Blog

Now in its sixth year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic at Trinfo.Cafe is expanding its free tax preparation services and support network through collaboration with the Liberal Arts Action Lab Family Finance Project. These efforts underscore the clinic’s crucial role in supporting low income families and advocating for policy changes in Hartford.

This past spring, the Liberal Arts Action Lab at Trinity College involved fifteen students in two key projects: the Family Finance Project and the Music Education Project. Led by Dr. Derin Atalay and Prof. Joshua Hummel respectively, these projects partnered with community organizations like United Way CT and House of Bread-Jubilee House. The initiatives focused on assessing the impact of a child tax credit and exploring music education for children in urban settings. Through research, interviews, and multimedia content, students addressed significant social issues in Hartford.

CHER Community Engagement Fellows Out and About in Hartford, 50 Hartford Artists Invited to Trinity College's Bicentennial Symposium and more!

As part of Trinity College's Spring Bicentennial Symposium, a session titled "Advocating for Hartford Artists," brought together faculty, students, Hartford-based artists, and community leaders to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing Hartford's artistic community.

Linnea Mayo '26 and VySa Nguyen '26, as Community Engagement Fellows for CHER, have worked to deepen the connections between the Trinity College and the City of Hartford. Their efforts focus on encouraging students to explore Hartford's diverse communities and cultural offerings, while also working to change any negative perceptions about the city.

Semester in review, Look back at the Bicentennial Panel, Joe Barber, Cinestudio Volunteer of the Year and more!

Rashida Rattray IDP ‘25 reflects on her personal connection to tenant organizing and her involvement in the Fall 2023 'Housing Equity Project' at Trinity College's Liberal Arts Action Lab, from from the standpoint of being both a community partner and a student on the project.

CHER hosted a panel discussion as part of Trinity's Bicentennial Symposium, on November 14th, focusing on the institution's relationship with Hartford. The panel included Hartford leaders and alumnae Judy Dworin '70, Jacquelyn Santiago Nazario '00, Kae Taylor '15, and Tiana Starks '21.

The Center for Hartford Engagement and Research is pleased to share final research posters from the Fall 2023 Community Learning Research Fellows! This competitive program allows selected students with previous community engagement experience to challenge their learning by taking on research or creative projects grounded in the value of mutual benefit: students deepen their learning and their project advances the goals of Hartford community partners.