Last Tuesday, September 22, the Southside Institutions Neighborhood
Alliance (SINA) honored six individuals who have made significant
contributions to the neighborhoods near and around the five partners
which make up SINA-Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Connecticut
Public Television and Radio, Hartford Hospital, The Institute
of Living, and Trinity College.
The event was held at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
This year's winners are being recognized for the following notable
achievements:
April Goff Brown, former Director of Youth Services, City
of Hartford, founder of the Hartford Youth Network. She ran
a grant writing workshop for the Teen Parent Provider Network,
and helped facilitate Bulkeley High School's new Health Professions
Center of Excellence. Her son accepted the award on her behalf.
Edith Lancy, chair of Frog Hollow South Neighborhood Revitalization
Committee, has fought to promote owner-occupied housing, business
retention, and the redevelopment of Frog Hollow.
Garry Lapidus, Director and co-founder of the Connecticut
Childhood Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children's
Medical Center. His work has focused around keeping kids safe
from violence and accidental injury.
Jose Martinez, co-chair of Capitol District Neighborhood
Coalition, and president of Organized Parents Make a Difference,
a member of the Governor's Team at Burns School. He helped establish
the Pope Park Recreation Center and build the Maria Sanchez School
playground.
John Tornatore, Owner of Gordon Bonetti Florist. He is
vice president of the Franklin Avenue Merchants Association,
and volunteers with Bulkeley High School Institute of Living
and Grow Program and South Park Inn. He also trains high school
students in ornamental horticulture and teaches welfare mothers
who have completed a Uconn program.
Hyacinth Yennie, Chair of Southend Knight Riders Youth
Center's Advisory Board, and chair of the Hartford Areas Rally
Together's Education Committee, co-chair of the Barry Square
Revitalization Committee, and president of Sports Science Academy
PTA.
SINA recipients were selected from among many nominations made
by local agencies, community leaders and churches. Jose M. Perez,
President of SINA , says that "SINA established the Neighborhood
Service awards because it's very important to publicly recognize
individuals who have worked very hard on behalf of the neighborhoods
in south Hartford which are the target of SINA's efforts. This
year's winners are perfect role models for anyone who wants to
contribute back to their neighborhood and to Hartford. Their
hard work and achievements in the areas of education, youth,
health, housing and business development benefit Hartford in
many different ways."
