“Disinvested: Building a Stronger Community from the Ground Up” is a seven-part series that includes discussions on Economic and Community Development, Community Safety, Workforce Development, Basic Human Needs and Education
HARTFORD, CT -- Hartford is a place that shares similar challenges with countless mid-size American cities: issues relating to poverty, unemployment, blight, crime, and housing instability. Hartford and the surrounding region also possess significant assets: robust insurance and manufacturing businesses, several institutions of higher education, a wide array of cultural offerings and a community of energized organizations and residents committed to improving the community. In an effort to engage a broader audience on the challenges and opportunities facing the Greater Hartford region, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has produced and launched a seven-part podcast series. “Disinvested: Building a Stronger Community from the Ground Up” features more than 80 interviews from Greater Hartford and beyond, including residents, journalists, elected officials, and nonprofit leaders who are involved with efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
“As the community foundation for Greater Hartford, the Hartford Foundation is constantly looking for new ways to engage our residents in conversations about the challenges and opportunities our communities face,” said Hartford Foundation President Jay Williams. “This podcast series provides us with another tool to address Greater Hartford’s challenges in an honest way, while laying out a positive vision for the type of place that Greater Hartford can be in the future. Disinvested tells the story of the resilience of an American city and how we can build a stronger and more inclusive community from the ground up.”
Each episode highlights issues that are major focus areas for the Hartford Foundation’s new strategic framework. Each episode takes a deep dive into one specific topic, including Economic and Community Development, Community Safety, Workforce Development, Basic Human Needs, Education and more.
The first season of Disinvested has been completed and is available in iTunes, Google, Android, Spotify, iPhone podcast app, Stitcher and at Disinvested.com. Below are links to all seven episodes of Disinvested which also available by logging into www.Disinvested.com.
Episode 1: An Economy for Everyone
Disinvested is a podcast about the resilience of an American city and how we can build a stronger and more inclusive community from the ground up. Our first episode is about Inclusive Economic and Community Development. In this episode, we discuss the disparities that exist in Hartford and the surrounding communities, how we got here, and what we can do to create an economy that works for everyone.
A number of people in our region face barriers to employment that prevent them from reaching their full potential. In this episode, we’ll talk about Skill Attainment and Workforce Development. How do we help people find not just jobs, but careers?
A number of people in our region face barriers to employment that prevent them from reaching their full potential. In this episode, we’ll talk about Skill Attainment and Workforce Development. How do we help people find not just jobs, but careers?
Episode 4: College vs. Non-College
When we were growing up, students were divided in two paths: College and Non-College. That type of thinking has changed. How do we ensure that everyone gets a quality education and goes on to a successful career and life? We talk to educators, researchers and students and attempt to challenge some assumptions about education.
Episode 5: What is a Basic Human Need?
When we think of basic human needs, we usually think of food and shelter. And while those are critical, it’s time we expand the definition of a basic human need. How do we offer people the supports they need to overcome barriers and become fully productive members of society?
Arts and culture are not just nice… they’re necessary. They contribute to economic growth, build skills for the modern workforce and create community across generations. In this episode, we’ll explore how arts and culture can do even more for our region.
Episode 7: What Does it Mean to Be Part of a Community?
For the season’s final episode, nearly 100 people were asked the same question: What does it mean to be part of a community? As you might expect, there were a wide array of answers. People shared what their community means to them, and what they view as their obligation to their community. Much of Disinvested has focused on what it takes to build stronger and more inclusive communities. This episode discusses why community matters, and offers suggestions of what can be done to repair the social bonds that have been deteriorating for decades.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $750 million since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.
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Contact:
Chris Senecal
Senior Public Policy and Media Relations Officer
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
860-548-1888 x1050
csenecal@hfpg.org