AHCC Recognized for Contributions to Asylum Hill Neighborhood
On Wednesday, October 19, AHCC was recognized by the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA) for its long history and continued support of that organization and our Asylum Hill neighborhood. The church has been a principal and long-time backer of AHNA, providing the organization funding, meeting space, and a mailing address for most of th 25 years.
In addition, and consistent with one of AHCC’s favored phrases, to be a “church in the heart of the city with a heart for the city,” AHCC has been a driving force behind many community initiatives, including:
• the establishment of the Asylum Hill Boys & Girls Club in 2004, providing $750,000 seed money for its construction and start-up expenses.
• working with Habitat for Humanity and NINA to revitalize Huntington Street by constructing six owner-occupied homes, and with Knox Parks Foundation to create the Huntington Street Community Garden.
• inspiring members to found ConnectiKids, Loaves and Fishes, My Sisters’ Place, and Hartford Interval House that continue to serve our neighbors.
• launched and housed the School for Young Children on Asylum Hill, which outgrew the church space and became the pre-K to 5th grade Museum Academy.
Today, the church provides space to ConnectiKids and Spectrum in Motion and is currently exploring the use of its garden level to respond to other neighborhood needs. From providing free meals every Sunday to 150 Asylum Hill neighbors, raising money for local non-profits through its Music for Humanity concerts, and contributing more than $200,00 annually to community agencies, AHCC has clearly demonstrated that it is a church with a heart for the city.
Rev. Erica Thompson was at the event to accept the award.