Your Stories: Third Annual What’s In Our Neighborhood Event Brings Blue Hills Together
September 9, 2026Categories: Events
In late August, the Curtis D. Robinson Center for Health Equity was full of energy as residents and community partners joined Trinity Health Of New England for the third annual What’s In Our Neighborhood (WION) event, the first of two WION activations this fall. What started as a way to connect neighbors with local resources has grown into one of the highlights of the year, and this year’s event was one of the biggest and most successful yet.
Members of the Community Health and Well-Being team at the third annual What's In Our Neighborhood event in Blue Hills.
The day was all about celebrating the Blue Hills neighborhood and showcasing the many organizations, programs and services that help make this community so special. From health care and housing resources to youth programs and community services, attendees had the opportunity to connect with support systems that are available right in their own backyard.
One of the biggest highlights was distributing more than 250 fully stocked backpacks to local students for the second year in a row. The backpacks were filled with school supplies, helping students start the school year prepared and ready to learn.
The event also featured free back-to-school screenings provided by physicians from Vituity, injury prevention education and materials from the Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Department and the Hartford Public Library’s Library on Wheels, which gave families the chance to explore books and learn more about library resources.
Families enjoyed free tacos, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones from local vendors, while kids had the chance to get their faces painted, meet mascots from the Hartford Yard Goats and Hartford Athletic and climb aboard a Hartford Fire Department truck. Hot 93.7 kept the crowd engaged all afternoon, providing music and entertainment while emceeing the event.
Most importantly, WION brought people together. Community organizations, city departments, health care providers and residents spent the day connecting, sharing resources and celebrating all that Blue Hills has to offer.
With one of the largest turnouts to date, the Blue Hills WION event was a great reminder that some of the best resources, partnerships and opportunities are in our local neighborhoods.
The second WION event of 2026 will take place on Saturday, October 24 at Sigourney Park, just down the street from Saint Francis Hospital, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Asylum Hill event will feature Tent-or-Treat and a costume contest, while also bringing together local organizations, businesses and residents for a day focused on health, wellness and resources in the community.
Submitted by Jacob Diogostine, Regional Coordinator, Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England.
Have a story you want to share? Submit your story at TrinityHealthOfNE.org/YourStories.