A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.”
— Nelson Mandela
— Nelson Mandela
In 2018, Connecticut’s total income of all residents was $266 billion and its per capita personal income was $74,561.[1] Connecticut snagged the number one spot, topping Massachusetts, number two, by $4,500 more per person. However, less than three miles north of the State Capitol reside Hartford residents locked out of Connecticut’s financial prosperity for generations.
Three years into the Christian Activities Council’s commitment to building power for justice, we find ourselves face to face with dehumanizing, traumatizing, and deeply entrenched poverty rooted in systemic racism. Systemic racism that looks like children sleeping in rat and flea infested apartments. Systemic racism that looks like fathers and mothers being denied visitation of their children because the landlord has pocketed millions in subsidies instead of maintaining safety. Systemic racism that looks like widespread closures of neighborhood schools without the assurance of something better.
Although the road to justice is often long and the journey arduous, resident leaders’ tenacious resolve is sustaining and emboldening. The resident-led No More Slumlords campaign has defied all odds! A small — but courageous — group of residents from one of Hartford’s poorest neighborhoods has rid three housing complexes of slumlords and secured mobile vouchers for the families to move to better housing.
Faith leaders have deepened their pledge to engage their congregations in the fight for justice. Now we are at the precipice of launching a faith-based organization rooted in relational power and committed to taking on a slate of yearly justice issues.
Young adult leaders trained in the tradition of the Mississippi Freedom Schools movement guided 100 young scholars in grades K-3 in a transformational summer. The program centered the strength, resilience, and vibrancy of communities of color while nurturing a deep love of reading.
While there is no magic wand to end poverty or racism, CAC is developing a diverse group of leaders trained in anti-racist organizing principles. Together, we are building the relational power needed across racial, class, and religious divides to make Greater Hartford a more just, equitable place.
Listen to the testimonies below to get a glimpse of the joy, power, and promise of organizing.
Cori Mackey
Executive Director
Rev. Mark Diters
Board President
2018 HOPE/ACTION
REV. DOUGLAS BARCLAY
PETER BENNER
REV. MIA DOUGLAS
RABBI ANDI FLIEGEL
TIESHA GAYLE
TERI MORRISON
JOSHUA SERRANO
BETTY WADLEY
2018 STORIES OF SUCCESS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Imagine it’s nighttime. The children have washed their faces, brushed their teeth, and been snugly tucked into their beds. Perhaps their favorite stuffed toy rests beside them. Now imagine, in the silent of the night they hear the sounds of rodents scratching their way through the walls.
FAITH BASED ORGANIZING
In preparation for the 2019 launch of the faith-based organizing initiative, we spent 2018 deepening relationships and training core teams within congregations.
FREEDOM SCHOOL
In 1964, a recent Yale law graduate by the name of Marian Wright Edelman moved to Mississippi at the start of the Freedom Summer Project. College students from around the country came to work with the local black community for human and civil rights. Freedom Schools emerged from this initiative.
2018 HIGHLIGHTS
2018 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
| ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Current Assets | |
| Cash | 193,875 |
| Accounts receivable | 71,746 |
| Mortgages and loans receivable, current | 7,833 |
| Development costs / properties for resale | 25,060 |
| Other current sales | 14,011 |
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 312,525 |
| Non-current Assets | |
| Fixed assets, net | 137,398 |
| Land leases | 4,377,863 |
| Mortgages and loans receivable, long-term | 106,187 |
| Investments | 5,841,854 |
| TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS | 10,775,827 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $10,775,827 |
| LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Current Liabilities | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 16,654 |
| Line of credit | |
| Land leases | |
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 16,654 |
| Net Assets | |
| Unrestricted | (429,043) |
| Temporarily restricted | 2,951,876 |
| Permanently restricted | 8,236,340 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 10,759,173 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | $10,759,173 |
2018 Revenue
2018 Expense by Program