2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Full Gospel Ministries Foundation: Building Ministries to the Community

One-Stop Shopping for Community Services

Bloomfield. Full Gospel Ministries provides its community with one-stop services that address the major social issues affecting residents. In addition to a commercial kitchen, childcare facilities and childcare, the Ministries also provide several faith-based after-school programs. Ministry courses cover subjects such as finances, fine arts, employment skills and training. Ministry programs such as the prison outreach project, community food pantry and clothing service, and unrestricted transportation for everyone in the community, encourage community members to help one another. Community members also benefit from the presence of a Neighborhood Networks Computer Learning Center. The church addresses many issues that other agencies traditionally ignore, such as self-esteem, one’s purpose in life, and local networking. As a result, community residents not only receive better services, they also benefit from an improved sense of self-worth.

Contact: Ms. Lisa Thompson, Phone: (860) 769-0505
Tracking Number: 1098
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Mulifamily)

Best Practice: Connecticut Kids’ Court Competition and Kids Speak

Kids’ Court and Kids Speak Opens Young Minds to Human Rights Issues

Hartford. The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities educates middle and high school students about civil and human rights issues through their Kids’ Court Competition and Kids Speak program. This competition offers students a chance to express their opinions on human and civil rights issues, while providing them an opportunity to improve their research and communication skills. In later rounds of the competition, students submit formal plans, complete with budgets, on how to correct a civil or human rights problem. Statewide finals are televised. The project has grown from 40 students in 1993 to more than 1,000 students today.

Contact: Cynthia Watts-Elder, Phone: (860) 541-3451
Tracking Number: 1761
Winning Category: Georgraphical

Best Practice: Smiles to Go

Program Offers Dental Assistance for Disabled and Elderly Residents

New Haven. Recognizing that its elderly and disabled residents are often unable travel to a dentist for dental care, the Towers, a housing facility for 400 elderly and disabled individuals and families decided to bring the dentist to the residents. Partnering with the Hospital of St. Raphael and the University of New Haven Dental Hygiene School, they are able to provide the residents with a licensed dentist and hygienist on a monthly basis. Between 12 and 20 patients are seen each month, with an additional 20-30 being screened by students for future dental work. The hospital converted a tractor-trailer into a dental clinic on wheels. From the trailer, University of New Haven Dental Hygiene School students conduct oral screenings, collects data for prioritization of treatment and provide oral hygiene instruction. Without this onsite service, most of the residents would not have dental care or would have to pay more elsewhere.

Contact: Noella Rhone, Phone: (203) 772-1816
Tracking Number: 1088
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Multifamily)

Best Practice: Stamford Showcase

Federal and Local Forces Work Together to Clean up Brownfields

Stamford. In order to facilitate redevelopment of brownfields in a targeted community, the City of Stamford has formed partnerships with the HUD, EPA, landowners, the State of Connecticut and elected officials. This partnership has effectively coordinated resources and technical assistance to provide training and development support for brownfield redevelopment. The publicly funded training of community residents has created opportunities for economic advancement and provided the labor pool with the skills to continue rehabilitating this and other communities. As a result of the technical assistance and support offered under this project, the first site targeted for redevelopment--- a former oil tank farm and boat building area---has obtained financing, received all approvals and is currently under construction. Soon, the partnership will begin to construct new housing.

Contact: Linda Marinilli Kristal, Phone: (203) 340-5608
Tracking Number: 1940
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Precision Wood Products

Woodworking Provides Jobs and Other Opportunities for Low-Income Groups

Hartford. Precision Wood Products (PWP) is a nonprofit furnishings and millwork precision manufacturing plant designed to train and employ those who have multiple challenges to sustainable wage employment. The purpose of PWP is to create community-based economic development ventures that serve low-income people on their way toward economic self-sufficiency. The program provides Hartford’s growing precision manufacturing sector with workers who would, under normal circumstances, have a difficult time finding stable employment. PWP also trains individuals for manufacturing positions throughout the region. In its first year, PWP achieved sales of $30,000, which grew to $1 million in the second year of operation. In the year 2000, the program expects to more than double last years record and reach $2,000,000 in sales. To reward PWP for its economic success and lasting impact on the community, the program received the 1999 Educator of the Year award from the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association. PWP’s Manufacturing Technology Training program (MTT) offers comprehensive support, career and life skills training, ESL classes, counseling and referral for as many as 48 unskilled and unemployed Hartford residents per year. PWP is also initiating an Individual Development Account program. It will begin with up to 25 accounts this year and expand next year. Contributions for low-income participants will be matched dollar for dollar. Participants will receive economic literacy training and additional information that helps fulfill their particular savings objectives.

Contact: Patricia Spring, Phone: (860) 236-3617 Ext. 101
Tracking Number: 1561
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center

Moving Families Toward Financial Independence

West Hartford. The Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center (HANOC) offers families in the Hillcrest Avenue neighborhood programs and services geared toward financial independence, self- sufficiency, and greater community involvement. The Hillcrest area has the highest percentage of female-headed households, and children receiving free- or reduced-fare lunches. HANOC provides families with homework and activity groups for children, computer loan programs, and women's and parenting support groups. HANOC provides classes on self-determination, personal responsibility, and commitment and collaboration. The services started in the basement of an apartment complex but soon expanded to two two-bedroom apartments. The key to the success of this program is HANOC's ability to pool resources from the entire community. Funding for the program came from HUD, state, and private resources. HANOC partnered with local businesses and utilized university students seeking internship experience. HANCO publicized the program through local newsletters, and produced an eye-catching flyer to distribute door-to-door. To help in implementing this program, the group produced an informative video. The results of the HANOC reach far and wide due to the comprehensive nature of this program.

Contact: Edward Sanady, Phone: (860) 523-3250
Tracking Number: 234
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011