by Hall Neighborhood House | Apr 22, 2024 | News
Spring is officially here, and we’re already looking around the corner to summer! As the weather gets nicer, neighbors of all ages love spending time outside at Hall Neighborhood House. Our seniors play bingo in the sunshine, teenagers work on creative outdoor STEM projects, and our young children run and play all over the grounds.
We’re proud to be a safe place in the community where everyone can get outside.As our programs continue to grow and we get closer to starting our building expansion project, we need to expand our outdoor play area so that we can have more classes outside at one time. We want every child to have the opportunity to play outside every day. To make this possible, we need to expand our playground, and we need your help to do it.
Help Our Kids Play
Play is so important for all children, especially our youngest as they grow and develop! Through play, they learn teamwork, gain the confidence to tackle new obstacles, build motor skills, and encourage healthy brain development.
For some of our children, Hall is the only safe place they have to play outside, but the structure for the big kids isn’t safe for our three-year-olds. We need to raise $74,000 to build a safe, fun, and exciting play structure designed for our toddlers.
Will you help us reach our goal and give our young neighbors a place to play? You can ensure they have the space they need to grow and learn!
Help us build our playground by making a gift today ➡
New Renderings of Our Expansion
We have big plans for the future! Check out these renderings of our planned expansion—featuring our new and improved youth wing, an outdoor deck for our seniors, and a dedicated entrance to the Health Clinic.
Better Me for Seniors
Through our holistic senior program at Hall Neighborhood House, we work to meet as many of the needs of the seniors in our program as possible.
In addition to meals, exercise programs, opportunities for connection and fun, and health and dental care, we also provide mental and behavioral health support to our neighbors at our Senior Center through the Better Me program.
The program started in 2023 and includes sessions on a variety of topics relevant to seniors.
Learn more about the program ➡
Dental Screening
We were all smiles after our most recent dental screening!
All children in our programs got examinations, thanks to our amazing volunteer dentists. They learned about the importance of brushing and how dental hygiene is part of an overall healthy life.
As of today, our partners at the Fones School of Dental Hygiene have seen 299 patients at our dental clinic!
Experiencing the Eclipse
Our STEM team celebrated the eclipse in a BIG way—with help from some amazing partners! Students from the University of Bridgeport visited Hall to teach our youth about how the eclipse happens and how to safely view it.
Then, we took our telescopes to Burlington, VT and Junction, TX to photograph this incredible phenomenon.
My Tiny Temper
Author Chris Fequiere and his son Oliver came to Hall to read “My Tiny Temper,” one of his many books designed to teach young children about their emotions. Thank you for reading to our preschoolers and for giving them each a copy of the book!
We are grateful to our friends at Fairfield University for helping make this special event happen!
Easter Celebrations
We celebrated Easter with egg hunts, fun art activities, parties, and even a special visit from the Easter Bunny!
Thank you for reading our updates this month. We are thankful for you!
by Hall Neighborhood House | Mar 22, 2024 | About Hall, Program Updates
As we age, we face new challenges—mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. Through our holistic senior program at Hall Neighborhood House, we work to meet as many of the needs of the seniors in our program as possible.
In addition to meals, exercise programs, opportunities for connection and fun, and health and dental care, we also provide mental and behavioral health support to our neighbors at our Senior Center through the Better Me program.
The program, which started in 2023 with funding from an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, includes sessions on a variety of topics relevant to seniors, facilitated by Marylin Pratt, an incredible clinician from Southwest Community Health.
Over the past year, Better Me has had a significant impact on our seniors.
HOW IT WORKS
Each Better Me session consists of a short educational presentation on the day’s topic, followed by a group discussion. Through the 20 sessions we’ve had so far, seniors have explored topics that are relevant to the struggles they face—from self-esteem to stress and anxiety and relationships to resilience. Each session provides a safe space for seniors to explore their feelings, share openly, and learn from each other.
After some sessions, including our conversations on love/forgiveness and depression, the seniors decided they wanted to explore the topic further—so we added additional discussions!
In addition, we’ve hosted a variety of care providers as part of the Better Me program. These community partners have shared their knowledge on topics ranging from nutrition to podiatry—and we are so grateful for their collaboration in promoting wellness to our neighbors!
THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES
The impact of Better Me extends far beyond our walls. It empowers our seniors to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace. Through sessions on essential topics like communication, mindfulness, and preventative health, our seniors are equipped with the tools they need to be healthy and fulfilled in every life stage.
The sessions have been extremely popular for our community; so far, each conversation has gathered about 40 people—and our record-high turnout was 52 people! Seniors’ dedicated attendance speaks to the value they see in the program.
NEXT STEPS
After each discussion, our team ensures that seniors receive the care and support they need—whether that’s an individual follow-up session to explore their feelings or a referral to a specialist. In this way, Better Me serves as a first step to continued conversations and care.
BETTER ME: A KEY PART OF HOLISTIC CARE
Our seniors trust Hall to provide the care and resources they need, and we are proud to meet those needs with high-quality programs. Better Me is an important part of supporting overall health, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Our holistic programming surrounds our seniors with the tools and relationships they need to thrive and continue growing as they age. The program is continually expanding in response to their evolving needs, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Visit our Senior Services page to learn more about the program.
by Hall Neighborhood House | Mar 6, 2024 | News
If you’ve been lucky enough to visit Hall, you know the environment our community has created inside our walls is something special. And if you haven’t visited yet, please stop by! We’d love to give you a tour.
Hall is special because our neighbors are special. We’re proud of what we’ve built here on George E. Pipkin’s Way, and we’ve been working hard to expand our work outside our walls over the past few years. This month, I’m so excited to share one of the ways we’re supporting youth throughout the city of Bridgeport.
Keep reading to learn more about one of our latest community programs.
Hall recently opened STEM Centers in Bridgeport Public schools …
We recently opened Alan Wallack STEM Learning Centers (AWSLC) in three Bridgeport schools, with plans to open nine more by the end of March. Hall’s STEM Learning Team is supporting educators in schools so they can inspire the next generation of students to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and math.
These 12 schools represent a collective investment of over $450k in STEM education by incredibly generous individuals who have committed to setting up an AWSLC in every Bridgeport Public School. This community support of STEM for our youth is inspiring!
Hall is in the neighborhood …
Our seniors took a special trip to the casino! We provided transportation so they could enjoy a day of fun and games, playing the slots and taking advantage of all the casino has to offer.
Hall is in partnership with other experts …
Our partners at Southwest Community Health offer our seniors access to the Better Me program, which supports their social and emotional health. They discuss emotions and issues they’re facing in small groups with behavioral health experts.
Southwest also provides weekly behavioral health services to children and teens in our programs. The youth work with licensed professionals to learn coping skills, process difficult experiences, and practice resilience.
Hall is helping make higher ed possible …
There are 25 students in our high school program, nine of whom are seniors. We are very excited to share that all nine have been accepted to college and have received scholarships separate from traditional financial aid! One student has even made her decision and will be attending Wesleyan in the fall. As the remainder of the seniors decide where they want to go before National Decision Day on May 1, we are here to offer advice, resources, and support.
A special thanks to Dave Mahder for volunteering to provide many hours of valuable guidance and inspiration to Hall’s high school students.
Hall is celebrating …
Check out some photos from our Valentine’s Day festivities!
Thank you for being part of our community! Your support enables us to make life better for our neighbors—both here in our building and in schools throughout Bridgeport.
by Hall Neighborhood House | Nov 29, 2023 | About Hall, Leadership Profiles
Dianne Lillicraf, Hall Neighborhood House Health Services Manager
For Dianne Lillicraf, our Health Services Manager, making health and dental care accessible and convenient for our neighbors is the top priority.
“We are right here for them,” she shared.
The Health Center at Hall Neighborhood House provides medical, dental, and behavioral health care to our neighbors. Dianne’s job is to coordinate these programs, schedule appointments, and ensure our neighbors get the very best care. She is the liaison between Hall and the providers.
Health Care
Medical care is provided in partnership with Southwest Community Health Center. Their experienced team of healthcare professionals delivers top-quality care in a warm and welcoming environment onsite at Hall. They are committed to enhancing the health of individuals and families by providing accessible, affordable, and personalized health care.
Medical services at Hall ensure our families have full access to health care for their entire family at a convenient location they already visit every day.
“As a parent, I understand how hard it can be to balance work and life,” Dianne explained. “We wanted to make medical and dental as convenient as possible, especially for our working parents. Getting in to see your primary care physician can be very difficult at the last minute, and, if your child is sick, it’s hard to get an appointment immediately. Here, they can pick their child up, walk right over to the medical center, and have the child examined by a professional.”
Dental Care
Neighbors can access free dental hygiene care, including exams, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, and sealants, provided by Fones School of Dental Hygiene, under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Boyce, DMD, and now our Hall family can receive follow-up care to treat advanced dental issues through Southwest at our state-of-the-art dental clinic. The dental clinic was made possible through the generous support of Impact Fairfield County and Delta Dental.
Southwest dental services began recently and filled an immediate need for advanced dental care. We are excited for them to be able to expand on the dental hygiene that Fones School of Dental Hygiene has provided to over 180 of our Hall family members.
Behavioral Health
Mental health is a critical part of overall health, and Dianne helps coordinate Hall’s behavioral health program through Southwest Community Health Center, which provides mental health support and social work resources to neighbors of all ages.
“Hall is a safe place,” said Dianne. Building trusted relationships with the community allows Southwest to work confidentially with them to make life better through mental health support.
Once a week, for example, all our seniors participate in a weekly “Better Me” clinic, where they learn about and discuss topics like self-esteem, stress, depression, emotions and anxiety, and forgiveness and relationships. Over the past year, this program has grown—and we are thrilled to see more and more seniors taking advantage of it.
Group and individual mental health sessions are also available at Hall.
“Our comprehensive, holistic health program really helps them connect with what they need and when they need it,” said Dianne.
Please visit our Health Center Page for the most up-to-date information on our medical, dental, and behavioral health offerings—including appointment availability.
Our partnerships
Partnerships are an integral part of our strategy to serve our community. We partner with other organizations to uplift Bridgeport and provide our neighbors with the best services possible. When we all work together, we can create a stronger community.
“Seeing the outcome of these services is my favorite part,” said Dianne. “We are helping others, and it is rewarding to see their gratitude and provide something they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”
These services matter to our community because …
They are convenient.
Most of our neighbors visit Hall every day—for senior center activities, after-school programs, or childcare. Now, they have access to even more services right on-site.
“This program really helps them connect with the services they need,” shared Dianne.
This year, for example, one of our senior citizens slipped and fell outside his apartment. When he arrived at the Hall Senior Center later that week, he told our team about the fall … and that he had broken his top denture in half.
We contacted Dr. Peter Ferrara, a local dentist who volunteers in our dental clinic. Dr. Ferrara examined the senior, and within 48 hours, the senior had brand-new upper dentures that fit even better than the originals.
Our clinic enables us to respond quickly to the health-related needs of our neighbors
They are accessible.
Our goal is to provide care to any member of our community who needs it—regardless of their ability to pay. Through our government-funded providers that use sliding scale models and the generosity of our partners and donors, we can assist all of our neighbors and provide them with the best care possible.
They are empowering.
Our neighbors trust us to provide the high-quality services and care they deserve. They know that the providers we connect them to have their best interests at heart. When neighbors have these consistent relationships with their providers, they feel more empowered to make health-related decisions.
Educating our community with programs on good health choices and providing services where they can access them easily will help make a stronger and healthier community.
Our vision for the future
As Hall grows, we have big plans to continue expanding health services. We look forward to new partnerships that will allow us to provide more clinics and services like occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hearing and vision screenings.
Our clinic—and the medical, dental, and behavioral health services it provides—is just one part of the holistic care we offer our neighbors. We are proud to unite community organizations and partners to make life better here on the East Side of Bridgeport.
“It’s a great place to work and be part of the community,” said Dianne.
by Hall Neighborhood House | Nov 22, 2023 | About Hall, News
Mental health is a critical part of our well-being as humans. Here at Hall Neighborhood House, we work to provide our neighbors with holistic behavioral health support that meets their needs throughout their lives.
This year, we’ve partnered with Southwest Community Health to provide comprehensive counseling to the seniors in our program!
How did we get here?
Our job, at its core, is to provide services that make our neighbors’ lives better. Throughout our 135-year history, our programs have taken many forms—but our goal to make life better has always been at the core of our work. Affordable preschool and childcare, meals for seniors, youth after-school programs, and resources for families are just a few of our impactful programs.
When we see a need in our community, we try our hardest to meet it. In 2021, that meant opening our medical clinic to provide critical and comprehensive healthcare. On November 9, we celebrated the next chapter of our on-site health center with our Grand Welcoming Celebration with Southwest Community Health! We’re thrilled to offer participants in our programs checkups, vaccines, physicals, and preventative care.
We also realized we could do even more together and began exploring what a mental health program tailored to our seniors could look like.
Senior mental health
The CDC reports that depression is the most prevalent mental health condition among older adults. It can increase with age, but it is not a normal part of aging. The CDC estimates that 80% of depression cases in older adults can be treated.
Depressive disorders can be difficult to recognize and treat in seniors because of the misconception that certain symptoms of depression are a normal part of aging and not a cause for concern. Seniors themselves may not know they can seek treatment and feel better.
At Hall, our strong relationships with the seniors in our program (many of whom we see multiple times a week) mean that we are primed to notice extended periods of sadness or symptoms of depression.
Mental health support at Hall
Through our partnership with Southwest Community Health, we’re providing group and individual counseling to our seniors, connecting them with trusted providers.
In counseling, seniors can talk through what they’re experiencing, get advice from knowledgeable providers, and be referred to more specialized care if needed. Group counseling allows them to problem-solve with their peers and understand that they are not alone in what they are feeling.
We’re also hosting low-pressure conversations to help break down the stigma around getting help and talking about feelings.
For as long as our senior center has existed, seniors have been able to find connections and relationships that improve their quality of life. Now, they can find the care they need to support their physical and mental health as they age. Their presence strengthens our community, and we’re proud to connect them with the resources they need to live their healthiest lives.
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