Hartford Business Journal 2010 Nonprofit Heroes

Celebrating nonprofit volunteerism and civic responsibility

Connecticut’s nonprofit community stepped up in a major way during the past year as the state’s economy continued to struggle through the national recession. As job losses increased, incomes dwindled and state and local public services declined, individuals and families relied on nonprofit agencies like never before to cope with growing financial needs.

This year, we are particularly proud to introduce the Hartford Business Journal’s 2010 Nonprofit Heroes. Our winners and finalist organizations and their many volunteers are doing extraordinary work, facing much greater demand than usual at a time when donations and resources are, in most cases, less than in prior years. Individuals also have come forward in philanthropic ways to help fill the need. All are putting in countless hours and stretching contributions and budgets as never before to ensure ongoing services or to create new ones where a need has arisen.

Some agencies are working to ensure that the state’s food pantries and soup kitchens are kept well stocked. Others are finding places to live for our region’s homeless and developmentally and physically challenged. Nonprofits are also finding innovative ways to maintain local educational classes, student tutoring programs and after-school activities in the face of severe state and local education budget cuts. Nonprofit youth and senior care programs, designed to help nurture young and old alike, and which serve to occupy their hours while primary caregivers find second and third jobs to make ends meet, are providing critical roles. These and other efforts described in this special section are just a few of the countless ways Connecticut’s nonprofit community serves as a social safety net for those in need.

Please join me in congratulating our heroes. Without them, our communities would look vastly different. They inspire us and remind us all of our obligation to reach out to others in need with a welcome and helping hand.

– Gail Lebert
Publisher
Hartford Business Journal

Stories by Kevin Moore, contributing editor
to the Hartford Business Journal

WINNER: Collaboration of the Year

Center for Human Development – Connecticut West

WINNER: Executive of the Year

Nancy L. Carrington, Connecticut Food Bank

WINNER: Advocate of the Year

Ginger Katz, The Courage to Speak Foundation Inc.

WINNER: Organization of the Year

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford

WINNER: Volunteer of the Year

Steven Schutzer, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters