Updates as of August 4, 2020:
Free Center has spent the past two years learning from their neighbors and organizational partners, coordinating the space for community events, launching their own initiatives, and refining their mission and vision. This summer, they opened a second location in Middletown.
Their mission is to provide access to space, information, and quality programs for the community. They stand at the intersection of art, culture, and organizing, and act as a vehicle for elevating the intentions and actions of residents. Through community-led and community-oriented gatherings, events, and workshops, they envision growth and a sense of deep belonging for our neighbors that grows out of meaningful engagement in community. They imagine an ever-growing pride in the resilient and diverse cultures that define this city we all love.
- Community events, organized by community members
- Bring It Home series
- Hartford Community Podcast Lab
- Fired Up! Stand Against Racism campaign
- CulturVision
- OPENwALL
Learn more at www.freecenter.us
November 28, 2018
Today, CO:LAB officially announced our move into the former Goodwin Branch of the Hartford Public Library. This branch, along with two others, closed last year. Hartford Public Library thought carefully about who they would lease their building to, and we are excited to be given the opportunity to reactivate this community space. Here is a summary of our service plan:
The Model:
- We will act as the anchor organization of the building, keeping the building open and running; but we will not utilize the entire space for ourselves. Instead, we will be housed on one side of the building (about 1/3 of the space), leaving the rest open for community use.
- The goal of the space is for the rooms to be dynamic and flexible in use: for programming, meetings, and events. Community members, groups, and organizations will be able to utilize the space for free.
We are delighted to offer this space to organizations and community members on the verge of creating tremendous impact—to those visionaries at the forefront of something great. We will post more information soon, as we transition into the building. Welcome to FREE CENTER.
The CO:LAB team stands in front of logo for the new community space.
From left to right: Karolina Kwiecinska (Southwest/Behind the Rocks NRZ), David Barrett (HPL Board Vice Chair), Rich Hollant (CO:LAB), Jimmy Sanchez (City Council), Bridget Quinn-Carey (HPL CEO), Kathy Evans (Southwest/Behind the Rocks NRZ)
