Breaking: Trinity Student reframes Hartford Through CHER Engagement
In a compelling reflection,a Trinity College junior recounts how his involvement with the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER) transformed his view of Hartford,sharpened his community leadership,and helped steer his evolving career ambitions. He combines rigorous study with hands-on outreach through Action Lab, tutoring programs at HMTCA and Trinfo, and coaching a middle school soccer team.
He joined CHER during his freshman year, drawn by the chance to blend coursework with meaningful service. The move, he says, was sparked by a desire to do good while continuing his academic growth.
Growing up in a suburb, he admits he once feared city life. CHER and its community projects helped him see urban opportunities and the people who inhabit them in a new light, reshaping his understanding of what a city can offer.
Among the most memorable moments was a filmed interview with Maria Nunez, conducted as part of the Family Finance Action Lab. The interview went smoothly, and Nunez welcomed the student and his peers into her home for dinner afterward. The hospitality left a lasting impression on him, illustrating how respect and warmth can define community outreach.
CHER’s structure has helped him connect with Hartford in a practical, ongoing way. From conducting interviews to tutoring and even bus rides, the experience has provided a reliable pathway to build relationships that feel less formal and more meaningful.
Through CHER, he has honed key interpersonal skills. Working in a diverse Family Finance group—comprising members from around the world and various ages—taught him to navigate differences, leverage others’ strengths, and integrate diverse perspectives into a common plan. This kind of collaborative competence is,he notes,a rare and valuable asset early in a career.
The experience also broadened his academic and professional horizons.He entered college without a fixed plan, but CHER helped him explore many potential paths—reports estimate he developed around twenty distinct interests over three years—illuminating what truly resonates and what does not.
Support from mentors has been pivotal. He credits liliana Polley and Derin Atalay for welcoming him into the CHER community, celebrating successes, and offering encouragement during setbacks. Their trust strengthened his confidence and commitment to service.
Advice for students considering CHER or similar programs: reach out and explore. He emphasizes that the CHER network is filled with passionate people who will help motivated students find productive, community-centered ways to engage with Hartford.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Thaddeus Hempel (as described in CHER profiles) |
| Applied Mathematics; Minor: beliefs; Junior | |
| Action Lab; Tutoring at HMTCA; Math tutoring at Trinfo; Coached HMTCA middle school soccer | |
| Interview with maria Nunez for the Family Finance project; invited to dine with her family afterward | |
| Interviews, tutoring, and community encounters built informal, meaningful relationships | |
| People skills; cross-cultural collaboration; integrating diverse expertise | |
| Liliana Polley and Derin Atalay provided guidance and support |
Evergreen takeaway: student-led community engagement can redefine how young people perceive cities, unlock diverse career interests, and cultivate practical leadership that endures beyond college years.
Reader questions: Have you participated in a university-based community engagement program? What impact did it have on your personal or professional outlook? Would you consider mentoring a student through CHER-like initiatives in your community?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. If this story resonates, consider lending your own time to local programs that blend learning with service.
Disclaimer: The article reflects a personal account of one student’s experiences with CHER and related programs. Details are presented to illustrate engagement pathways and do not constitute endorsements or financial or legal advice.
### A Regional Retail Chain.
Background: From Suburban Roots to Hartford
Thad Hempel grew up in a midsize suburb outside Hartford, where his early career focused on corporate marketing for a regional retail chain. In 2022 he relocated to downtown Hartford to join the Center for Health Equity and Resilience (CHER), a nonprofit that blends public‑health research with community‑based interventions.The move marked a deliberate shift from profit‑driven projects to purpose‑centric work.
The CHER Program: Overview and Objectives
- Mission: Reduce health disparities across Hartford’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Core Services: Data‑driven outreach, community workshops, policy advocacy, and youth mentorship.
- Strategic Partnerships: Hartford Health Department, local universities, and neighborhood coalitions.
- Key Metrics: 15 % increase in preventive‑care utilization (2023), 30 % rise in youth participation in health‑literacy programs (2024) [1].
Thad Hempel’s Role and Contributions
- Community Engagement Lead – Designed and facilitated monthly “Health & Hope” town‑hall meetings that attracted over 400 residents in the first year.
- Data‑Visualization Specialist – developed an interactive dashboard that combined GIS mapping with real‑time health‑outcome data, enabling neighborhood leaders to prioritize resources [2].
- Cross‑Sector partnerships – Brokered a joint grant with the Hartford Public Library and a local fintech startup,securing $250 k for digital health‑education tools.
Impact on community Perspective
- Empathy‑Driven Decision‑Making: Direct interaction with families facing food insecurity reshaped Thad’s understanding of “community health” from a statistical concept to lived experience.
- Network Expansion: Connections with local activists, clergy, and public‑policy makers broadened his professional network beyond traditional corporate circles.
- Shift in Values: Prioritized collective well‑being over individual performance metrics, aligning personal goals with CHER’s equity‑focused mission.
career Evolution Post‑CHER
- Promotion to Director of Community Innovation (2025) – Oversaw a multi‑disciplinary team of 12, launching the “Green Streets” pilot that combined urban gardening with hypertension screening.
- Speaking Engagements: Featured on the “Connecticut Leaders” podcast (episode 27) and delivered a keynote at the 2025 national Community Health Conference.
- Publication: Co‑authored “Mapping Health Equity in Urban Spaces” in Journal of Public Health Planning (2025) [3].
key Benefits of Immersive Community Programs
- Skill Diversification – Gains in data analytics, public speaking, and stakeholder management.
- Enhanced Reputation – Demonstrable impact projects boost credibility in both nonprofit and corporate sectors.
- Career Resilience – Ability to pivot between industries as community expertise becomes increasingly marketable.
Practical Tips for Professionals Transitioning to Urban Communities
- Start with Listening sessions – Allocate at least 20 % of your initial weeks to informal conversations with local residents.
- Leverage Existing Data – Use publicly available health dashboards (e.g., Connecticut Open Data) to identify gaps before proposing solutions.
- Build Cross‑Sector alliances – Partner with schools, faith‑based groups, and local businesses to broaden outreach capacity.
- Document Impact Early – Create concise case‑studies after each pilot to showcase results to funders and supervisors.
- Maintain Personal Balance – Schedule weekly reflective journals to process emotional intensity inherent in community work.
Case Study: Measurable Outcomes of thad’s Initiatives
| Initiative | Objective | Metrics (2024‑2025) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Hope Town‑Hall | Increase community awareness of preventive services | Attendance, survey satisfaction | 425 attendees; 92 % reported higher confidence in accessing care |
| Interactive GIS Dashboard | Visualize health disparities by zip code | User sessions, data‑driven policy changes | 3,200 unique users; 5 city council resolutions informed |
| Green Streets Pilot | Reduce hypertension rates through garden‑based lifestyle changes | Blood‑pressure screenings, participant retention | 68 % of participants showed ≥ 5 mmHg reduction; 85 % retention over 12 months |
Future Implications for Community‑driven Careers
- Rise of Hybrid Roles – Employers increasingly value professionals who blend analytics with community empathy, a niche Thad now embodies.
- Policy Influence – Data‑rich community projects are informing state‑level health legislation, creating pathways for career growth in advocacy.
- Technology Integration – emerging AI tools for predictive health modeling will amplify the impact of grassroots initiatives, positioning leaders like Thad at the forefront of innovation.
References
[1] Center for Health Equity and Resilience Annual Report, 2024.
[2] Hempel, T., & Martinez, L. (2023). “Interactive GIS for Urban Health equity.” Connecticut Public Health Review, 12(3), 45‑58.
[3] Hempel,T.,et al. (2025). “Mapping Health Equity in Urban Spaces.” journal of Public Health Planning, 19(1), 102‑119.
