by Ian Haisley | Apr 16, 2026 | News
In 1886, a group of women in Bridgeport saw their neighbors struggling and chose to step in. They helped people find work, get their children into school, and build stability amid uncertainty. That instinct—to show up and figure it out together—is still at the heart of Hall today.
You’ll see that spirit throughout this month’s updates in the expansion of our Family Services team, the new classroom taking shape, and the moments we shared with many of you as we continue to celebrate 140 years of Hall.
Thank you for staying connected, showing up, and believing in what a community can do when it takes care of one another.
History Corner: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
In 1886, as Bridgeport grew and families arrived in search of opportunity, many young women struggled to find stability. A compassionate group of women saw the need and formed Associated Charities for Industrious Relief, which would later become Hall Neighborhood House. They helped women find jobs, enroll their children in school, and begin building strong foundations. Hall was Bridgeport’s first economic development program designed specifically for women.
That legacy continues. Today, we provide jobs, affordable childcare, free dental services, and so much more to the Bridgeport community.
We invite you to learn more about how far Hall has come over the past 140 years by watching our new Anniversary Video.
New: Case Manager for the Hall Community
We’re proud to announce the expansion of Hall’s services to include a Case Manager who will work directly with families and staff to navigate challenges and connect them with the right support.
Sometimes the hardest part of getting help is figuring out where to start. Our Case Manager will sit down with community members, make phone calls together, help fill out applications, and walk through next steps side by side.
Whether it’s housing concerns, family needs, or navigating local resources, this role is about making sure people don’t have to figure it out alone.
If you’re part of the Hall community and need support, reach out to us at [email protected] or (203) 345-2000, and we’ll connect you!
Construction Begins on Modular Classroom
Something new is taking shape at Hall Neighborhood House!
We began construction on our new modular classroom, creating more space for expanded STEM and work readiness programs for high school students.
Thank you to M&T Bank and Comcast for making this addition possible!
An Evening at Brewport Brewing Co.
At the end of February, we connected with many of Hall’s supporters at Brewport Brewing Co. to celebrate our 140th anniversary. We loved sharing stories and reflecting on what it means to celebrate 140 years of caring for families in Bridgeport.
Women’s History Month
Hall was founded by women who saw what their community needed and stepped in to help. Since then, generations of women have carried that work forward—showing up, leading, and building something that lasts.
This Women’s History Month, we honored the women who shaped Hall and those who continue to shape its future.
March Staff Raffle Winner: Ms. Oceana
Congratulations to Ms. Oceana, who won our March 140th Anniversary Staff Raffle! She won a $140 gift card as a small thank-you for all she brings to our community, and we celebrated the entire staff with a delicious St. Patrick’s Day-themed cake.
Open House
On March 18, we hosted a special Open House to celebrate 140 years of Hall.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to walk through our space, ask questions, meet our team, and see the work up close. It meant a lot to share where we’ve been and where we’re headed with people who care about this community.
We were especially glad to welcome so many people who were stepping inside Hall for the first time! It was so special to open our doors and share our space with new faces.
Celebrity Breakfast is Coming!
We’re excited to announce that the Hall Neighborhood House’s annual Celebrity Breakfast will return this June at the Fairfield Theatre Club.
David Beckerman, founder of famed apparel brand, Starter, will take the stage alongside ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg for an inside look at fandom, fashion, and creating a culture from the ground up.
Registration information is coming soon, so keep an eye on your inbox!
by Ian Haisley | Mar 20, 2026 | About Hall, News
Meet Ms. Brittany, our head teacher in C206!
Ms. Brittany has been a head teacher for 7 years, but her connection to Hall goes back generations. Her mom, aunts, and uncles all grew up here. Several of her aunts later came back to work at Hall, along with her grandmother, Edith, who spent much of her life here.
Teaching truly runs in her family. From helping in her mom’s daycare as a child to working as a tutor, counselor, and teacher’s aide, Ms. Brittany always knew this was her path.
Today, she leads her classroom with one goal: to make sure every child feels seen, loved, and excited to learn while building a strong foundation for who they’ll become.
“I want to make sure that my students know that school is very fun, very needed, and very important. School is what shapes you, so we need to be as positive from the start as possible.”
Besides being such an outstanding teacher with a bright smile, Ms. Brittany is described as being understanding, supportive, and a great role model.
by Ian Haisley | Dec 1, 2025 | News, Program Updates
The holidays are about coming together—and this Thanksgiving, our community showed up in a big way.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Carl Palmieri Turkey Drive and Bridgeport Rescue Mission, hundreds of local families and older adults enjoyed full Thanksgiving meals, complete with turkeys, classic sides, and all the comforting trimmings that make the holiday special.
- 450 meals were distributed through the Carl Palmieri Turkey Drive, helping ensure families across our community could gather around the table with dignity and joy.
- 75 meals were shared with older adults at Hall’s Senior Center, thanks to Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s continued commitment to feeding those most vulnerable.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the friends and volunteers of Hall who generously gave their time to help sort, pack, and distribute these meals. Your kindness and energy made a real impact—and we truly couldn’t have done it without you!
by Ian Haisley | Oct 16, 2025 | News, Program Updates
On October 2, we hosted our very first Health Fair, and it was a huge success!
In partnership with Yale New Haven’s Bridgeport Hospital, we welcomed our community to a day filled with health resources, free screenings, and expert conversations on topics like psychiatry, nutrition, breast cancer awareness, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Guests received giveaways, blood pressure checks, flu and COVID vaccines from Bridgeport Pharmacy, and hearing and vision screenings from Bridgeport University nursing students.
One guest shared, “It was so informative. I appreciated that there were people explaining everything to us, and that I could bring my kids for testing and even get things like toothbrushes. Offering flu shots for children made it so much easier for parents like me who struggle to get doctors’ appointments.”
We created this Health Fair to support the health and well-being of our staff, students, their families, and the residents of our Hall Senior Center because access to quality care and health education is essential for a thriving community.
A big thank you to all of our partners, including Bridgeport Hospital, SWCAA, UB’s Fones School of Dental Hygiene, and our very own HNH LEADS youth ambassador with Sevaro!
We’re so proud to bring events like this to the Hall community.
by Ian Haisley | Oct 9, 2025 | News, Program Updates
Meet Ms. Lashana, our amazing Head Teacher in C108!For the past 10 years, Ms. Lashana has been a beloved part of the Hall family. She has a passion for working with young children and creating nurturing spaces where they can learn and thrive.
“I love being a teacher because I want to advocate for my children and support their growth and their future.”
Some of her favorite memories at Hall include holiday celebrations, Friendsgiving, and staff trainings — moments where she can collaborate, share ideas, and get inspired.
Those who know Ms. Lashana describe her as kind, patient, and professional, and her contagious laugh brings joy to everyone around her! We’re so lucky to have Ms. Lashana on our team.
Recent Comments