Event: “Hartford Cares” Public Vigil
Date: Monday, June 30, 2008 (Rain Date: Tuesday, July 1st)
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Place: Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT
Who: Open to Public Participation and Media Coverage
What and Why:
Citizens from throughout Greater Hartford will be coming together in Hartford’s Bushnell Park for a candlelight vigil to foster healing and hope in Hartford. This event, the first in a series of events being undertaken as part of the “Hartford Cares” initiative, will feature the Hartford Symphony as well as music, song, dance and poetry from other local artists. In addition, ordinary citizens will share extraordinary stories of hope and goodwill. Area nonprofit groups will be offering people opportunities for involvement and citizens will be stepping up to make new and additional commitments to help build a greater Hartford.
Background:
On behalf of the City of Hartford, Mayor Eddie Perez asked Leadership Greater Hartford to work with groups throughout the region to organize a community response to help Connecticut’
Ted Carroll, president of Leadership Greater Hartford, said: “As citizens of one shared community with one common future, each of us must make a commitment to act now. The June 30 vigil is a public step forward to speaking openly and candidly about crime, violence and other social problems plaguing our city. But we will also hear about what’s going right and who has stepped up to defeat these scourges. We want to find ways to support and replicate those everyday heroes. Then all of us in the region, individuals and institutions alike, can publicly commit to finding at least one more way to make a difference.”
Event will Include:
• Stories told by ordinary citizens, including a mentor to city youth, ex-offenders who have turned their lives around, victims of crime, and others who have found ways of building hope and community in Hartford. Elected officials and other leaders in the community have been invited to listen and participate as members of the audience.
• Music performed by the Hartford Symphony and other dance, singing, poetic and musical performances from such groups as Spectrum in Motion, People of Goodwill, the CT Children’s Chorus, Esteban Arrufat, and the Artist Collective.
• Prayers and songs of healing and hope from local ministers and choirs will be offered at the beginning and end of the evening.
• Non-profit and public agencies will set up tables where prospective volunteers can learn of the many opportunities for getting involved.
• A Hartford Cares “Wall of Commitment” will be set up so citizens can publicly express how they promise to make a difference.
• Attendees will be invited to be interviewed on tape about their feelings, hopes and dreams for Hartford and how they have contributed or will contribute to building a healthier community. Interviews will be edited and posted on the Leadership Greater Hartford website.
