Multi-year program will provide 67 at-risk teens and young adults from Hartford and East Hartford with valuable job skills and training to prepare them for future careers
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535
HARTFORD — The Community Renewal Team (CRT) was recently awarded $1,202,143 by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide 67 at-risk teens and young adults (ages 18 – 24) from Hartford and East Hartford the opportunity to improve their education, occupational skills, employment credentials, and leadership capabilities over the next three years. Participants that
complete the YouthBuild training program should experience a substantial increase in their standard of living and community engagement.
“The YouthBuild program offers a unique opportunity for young men and women to get hands- on training in construction and other highly desirable job skills that will fully prepare them to enter the modern workforce ready to succeed,” said CRT’s President and CEO Lena Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this important job-training program to young people in our
community,” said Fernando Betancourt, Chairman of CRT’s Board of Trustees. “There are so many obstacles to success these days, but we know that YouthBuild participants can complete this program armed with new skills that will lead to long-term career opportunities.”
CRT will offer a “Construction Plus” training program to the participants that is modeled after our multiple successful Capital City YouthBuild projects that we have run previously. CRT guarantees that 32 students will be enrolled and complete construction skills training during the more than three year grant period of performance.
The Construction Plus training will also include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training for 20 students through Capital Community College; and a selection of certified classes and on-the-job training for 15 students through Goodwin College.
CRT has selected Construction Plus fields of Security Guard Certification, Phlebotomy and Laboratory Services, Medical Assistant, and Machining/Manufacturing Technology.
“YouthBuild enhances the lives of its students and the community as a whole,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. “The Community Renewal Team has been a positive influence on Connecticut families for years and grants like these go a long way to keep formal training and mentorship programs going. I commend their work, and will continue to fight in Washington for federal dollars to continue efforts to better the lives of the young people of Connecticut.”
“Giving young people skills to compete in high-demand industries like construction, nursing, manufacturing, and medical research is exactly the kind of workforce development we need to do more of,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “I want to thank the U.S. Department of Labor and the Community Renewal Team for this new partnership.”
“As one of the people who helped to start the first YouthBuild program in Hartford, it gives me great pride to know that CRT is continuing the vital work of this job-training program for disadvantaged youth in Hartford and East Hartford,” said Martin Alvarenga, Business Agent & Organizer with the Carpenters Local 326 in Connecticut, and new member of CRT’s Board of
Trustees. “The young men and women who go through this training will come out with serious skills that will take them far in life.”
Individuals that are interested in joining the YouthBuild program in Hartford should contact CRT right away at 860-560-5308, or via email: [email protected].
Community Renewal Team, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties and is the largest non-profit provider of human services in Connecticut. The agency’s mission is Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges. The mission is achieved each day by helping people and families become self-sufficient while making sure basic needs are met. CRT’s programs include Meals on Wheels, school readiness, energy assistance and weatherization, supportive housing and shelters, and many others, serving people in more than 60 cities and towns in both our core catchment area and throughout Connecticut. www.crtct.org
CRT Awarded $1.2 million by U.S. Department of Labor in Support of YouthBuild Job-Training Program
Press ReleaseMulti-year program will provide 67 at-risk teens and young adults from Hartford and East Hartford with valuable job skills and training to prepare them for future careers
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535
HARTFORD — The Community Renewal Team (CRT) was recently awarded $1,202,143 by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide 67 at-risk teens and young adults (ages 18 – 24) from Hartford and East Hartford the opportunity to improve their education, occupational skills, employment credentials, and leadership capabilities over the next three years. Participants that
complete the YouthBuild training program should experience a substantial increase in their standard of living and community engagement.
“The YouthBuild program offers a unique opportunity for young men and women to get hands- on training in construction and other highly desirable job skills that will fully prepare them to enter the modern workforce ready to succeed,” said CRT’s President and CEO Lena Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this important job-training program to young people in our
community,” said Fernando Betancourt, Chairman of CRT’s Board of Trustees. “There are so many obstacles to success these days, but we know that YouthBuild participants can complete this program armed with new skills that will lead to long-term career opportunities.”
CRT will offer a “Construction Plus” training program to the participants that is modeled after our multiple successful Capital City YouthBuild projects that we have run previously. CRT guarantees that 32 students will be enrolled and complete construction skills training during the more than three year grant period of performance.
The Construction Plus training will also include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training for 20 students through Capital Community College; and a selection of certified classes and on-the-job training for 15 students through Goodwin College.
CRT has selected Construction Plus fields of Security Guard Certification, Phlebotomy and Laboratory Services, Medical Assistant, and Machining/Manufacturing Technology.
“YouthBuild enhances the lives of its students and the community as a whole,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. “The Community Renewal Team has been a positive influence on Connecticut families for years and grants like these go a long way to keep formal training and mentorship programs going. I commend their work, and will continue to fight in Washington for federal dollars to continue efforts to better the lives of the young people of Connecticut.”
“Giving young people skills to compete in high-demand industries like construction, nursing, manufacturing, and medical research is exactly the kind of workforce development we need to do more of,” said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. “I want to thank the U.S. Department of Labor and the Community Renewal Team for this new partnership.”
“As one of the people who helped to start the first YouthBuild program in Hartford, it gives me great pride to know that CRT is continuing the vital work of this job-training program for disadvantaged youth in Hartford and East Hartford,” said Martin Alvarenga, Business Agent & Organizer with the Carpenters Local 326 in Connecticut, and new member of CRT’s Board of
Trustees. “The young men and women who go through this training will come out with serious skills that will take them far in life.”
Individuals that are interested in joining the YouthBuild program in Hartford should contact CRT right away at 860-560-5308, or via email: [email protected].
Community Renewal Team, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties and is the largest non-profit provider of human services in Connecticut. The agency’s mission is Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges. The mission is achieved each day by helping people and families become self-sufficient while making sure basic needs are met. CRT’s programs include Meals on Wheels, school readiness, energy assistance and weatherization, supportive housing and shelters, and many others, serving people in more than 60 cities and towns in both our core catchment area and throughout Connecticut. www.crtct.org
CRT’s First Women’s Empowerment Networking Event is May 2, 2018 in Hartford
Press ReleaseCRT’s First Women’s Empowerment Networking Event is May 2, 2018 in Hartford
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535
HARTFORD — The extensive experience of the Community Renewal Team (CRT) in working with women and their families throughout Central Connecticut has prompted the agency to develop a new Women’s Empowerment Center that will enable women to achieve personal economic stability, forward their careers, and better provide for themselves and their children. “For more than 50 years, CRT has helped individuals and families to create opportunities that better their lives – now, and in the future,” said Lena Rodriguez, CEO of the Community Renewal Team. “Our new Women’s Empowerment Center will focus our areas of expertise on helping women to realize their dreams.”
To support the vital work of the Women’s Empowerment Center, CRT is hosting a special networking event and fundraiser on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 (from 5:30 – 8:00 pm) at the Gershon Fox Ballroom (960 Main Street) in Hartford.
The keynote speaker for the event is Cheryl McDonald, co-owner of Bear’s Restaurant Group, which owns Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Blind Pig Pizza and Chango Rosa in Hartford. “Through the work of Bear’s and our other restaurants, we are constantly striving to find new ways to help our employees make the most of every day on the job, and to grow in their own careers,” said Cheryl McDonald. “The work that CRT plans to do with its Women’s Empowerment Center has perfect synergies with the work we are doing at Bear’s Restaurant Group, and I’m excited to support this program.”
The host for the evening is Renee DiNino, On Air Personality at The River 105.9 FM and Director of Community Affairs & On Air Community Programming for iHeartMedia in Hartford. Guests at the event will enjoy the opportunity for personal and business networking, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and more.
Lead sponsors for the networking event are CENCAP Federal Credit Union and Liberty Bank.
About CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center:
In 2017 Community Renewal Team helped create opportunities for more than 86,000 individuals and over 35,000 families; of those served, 59% were female, and 32% of the families served were headed by single mothers.
The Women’s Empowerment Center will serve as a safe and open place for women from Hartford and Middlesex counties to access intensive mentorship, holistic case management, personal development classes, support groups, conferences, workshops and leadership training focusing on supporting financial literacy, entrepreneurship, career and workforce readiness, as well as networking opportunities.
All proceeds from this networking event will be used to support CRT’s Women’s Empowerment Center, addressing the challenges women face in building a successful future.
CRT Now Offers Weatherization Assistance Program to CT Residents Statewide Income-eligible residents can make their homes more energy efficient now and for years to come
Press ReleasePress Release
Income-eligible residents can make their homes more energy efficient now and for years to come
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535
HARTFORD — Another snow storm in New England is a reminder that the cost of heating your home each winter can be very expensive. Do you want to save money on your home heating costs next winter, while making your home more energy efficient throughout the year? Now is the time to sign up for the Community Renewal Team’s (CRT) weatherization services, which helps income eligible residents throughout Connecticut to make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.
The completion of weatherization services helps people to reduce their home energy costs. CRT’s certified auditors visit homes to perform a Home Energy Assessment to determine energy saving measures for installation by pre-approved contractors. Typical services include: sealing air leaks and drafts, installing energy-saving light bulbs, and installing water-saving measures. The weatherization work may also include installation of insulation in attics and sidewalls, boiler/furnace replacement or repair, water heater assessment, as well as window repair or replacements and other services.
The Community Renewal Team (CRT) was awarded the statewide Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) contract by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. (DEEP) and the supplemental statewide weatherization barrier removal contract to provide weatherization services to income-eligible residents throughout Connecticut.
More information about how to apply for income-eligible weatherization assistance is available on CRT’s website. Individuals may also call 860-560-5354 or email: [email protected].
Funding source:
A U.S. Department of Energy grant administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection funds CRT’s Weatherization Assistance Program services, with additional federal funding and state administration supporting the removal of barriers to weatherization.
Other weatherization services are available statewide through utility-administered programs, funded in part by a charge on customer’s energy bills. Visit www.EnergizeCT.com or call 1-877-WISE USE.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact the DEEP at 860-418-5910 or [email protected].
Community Renewal Team, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties and is the largest non-profit provider of human services in Connecticut. The agency’s mission is Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges. The mission is achieved each day by helping people and families become self-sufficient while making sure basic needs are met. CRT’s programs include Meals on Wheels, school readiness, energy assistance and weatherization, supportive housing and shelters, and many others, serving people in more than 60 cities and towns in both our core catchment area and throughout Connecticut. www.crtct.org
Know Your Status and Be Safe on Valentine’s Day: Visit CRT for a Free, Confidential HIV Test all day on Feb. 14
Press ReleaseAnd while you’re there, get a free safer sex kit, complete with condoms, lube and more
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Black, Communications Director
(860) 560-5683 or cell: (860) 230-4535
HARTFORD — You bought the flowers. You bought the candy. You’ve picked out the perfect outfit. You have a reservation at your favorite restaurant … But do you know if you will be safe on Valentine’s Day?
Free, confidential HIV tests are available on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 between 10:00 am – 6:00 pm at the Community Renewal Team’s (CRT) office located at 330 Market Street in Hartford. “Why not enjoy Valentine’s Day and know your status?” asks Heidi Lubetkin, Vice President of Clinical Support Services at CRT. “Let CRT help clear the air ahead of time. Get a free HIV test, and be confident on this special day.”
The anonymous test results are available within 20 minutes. CRT outreach staff that conducts the testing speaks both English and Spanish.
In addition to the HIV test, anyone that drops by CRT’s Market Street office on Valentine’s Day can pick up a free safer sex kit, complete with condoms, lubrication and other goodies. Additionally, everyone that receives an HIV test from CRT that day will be entered into a raffle to win some fabulous prizes.
If someone does test positive for HIV, CRT staff will connect that individual to needed services, including medical appointments, case management, and other support.
For information and to schedule a free HIV test, please call: 860-310-6309 or 860-761-7900. CRT is working with the Greater Hartford Harm Reduction Coalition as a partner in collaboration on this HIV testing outreach effort.
Editor’s Note: Samples of the safer sex kit hand-out are available upon request.
Community Renewal Team, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for Middlesex and Hartford Counties and is the largest non-profit provider of human services in Connecticut. The agency’s mission is Preparing Our Community to Meet Life’s Challenges. The mission is achieved each day by helping people and families become self-sufficient while making sure basic needs are met. CRT’s programs include Meals on Wheels, school readiness, energy assistance and weatherization, supportive housing and shelters, and many others, serving people in more than 60 cities and towns in both our core catchment area and throughout Connecticut. www.crtct.org