2000 Best Practice Awards
Program and Geographical Winners: Connecticut
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, ones 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 Hartfords
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. PWPs 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)
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