford has been serving the Hartford community for fifty-three years. The agency’s primary focus is providing assistance in the areas of food, supportive housing and homelessness prevention and health support. Recent initiatives are the formation of an interdisciplinary collaborative Homeless Outreach Team to connect with folks living outside and help them get homes of their own; and expansion of their homelessness prevention work, providing both advocacy and financial assistance to help people remain stably housed.
“This support will enable us to make some of the internal changes necessary to deepen and enhance our work; implement some changes and initiatives called for by our renewed commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for both staff and our neighbors; and strengthen our agency overall for better impact and sustainability,” explained Shaw.
“Multi-year core support funding will enable Hands On Hartford to build its capacity to increase economic and social mobility among clients by hiring and maintaining a full-time systems navigator who is an experienced case manager and advocate. Hiring new staff will allow the organization to increase clients’ access to benefits, training programs, jobs, education, healthcare, and housing,” said Hartford Foundation Senior Community Impact Officer Joel Hicks-Rivera. “These funds will also allow Hands on Hartford to maintain the number and nutritional quality of meals and allows them to keep the center open throughout the day with extended hours.”
Founded in 1969, Hands On Hartford’s mission is to work in partnership with others to strengthen community in Hartford by responding faithfully to people in need through programs that change lives and renew human possibility. Hands On Hartford serves neighbors, engages volunteers and connects communities, impacting the lives of many thousands of people each year.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $849 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.