Hands on Hartford
Hands On Hartford is a social service nonprofit organization that serves Hartford’s neediest residents in the areas of food, housing, and economic security.
Hands On Hartford is a social service nonprofit organization that serves Hartford’s neediest residents in the areas of food, housing, and economic security.
Founded in 1969 as Center City Churches, the agency has had a longstanding commitment to providing respectful, comprehensive services with help from volunteers and community partnerships.
Current services, reaching about 8,500 people annually, are: MANNA soup kitchen, food pantry, advocacy center, and weekend meal programs for children and seniors; supportive housing and housing assistance including security deposit and utility assistance; Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau to raise public awareness about homelessness; and Community Engagement to promote volunteerism and service learning.
Immanuel’s Social Action and Mission Committee has allocated some of our mission dollars to support the overall work of HOH. In addition, together with other Asylum Hill churches, we are working on a plan to enlist the expertise of staff at HOH in helping our churches respond to individual requests for assistance. This could maximize the effectiveness of our Communion Fund dollars that are used primarily for this purpose.
For more information, visit www.handsonhartford.org or contact Sally Taylor.
Focus on South Marshall Street
In February 2011, members of Immanuel began fifty one on one listening conversations with our Immanuel neighbors. After reflecting on what we heard, we decided to focus on the challenges and opportunities for some specific neighbors – the residents living on South Marshall Street, just two blocks from Immanuel.
In February 2011, members of Immanuel began fifty one on one listening conversations with our Immanuel neighbors. After reflecting on what we heard, we decided to focus on the challenges and opportunities for some specific neighbors – the residents living on South Marshall Street, just two blocks from Immanuel.
Slowly we have been establishing relationships with (1) the residents of Marshall House, a shelter for homeless children and families; (2) more than 300 Burmese and Nepali refugees sponsored by Catholic Charities who all live on S. Marshall St; and (3) Habitat for Humanity along with the new residents of the recently built 16 houses on S. Marshall St.
In 2011, Immanuel minister Ed Horstmann invited leaders of various faith communities, as well as leaders of Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities, Marshall House and neighborhood groups to join us in conversations about working together to implement changes that support the neighborhood’s priorities on S. Marshall St. This group, the South Marshall Interfaith Coalition, meets monthly. It has expanded to include representatives of Hartford government, businesses, non-profits, the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association, as well as residents of S. Marshall St. The focus of our efforts is to promote positive, sustainable change in the neighborhood.
For more information, contact Immanuel member, Mike Rion.
Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes Ministries operates a soup kitchen at Immanuel Church. Volunteers serve lunch to about 130 people daily, 5 days a week. They also provide groceries and clothing for people to take home.
Loaves and Fishes Ministries operates a soup kitchen at Immanuel Church. Volunteers serve lunch to about 130 people daily, 5 days a week. They also provide groceries and clothing for people to take home.
Loaves and Fishes
Members and friends of Immanuel Church volunteer to serve at Loaves and Fishes once a month. Our children collect canned goods for their food pantry. We also participate in Foodshare’s annual Walk Against Hunger, raising between $5000 and $9000 a year, designated for Loaves and Fishes.
For more information, visit the Loaves and Fishes website: www.loavesfishesministries.org. To volunteer to serve at Loaves and Fishes, contact Immanuel members, Bob Henricks or Barbara Gordon.
Immanuel House
In the 1960’s, the people of Immanuel Congregational Church felt it was time to begin a new venture. Making use of low-interest Government loans, they developed a not-for-profit corporation named Immanuel Church Housing Corporation and constructed a high-rise directly across the street from the church. The building was named Immanuel House, and it opened its doors in 1971.
In the 1960’s, the people of Immanuel Congregational Church felt it was time to begin a new venture. Making use of low-interest Government loans, they developed a not-for-profit corporation named Immanuel Church Housing Corporation and constructed a high-rise directly across the street from the church. The building was named Immanuel House, and it opened its doors in 1971.
In the ensuing forty years, Immanuel House has been recognized as a leader in the provision of housing and a supportive services environment to Hartford-area elders. In June 1995,
Immanuel House was selected by HUD and the Administration on Aging as one of their “Best Practices” awardees.
Immanuel House provides 120 independent living units and 70 assisted living units for Hartford’s elderly population. It prides itself in being “A Home Where Love Has Truly Come to Live.”
Immanuel Congregational Church is proud of over 40 years of history with Immanuel House. Our children delight the residents when they visit wearing Halloween costumes. Residents smile, cry and sing along when our choir visits to sing Christmas carols and anthems.
For more information, contact Immanuel member Steve Law.
PFLAG
In 1982, a small group dedicated to creating a society that is respectful of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities began meeting once a month at Immanuel. This was the beginning of PFLAG Hartford.
In 1982, a small group dedicated to creating a society that is respectful of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities began meeting once a month at Immanuel. This was the beginning of PFLAG Hartford.
Since those early years their numbers have grown, now averaging forty to fifty at our monthly meetings. They are a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, parents, families and friends. Through support, education and advocacy, they work within the greater Hartford area and beyond for equitable laws and policies, affirming families, safe schools, inclusive faith communities and informed lawmakers and public servants.
This past year they worked hard for and celebrated the passage of the transgender non-discrimination bill in the legislature. They have an expansive lending library. They award scholarships for higher education to young GLBT and Ally students who have been active in making a difference in their schools and communities.
PFLAG meets at Immanuel the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30. For more information visit their website www.pflaghartford.org
HartBeat Ensemble
Founded in 2001, HartBeat Ensemble creates theater based on stories drawn from contemporary life in Connecticut.
Founded in 2001, HartBeat Ensemble creates theater based on stories drawn from contemporary life in Connecticut. Through Mainstage Plays, Education Programs and commissioned work,
For more information, visit the HartBeat Ensemble’s website: www.hartbeatensemble.org