Trinity College defines community engagement as collaboration between the College and its broader community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. Community engagement aims to generate positive impact by enriching research and creative endeavors; enhancing teaching and learning; and addressing critical societal issues (adapted from the Carnegie Foundation, 2011). See Trinity College’s full definition of community engagement here.
Community Learning fosters academic connections with Hartford partners to deepen experiential learning through mutually beneficial collaboration. Community Learning programs include the Community Action first-year gateway and Community Learning Research Fellows. Contact Director of Community Learning [email protected].
Community Service and Civic Engagement fosters leadership by engaging students in building and maintaining sustainable community partnerships in Hartford, as well as educating and involving them in a range of broader social issues. Contact Director of Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement [email protected].
The HMTCA-Trinity Partnership connects the College with Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy (HMTCA), a grade 6-12 interdistrict magnet school with city and suburban students and an early college program. Contact Executive Director, Center for Hartford Engagement and Research, CHER [email protected].
The Liberal Arts Action Lab engages research teams of students and faculty from CT State Community College Capital and Trinity College to investigate questions posed by Hartford partners and propose solutions. Contact Coordinator of the Liberal Arts Action Lab [email protected]
Trinfo is a neighborhood gathering space, computer lab, and community garden. Trinfo provides computer literacy training for Hartford youth, adults, small businesses, and non-profits. Trinfo also hosts a VITA tax clinic each year. Contact the Program Manager at Trinfor.Cafe [email protected].
Find our Faculty Resource Guide for First Year Seminar courses, and explore activities and places in Hartford. View opportunities here.
From community-engaged courses and participatory research, to service projects, CHER has varied opportunities for student involvement. View opportunities here.
Faculty and staff can get involved with designing community learning courses, advising participatory research projects, and engaging in volunteering in Hartford. Learn more.
CHER works with Hartford community partners through students on volunteer projects, research, events, and more. Learn more.
The VITA tax clinic at Trinfo provides free tax preparation services to the community. The clinic is one of several VITA locations in Hartford run by the United Way of Northeastern CT and The Village for Families & Children. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org from mid-January through mid-April for an appointment at the VITA clinic at Trinfo or another nearby VITA site. Learn more.
CHER maintains a volunteer opportunities database to help match Trinity volunteers with Hartford community partners. We will review, edit, and publicize postings, but we cannot guarantee that every opportunity will find a volunteer match. View current volunteer postings.
View the CHER
research archive of past student projects in the Liberal Arts Action Lab, Community Action Gateway, and Community Learning Research Fellows.
