![Spring is in Full Swing at Hall Neighborhood House!]()
by Ian Haisley | Apr 16, 2025 | News
There’s a lot happening at Hall this season, and we’re excited to share the latest with you!
In this newsletter, you’ll find details about our upcoming Celebrity Breakfast with Yale Coach James Jones, an inspiring story from our LEADS Program, and a recap of our successful dental screening days. We’re also highlighting a few recent events that brought our community together—from a St. Patrick’s Day celebration to a conversation with the Bridgeport Police Department.
Thanks for being part of the Hall Neighborhood House community. We’re glad you’re here!
Save the Date for Our Annual Celebrity Breakfast
Get the inside scoop from one of the Ivy League’s winningest coaches in history at our annual Celebrity Breakfast on June 26 at 7 a.m. at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company.
Coach James Jones, the head coach for Yale University’s Men’s Basketball Team, will take the stage for a rousing conversation about the challenges, victories, upsets, and surprises he’s experienced in his 26 years leading the Bulldogs.
Mark your calendar—and keep an eye out for more information on how to reserve your spot coming soon!
College Dream in Action: Reni’s Story
When Reni moved to Bridgeport from Ecuador just three years ago, she didn’t speak English. She had to figure out how to complete her high school education with a language barrier in an entirely new place.
Through determination, hard work, the support of her community, and Hall’s LEADS College Prep Program, she not only found success in high school—she has been accepted into 12 colleges, including Rutgers University and Penn State!
Frank Recchia at News 12 Connecticut recently visited Hall and highlighted Reni’s inspiring story. Read the full story and watch the news segment at connecticut.news12.com/bridgeport-teen-accepted-into-12-colleges-including-rutgers-penn-state.
Construction Update: Senior Deck
Our new senior deck is already taking shape! Whether they’re soaking up the fresh air, catching up with friends, or watching the little ones play on the nearby playground, we can’t wait for our seniors to enjoy this new outdoor space.
207 Smiles and Counting: Dental Screenings at Hall
Thanks to a team of incredible partners—Dr. Ferrara, Dr. Crape, Dr. Themistocle, Dr. Donahue, students from Fones School of Dental Hygiene and Sacred Heart University’s Nursing program, and our amazing Hall teachers—we recently provided dental screenings to 207 kids.
Even better: only 14 students needed follow-up appointments. That’s the power of early intervention and community care. We’re proud to be building a healthier future for our kids—together.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Our Youngest Learners
Our Early Childhood students brought the shamrock sparkle on March 17. Decked out in green, they celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with crafts, music, and plenty of joy.
These little moments of celebration are what make Hall feel like home.
Community Conversation with the Bridgeport Police Department
On March 18, we hosted a meaningful community conversation with the Bridgeport Police Department. Council President Aidee Nieves, Council Member Maria Valle, and Chief Roderick Porter joined us to talk about new initiatives, share crime stats, and hear what matters most to our neighbors.
These open, honest conversations are vital—and we’re grateful to everyone who came out to listen, speak up, and strengthen our community.
Thanks for being part of the Hall family.
We’re grateful for your support and all the ways you help build connection, care, and opportunity right here in Bridgeport.
by Ian Haisley | Mar 20, 2025 | About Hall, News
Last month was full of energy, generosity, and community at Hall Neighborhood House!
We started February by cheering for the Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University basketball teams, celebrated Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, and dedicated the Alan Wallack STEM Learning Center at Jettie S. Tisdale School in honor of the Rosnick family.
Looking ahead, we are beginning to build a brand-new deck for our senior neighbors—creating a welcoming space for fresh air and connection.
Every step forward is made possible by friends like you. Thank you for being part of our Hall Neighborhood House family!
Game Night at Fairfield University
We had an amazing time on Saturday, February 8, at the Sacred Heart University vs. Fairfield University men’s basketball game! The evening was about more than just basketball—it was an opportunity to bring together our dedicated supporters and introduce new faces to the incredible work of Hall Neighborhood House.
Before the game, we hosted a special cocktail reception where longtime donors and newcomers alike gathered to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished over the past year. We shared exciting updates on our STEM programs, reflected on our impact, and unveiled our long-term vision—including plans for a new recreation center across the street. It was a wonderful way to connect, inspire, and build momentum for the future!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the reception and cheered alongside us at the game!
Alan Wallack STEM Learning Center Dedication
In February, we proudly dedicated the Alan Wallack STEM Learning Center at Jettie S. Tisdale School in honor of the Rosnick family, whose generosity is helping shape the future for young learners.
The Alan Wallack STEM Learning Centers are Hall’s Way of bringing state-of-the-art technology to children in Bridgeport public schools. With Hall STEM centers now in 22 Bridgeport schools, we’re empowering over 14,000 students with hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math. But we’re not stopping there! Our goal is to bring STEM opportunities to all students by installing centers in the eight remaining Bridgeport schools.
Coming Soon: A Deck for Seniors
We have broken ground on a brand-new deck for our senior neighbors! This inviting outdoor space will offer a comfortable spot to enjoy fresh air, connect with friends, and share moments with the children on the nearby playground. A huge thank you to the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging for their support.
Stay tuned for updates as construction continues!
Valentine’s Day
We love our Hall Neighborhood House community! We had a fantastic time celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14—especially with the little ones in our early childhood programs.
Black History Month
Our students celebrated Black History Month by diving into the stories, achievements, and contributions of Black leaders, artists, and changemakers. Through fun lessons and creative projects, they learned more about history, resilience, innovation, and discovery!
Cooking Up Fun!
Our Youth Services Director, Adiel, recently led a hands-on cooking class where 12 students rolled up their sleeves and made their own delicious pizzas. The best part? They got to share their homemade creations with classmates—because food always tastes better together!
A huge shoutout to The Original Vazzy’s for generously providing the pizza dough to make this experience possible!
by Ian Haisley | Feb 8, 2025 | About Hall, News
Here at Hall Neighborhood House, we hit the ground running this January—and we are so excited to update you on everything we have in store for the year ahead! First, thank you to everyone who made the Hall-i-day season so special for our neighbors. From donated meals and decor to gifts for children and youth to cozy gear for seniors, we are so grateful for the many ways you helped our community celebrate.
As we look ahead, we have big goals for 2025. This year, we’re looking forward to:
- Building new classrooms to expand our infant, toddler, and youth programs.
- Obtaining NAEYC re-accreditation for the Early Learning Center.
- Continuing to support high school students with Hall’s HNH Leads Program.
- Adding a new deck for the senior center, a modular classroom for our high school students, and lobby doors for increased security.
- Renovating the lower level of our building, including a 2,000-square-foot game room.
- Continuing our support of The Alan Wallack STEM Learning Centers currently in 22 Bridgeport public schools, and adding STEM centers in the remaining 8 schools.
- Expanding our performing and visual arts club programs.
- Reaching more community members with our free dental hygiene services in partnership with Bridgeport University Fones School of Dental Hygiene.
- Growing our AAU high school basketball teams and taking these athletes to more tournaments and national competitions.
- Searching for a new property where we can offer additional recreational activities.
All of this growth is only possible with your support—so thank you for being a dedicated member of our community. It’s going to be a big year, and we’re glad you are part of it!
Before we jump into our 2025 plans, let’s look back on a few of our favorite moments from last year…
Seniors Celebrated the Holidays!
At their annual holiday party, made possible by the generosity of John and Connie DeMattia, our senior community enjoyed delicious food, lively music, and, of course, a spirited game of Bingo!
A Very Happy Hall-i-day Season!
Thank you to everyone who made the Hall-i-day season a success at Hall Neighborhood House! Donors and organizations contributed toys, trees, and gifts to all of our programs. Your generosity made our community’s December extra special.
A Delicious Thanksgiving
Thanks to John Palmieri and his friends, 400 families in our community received everything they needed to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We loved getting to distribute turkeys to our neighbors!
We Provided 5,200 Meals in 2024!
Last year, we provided over 5,200 meals to our community, including 1,300+ to youth, 1,500+ to senior citizens, and 2,400+ to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers!
Your support made this possible. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, healthier community, one meal at a time!
Staying Safe from Scams
Knowledge is power—and protection! Our seniors attended an important session with Bridgeport Police to learn how to stay safe from scams and fraud. From credit card and bank fraud to ATM and check scams, we’re empowering our senior community to protect themselves and stay informed.
by Ian Haisley | Jan 2, 2025 | About Hall, News
As we reflect on another incredible year at Hall Neighborhood House, we are filled with gratitude for the progress we’ve made together. Thanks to your unwavering support, 2024 was a year of milestones and meaningful impact for Bridgeport’s East Side.
Last year, your partnership helped us serve thousands of nourishing meals, provide life-changing programs, and create a lasting difference for children, families, and seniors across our community. None of this would have been possible without you.
As we look ahead in the new year, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum. At Hall Neighborhood House, we remain committed to being a home where learning thrives, connections grow, and care surrounds every member of our community. With your help, we will continue creating opportunities to uplift and empower those who need us most.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in our mission inspire us every day. Together, we’re strengthening our community and shaping brighter futures for everyone.
Here’s to a new year filled with hope, opportunity, and impact!
In 2024, Hall Neighborhood House:
- Provided a service-learning environment for over 100 college students.
- Gave a Merry Christmas (Christmas trees/gifts/toys) to over 300 families.
- Provided 700+ hours of free use of Hall’s facility to local non-profits.
- Served 1,500+ meals to senior citizens, 1,300+ to youth, and 2,400+ to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
- Provided free dental care to over 230 residents at Hall’s dental clinic.
- Saw 11 students complete our high school program. They were the first in their families to attend college.
- Provided STEM education to over 14,000 Bridgeport Public School students by offering the Hall-Alan Wallack STEM Learning Center in 22 schools.
- Prepared and graduated 65 children who entered kindergarten.
- Provided recreational after-school activities to 230+ youths.
- Helped with 600+ hours of homework during the school year.
- Distributed Thanksgiving meals, including turkeys and trimmings, to 400+ families.
- Provided childcare and preK educational services to 270+ children.
- Started 2 high school AAU basketball teams.
- Provided a safe and socially engaging environment for over 80 senior citizens.
by Ian Haisley | Oct 30, 2024 | About Hall, News
As October comes to a close and we enter the holiday season, we’re excited to share with you a month filled with community, connection, and growth here at Hall Neighborhood House.
We kicked things off by joining National Stop Bullying Day, spreading our core message of kindness and respect. Later in the month, our Trunk or Treat event brought families together for a safe and festive Halloween celebration.
Our facility is evolving, too, with recent sidewalk improvements and safety enhancements designed to make Hall an even safer and more welcoming space for all. And as we wrap up our 2024 fiscal year, we’re embracing transparency by welcoming an independent auditor to review our operations—an essential step to honor the trust you place in us.
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to invite you to our Friends of Hall Appreciation Breakfast on November 7. This relaxed, informal gathering is dedicated to celebrating you—the friends and supporters who make our work possible. We hope to see you there!
Thank you for being such an important part of our community!
National Stop Bullying Day
On October 9, we wore orange to honor National Stop Bullying Day! Here at Hall, we are dedicated to treating everyone with kindness and respect, no matter who you are or what you look like, and we encourage our children and youth to do the same so that we can one day stop bullying for good. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Facilities Updates
We’re excited to share several improvements underway to make Hall Neighborhood House an even better space for our community!
- Sidewalk Improvements: With permits in place, we began construction to replace the sidewalks around our building, making them safer and more accessible.
- Enhanced Safety Measures: We installed panic buttons at both main entrances, each with a direct line to 911. Plus, exterior alarms will alert anyone on the playground or nearby if they should stay clear of the building. These new features help protect our kids, staff, and visitors.
- New Playground Completed: We’re thrilled to have a brand-new playground for our kids, equipped with toy cars and colorful traffic signs generously donated by Westport National Bank.
- Gym Floor Refinishing: Coming soon! Next month, we will refinish the gym floor to provide a refreshed space for sports and community gatherings.
- Technology Upgrades: New computers for our staff are on their way to help improve our efficiency and the quality of service we provide every day.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue making exciting progress for everyone here at Hall Neighborhood House!
Friends of Hall Appreciation Breakfast
At Hall Neighborhood House, we’re so grateful for the support of friends like you. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to a special morning of connection and celebration at our Friends of Hall Appreciation Breakfast.
This relaxed, informal gathering is our way of saying “thank you” for your generous contributions.
Join us:
Thursday, November 7
8-10 a.m.
52 George E. Pipkin’s Way
Bridgeport, CT 06608
Please stop by for a breakfast sandwich and beverage from the Tasty Yolk Food Truck and get a closer look at the programs and spaces your support has helped transform.
Your support is making a lasting impact in Bridgeport, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Trunk or Treat
Thank you to everyone who made our Trunk or Treat celebration an incredible event! Your support created a fantastic, safe Halloween experience for our neighbors—complete with creative costumes, decked-out trunks, and plenty of treats.
From our amazing volunteers who spent hours decorating their cars to the families who joined us in costume, your involvement helped make this a special night of fun and connection for the whole community.
Financial Updates
We’re committed to going above and beyond to ensure full transparency in everything we do. As we wrap up the 2024 fiscal year, we’ve brought in a third-party auditor to work closely with our board, reviewing everything we do. Having an independent auditor means we can confidently stand by the integrity of our work, making sure each decision we make reflects our mission, values, and the trust our supporters place in us.
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