CHER Community Engagement Fellows Build and Strengthen Community Partnerships
During the Fall 2024 semester, Linnea Mayo ’26 and Saanvi Bajaj’ ’27 served as Community Engagement Fellows for the Center of Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER). As fellows, they aim to inspire Trinity College students to explore Hartford beyond the campus boundaries, foster a sense of community among other CHER students, and advocate for destigmatizing preconceived notions about the city. This semester they have emphasized building long-term community partnerships and relationships within Hartford through different events and organizations such as attending the Puerto Rican Day Festival, going to see a play at Hartford Stage, collaborating with artists at Real Art Ways, and partnering with Hartford Public Library to bring important resources to students.
For our first “Out and About in Hartford” event of the semester, we invited students to the Hartford Puerto Rican Day Festival in Bushnell Park in collaboration with Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education (P.R.I.D.E) and Bantam Network. The Hartford Puerto Rican Day Festival is an annual celebration of Puerto Rican culture, featuring music, food, dance, and much more at Bushnell Park. Through our collaboration with PRIDE, they were able to provide transportation for our students, ensuring they had access to this incredible cultural event. Bantam Network played a crucial role in promoting the event, helping us spread the word and connect with a wider audience, especially those interested in exploring diversity within the Hartford community. Their support of advertising was instrumental in ensuring a strong turnout and increased awareness of the festival’s significance. Students were provided a gift card to use at the wide variety of vendors and were able to enjoy live music at the Bushnell Stage.
On October 25th, 2024, we had our second “Out and About” in Hartford event, where we first visited The Russell, a Caribbean restaurant, to enjoy a nice dinner and conversation together. Afterward, we headed to Hartford Stage to watch the thrilling performance of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This event was particularly valuable for many first-year theatre students, offering them the chance to gain valuable insights and learn from the complexities of a live theatrical performance. Through this outing, participants not only explored the city’s food scene but also gained a deeper appreciation for the power of live performances and the cultural vitality that Hartford has to offer.
This semester, we had the privilege of deepening our relationship with Hartford community partners and aimed to share these resources with students. A key moment in this journey occurred on November 21st, 2024, when we collaborated with Real Art Ways to bring students to their monthly Creative Cocktail Hour.
To make this collaboration possible, we worked closely with Miller Opie, the Director of Real Art Ways, and Winnie Wong, the Marketing Director. We met consistently with them to discuss the logistics, fine-tune the event details, and ensure a good student experience. The collaboration was not only about planning an event but also prompting and sharing Real Art Ways events with students via the CHER website and building a long-term relationship between Trinity and Real Art Ways.
The evening itself was nothing short of inspiring. Real Art Ways gave a tour, explaining how they curate exhibitions, work with local artists, and serve as a community space for the Hartford arts community. A diverse group of students attended the event, ranging from art majors to those with a general interest in the creative process. The tour was highly insightful, as it allowed us to discuss the artwork displayed by various artists and explore the evolution of the Real Art Ways building since it was built. We also gained a deeper understanding of the building’s history and the significant renovations it will undergo soon. Students engaged with the art on display discussed the artworks, and networked with other creative artists. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to step off campus and immerse themselves in the Hartford arts scene.
Another valuable community collaboration was on December 3rd, 2024 when the Hartford Public Library partnered with us in The Underground Cafe to sign up over 30 students for library cards. As Hartford residents, all Trinity students are entitled to a library card and this event served as a reminder of the numerous benefits of being a library cardholder. The library team provided detailed information about where students can use their cards, highlighting branches across the city and the diverse services each offers. In addition to the educational benefits, students were given free books, prizes, and a complimentary Underground drink to celebrate their new library membership.
The Hartford Public Library’s presence highlighted the value of community engagement. While our students benefited from access to books, study resources, and programming in Hartford, they also learned that the library is more than just a place to borrow books. The library is a hub for cultural events, and educational programs, and a safe space for Hartford residents of all backgrounds.
As we look ahead to the next semester, we are proud of the relationships we’ve built with community partners and organizations, like Real Art Ways, Hartford Stage, and others who share our mission of supporting student success and fostering community engagement within the city. These partnerships allow us to offer students meaningful opportunities to engage with Hartford’s rich culture and resources. We hope to continue providing Trinity students with unique opportunities to engage with the Hartford arts scene, build professional connections, and experience the creativity that makes Hartford such a special place. We remain committed to deepening these partnerships and exploring new ways to bring students, faculty, and community partners together. It is through these connections that we can continue to create a supportive environment for learning, growth, and mutual respect between Trinity College and Hartford.
