7 truly local charities making a difference in Hartford — for students who want to help, even on a budget.

This first issue of Acent features seven carefully vetted, high-impact charities serving Hartford and the greater Connecticut capital region. These organizations aren't asking for much—just your awareness and whatever support you can offer, whether that's $5 from your coffee fund or an hour of your time. Every contribution, no matter the size, creates real change in your community.

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
Hands On Hartford operates comprehensive programs serving Hartford's most vulnerable residents through food access initiatives, homeless outreach and prevention services, permanent supportive housing, and health programming. Their MANNA Community Café operates with a "pay-what-you-can" philosophy, providing great food in an inclusive environment, while their Community Engagement program connects individuals and volunteer groups to meaningful service opportunities throughout Hartford. With permanent supportive housing programs that include case management, counseling, and rental support for people living with complex health issues including HIV/AIDS, they provide wraparound services that address root causes of homelessness and food insecurity.

Why It Matters:
Food insecurity and housing instability affect people across demographics in Hartford, including students and recent graduates. Hands On Hartford's comprehensive approach addresses immediate needs while building long-term stability through coordinated services. Their community engagement model creates meaningful volunteer opportunities for Trinity students interested in direct service, while their advocacy work addresses systemic issues that affect the entire Hartford community. Supporting their work means investing in both crisis intervention and prevention programming that strengthens the entire community.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://handsonhartford.org/

Cover of Hands On Hartford's 2023 annual report symbolizing teamwork and care 

Location: Wallingford, Connecticut (serving Hartford area)

What They Do:
Connecticut Foodshare operates with an exceptional 100% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while serving as Connecticut's sole food bank, distributing over 40 million meals annually to more than 380,000 Connecticut residents who struggle with hunger. With a 94% program expense ratio, they rescue perfectly good food from retailers, manufacturers, and farms, redistributing it through a network of local agencies including soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters throughout Hartford and surrounding counties. Their comprehensive approach includes fresh produce and healthy protein, with over 30% of distributed food consisting of nutritious options that improve community health outcomes.

Why It Matters:
One in ten Connecticut residents struggles with hunger, including working families and students who earn above federal assistance eligibility levels but still can't make ends meet. Foodshare's efficiency means small donations create significant impact—every dollar donated provides the equivalent of four meals for community members. Their work addresses both immediate food access and food waste prevention, making them ideal partners for students interested in environmental sustainability and social justice while directly addressing hunger in the Hartford community.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.ctfoodshare.org/

Logo of Connecticut Foodshare, a community food bank in Connecticut, featuring a circular colored design and the tagline 'Our Community, Our Food Bank' 

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
Interval House operates as the largest agency in Connecticut providing domestic violence intervention and prevention services, maintaining a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. They provide comprehensive services including crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling, and support groups for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. Their programs address the full spectrum of domestic violence support, from emergency safety services to long-term empowerment programming that helps survivors rebuild their lives while working to prevent future violence through community education and advocacy.

Why It Matters:
Domestic violence affects people across all demographics, including college students and young professionals entering the workforce. Interval House provides essential safety services that can literally save lives, while their comprehensive approach addresses both immediate crisis response and long-term empowerment. Their work serves as a crucial safety net for community members facing dangerous situations, with programs that recognize the complex needs of survivors and the systemic changes needed to prevent violence.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://intervalhousect.org/

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
Founded in 1982, South Park Inn operates as Hartford's only 24-hour homeless shelter serving men, women, and children in one facility, providing emergency shelter for up to 118 people while working to help guests eliminate the root causes of their homelessness. Operating from the historic South Park Inn Methodist Church building, they've proudly served over 55,000 people since establishment. Their mission focuses on improving the community by providing equal access to shelter and solutions that make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring, with flexible and creative services customized to each guest's unique needs.

Why It Matters:
Housing insecurity affects people across demographics in Hartford, including recent college graduates facing a competitive job market. South Park Inn's comprehensive approach addresses both immediate shelter needs and longer-term housing solutions through professional case management and coordinated community support. Their data demonstrates success: they consistently outperform both state and regional averages for reducing lengths of stay and achieving direct exits to permanent housing, showing measurable impact in addressing Hartford's homelessness crisis.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.southparkinn.org/

Group photo of a diverse team standing outdoors at South Park Inn in Hartford 

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
Urban League of Greater Hartford operates with an impressive 98% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while promoting self-empowerment among individuals and families in Connecticut's capital region to achieve educational, occupational, and economic equality. With 26 dedicated employees, they focus on workforce development by providing employment skills and occupational training to individuals in the Hartford region, enabling them to enter or re-enter the workforce and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Their programming addresses systemic barriers to employment and economic advancement while providing practical support that leads to lasting change.

Why It Matters:
Economic inequality and employment barriers affect many working families and recent graduates in Hartford, with many people struggling to achieve economic stability despite being employed. Urban League's workforce development approach addresses both immediate employment needs and longer-term career advancement through comprehensive skills training and occupational education. Their 73% program expense ratio ensures donated funds go directly to mission-related activities that create measurable outcomes for community members seeking economic empowerment.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.ulgh.org/

Logo of the Urban League of Greater Hartford featuring red equality symbol and bold text 

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
Greater Hartford Arts Council operates as New England's largest independent arts council with an 87% three-star rating from Charity Navigator, inspiring community engagement and investment in the arts throughout Connecticut's capital region. They provide financial resources and support services to arts and cultural institutions while implementing community programs that connect people to artistic experiences. Their CREATE initiative invests in both arts organizations and individual artists through grants, workshops, and creative workforce programming, while their Art Activation programs deliver unique artistic experiences through summer festivals, live cultural events, theater collaborations, and street performances.

Why It Matters:
Access to arts and culture enriches community life while providing educational and professional development opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable in smaller cities. GHAC's programming serves students, families, and community members across demographics while supporting the creative economy that attracts young professionals to Hartford. Their work creates meaningful opportunities for Trinity students interested in arts, culture, and creative careers while contributing to the vibrancy that makes Hartford an attractive place to live and work after graduation.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://letsgoarts.org/

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

What They Do:
YMCA of Greater Hartford operates as a charitable association committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body through comprehensive programming across the Hartford region. They operate world-class overnight camps including Camp Jewell and Camp Woodstock, plus day camp programs in 10 Connecticut towns, serving children from preschool through high school with traditional camping, specialty programs, and teen leadership development. Their community programming includes health and wellness initiatives, youth development, family support services, and community safety initiatives that address violence prevention and community building.

Why It Matters:
Youth development and community wellness programming creates lasting impact that strengthens entire communities while providing essential services for working families. YMCA's comprehensive approach addresses physical health, character development, and community connection through evidence-based programming that has demonstrated success for over a century. For Trinity students interested in youth mentorship, community development, and wellness programming, YMCA provides opportunities to engage with diverse communities while supporting services that make Hartford a stronger place for families and young professionals.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.ghymca.org/

These seven organizations represent decades of proven community impact, financial transparency, and effective programming in the Hartford area. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or simply share awareness with friends, you're contributing to a stronger, more supportive community that benefits everyone—including current and future Trinity College students who call this region home.