I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.
Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and be sure to follow my social media accounts for updates on a variety of topics including resources, events, housing updates, and more.
Reimagine and Revitalize Community Reinvestment Program The Social Equity Council’s Reimagine and Revitalize (R2) Community Reinvestment Program is a three-year, statewide investment strategy designed to ensure that communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization see real, measurable, and lasting opportunity. Through approximately $12 million annually, the R2 Program will support community-driven initiatives rooted in: Economic Development (including infrastructure and workforce pathways) Youth Initiatives Re-Entry Initiatives All funding is directed to organizations serving or located within Connecticut’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs). This model reflects the Council’s commitment to reinvestment that is structured, accountable, and aligned with long-term community transformation. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has been selected as the Grant Manager for the Hartford/East Hartford region. Each Grant Manager will administer funding within its designated region and work in close collaboration with the Council to ensure consistency, transparency, and strong compliance controls. Who Should Apply? United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is accepting applications from organizations that are actively delivering programs within Hartford and/or East Hartford. Organizations should have a clear track record of serving their community and the capacity to implement the proposed work. To be eligible, applicants must:
Be a nonprofit organization registered to conduct business in the state of Connecticut
Have at least three (3) years of experience providing relevant programs or services in the R2 region
Be located in and actively serving Hartford and/or East Hartford
Review the NOFO for full eligibility requirements.
Timeline
Deadline: July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM Contact For questions, please contact United Way staff at SEC-Grants@unitedwayinc.org
Steps to Apply:
Confirm eligibility based on program requirements
Identify the program priority that best aligns with the proposed work
Create a profile on United Way’s e-CImpact grant platform
Prepare all required application materials and supporting documentation
Complete all required forms and upload all required documents on e-CImpact.
Submit the completed application by July 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
Applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully and attend an information session, if available, prior to submission. Agencies that do not serve Hartford and/or East Hartford should visit the Social Equity Council R2 websiteto find the Grant Manager for their region. For more information,click here Apply Here
This Week In Connecticut History
In 1831, Prudence Crandall, with the support and approval of the local citizenry, opened the Canterbury Female Boarding School to educate daughters of wealthy Eastern Connecticut families. After a successful inaugural year, Crandall received a request from 20-year-old Sarah Harris, the daughter of a prosperous free African-American farmer and his wife, to attend the boarding school.
Sarah Harris Fayerweather, the first black student to attend Prudence Crandall’s academy.
Crandall, a single, 29-year-old Quaker, who was an avid reader of William Lloyd Garrison’s abolitionist newspaper The Liberator, decided to accept Miss Harris into her school. This prompted a severe and instantaneous backlash from her neighbors, who promptly removed both their white daughters and financial support from Crandall’s school, essentially forcing it to close.
Instead of capitulating and denying her prospective student of color admission, Crandall doubled down on her commitment to equal access to female education. She announced that the next school year she would reopen her school, but as an institution exclusively for “little misses of color.” William Lloyd Garrison, who supported Crandall’s decision, ran advertisements for Crandall’s school in The Liberator which garnered national attention. By the start of the school year in 1833, Crandall had no shortage of well-to-do black girls eager to journey to Connecticut to attend her new boarding school.
Meanwhile, however, the now angry Canterbury residents, who had once supported Crandall, agitated for a change in state law that would prevent her from opening her school. In response, the state legislature passed a new “Black Law” in May 1833 expressly forbidding out-of-state black children from attending school in any Connecticut town without first obtaining permission from local authorities.
Portrait of Prudence Crandall by
Francis Alexander, 1834.
One month later, on June 27, 1833, Prudence Crandall was arrested after she refused to close her school. This in turn led to several trials, convictions, and appeals. Ultimately, Crandall’s case was dismissed on a technicality, and she refocused her efforts on the African-American girls’ school.
That was not the end of the story. Crandall and her students continued to receive harassment on a daily basis, enduring taunts, threats, and even the risk of physical harm as hecklers shouted and threw stones at them. After an angry mob directly attacked the boarding school at night in September 1834, smashing windows and furniture while Crandall and her students hid in terror, Crandall finally decided to close her school. She feared, she said, for her students’ safety if she continued to keep it going.
Crandall soon moved out of Connecticut with her new husband, Calvin Philleo. She continued, albeit from a distance, to advocate for access to education for students of color. Many years later, long after the Civil War, Connecticut came to regret the way it had treated Crandall and passed a law giving her a $400 annual pension. Four years later, in 1890, Crandall died in Kansas.
Today, Prudence Crandall’s Canterbury home is a historic house museum owned and operated by the state of Connecticut. In 1995, she was designated Connecticut’s official State Heroine, and a statue of her and student Sarah Harris was unveiled in the State Capitol in 2008.
James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration 2026
The Town of Manchester is proud to announce the return of the annual James “Dutch” Fogarty Memorial Fireworks Event on July 11, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM (rain date July 12th).
Manchester's James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration, one of the most anticipated and attended East of the River events, is now less than three months away. Miss this happening and you'll regret it for a long time! For starters the very young and energetic band, FEEDBACK, winner of the Battle of the Bands at Toads Place in 2025, kicks off the celebration playing 4:30pm - 6:30pm. NIGHTSHIFT, one of Connecticut's favorite 60's, 70's, 80's cover bands takes the stage at 7:00pm - 9:15pm.
Fourteen (14) food trucks will be available offering a vast variety of tasty food options for your dining satisfaction. The Kid's Zone activities area has been dramatically enhanced to include free facepainting for children and youth, roaming magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and stilt walkers. Our fireworks shooter has designed a breathtaking aerial program that will rattle your world (and teeth) giving you a serious case of happy goosebumps to go home with. Join family, friends and fellow townies for a fantastic afternoon and night of foot-stomping music, deliciously prepared food options and fantastically spectacular fireworks display lighting up Manchester's night-time sky.
For the 41st time this event will be held at CT State Community College - Manchester at 60 Bidwell Street. Everything officially begins at 4:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. More information on this event will come your way over the next several weeks.
Event Details Artisan Market 4pm-8pm Kids Zone 4pm-8pm Food Trucks 5pm-9pm Fireworks Display at Dusk
Rain Date July 12th
25th Cruisin' on Main Street 2026
CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!
The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).
Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.
The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.
Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.
Town of East Hartford Offices Closed on Friday, July 3 in Observance of Independence Day NO delay in trash / recycling pickup
All Town offices, including the East Hartford Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, July 3 in Observance of Independence Day.
All Town offices will reopen on Monday, July 6 for regularly scheduled hours of operation.
Trash and recycling pickup will not be delayed, contrary to previously posted information. The East Hartford Transfer Station WILL be closed on Saturday, July 4th.
To contact the East Hartford Public Works, please call (860) 291-7374.
Pools Opening June 20 for the 2026 Season
Summer is Here and the East Hartford Pools Will Open June 20th!
Admission is free for East Hartford residents, with proof of residency required for all adults and children ages 7 and up. Acceptable forms of ID include CT Driver’s License, a state issued ID card, 2025-2026 East Hartford Public Schools ID, or a Parks and Recreation ID card, which is available for children ages 7-15 at the Parks and Recreation office located at 50 Chapman Place. The fee for an ID card is $10.00 and it is valid for three years. Anyone age 7 and older who does not have proof of residency will be charged the non-resident daily rate, which is $15.00 per person.
We offer a variety of programming at the pools, including group, semi-private and private swim lessons, adult lap swim, senior swim, Aqua Zumba® and more. Please see our Summer Program Guide for more information on our swim lessons and programs. Registration is accepted online for most programs at www.ehparks.org. Birthday parties are available at Goldstar and Lord pools on Saturdays throughout the summer, and may be reserved online at www.ehparks.org.
Important to note for Summer 2026, the pool at Martin Park will not be operating this year. After extensive evaluation, the Town has determined that the facility cannot safely operate. The pool’s aging infrastructure requires repairs that are more extensive than routine maintenance and cannot be completed in time for summer operations.
For generations, Martin Park pool (built in 1938) has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood and a place where children, families, and neighbors gather throughout the summer. We understand that its closure creates real challenges, particularly for families who rely on it as an affordable and accessible place to stay active, stay cool, and connect with their community.
While this decision was not made lightly, safety must remain our top priority. At the same time, we are committed to working with residents and community partners to identity alternatives for this summer and to evaluation long-term options for the future of the facility.
The Parks and Recreation team are actively exploring aquatics solutions for the neighborhood and wider community, and will provide updates as they become available.
Drennan Pool will offer extended hours on Saturday and Sunday for the 2026 Season: 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. with additional evening public swim hours during the weeks of June 22–26, 2026 (Monday–Friday) and August 10–14, 2026 (Monday–Friday) extended to 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
A number of events and activities are planned for the summer, including two splash parties scheduled for July 11 and August 1 at Goldstar Pool, and Lord Pool, respectively. Information regarding events and activities can be found at easthartfordt.gov/parks-recreation.
2026 Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Great River Park
The annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns for 2026! These free summer concert series will take place on Thursdays from June 11 to July 30, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Great River Park Amphitheater, located at 301 East River Drive. Join us for beautiful music in a scenic setting all summer long! This year's lineup features a diverse range of musical genres to entertain all members of the community:
June 11: Shaded Soul (Vocal & Instrumental)
June 18: Alvin Carter Project (Jazz)
June 25: Chris Marra Band (80s and 90s Rock)
July 2: Sound Pipers (Reggae)
July 9: Socky Y La Nueva Creacion (Latin)
July 16: Cover 2 Cover (High Energy Dance Music)
July 23: The Score (Classic Party Rock)
July 30: Soul Sound Revue (7-piece Modern Music)
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the East Hartford Community Culture Center at 50 Chapman Place. Updates will be posted on the Town's social media pages on Facebookand Instagram.
A special thank you is extended to the generous sponsors who make this series possible: Pratt & Whitney, The Metropolitan District, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, Restaurant Paradise, and Uncle Crumbles.
Located at 301 East River Drive, Great River Park is a beautiful and much loved stretch of the East Hartford’s riverside. Stretching along the bend of the Connecticut River adjacent to East River Drive, Great River Park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy picturesque vistas of the riverside and the city along nearly two miles of paved and lighted Riverwalk. Facilities include a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, a 350-seat amphitheater and a unique collection of sculpture art. Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth to Hartford via the Founders Bridge Promenade or the Charter Oak Bridge just steps from the park.
Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:
Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water. So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices.
The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town. Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment. You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.
Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET
The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.
All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted.
Date Town Location
September 12 Bloomfield Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive September 19 Rocky Hill Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street September 26 West Hartford Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street October 17 Windsor Locks/East Granby Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks October 24 Hartford MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road
(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility) * One collection date is held on a Sunday
East Hartford Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!
Summer is fast approaching and East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering summer camp programs for the 2026 summer season.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21. Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Social Services.
▶ Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool*Goodwin School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O’Connell School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, * Norris School Gym during inclement weather days.
▶Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym during inclement weather days.
▶ Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School during inclement weather days.
Campers will participate in a variety of activities, arts & crafts, sports, special events and more. Campers will also visit the pools, where they will have free swim and receive swim instruction from our American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.
All campers will be registered for the East Hartford Public Library summer reading program through Readsquared and will receive prizes at camp to recognize and celebrate the time they spend reading! Campers will also participate in weekly enrichment activities sponsored by the Library, including STEM, Makerspace, puppetry, performing arts, drumming and more. For some enrichment activities campers will be bused to the Library.
Breakfast and lunch are provided for all campers through the Summer Meals Program!
In partnership with Social Services camp will be supported by Social Workers.
Registration for camps is now open.Register online at www.ehparks.org or at the parks and recreation office at the East Hartford Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place.
Community Grants Available from the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts
Bring your artistic vision to life in East Hartford!
The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.
Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.
Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.
For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.
Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
