What Is North Hartford Ascend?

North Hartford Ascend is a prenatal-to-career initiative to ensure children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – have the support they need to reach their full potential. Whether it’s school help, health services, job training, or parenting support, Ascend connects residents to what they need to thrive.

  • This data story highlights the work of 75 community programs across the North Hartford Promise Zone—providing services and resources to children, families, and youth. It helps us: Understand who is being served.
  • Identify where more support is needed.
  • Improve how we work together as a community.

Here’s what we accomplished together during 2024.

Who Was Reached?

  • Programs reported more than 2,400 new individual and 314 new family enrollments in 2024.This includes some individuals and families who enrolled in more than one program in 2024.
  • More than 2,400 community members and 314 families from Clay Arsenal, Northeast and Upper Albany Neighborhoods have newly enrolled in programs.
  • In 2024, Ascend services and programs continued to serve over 11,000 residents (including individuals enrolled in more than one program).
    • Of those served, 48 programs offered through Harford Public Schools supported over students at S.A.N.D., Wish, Milner, MLK, and Weaver schools.

What Supports Were Provided?

  • 75 programs offered a range of services, including:
    • Schoolwork and tutoring
    • Finding a job or summer work
    • Childcare
    • Parenting support
    • Housing help
    • Health resources and neighborhood events
    • Referrals
  • Nearly 10,000 referrals were made to other programs, including Ascend and non-Ascend programs.
  • 17 agencies shared information and data about their programs and service reach, including:
    • Capital Workforce Partners
    • City of Hartford
      Connecticut
    • Children’s
    • Hartford Promise
    • Hartford Public Schools
    • Our Piece of the Pie
    • The Village for Children & Families
    • United Way of Central & Northeastern CT
    • United Way of CT
    • Wheeler Clinic

What Changed?

  • 71% of participants who enrolled in a program completed it, demonstrating strong engagement and ongoing connection to the resources and services provided to families. Over 2,000 additional individuals participated in community fairs, school events, and after-school activities, reflecting strong community involvement and interest in local programming.