As we wrap up September, we’re excited to share some of the wonderful things happening at Hall Neighborhood House. This month, we celebrated National Literacy Month, a time that highlights one of our core commitments—empowering young learners with the foundational skills they need for lifelong success. From our preschool classrooms to afterschool programs, we foster a love for reading and learning in the children we serve.
Looking ahead, we have so much planned this fall, including our annual Trunk or Treat event, ongoing construction projects, and the addition of a new team member, Nicholas Sentementes, as our Development Director. We’re also excited to welcome several new board members–keep an eye out for their introductions soon!
Thank you for being a valued part of our community. We’d love to show you around! Please join us Thursday, November 7, from 8 – 10 a.m. at Friends of Hall: Appreciation Breakfast for a behind-the-scenes tour. All are welcome!
September was National Literacy Month
At Hall Neighborhood House, we understand that literacy is the foundation for all learning and a key to lifelong success. That’s why we are proud to offer programs that help children develop a love for reading at an early age.
Our childcare curriculum teaches foundational reading skills and encourages critical thinking, creativity, and emotional development. In our afterschool program, students receive literacy support through tutoring, homework help, and activities that promote language development. We prioritize literacy in all our Early Learning classrooms with daily story time, author signings, and an annual book fair.
Our reading sessions engage children, ensuring that literacy remains a key focus across all stages of their development. And at the end of the day, we encourage families to continue their children’s learning by choosing a book from Hall’s Free Little Library located outside for all to enjoy.
By empowering young learners today, we are creating a brighter future for them tomorrow!
Trunk or Treat is Coming Soon!
Our annual Trunk or Treat is back for another fun and safe Halloween on Friday, October 25, from 5 – 6:30 p.m.! But we need your help. Here’s how you can make this year’s Trunk or Treat the best yet for the families of Hall Neighborhood House:
- Donate unopened bags of candy at Hall Neighborhood House: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Volunteer at the event and distribute candy from the trunk of your car or a table–and extra points if you decorate your trunk or wear a costume! As families move through the parking lot, you’ll hand out sweet treats.
- Make a donation to fund the celebration here.
To sign up to volunteer or schedule a time to drop off candy, please contact Cheryl Delaney at cdelaney@hnhonline.org.
Welcome, Nicholas Sentementes!
Please join us in welcoming Nicholas Sentementes to our staff, where he will be serving as our new Development Director.
Nick comes to Hall Neighborhood House with over 25 years of experience in the commercial banking industry, where he excelled in business development and client relations. He has held leadership roles across commercial lending and equipment financing, including key positions at GE Capital, Citibank, People’s United Bank, and KeyBank Equipment Finance.
Active in his community, Nick currently serves on the Board of Finance for the Town of Monroe, where he resides with his family. He is also a proud alumnus of the University of Connecticut, where he earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and MBA in Finance, and he remains engaged with the School of Business and the Fairfield County Alumni Chapter.
Beyond his professional life, Nick is an avid basketball fan, especially college basketball. His favorite team is the UCONN Huskies. He is also a certified youth basketball referee and referees games throughout Fairfield County.
Nick’s commitment to community and his wealth of experience make him a wonderful fit for Hall Neighborhood House, and we are thrilled to have him join our leadership team.
Save the date! We invite you to meet Nick in person on Thursday, November 7 from 8 – 10 a.m. at Friends of Hall: Appreciation Breakfast.
Construction Updates
We have several exciting construction updates as we continue to renovate and improve Hall Neighborhood House to best serve our community.
- We completed work on the Senior Behavioral Health Office. This office gives our senior patients a private space to speak with therapists one-on-one. Thank you to Southwestern CT Agency on Aging & Independent Living for providing financial assistance and making this project possible!
- We broke ground on the playground expansion, which will create additional play areas and allow more classrooms to be outside at the same time.
- We built a new sidewalk and handicap ramp for easier and safer access to the building.
- We installed additional security cameras inside and outside of the building to keep Hall Neighborhood House a safe and secure place for our neighbors.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make exciting progress!