In 2021, the Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) began organizing with residents of Irving Street in Hartford’s Northend to combat rising gun violence and unrest. Residents, fearful of leaving their homes, collaborated with CLJ to tackle loitering and successfully secured a commitment from the Hartford Parking Authority for a parking pass system. This campaign also led to the North Hartford Public Safety Summit, in partnership with organizations like Hartford Community that Cares and Blue Hill Civic Association, expanding resident engagement and leadership development.
A significant achievement of the Irving Street Campaign was the commitment to develop a long-neglected parcel of land at 614 Albany Ave into a much-needed multi-use housing development.