Trinity Health Of New England and YWCA Hartford Region Hosted Transforming Communities Initiative Activation

Curtis D. Robinson with members of the Community Health and Well Being team. 

Marking the 99th week of “Wake-Up Wednesday” originated by the Greater Hartford NAACP, as a local tradition of grassroots activation and neighborhood care, the TCI roll out demonstrated what is possible when community and institutional partners unite around a shared vision of health equity and wellbeing.

With over 30 local organizations participating, residents were able to engage directly with critical services and programs while enjoying live music, youth performances, storytelling sessions, wellness activities and resource giveaways. Local entrepreneurs and nonprofits had the opportunity to showcase their work, strengthening the economic and social fabric of Barbour Street.

The event served as a dynamic demonstration of how Trinity Health’s five-year investment strategy can directly support measurable improvements in mental health, housing access, food security and economic opportunity. Local partners and volunteers staffed tents and booths with actionable information and resources, offering everything from fresh produce and job leads to mental health support and housing referrals.

Throughout the day, residents were encouraged to share their stories, priorities and visions for the future. That feedback was collected by the Hartford Health Initiative, the local evaluation lead for TCI, as part of a broader effort to develop a framework rooted in equity and informed by community voice. The insights gathered will directly shape program benchmarks, policy goals and accountability measures over the next several years.

Now in its fourth year, TCI is a five-year, $1.6 million investment by Trinity Health and Saint Francis Hospital to help transform North Hartford, through a data-informed, resident-led strategy, to address influencers of health and improve access to mental health, housing, food, and economic opportunity. It began with the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment to identify priority needs in the community. The Trinity Health TCI grants support three Trinity Health Of New England sites. In addition to Hartford, grants were afforded to Waterbury, CT and Springfield, MA.