CRT Election Takes Into Account All of City

There's another election this autumn in the City of Hartford, and it has almost nothing to do with Mayor Mike Peters or the City Council.

The Community Renewal Team (CRT) of Greater Hartford, 555 Windsor Street, through its Neighborhood Task Force will look to choose 10 neighborhood representatives to its Board of Trustees and 10 alternates on October 30 from 8 am to 5 pm.

Candidates had to collect 75 signatures from residents in their neighborhoods.

The task force, comprised of trustees, seek to involve residents in developing new strategies to reduce poverty and improve neighborhoods.

"It's important because they (candidates) get to voice their opinion to a community action agency...CRT," said Carol Walter, CRT Director of Community Services.

"It's a great way to empower neighborhoods," said Steve Hydon, Assistant Director of Community Services.

CRT is putting special emphasis on Frog Hollow, South Green, and Charter Oak/Zion during this election.

The CRT board is broken into 1/3 public sector, 1/3 private sector, and 1/3 neighborhood representatives. The agency has grown into a 500 employee and $40 million group. The Windsor Street address is a change from CRT's previous location at 3580 Main Street, the Fuller Brush Building.

Established in the early 60's, the agency was also part of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. It is the oldest continuously operated community action program in the country.

The business of the board includes contracts CRT is entering into, business of the agency, applying for grants, and purchasing property, among others.

"It's a policy making board," said John McNamara, Director of Development.

Walter said despite CRT's growth, the agency still takes pride in its community roots, much of which started in storefronts in the city.

"Folks that hear about all the great things we're doing might not know we're still in a storefront at Unity Plaza."

What's CRT doing?
Currently, the agency covers an area from Milford to the Massachusetts border. Walter said her department operates a Homeless Program, Community Services, Neighborhood Services, and Youth Services.

"It's rewarding because I think in this department we do a variety of things that are effective in the community," she said.

"It's hard working in the field, it's just tough, especially these days, you're trying to do more with less." Hydon said his work with youth showed a lack of role models in the city. In search of role models, Hydon said, "I'm not talking necessarily about the basketball players or the movie stars."

Hydon said his programs work on the self-esteem and peer relations necessary to get along for high school graduates.

"The goal is to take it one step at a time, find an apartment, open a bank account."

The Honor Roll of Trustees for CRT includes a broad range of prominent citizens in Hartford.

Voting for this year's board takes place at:
Unity Plaza/North Arsenal Center, 283 Barbour St.
Upper Albany/Clay Hill Neighborhood Center, 1123 Albany Avenue
CRT-Main Offices, 555 Windsor St.
Grace Lutheran Church, 46 Woodland St.
Parkville Neighborhood Center, 1407 Park St.
South Green Senior Center at Smith Towers, 80 Charter Oak Avenue.
Warburton Church, 420 Brookfield Avenue
Barry Square Senior Center, 10 Campfield Avenue
South Green Neighborhood Center, 20 John St.
Hispanic Health Council, 175 Main St.
For more information, interested persons may call 280-3142.