By John McNamara

The Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA) marked its anniversary at a "60 Years of Success" awards dinner held at Farmington Gardens on Thursday June 13th honoring individuals and partner organizations for their contributions to an organization born in the 1960s at the start of "the War on Poverty" and President Lyndon Johnson's "Great Society".

Dr. Marlo Greponne, HRA's Executive Director, welcomed local officials and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) to the dinner attended by an estimated 200 persons including alumni, staff, board members and supporters "for an evening of reflection, celebration and inspiration."

Recognized for their volunteer service were Walter and Jeannette Rivera who began their involvement at HRA as Head Start parents in the 1990s and have continued community service there ever since. Three organizations engaged with HRA's anti-poverty programs through the years received Community Partnership Awards. Representatives of Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of New Britain and the New Britain and Bristol branches of the NAACP, including the New Britain NAACP's Ron Davis, Bristol NAACP's Tim Camerl and OIC Executive Director Paulette Fox, accepted the award for their organizations.

*Walter and Jeannette Rivera recognized for decades of community service at 60th anniversary celebration.*

Receiving Empowerment Leader Awards were current and retired employees Alida Santana-Figueroa, Barbara Parsons, Chuc Nguyen, Joan Pina and Rose Bracero.

This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort....... Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be organized at the State and the local level and must be supported and directed by State and local efforts. For the war against poverty will not be won here in Washington. It must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House.
President Lyndon Johnson addressing Congress in January 1964. His "War on Poverty" legislation led to the creation of thousands of community action agencies in the nation including HRA of NB

State Rep. Robert "Bobby" Sanchez (D-25), who established HRA's Fatherhood Initiative as a manager and early childhood educator, received the Dr. Alton Brooks Award bestowed on an individual "whose work has been a catalyst for change and has made a significant impact on issues of concern to the community." A former Board of Education member, Sanchez was elected to the Legislature in 2011 and as a Chair and member of the Education Committee has led efforts to secure bonding for the renovation of Slade, Smalley, Chamberlin and Holmes schools as well as continuing increases in educational cost sharing funds for the New Britain school district.

*OIC's Paulette Fox and NAACP's Ron Davis accepting partnership awards with Dr. Marlo Greponne and board members.*

Dr. Alton Brooks, HRA's Founding Executive Director and a neighborhood sector member of the Board of Directors, is recuperating from an illness and was unable to attend the event. Attendees signed a scroll of good wishes to Dr. Brooks, a labor and civil rights leader in the city since the 1950s.

Poet and author Mitzy Sky, a Jamaican-American writer and creator, was the keynote speaker and shared her personal struggles and artistic journey that are the focus of her poems and books. Nzinga's Daughters Performance Ensemble provided music and song for the anniversary dinner. Displays and more than 400 photos from every decade at the agency were shared during the program by Dr. Greponne and her planning committee.

*Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) receives the Dr. Alton Brooks award at June 13th 60th anniversary celebration*.

HRA's $23.4 million budget, supported by government grants, private grants and contributions, delivers community action programs for young and old first launched by the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in the 1960s to address basic human needs and to alleviate poverty. Its offices and programs are located at six locations in New Britain and two in Bristol. The agency provides early childhood services including Head Start, elder services, emergency assistance, employment and training, energy assistance, financial services and health and wellness services.

60th Anniversary "Empowering Lives" Gala With Timmy Maia Planned For November 8

As part of the 60th Anniversary year HRA is planning an "Empowering Lives" Gala fundraiser on November 8th with Musician Timmy Maia to support the agency's mission.

To donate or volunteer to HRA of New Britain go to Donate to the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, CT (hranbct.org

John McNamara is an alderman from Ward 4 and the Common Council Majority Leader. He has been sharing stories and writing about local government and the community on his nbpoliticus.com blog since 2006.