The Connecticut Urban Opportunity Collaborative has named Liany Elba Arroyo as its new director.
The collaborative — a joint initiative of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven — works to advance equity and promote social and economic mobility in communities across the state.
In her new role, Arroyo will coordinate leadership teams from the three foundations, manage collaborative investments, and oversee the implementation and evaluation of joint initiatives. That includes work with funding partners, grantmaking and community engagement.
Among CUOC’s signature efforts is a three-year direct cash assistance pilot program launched in 2024 in partnership with UpTogether. The program provides monthly payments totaling $12,600 over three years to 120 community leaders in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven who are experiencing financial hardship and working to improve their neighborhoods.
Previously, Arroyo served as chief operating officer at Charter Oak Health Center.
