Since its founding in 1957, The San Juan Center has stood as a cornerstone of hope, resilience, and progress for Hartford’s Latino community. As the oldest Latino-led Puerto Rican nonprofit in Connecticut, the Center’s mission has been unwavering: to meet the evolving needs of residents through flexible, innovative programs.
Today, their services are more vital than ever. From affordable housing to workforce development and civic engagement, The San Juan Center takes a holistic approach to community wellbeing. The organization currently manages more than 110 affordable housing units—including senior living centers and transitional housing for those facing homelessness. They also provide job training, computer skills workshops, and even a thrift store that supports those recovering from crises like fires or incarceration.
One of their most ambitious projects is their homeownership initiative in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood—an area with some of the nation’s highest poverty rates. This initiative transforms historical homes into owner-occupied residences, fostering economic stability through homeownership and rental income.
Their civic engagement work also stands out. Through partnerships with Univision and UConn, they run educational programs to boost voter turnout, supported by rigorous data collection and community outreach.
While their partnership with North Hartford Ascend comes with challenges—especially given the limited funding—it also offers opportunities for deeper collaboration. “We’ve learned that collaboration isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential,” says Executive Director Fernando Betancourt.
The San Juan Center’s advice for the future? Invest in services with proven impact and foster partnerships that strengthen the community fabric. As Betancourt says, “Participate. Engage. We can’t wait for the community to come to us—we must go to them.
