This article and video by Jayne Chacko appeared on NBC CT.
Hundreds came out for a trunk-or-treat and walked away with not only candy, but warm clothes for winter.
More than 1,000 families signed up for the event, hosted by social service agency The Village of Children and Families at its center on Church Street.
“This is just a nice way to get people here in a safe location where they’re able to also learn about the agency and learn about wellness and health,” Sandy Kyriakopoulos, The Village for Families and Children vice president of child welfare, said.
The Village provides a variety of support services, such as behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford area.
Staff said the need for help is growing. From 2023 to 2024, the agency helped 1,788 more clients.
“I think this year has been a tougher year,” Kyriakopoulos said. “There’s a lot going on for folks throughout the city. And I think people just need a way to find their balance again.”
Juan Flecha, a father of four, is part of the Village’s Fatherhood Engagement Services program. He said it taught him to be a better dad and now he helps others do the same.
“I didn’t have a father, there’s a lot of fathers out there that you know are lost,” he said. “Maybe they think that only giving a check is just being a father. No, you got to be present. Being a present father, that’s the main goal.”
Local businesses and community members donated about 600 coats, hats and gloves to be distributed for free.
“It may feel like something small, but for a lot of our families, this is one of the major barriers they have. Kids grow fast,” Kyriakopoulos said. “It’s one less thing that they need to worry about this winter”
