2024 Year in Review

2024 was a great year for KTN! Highlights included:

Resumed in-person meetings for the first time since March 2020
Total attendance at KTN meetings: 400+
Resident Liaisons increased from three to eight
Secured 501c3 designation

Cycle #1: Top priority community concerns:

The impact of shootings on youth
The need to bring youth and seniors together
There are lots of organized sports but many families cannot afford to participate
There are many services available for families but it is hard to know what they are and how to access them

Invited guests who are already doing the work:

Kristina Baldwin, Director, City of Hartford Dept of Families, Children & Youth
Keon Berry, Smart Moves Chess Clubs
Alex Colon, Juvenile Probation Officer, Judicial Branch
Alexx Denniss, Active City
Dean Jones, Hoop Waves
Sister Chareen Lovejoy, Blue Hills Civic Association
Alba Pabon, Juvenile Probation Officer, Judicial Branch
Manny Sandoval, LCSW
Jackie Santiago, CEO, COMPASS Peacebuilders

Actions taken:

Worked with Keon Berry to Support chess club at Barbour Branch Library
Supported two relevant Blue Hills Civic Association community events
Promoted free Active City youth organized sports activities
Promoted City of Hartford Hartford Family Resources Directory
Sponsored May 9 Restorative Justice Community Training

Cycle #2: Top priority community concern: Healthy Food & Food Insecurity

Invited guests who are already doing the work:

Shawn Bien Aime, Ubuntu Gardens/Katal Center
Tonya Bradley, Health Equity Solutions
Herb Virgo, Keney Park Sustainability Project
Denise Holter, Community Action Task Force, Invest Health/Healthy Hartford Hub
Bill Heiden, Levo International
Ben Dubow, Forge City Works & Hartford Food Policy Advisory Commission

As a result of our conversations with these guests, three KTN Action Teams were formed (all are still working as of 12/24):

Action Team to promote the work of work of Forge City Works - organized the very successful Nourish & Flourish event on November 16
Action Team on Group Tours - organized group tours of several of our guest’s organizations to promote awareness of their work
Action Team on Policy Issues - assisting the City of Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy to implement some of its recommendations

Through all of this work in 2024, KTN participants addressed important community issues, built many relationships, and contributed to shifting the culture in Hartford to one where we listen to each other and work together for positive change! Thank you for making it happen!!

KTN is very grateful for the generous support of the

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Thank you to KTN’s partners including: Hartford Communities That Care, New Life Worship Center, Hartford Police Department, Hartford Fire Department, American Medical Response Inc (AMR) & Many Others