Trinfo 2.0
Trinfo—formerly known as Trinfo.Café—reopened at the start of the fall 2025 semester as it celebrated 25 years on campus and a renewed focus on serving the community.
Liliana Polley IDP’21, M’23, executive director of Trinity’s Center for Hartford Engagement and Research—which counts Trinfo among its core programs—said that while Trinfo’s priorities have been adjusted over the years, its mission remains the same.
“While Trinfo will continue to honor its historic role in bridging the digital divide, this new phase will emphasize resources provided by Trinity College, the city, and the state to increase accessibility to educational opportunities and social services,” Polley said. “The community garden and VITA Tax Clinic are excellent examples of mutually beneficial relationships. It’s about building trust and collaboration while addressing real needs.”
Polley said that Trinity made a significant investment in maintenance and repairs to the building, which was closed during the 2024–25 academic year. The building boasts new flooring, new bathrooms, a new accessible sidewalk, and updated HVAC and fire systems. Trinfo also debuted new signage and a new logo. “We wanted to make the space inviting and welcoming,” she said, “and it needed a fresh face.”
Trinfo.Café was founded in 1999—when internet cafés were popular worldwide—to broaden access to the internet and tech services for Trinity’s neighbors. “Today, many more residents have a cell phone in their hand, and the community’s priorities have changed,” Polley said.
After noting a decline in the building’s usage when it reopened to the public after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Polley and her team embarked on a plan to reenvision Trinfo, on the northeast corner of campus, based on community feedback.
“The biggest change is an increased focus on college access and career-readiness resources for Hartford high school students,” she said. Trinfo will offer FAFSA workshops, essay-writing assistance from students in Trinity’s Writing Center, and regular on-site office hours with staff from Trinity’s Admissions Office and Career and Life Design Center.
“Trinity has these resources, and it’s important that we share them with the community,” Polley said. “And this is not just for students; we will offer writing resources and career services to Hartford residents as we expand our community and our partnerships. Trinity is invested in the success of its neighbors and is committed to creating a welcoming space for everyone in the city.”
Above: New signage goes up at Trinfo, which reopened in fall 2025 after being closed for maintenance and repairs.
Photo by Nick Caito.
