Fresh Starts Begin with Grace

One of Fresh Start's original furniture offerings, a hand painted garden bench.

As I walked in with Pastor Rick Kremer to tour Asylum Hill's unique non-profit furniture making business, Waseem was feeding a board into a planer, Ron was putting the finishing touches on a cabinet, and two volunteers were crafting tables and lamps. It's a typical busy morning scene on Fresh Start Pallet Products LLC's shop floor. Discarded pallets and distressed furniture are recycled into "attractive, sturdy, and affordable furnishings for home and garden." Fresh Start's mission is to offer meaningful jobs and job training, along with essential life skills to people -- typically unemployed, often homeless, sometimes with severe health or addiction issues -- seeking a way back to reclaim their dignity and self-esteem, all toward becoming productive members of society. Reclamation and renewal are what Fresh Start is all about.

Waseem working at the planer.

Ron putting the finishing touches on a cabinet.

In the Beginning ...

Launched three years ago as a mission-based enterprise, the idea for Fresh Start germinated when artist and community outreach organizer Louisa Barton-Duguay thought that the idle, but fertile, lawn of Hartford's Grace Lutheran Church would be a comforting place for people, especially the neighborhood's homeless seeking a respite from the street, to sit and chat, or simply relax in a moment of quiet solitude. Louisa, Grace's artist-in-residence, thought a garden with simple benches should be the first "seeds" planted. Her vision sparked a spiritual call to action. Lee Whittemore, a retired Hartford Master carpenter, heard it and took the next step with Louisa. At her request, Lee volunteered to build the benches.

Together, as they surveyed the proposed garden location, Louisa and Lee spotted a pile of discarded pallets piled near a recently renovated apartment building across the street. Whittemore quickly rescued them from a fate destined for the the landfill. It was free lumber. As he began constructing basic benches and chairs with the salvaged pieces, more surprises were in the offing.

Whittemore's work attracted the attention of homeless men who had come to Grace for its weekly Friday Gatherings, a free dinner with all the trimmings. They asked if they could help. Instantly, Whittemore had eager assistants. As it came to life, Grace's new garden, with its colorful pallet furniture, drew broad community praise encouraging others to support the effort.

Recently called to Grace's ministry at that point, and moved by the neighborhood's "stories of hungry people with little hope, and many lost dreams," Pastor Rick often wondered about how it came to be that Louisa's wonderful idea, a pile of discarded pallets, and Lee's talents all converged at the right moment to initiate a program destined to become a new church mission. Divine inspiration? Pastor Rick believes so, which led him to ask Louisa and Lee a simple question, "Did you ever think about creating a business?" Without skipping a beat, conversations about starting a business began in earnest. That's when David Eberly, a pianist of note, unknowingly took the baton to orchestrate the next steps.

A Musician Plays the Next Verse 

After overhearing conversations concerning the church's financial challenges, Eberly, blind from birth, called Pastor Rick suggesting they meet with Phil Rockwell and Pete Mobilia, two retirees formerly involved in development and public relations at Asylum Hill's St. Francis Hospital. He thought they might have ideas that could help get Grace on a more stable financial footing.

Eberly spoke with Rockwell and Mobilia, and they set a meeting at Hamilton Heights, the senior living facility Eberly and Mobilia call home. In the meeting Pastor Rick outlined several issues affecting church finances, which generated several comments, but nothing revelatory. However, as a last minute thought when wrapping up his talk, Pastor Rick mentioned the church's latest idea for a neighborhood mission: "building furniture out of used shipping pallets, and in that way inviting people to a new start, a second chance." Another moment of divine inspiration struck. The idea instantly captured the imagination of Rockwell and Mobilia. Taking root strong and deep, the idea ultimately blossomed into what it is today, Fresh Start Pallet Products LLC, a social enterprise with a mission to provide "employment and training opportunities for economically disadvantaged area residents."

Fully on board, Rockwell and Mobilia recommended marketing and public relations ideas to advance the cause. They also knew other people who would leap at the chance to help. The small group soon grew larger. Many volunteers stepped forward to lend a hand. From the very beginning they reached for help from other organizations serving the same population. Discussions with neighboring organizations such as St. Francis Hospital, Chrysalis Center, and Catholic Family Services were encouraging. With enthusiasm running high, a small working team quickly gelled. Its first order of business was funding -- securing enough money to launch the enterprise on a path to succeed. A fundraiser proved just the ticket.

In June 2015 the pallet project team sponsored a night of music hosted by Hamilton Heights. It featured The Great American Songbook with Eberly on the keyboard accompanied by the vocals of Bob Lally, a project advocate and partner at Federman, Lally & Remis LLC. Nearly 100 people attended the concert, which also exhibited recently completed pallet furniture products. Netting more than $23,000, it raised enough money to get the business underway in earnest, and it attracted more advocates from which a vital network of relationships grew. Helping hands quickly multiplied, and a diverse and talented team -- a working committee -- was built that could turn an idea into reality.

With the engine to drive the business firmly in gear, the team worked full speed ahead on the details. It took the necessary steps to establish Fresh Start Pallet Products as a recognized non-profit business with a formal business plan. With Fresh Start's official legal standing assured, the team proceeded to make sure that accounting, insurance, payroll and personnel processes were securely in place.

Fresh Start Opens for Business

Under tents in Grace's backyard, Fresh Start officially opened its "doors" for business in 2015, as a social justice mission focused on changing lives and providing second chances; befitting its motto, Building Furniture -- Rebuilding Lives. "For years, Grace Lutheran has sponsored missions of mercy through its year round Friday night public dinners, and its Janet's Closet clothing shop, both serving people in need," Pastor Rick told me. "Now we have a business focused on justice with a mission that helps people in need who want an opportunity to change their lives."

Soon the furniture offerings evolved from benches and chairs, to a variety of products including tables, planters, window boxes, shelves, and stools.  As sales revenue and donations increased, and winter loomed, the need for more manufacturing space grew. Nearby Trinity Episcopal Church offered its basement where operations continued to grow. What was meant to last for a winter, carried on for two years as Fresh Start added equipment, and engaged in a comprehensive process learning about hiring, personnel selection, productivity, quality, and marketing. As the business continued to grow, it soon became evident a larger, more functional and permanent location would be needed.

Right on cue, committee volunteers found a solution in Asylum Hill with room to house more trainees, as well as its core of dedicated volunteers. Fresh Start had an ideal spot to change more lives. It could focus unrestrained on conducting additional technical training, manufacturing more efficiently, improving its quality, expanding its offerings, and, most important of all, hiring more people in need of a fresh start.

A custom bench ready for final finishing.

Fresh Start's fan-backed chair.

The quality of Fresh Start's furniture has improved significantly under the direction of operations manager Ron Bell (a former trainee and now full time employee) and his team of trainee-employees and volunteers. Its products are becoming hot commodities. Thanks to Mike McGarry's support, Fresh Start's full line of products was featured at February's Connecticut Flower and Garden Show at the Connecticut Convention Center. McGarry, an Asylum Hill Neighborhood advocate and head of Hartford Blooms, the city's annual flower garden tour, was enthusiastic to assist.

In its new location, Fresh Start continued to develop new and amazing products. Along with its benches and chairs, it has built in vogue "steampunk" lamps, display racks for two Salvation Army thrift stores, and creatively modified used furniture acquired from Hartford Habitat's ReStore  -- all of these have contributed to building an inventory of unique and functional home furnishings. As Pastor Rick told me, "Our furniture design has advanced to skilled artisan quality. We call it 'Fresh Start Version 2.0.'" As a prime example, he had me sit in a wooden chair built with the seat contour of a Mercedes. It was so comfortable I felt like driving it home right from the showroom.

The "Mercedes" chair.

Table in Pastor Rick's study.

A handcrafted display table.

A custom "steampunk" lamp.

Awaiting front drawer facades, an old bureau has been transformed 

into a fully functioning potting bench plumbed for water.

A small harvest table ready for delivery.

Progress to Date and Looking to the Future

During the past three years, Fresh Start has offered a second chance to fourteen people, three of whom were hired as full time employees, and has generated revenue approaching $100,000. However, much more is required to grow and sustain the real business -- the business of changing lives; of saving lives. Through improved public relations and marketing, Fresh Start is taking steps to strengthen its bottom line. It's in the final stages of becoming an independent non-profit. As a stand-alone 501(c)(3), Fresh Start's opportunities to raise much needed funding are expected to grow dramatically. Increasing individual and corporate donations, along with obtaining access to more grant funds, are essential to ensuring the healthy cash flow required to grow the business. It would enable Fresh Start to hire more trainees, as well as upgrade tools and equipment -- tools and equipment essential to ensure its trainees obtain the market-ready skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.

Fresh Start welcomes all who want to support the program. Interested parties seeking more information about Fresh Start's business, either to purchase furniture, volunteer, or donate money, tools, or equipment, are encouraged to write to Grace Lutheran Church, 46 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105, or call the church office at (860) 527-7792, or contact Fresh Start Board Chair Pastor Rick Kremer at rickkremer@aol.com.

Tour Fresh Start on Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Of special note, on June 13, Fresh Start will host an open house as the last stop on Hartford Blooms' Asylum Hill neighborhood tour. The Asylum Hill tour is part of Hartford Blooms Garden Tours' annual nine-day, June 9-17, bus and walking tour of Hartford neighborhoods.  The open house will feature music, food and flowers befitting the tour's theme: "Jazz, Arts & Flowers." It will be an excellent opportunity to see Fresh Start's operations first hand. Event details, registration and ticket information can be obtained on Hartford Blooms website: http://hartfordblooms.gdn; or by calling its office at (860) 296-6128.

It's spring. It's a time of renewal.

Fresh starts renew lives.

Fresh starts begin with grace.



Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Photos by Don Shaw, Jr. and Fresh Start Pallet Products LLC 

Jody Made a Difference

Mary Joellen "Jody" Putnam
August 17, 1942 -- March 2, 2017

"Think about yourself and what you do for your community. You are making a difference by helping one or two even if you cannot help the whole community. Just pick one at a time. Remember you are making a difference." -- Jody Putnam

Mary Joellen "Jody" Putnam's philosophy recalls the last line of The Starfish Story, "It made a difference to that one." The story is about saving lives, even if just one, against seemingly insurmountable odds. The Starfish Story was a favorite of Jody's who would tell it often when people became discouraged.

Saving just one life makes a difference. A difference of ultimate significance to the one saved and the one who saved the life. It's the profound difference that a single caring and committed person can make in just one person's life, but in Jody's case she made a difference in the lives of countless people in need. Jody saved lives. It was her purpose in life. Jody made a difference.

For more than twenty years Jody worked voluntarily and tirelessly with refugees who resettled in the Hartford area from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Burma, Iraq, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, among other countries. Her life's purpose was devoted to helping people in need, selflessly and unconditionally.

Jody died peacefully at age 74 on March 2, 2017, after suffering a stroke in February. Hartford will miss her leadership, and the contributions she made creating a better life for many of the vulnerable and victimized people among us. Asylum Hill Neighborhood leader Jennifer Cassidy expressed her hope "that Jody's legacy inspires others to follow her lead. It's a path more of us must walk."

On March 25, an estimated 300 refugees attended a multicultural memorial service for Jody at Asylum Hill's Cathedral of Saint Joseph. It was a special day for the refugees Jody served to share their everlasting gratitude and respect.

After a warm welcome by Fr. James A. Shanley, Rector of the Cathedral, and an opening prayer by Fr. Michal J. Dolan, several refugees celebrated Jody's life by speaking in honor of her generous and welcoming service to their communities. They praised the hours she spent helping them enroll their children in school, access health care, navigate the social service bureaucracy, and complete seemingly endless but necessary paperwork. Included were the following representatives from Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Liberia, Somalia, Syria, and Bosnia who spoke from deep within their hearts about Jody's service:

Tha Say Paw -- Karen/Burmese community
Padam Bharati -- Nepalese/Bhutanese community
Frederick Bohlen -- Liberian community
Ibrahim Abdule -- Somali Bantu community
Maryam Bitar -- Syrian Trinity College student volunteer
Gail BiscegliAis -- Community volunteer
Sabaha Alihodzic --Bosnian community 

As final speaker Sabaha Alihodzic concluded her tribute, she finished with the El-Fatiha, a fitting prayer from the Quran for the guidance, lordship and mercy of God.

Padam Bharati speaking on behalf of the Nepalese community

Karen Youth Community Chorus

Music by the Karen (Burma) Youth Community Choir filled the Cathedral with songs of peace and thanksgiving.

Jody's close friend and colleague Trinity professor Dr. Janet Bauer reminisced with me that "Jody was an extraordinary cultural navigator for so many Hartford families from different refugee groups in the post resettlement stage. They benefited from her philosophy that becoming self-sufficient sometimes required personal, one-on-one assistance, beyond the first several months, from other Hartford area residents like herself who were proficient in the language and culture."

Jody was an inspiration to many of Dr. Bauer's students as captured in the following excerpt from the tribute read by Maryam Bitar, a Trinity student volunteer from Syria:

"In addition to her impact on so many people from Hartford's refugee communities, Jody was also an inspiring mentor to many students who interned with her through Trinity College, as she provided support to refugee families. Jody embodied a philosophy of one-on-one support that meant students learned how to be compassionate and caring, to listen to what refugees said about their needs and in that way assisting them to become independent -- whether it took six months or three years. And beyond that, well, she remained a friend to everyone."

Maryam Bitar, Trinity College Class of 2016, reading her tribute to Jody

Other Trinity students shared their thoughts: 

"Jody's dedication to refugees in the greater Hartford area was profound and it left a mark on all of us as we carry her passion through our efforts to promote cultural competency..."  -- Daniela Santagelo Akaratovic, newly registered nurse working on refugee health issues, Hartford, CT

"Jody acknowledged every single person with a certain respect. Jody was so pure by heart and yet had strong opinions. Jody was unique. Just by observing her work and spending time with her for a couple of weeks I learned the biggest lesson in life. Acknowledge every person with all the respect in the world and help people without expecting gratitude. Be pure by heart no matter what you do or say..." -- Nina Pariahs Ziari, international student from Denmark, now working in refugee resettlement in Copenhagen.

"From Jody I learned that the world isn't always kind and that doing the right thing is often thankless. I will always admire her empathy and respect for refugees, and I will never forget the smiles she brought about when she visited people. I hope to one day have the effect on one person that Jody had on so many."   --  Jenna Carroll, now a law student at Fordham University perhaps one day doing immigration legal work.

After Jody's son Scott Ahlgren thanked everyone for attending the tribute for his mother and conveyed his family's gratitude, Lina Caswell, a former Hartford social services professional for whom Jody was a dear friend and mentor, presented Scott and Jody's other son, Steven, a City of Hartford Proclamation recognizing Jody's immeasurable contribution to improving the quality of life for the City's newest residents. Following Lina, Padam Bharati presented a certificate of gratitude from the Nepalese community honoring Jody's service.

Lina Caswell (l) presents the City of Hartford Proclamation to Scott and Steven Ahlgren. Padam Bharati (next to Lina) presented a certificate of gratitude from the Nepalese community honoring Jody's service.

In reflecting on the Jody's life, Lina told me that Jody's main motto throughout her work was to "treat people as friends, not clients, because when in need you go to your friends." In providing social services, the technique of being one's friend is unconventional, and not without risk, but "Jody always believed in meeting people on an equal footing." Her friendship approach was one of warm acceptance, fierce loyalty, and, when needed, frank honesty. As she reflected further on their years of service together, Lina said, "Jody did not romanticize refugees. She wanted to help them regain their dignity, not to be stigmatized by labels, to give them back their identity so that they may all be seen for who they truly are." Lina was impressed and fascinated that Jody always spoke first to strangers, never afraid to engage in small talk to help her see the stranger, the newcomer, as a new friend. "Jody's mission was to meet people where they are to help them move forward so that after a substantial initial investment of whatever was necessary to get them situated, coupled with positive experiences navigating the multitude of our society's systems, they ultimately would become independent and successful community members."

Sabaha Alihodzic delivering the EL-Fatiha prayer

After all the tributes and remembrances were shared on March 25, perhaps the most fitting tribute of all is that at least three refugee families have named a child Jody keeping her name alive in their communities.

Jody made a difference.

Donations may be made in Jody's remembrance to the International Rescue Committee: https://www.rescue.org or 1-855-9RESCUE.

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Photos of Jody Putnam and The Starfish Story are from the memorial service program. The photos from the memorial service  are courtesy of Dr. Janet Bauer.

Making Kafar's Dream Come True

Kafar Hassan with mentor Dean Amadon

Ethiopian refugee Kafar Hassan's dream is coming true. Forced to leave his son Robel behind in Johannesburg, South Africa where they had found safe haven for several years, Kafar arrived in Hartford's Asylum Hill neighborhood in 2013 when resettled by local Catholic Charities Migration, Refugee and Immigration Services. In Asylum Hill he found welcoming support and eventually an opportunity to succeed.

A life saving network of Hartford organizations and individuals collaborating to focus Kafar's commitment to succeed led to his March 24, 2017 graduation from Manchester Community College's Precision Manufacturing Program. With a hard-earned career-advancing cerification in hand, coupled with a good paying highly technical manufacturing job starting March 27, Kafar's dream of reuniting with Robel is closer than ever.

Attending Kafar's graduation was an uplifting highlight for me and several other members of the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association's (AHNA) Welcoming Committee there to cheer him on, and congratulate him for a job well done. Kafar's success and the team that cleared his path is featured in  guest blogger Tim Blonsky's article that follows. Tim is Advanced Manufacturing Coordinator at Capital Workforce Partners. His article highlights what can be accomplished when a community comes together to welcome a newcomer.

Be inspired. Be encouraged. Be energized.

Don Shaw, Jr
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Kafar Hassan's Advanced Manufacturing Graduation

A Time for Dreams to Come True 

by Tim Blonsky
Advanced Manufacturing Coordinator 

Capital Workforce Partners   

Kafar's Opportunity: Capital Workforce Partners' Advanced Manufacturing Program

Capital Workforce Partners, working with partners from education and business, is pleased to announce the successful graduation of a number of previously under- and unemployed individuals who received certificates in Precision Manufacturing CPM/CAM 4 from Manchester Community College’s (MCC) Great Path Academy program on Friday, March 24, 2017.

Capital Workforce Partners’ Advanced Manufacturing Program, made possible by both federal and state grant investments, has led to ten participants successfully graduating on March 24 who will be placed in manufacturing jobs. This program is meeting one of the greatest challenges facing advanced manufacturing today -- a labor shortage of trained workers much needed to sustain growth. The current generation of incumbent workers nearing retirement is leading to the critical need for the next generation of well-trained, advanced manufacturing workers.

In response to the need to support both interested job seekers, as well as advanced manufacturing employers, Capital Workforce Partners, working with its education and training partners and 45 manufacturing companies, have helped over 220 adults to get manufacturing credentials and/or jobs in the Manufacturing Industry. This program also provides a great opportunity for low-income individuals to pursue job training as a ladder out of poverty which will have a huge impact on their lives and those of their families and communities.

One of the graduates is Kafar Hassan, a resident of Hartford and refugee from Ethiopia, who came to Hartford five years ago via South Africa with the goal of establishing himself before bringing his wife and son stateside.  “Kafar proved to be one of our more dedicated and committed students right from the start. He always showed up to class on time and his approach to the classroom and machining labs was always with a winning and positive attitude. Strong class participation, aptitude, preparation and excellent program results were rewarded with a successful interview and an excellent first step in a manufacturing career at EDAC Technologies in Newington,” said Dave Russell, Manufacturing Program Director at MCC.

Dave Russell, MCC Manufacturing Program Director (left) and Nelson Robles, MCC Manufacturing Instructor (right)
award Kafar his Precision Manufacturing CPM/CAM 4 certificate

Kafar's Journey

Kafar Hassan was born forty years ago in Jijiga, Ethiopia. He was raised by a single mother after his father was killed in ongoing tribal fighting. She and her family placed him in a seminary school in Nazareth, now known as Adama. There he completed high school and began his post-secondary education. However, because of continuing political strife and fighting, Kafar fled to Durban, South Africa in 1991. 

When Kafar arrived in Durban he volunteered with various human rights organizations eventually co-founding “International Refugees Services,” which was featured in a 2001 L.A.Times article. After seven years serving the needs of refugees, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Durban. While pursuing his studies he encountered difficulties in Durban and moved to Johannesburg where he made the decision to seek asylum in the United States. The process took about seven years during which time he met and married his wife Benicia. Their son, Robel, was born in 2008. Resettlement to America became a reality in 2013 through Catholic Charities' Immigration and Refugee Resettlement Program though to meant leaving Benicia and Robel behind to follow him later once he was settled.

Kafar's relocation to the United States initially placed him in Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood. Through Hartford Public Library's Cultural Navigator Program, which supports the transition of new arrival immigrants and refugees, Kafar was introduced to and welcomed by members of the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA), as well as matched with a dedicated volunteer mentor, Dean Amadon, from the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Over the past few years, Kafar and Dean formed a partnership focused on supporting Kafar’s determination to move forward.

Nancy Caddigan from Hartford Public Library and Dean Amadon congratulate Kafar Hassan.
Nancy introduced Kafar to Dean who became Kafar's mentor

Heartbreakingly, Benicia became ill with cancer and passed away in 2015, leaving his son to be cared for by relief workers in South Africa. 

Until recently Kafar was earning an hourly wage of less than $10.50 at a small, local company -- not enough to allow saving for the fare to bring his son to the United States.  But a solution was in the works. Through an introduction orchestrated by Dean Amadon, Kafar was referred to Capital Workforce Partners where he was introduced to the Advanced Manufacturing Training program at MCC. The program provides entry level CNC Machining training, placement assistance, and an accredited certificate upon successful program completion. To support his participation in the training program, a number of individuals generously contributed to Kafar’s tuition and living costs. 

Kafar was a member of Friday's graduating class. His academic success enabled him to be hired by EDAC Technologies in Newington in a position with opportunity for growth.  With the good fortune of beginning his new career immediately upon graduation, Kafar now has the means to pay his son's way to the United States. His dream of having his family brought together again may be realized soon. A bright future is on the horizon for Kafar and Robel.

Celebrating Kafar's graduation.
L-R Tim Blonsky, Dean Amadon, Nancy Caddigan, Kafar Hassan,
Rio Comaduran, Jennifer Cassidy, and Don Shaw, Jr.
(Not pictured is Bernie Michel who took the photo)

Photos by Bernie Michel (#'s 1, 2 & 4) and Don Shaw, Jr. (#3)

A Welcome Resource

Asylum Hill Multicultural Resource Corner Grand Opening January 26, 2017 at
Catholic Charities' Asylum Hill Family Center in Hartford, CT

"What a striking contrast between what we're doing in this city, and this neighborhood versus what's going on in Washington. Some people build walls. In this state and this community we embrace people," proclaimed Connecticut State Representative Matt Ritter at the Asylum Hill Multicultural Resource Corner ribbon cutting ceremony on January 26, 2017.

Ritter's comments captured the spirit behind the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA) Welcoming Committee's determined drive to establish a community resource to welcome and support all Asylum Hill residents, with a specific focus on new arrival immigrant and refugee families.

"The opening of the Resource Corner marks an important occasion for all neighborhood residents seeking information and assistance. By launching the Resource Corner, the Welcoming Committee has taken an important step toward establishing a multicultural center in Asylum Hill," said Jennifer Cassidy, Asylum Hill community leader and Multicultural Center Steering Committee chair.  Located at 60 Gillett Street in Hartford, the Resource Corner represents a true community collaboration between AHNA, the Library, Catholic Charities' Asylum Hill Family Center, and the UConn Graduate School of Social Work. 

 

       Jennifer Cassidy, Georges Annan-Kingsley, 

State Representative Matt Ritter and Moureen Bish (L-R) 

cut the ribbon opening the 

Asylum Hill Multicultural Resource Corner

In the summer of 2013, the Welcoming Committee was established through the combined efforts of AHNA and the Hartford Public Library to address the pressing need "to reach out to and welcome new arrival immigrant and refugee families living in Asylum Hill -- many of whom initially experience culture shock and feelings of isolation," according to Nancy Caddigan, Hartford Public Library's Intercultural Liaison, and Welcoming Committee chair. "This is vital because at least 30% of the Asylum Hill resident population is made up of immigrants and refugees hailing from such countries of origin as Nepal, Togo, Peru, Sri Lanka, the Ivory Coast, Iraq, the Republic of Congo, Burma, Somalia and Ethiopia." 

Caddigan further explained "One of the major unmet needs identified at early Welcoming Committee sponsored community activities and meetings was a lack of a designated meeting space for residents of Asylum Hill to come together to share and participate in civic, social, and cultural activities that would strengthen connections between neighbors, and make those new to the neighborhood feel welcome." 

Jennifer Cassidy (L), Georges Annan-Kingsley (third from right) and Liz Gustafson (R)
welcome Roger Rugina, James Rugina, and Benedict Muliro from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Benjamin Simpini from Togo.

In an immediate effort to more specifically identify Committee priorities, the Library sought and received a grant from the national organization Welcoming America. The grant  proved invaluable. It provided the opportunity to conduct a total of seven critical focus groups in fall 2014 in which almost 200 Asylum Hill residents and stakeholders participated, aided by interpreters. Participants shared their suggestions and ideas of what they envisioned taking place in a multicultural center which included such things as community meetings, weddings and celebrations, ethnic cooking classes,  foreign language instruction, and student tutoring, as well as a resource center for referrals to essential health, housing, legal and employment services. 

Recognizing that significant funding and sponsorship would be required to establish a full-scale multicultural center,  the committee set its sights on addressing the immediate needs of new arrivals. The idea of establishing a small resource facility to provide much needed support and referral services to assist families in acculturating to their new community germinated quickly. The immediate objective would be to ease families' struggles in getting their basic health, education and human services needs met. The agreed first step would be to pursue setting up a Multicultural Resource Corner staffed by an intern and volunteers from the Welcoming Committee. Soon the UConn Graduate School of Social Work, and Catholic Charities joined the effort as enthusiastic partners to make the Corner a reality.

The School of Social Work jumped at the opportunity when approached by Cassidy with the idea for a hands-on internship to help at the Resource Corner. Graduate student Liz Gustafson came on board immediately. Next, Cassidy and Welcoming Committee member Georges Annan-Kingsley scoured the neighborhood for another partner with a suitable location to house the Resource Corner. A willing and generous champion shortly emerged in Moureen Bish, director of Catholic Charities' Asylum Hill Family Center. Bish took the idea to her corporate leadership who fully embraced the proposal. The Family Center's location in the heart of Asylum Hill at 60 Gillett Street was an ideal fit.

Moureen Bish (R) welcoming the AHNA Multicultural Resource Corner to
its new office at Catholic Charities' Asylum Hill Family Center

At the Resource Corner dedication, Bish expressed a warm welcome to the AHNA initiative. "We are happy to have you. What we do here [at the Family Center] is work with families, enrich families' lives, and strengthen families; so to be able to provide this [additional] service to the newest families in the neighborhood, we are super, super happy." Bish continued saying she was "pleased with the effort that's gone into making this a reality. Our multiplicity of Family Center services are open to the Multicultural Resource Corner -- all our services are at their disposal."  

Georges Annan-Kingsley speaking at the Resource Corner dedication

Welcoming Committee member and Asylum Hill resident Georges Annan-Kingsley (a medical refugee from Côte d'Ivoire) spoke about the long-term need for a full fledged multicultural center. "When I came here, alone at first without my family, this neighborhood became my family. Through the work of the Welcoming Committee, we found out it [would be] good if we can have a place where those people coming from some place else can meet together as a family and keep [their] culture. This is what the framework is for creating a multicultural center where people can preserve and share their culture, and be proud of their culture -- and broaden American culture."

Jennifer Cassidy chats with Fouad Abbood a 2014 refugee from Iraq
and former security services interpreter

Lar Pwe Paw (Burma) and Nayomi Dasanayke (Sri Lanka)
share a moment at the Resource Corner Dedication   

With the launch of the Multicultural Resource Corner, the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Associations' Welcoming Committee has taken the vital first step toward its longterm goal of establishing a multicultural center open to all residents. Right now the focus is rightly where it should be -- providing residents with a guiding hand toward critical basic health, education and human services needed to succeed.    

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com


Don Shaw, Jr. photos

My Friend Needs a Kidney Transplant

Georges Annan-Kingsley with one of his art works displayed at an Asylum Hill art show

Georges Annan-Kingsley is my friend. As a long persecuted political refugee from Côte d'Ivoire, Georges suffered chronic, stress-induced hypertension causing his kidneys to fail. After a long, courageous bureaucratic struggle to escape western Africa via Ghana, aided by the French consulate, Georges received medical refugee status in the United States. He arrived in near fatal condition. He was saved by immediate access to medical attention. 

His life is interrupted three times a week with grueling dialysis sessions necessary to keep him alive. With his disability he's barely able to muster the strength to help raise his family. Because his abilities are diminished he is limited in following career pursuits and engaging in community life. He's an accomplished artist (he has a painting on display at the White House), teacher, radio host, and Asylum Hill community leader championing the acculturation of arriving refugees and immigrants into this thriving Hartford, CT neighborhood. But for long-term survival Georges needs a kidney transplant. Despite his struggles, he keeps a positive, constantly smiling attitude. George has hope.

Georges Annan-Kingsley hosting his show on GhanaBeats Radio

Georges' way of life is the norm for all in need of a kidney transplant. Like many of our friends, family, colleagues, and the millions of people we will never know, kidney disease has a fierce grip on their lives. Its causes are many, ranging from genetic predisposition, diabetes, hypertension, and insulin resistance to lifestyle causes such as physical inactivity, poor diets, and obesity.

So what can we do about it?

We can follow Georges' lead. Georges is championing another cause, the urgent need for the healthy people among us to become Living Donor Champions.

"A Living Donor Champion is someone who helps spread the story of a loved one in need of a living kidney donor. The Champion helps share their story and raise awareness about kidney disease, transplantation, and living kidney donation. The goal is to find a potential living donor for their loved one." 

Please read the brochure below and consider making a life changing difference by becoming a Living Donor Champion. 

If you would like to talk with Georges directly, which he is willing to do, please reply to my blog with your contact information. I will forward it to him.

Thank you.

The Living Donor Champion Program

Photos by Don Shaw, Jr.
"Champions Needed" flyer provided by Georges Annan-Kingsley

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Listen to the Heartbeat of Africa in Hartford

GhanaBeats Radio's Georges Annan-Kingsley
hosting this Good Times show which airs Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 p.m.

"Welcome to your greater Hartford African community radio, GhanaBeats Radio, broadcasting the heartbeat of Africa direct from our Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA studio."

Yes, you read it right: "from our Bloomfield, Connecticut, USA studio."

Georges Annan-Kingsley, an artist, author and teacher, and John Ackeifi, a computer engineer and entrepreneur, from Hartford and Bloomfield respectively, have teamed up to establish the first station specifically to serve the greater Hartford African community, with a mission of ensuring continuity of African culture and heritage to Africans who now call the USA home. Similarly, it serves to introduce the richness of African culture and history to the greater Hartford area, and what it can contribute to building bridges of understanding and acceptance in our diverse American society.

I visited the studio this past Saturday at Annan-Kingsley's invitation. He and I met through our work on the Asylum Hill Welcoming Committee, whose mission includes helping assimilate immigrants and refugees into the neighborhood.

Originally, broadcast from Accra, Ghana's capital, GhanaBeats Radio operation was moved by station owners Ackeifi and Pat Ackeifi, his wife, to their Bloomfield studio this year now that they live in Connecticut. What made the transition easy was that GhanaBeats Radio is an internet station, not available through an actual radio, but accessible globally via a computer. From Bloomfield the station still can be heard in Ghana, in fact it has listeners from around the world. I know this because while I was being interviewed by Annan-Kingsley on air, a listener texted Ackeifi from Germany.

Georges Annan Kingsley and John Ackeifi
founders of GhanaBeats Radio set up for Georges' radio program.

Annan-Kingsley's and Ackeifi's shared entrepreneurial spirit, complementary talents, and common Ghanaian roots made for a natural team. Before relocating to the United States, Annan-Kingsley was Assistant to the Cultural Attaché for the French Embassy in Ghana, and was teaching at the National Institute of Art, University of Cocody-Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Ackeifi, a computer engineer and entrepreneur, earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in the USA.

Broadcasts of joyous western and southern African music are GhanaBeats Radio's specialty. Shows are broadcast twenty-four hours a day, mostly prerecorded, but eight shows are hosted live by nine DJs, who can be heard at regularly scheduled times Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The hosts, whose roots are  from Ghana, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire, broadcast in English, French, or Ghanian languages, with plans to introduce Swahili very soon. The music is interspersed with local public service announcements and information about Hartford area cultural events. Near term plans are to increase public service content, and then longer term begin limited news programming.

Listening to GhanaBeats' engaging music is comforting and uplifting, although, as I mentioned to Ackeifi and Annan-Kingsley, my lack of relevant language skills prevents me from enjoying the lyrics -- we all laughed -- "the words are all good" they said.

Listen for yourself. It's all good.

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Photos by Don Shaw, Jr.

Hidden Treasures Revealed

Reena Shresthra

Georges Annan-Kingsley

Eman Solman

Reena Shrestha, Georges Annan-Kingsley, and Eman Solman pictured above were among seven Asylum Hill exhibiting artists featured, along with inspiring youth performances by The Choir School of Hartford and the Hartford City Ballet, at the 2016 Town & County Club Spring Forum Hidden Treasures: Arts & Culture on Asylum Hill. These treasures should not be hidden, and for those who know the many treasures Asylum Hill has to offer, they definitely are not.

Reena, Georges, and Eman are friends whom I have the honor working with through the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association - Hartford Public Library Welcoming Committee. Reena, born and raised in Nepal, holds a BFA and MBA, and works for Hartford Public Schools and Hartford Public Library; Georges, born in Ghana, and raised in Cote d'Ivoire, is a painter, sculptor, art teacher and author; Eman is from Iraq. She creates jewelry, a craft she mastered while in exile in Syria.

Other friends exhibiting were Lar Pwe Paw, Louisa Barton-Duguay, and Bernie Michel. Lar, born in Burma, creates sculptures from recycled material, a skill she developed while in a Thai refugee camp; Louisa, a native of the prairies of Canada, is artist in residence and outreach worker at Grace Lutheran Church; and Bernie, born and raised in Ohio, originally worked in the music industry, and now is an accomplished photographer.

Rounding out the exhibiting artists were Marthe Annan-Kingsley and Magrette Balogou. Marthe, originally from Cote d'Ivoire, is a case manager/interpreter at Catholic Charities managing placement of refugees. She creates fine jewelry. Magrette, from Togo, West Africa, owns an Asylum Hill store that features handicraft from Africa, Jamaica, and Haiti.

The Forum also hosted a panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Donna Berman, executive director of the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Panelist were Dartanion Reed, Artistic Director of the Hartford City Ballet (HBC) and the School of HBC; Bert Landman Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal  Church and The Choir School of Hartford; and Georges Annan-Kingsley.

Annan-Kingsley, Reed and Landman shared their journeys on becoming accomplished artists and educators. Their impassioned presentations stressed the absolute importance of artistic expression in youth development and education. Then Reed and Landman directed youth from their organizations in outstanding ballet and choral performances -- most definitely the highlight of the afternoon.

To learn more about Dartanion Reed and Bert Landman please visit their respective organizations' websites featured above.


Don Shaw, Jr.
Write and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Photos by Don Shaw, Jr.

"They're desperate and have lost everything."

Archbishop Leonard P. Blair giving the welcoming prayer at the Karen New Year Celebration 2755

“They’re desperate and have lost everything. They live in fear and are very grateful for what we do. Most are very spiritual and grateful to God.”— Paula Mann-Agnew, Catholic Charities’ director of programs.

"Since the Syrian refugee crisis escalated last year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Hartford (CCAOH) has stood poised to help resettle families sent to Connecticut. Connecticut is one of the states that has volunteered to accept Syrian refugees" according to Wendy Healy's "Catholic Charities: all refugees welcome" article in The Catholic Transcript's March 2016 issue.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Hartford is one of the principal gateway organizations for resettling refugees in Connecticut. Through its Migration, Refugee and Immigration Program Services, Catholic Charities "has a 60-year history of welcoming the stranger and those in need" via its Hartford office. As Healy's article emphasizes "Catholic Charities' efforts are only possible through partnerships, " and that "support has been robust from individuals, churches and the interfaith community." 

Through my involvement with Hartford's Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association's Welcoming Committee, I have come to know first hand the good work of Catholic Charities' staff and volunteers, some of whom are refugees who have successfully assimilated into greater Hartford. Last January I wrote about the New Year Celebration 2755 with the Karen refugees from Myanmar (Burma). Most in attendance were resettled in Hartford through the Catholic Charities program. 

I encourage you to read Healy's article to get the full picture of Catholic Charities' commitment to refugee and immigrant resettlement, and check out the Catholic Charities website to find out more about how to get involved. 

Don Shaw, Jr.
Write and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Village Elder from Nepal Thanks Hartford Students for Power Turbines

Yakable T-shirt

They are Yakable! 

Packed on the backs of yaks, that's how the wind-solar generating systems built by Hartford Public High School's  Academy of Engineering and Green Technology students were transported on the final leg of their trek up to Nepal's isolated villages of Saldang, Namdo, and Karang. This week, Thinley Lhondup Lama, popular Nepalese actor and village elder, visited the Academy to personally thank the students, faculty and benefactors. I wish I could have been there.

Supported by a collaboration of forward thinking educators, a generous philanthropist, and the backing of the business community, Academy students are Doing what others think is impossible, the motto on their Yakable t-shirt. This Academy program is education at its finest; academics applied to the real world.

I had the honor of meeting many of the students and school leaders last year when I toured the on-campus shop where the power systems were built. Also, I can attest to the students' commitment to community service locally. Working side by side with them last fall, I saw their hard work first hand when they helped clean up and repair the Marshall House shelter's playground on nearby South Marshall Street. They made this commitment in partnership with the efforts of street residents, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, and the South Marshall Interfaith Coalition who are collaborating to improve the street's quality of life.

To learn the details and impact of the Academy's exceptional program, please read Vanessa de la Torre's Hartford Courant article, Thank-You From Nepal.

Also, Check out the video from NBC30's reporting of the story.

Don Shaw, Jr.

Writer and Editor

RedTruckStonecatcher.com

New Year Celebration 2755!

Traditional Karen Dance Performed at the Celebration

It's New Year 2755 on the Karen Calendar!

The  Karen New Year festivities on January 16, 2016, danced with joy!  The day rang in the 10th Annual New Year Celebration sponsored by the Connecticut Karen Community Association of Hartford. The yearly gathering was at the Cathedral of St. Joseph's former school in Hartford's Asylum Hill neighborhood.   "Since 2008, almost 900 Karen refugees have arrived in Connecticut with most making Hartford their new home city and January 16th marked the start of their New Year," wrote Association official Mr. Soe Naing in a recent Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA) newsletter. It is through working with the Hartford Public Library's and AHNA's immigration & refugee welcoming programs that I have come to know the Karen refugees. I was honored to be invited, and to help document the event with photographs.

Since 2011 Asylum Hill has been my "home away from home". As a long-time Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity board member and volunteer, I gratefully acknowledge that working in Asylum Hill, especially on South Marshall Street, has had a significant impact on my life. Opportunities to build Habitat homes, support AHNA and Hartford Public Library programs,  implement South Marshall Interfaith Coalition initiatives, and work with Hartford Public High School's Academy of Engineering and Green Technology are a sampling of my experiences signaling positive changes ahead for South Marshall Street residents.

Please enjoy Mr. Naing's article about the Karen New Year festivities in AHNA's February "News & Views" via this link.

Don Shaw, Jr.
Writer and Editor
RedTruckStonecatcher.com

Photo by Don Shaw, Jr.