D
ear friends,
As we embark on the new challenges of ending youth and family homelessness, new stories surface of children living in cars, young people being trafficked, and single parents struggling to keep their babies safe. This work is hard and solutions are not always easy. However, over the last few weeks, through the Greater Hartford Emergency Shelter Learning Collaborative, the Governor’s Challenge on Family Homelessness, the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project, and the Hurricane Maria Disaster Relief funding; I have seen remarkable solutions created through the determination, persistence, and creativity of direct care staff, our state agencies, and so many community partners collaborating to find solutions for these families and individuals with very complex needs.
I’d like to thank all of you for everything you have contributed to these efforts as we quickly approach 2020. In particular, a special acknowledgement goes to our Department of Housing for their energy and support to drive change – and their willingness to think outside the box to help in all of our efforts to end homelessness.
On behalf of our staff and board, I also want to give a huge thank you to Mary Jane DeFilippo for her incredible work with CCEH over the last 18 years. We will miss you!
With much gratitude,
Mary Ann Haley
Deputy Director & Interim CEO