This summer, our department is proud to support three impactful initiatives dedicated to serving CT residents:  Hands On Hartford, Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, and Community Service Officer Jim Barrett’s Homeless Outreach Program.

Public health extends far beyond the classroom, research laboratory, or health care setting. At the Department of Public Health Sciences, community engagement and service are a core part of our commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

This summer, the department conducted a Summer Donation Drive which primarily focused on collecting essential items, including non-perishable food items, personal care and hygiene products, baby supplies, clothing, gift cards to fast-food restaurants, and bus passes. Access to basic necessities is critical to a person’s health and quality of life.

Since July, our team has donated a total of 1541 essential items to support individuals and families in need through Hands On Hartford and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI). While 792 items were donated to CIRI, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, Hands On Hartford received 749 items, including food, personal care products, and baby supplies.

In addition to these 1541 donated items, 187 clothing and household items will be delivered to Center Church to support members of the community in need. We have also delivered over $600 in food gift cards to Officer Jim Barrett, who works closely with community members in need and will help get these resources into the right hands.

That gives us a whopping total of 1728 items donated!

We are grateful to everyone who contributed and helped make the drive a success. Every donation, every share, and every act of support helped make this drive a success. Together, we can continue to support our communities and demonstrate that public health is, at its heart, about people and the communities in which they live.

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