West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund  

The five grants awarded in 2023, totaling over $21,000, will help to fund programs or projects that will “improve or enhance the quality of life in West Hartford or otherwise contribute to addressing a direct need” of the West Hartford community. This year’s grants cycle focused on organizations with annual operating budgets under $2 million serving key populations with priority given to organizations/programs specifically supporting youth, seniors, and traditionally marginalized/underserved communities.

Dignity Grows, Inc. - Support West Hartford residents through its Hope in a Bag with 500 reusable zipper-top totes containing a full month's supply of soap, deodorant, shampoo, hand wipes, toothpaste, and a toothbrush, maxi pads, and panty liners. Dignity Grows totes are distributed through social service agency partners that provide them to their unique population in a discreet manner, uplifting an individual's dignity.

For All Ages, Inc. - The Tea @ 3 Community, a twelve-week intergenerational friendship program that provides older adults with regular, vital social interaction involving young adults to promote a sense of belonging and community in a group setting.

Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants - Building Bridges Book Club, open to all West Hartford immigrants in partnership with West Hartford Public Library. Over the eight-week program, twelve participants receive English language learning support, build relationships, share cultures, and exchange thoughts while creating community.

Seniors Job Bank, Inc. - Working Into Retirement - Education Program serving West Hartford residents age 50+ individuals seeking job opportunities by providing training programs targeted to fill skill gaps and are built upon 50+ individuals’ experience.

West Hartford Parent Community of Concern - Funding will support two programs: Youth Substance Use & Prevention Resource Fair in Fall 2023 and Mental Health Awareness Community Day in Spring 2024. Both events will focus on serving West Hartford adolescents (middle grade and high school) and their families by providing education, support, and additional resources.

In 2022, the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund made a second round of grant awards to ten organizations, each for $5,000, to fund programs or projects that will “improve or enhance the quality of life in West Hartford or otherwise contribute to address a direct need” of the West Hartford community. 

• Autism Families CONNECTicut - to support Friday Night Teen Socials for autistic teens in the community who feel disconnected from fun and friendship, giving the opportunity to meet and connect with friends, build social skills with peers, and have fun.
• Children’s Reading Partners - to support its core program of offering volunteer literacy support to students, educators and families in West Hartford.
• Connecticut Alliance for Victims of Violence and Their Families, Inc. (CT-ALIVE) - subsidize the cost of the Never Going Back to Abuse Project in West Hartford, providing critical support to those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and more through workshops and mentoring sessions.
• Dignity Grows, Inc. - support 500 West Hartford residents through its Hope in a Bag program to help address Period Poverty and hygiene inequity. Totes including menstrual and comprehensive hygiene items are respectfully distributed through local social service agencies. 
• Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants - Building Bridges Book Club, open to all West Hartford immigrants in partnership with West Hartford Public Library. Participants will receive English language learning support, build relationships, share cultures and exchange thoughts.
• Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JT Connect) - Summer of Service, a weeklong immersive social- action camp offering 7th - 12th graders the chance to explore needs in our local community through volunteer projects, develop leadership skills, and build relationships.
• Seniors Job Bank, Inc. - the creation of Next Path Center serving West Hartford residents aged 50 and over who are looking to re-enter the workforce, change careers, or explore an interest through a new job.
• Voices of Hope - traveling Trunks of Hope available to schools and community organizations. They will be filled with artifacts from the life of a West Hartford resident who is a genocide survivor accompanied by lessons plans, class materials, and more.
• Volunteers in Psychotherapy - provide ninety (90) heavily discounted therapy sessions to West Hartford residents who, in return, will provide 360 hours of volunteer work to local organizations of their choice in a unique model to provide private, affordable, accessible mental health care.
• West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups (WH EDI) - Building Community Connections and Belonging for West Hartford Families of Color program providing social events and educational programs focused on the needs of families of color whose dependents attend WHPS.

In 2021, the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund awarded seven grants totaling $25,000 to local organizations committed to improving the quality of life for West Hartford residents.

Autism Families Connecticut to provide supplies in support of Friday Night Teen Socials 2021-2022

Copper Beech Institute, Inc. to support hiring BIPOC facilitators to broaden the impact of mindfulness programming

Golden Door of Greater Hartford, Inc. to support the Building Bridges book club and language class

Noah Webster House to support purchasing benches for the Witness Stones

The Bridge Family Center, Inc. to support enhancements to the teen center garden

West Hartford African American Social & Cultural Organization (Sponsored Org: Beta Iota Boule Foundation, Inc.) to support the creation of the Lemuel Haynes Memorial

West Hartford Fellowship Housing, Inc to support expansion of an existing nutritional program to encourage healthy choices to seniors 62+