Advocating for Equitable State Services & Waterbury Promise Day

May 6, 2024

While the Connecticut General Assembly moves at a feverish pace before the end of the legislative session, I have been active in my campaign to prioritize Waterbury and its residents.

I spoke at equity fair with some of my colleagues from other Connecticut cities to share our vision of expanding state services for those in need. Please keep scrolling to hear my speech and urgent plea for more affordable housing.

Students and organizers visited legislators at the Capitol to raise awareness about Waterbury Promise. I'll break down how this wonderful program is transforming lives in our region.

You will find the following sections below:

  • Advocating for Equitable State Services
  • Waterbury Promise Day at Capitol
  • Leadership Breakfast at CT State Naugatuck Valley
 
Advocating for Equitable State Services
Some of my colleagues and I attended the Community Access & Equity Fair in Hartford to learn more about the movement to expand access to state services. A recent statewide equity study finds that our state struggles to make connections with the populations that need the most help.
I joined a panel with my colleagues Rep. Hilda Santiago and Rep. Joshua Hall to discuss state services and the need to do more to help folks from traditionally underserved communities. Click on the video below to hear my thoughts on the struggles families are facing from a lack of affordable housing.

The entire country is dealing with the effects of a lack of affordable housing.

 
Waterbury Promise Day at Capitol
My friends at Waterbury Promise stopped by the State Capitol to tout their program and spread the progress they are making in our community! The nonprofit, which launched in 2021, is already supporting nearly 400 talented Waterbury Promise scholars across 15 Connecticut colleges and universities.

The program’s success hinges on providing a full continuum of support services to help high-achieving and traditionally underserved Waterbury students get to college, thrive there, persist through graduation, and be career ready to create a robust and diverse talent pipeline for the local economy.

I am proud to support Waterbury Promise and its first group of scholars, who will graduate from CT State – Naugatuck Valley with a degree in just a few weeks!
 
Leadership Breakfast at CT State Naugatuck Valley
It was a pleasure to attend a leadership breakfast at CT State - Naugatuck Valley. Top officials recognized students for their hard work and presented scholarships to some of the top scholars like my new friend Keyshon. It’s always special to return to the school and see so many young people starting their path toward success.