This section is dedicated to our Clients, Board of Directors, Staff Members,
Funders, and Volunteers who have generously supported and assisted the Urban
League of Greater Hartford. For 37 years, the League has provided programs
and services in response to the compelling human needs throughout the Greater
Hartford area, and has opened doors of opportunity for thousands of people
in the areas of first time homeownership, workforce development, youth and
family services, and community health. The League's achievements set forth
are a result of a strong emphasis on results, accountability to our community
and supporters, and collaboration.
We are committed to be about the business of assisting all individuals and
families become self sufficient, and building a stronger region socially
and economically. Again, thank you and we look forward to continuing our
partnership with you.
James E. Willingham, Sr.
President and CEO
The following testimonies describes the experience
of our clients who have been apart of the Urban League of Greater Hartford
family:
The Urban League changed my life
I am a 47-year-old city resident who has abused drugs and other substances
for twenty-four years; all of those years were as an intravenous drug addict,
heroin being my drug of choice. My life was in a state of disarray and imminent
decay. I went from aspirations of becoming a lawyer to sleeping in the hallway
of the Sand Housing Development. The next step for me was jail, an institution,
or death.
I will never forget that Monday morning I woke up in that hallway, sick
and tired of being sick and tired. I made a decision to change my life.
Walking down Main Street, I flagged down a Fire Department Special Services
Van and they gave me a ride that helped me change my life.
That ride was to the Urban League of Greater Hartford. The concern shown
to me there made the difference in me staying or leaving. I stayed. They
confirmed to me what I feared most, I had lost everything. I looked bad
and I had better do something about it. A plan was put in place that if
I followed recovery would be at the end of the rainbow. I was referred to
a transitional living and substance abuse program and the importance of
networking and meetings was stressed. Thankfully, one of these groups is
the "Dreams Do Come True" group that meets at the Urban League
every Tuesday. Becoming a part of this family has strengthened my resolve
to get better and to stay focused.
I'm clean today, my hopes and dreams have been restored. I can look to my
future now, not with foreboding and fear, but with optimism and joy and
with a renewed determination to succeed.
I am thankful to the Urban League and staff for embracing me that Monday
morning. IT has made a difference in my life.
Jerry D. Satterfield
Submitted By: Jerry D. Satterfield
The Urban League Lifts My Spirits
I attend the "Dreams Do Come True" weekly meetings and also attend
one-on-one counseling. I cannot begin to express what the staff at the Urban
League’s Health and Human Services Department has done
for me. They have literally saved my life on more than one occasion. When
I approached the Urban League, I am always filled with a comfort of love,
warmth and acceptance. When I leave the Urban League I am always in good
spirits. The support from staff and the group has given me the encouragement
to continue my path of recovery, which to date is ten months clean. I am
forever indebted to the Urban League of Greater Hartford.
Submitted By: Linda Moskus-Crandall
NULITES Conference 2002
It was a privilege to be invited to the NULITES "Success is our goal,
decide your role" event. I have gained more knowledge on how to be
a role model because I already am, and all of it was worth it. I met many
different people who all had the same goal in mind, and that was to get
through this event together. I greatly appreciated all the effort put into
this and all the people that came out to support and reach out to us. Victoria
Rowell was a great surprise and she is a great mentor. She touched our hearts
and many others across the world. Robert Richard, a teen actor spoke to
us on how important it is to finish school and build our future. Many great
people, like Al Sharpton and "Uncle Phil" from Fresh Prince of
Bel Air, spoke on youth being the future. We as youth, have the power to
change and make anything happen. The thing that surprised me the most was,
that I related to most of them because of what they went through in their
childhood and teenage years. It was fun and I hope to be invited next year
to be reunited with my new NULITES friends.
