The Village has named Rabbi Donna Berman and Richard Sugarman as its 2024 Champions for Children in honor of their visionary leadership in service to youth in Greater Hartford.
Each year The Village honors individuals who are leaders in the community and who are making a significant difference in the lives of children.
Donna Berman has been the executive director of the Charter Oak Cultural Center, a non-profit organization that’s committed to doing the work of social justice through the arts, for the past 23 years. Under Donna’s leadership, Charter Oak provides professional multi-cultural arts performances and exhibits; free, high-quality arts education to over 1,000 students annually; and educational and employment opportunities to the homeless community in Hartford.
Richard Sugarman is the founding president of Hartford Promise, a large-scale college scholarship fund and success program that provides its Promise Scholars, who have all attended Hartford Public Schools, with $20,000 scholarships toward their college journey. In nine years, Hartford Promise has distributed $9 million in scholarships to 1,100 students attending 90 different colleges across the country, while also providing them with constant engagement, resources, and encouragement throughout their time in college. As a result, Hartford Promise is transforming the lives of hundreds of local students and fostering a talented and diverse workforce in Hartford.
“The Village is grateful for Donna and Richard’s leadership and commitment to transforming lives,” said Village President & CEO Hector Glynn. “We have greater impact when we work together so The Village will continue to strengthen its partnerships with the organizations that Donna and Richard represent.”
Berman and Sugarman were honored for their profound generosity and commitment to supporting Greater Hartford youth at The Village’s Annual Champions for Children Celebration on Thursday, May 16.
The event was hosted by Caitlin Burchill, NBC Connecticut Responds’ Consumer Reporter who is also a Village ambassador, and featured an inspiring story from Village Director of Nursing Tatiana Rodriguez, who shared her firsthand experience working in The Village’s new youth Urgent Crisis Center. It also included special recognition of new Village ambassadors and the Village auxiliaries, who have raised more $7 million to support The Village over 60 years.
