The Forum Community Institute (FCI)

Involvement in the community is the essence of The CT Forum’s mission:
to use dialogue to build relationships among all people and organizations in the Greater Hartford area and beyond.

At the core of FCI’s approach – PEOPLE Connect – is the belief that relationships are the foundation of a vibrant, healthy community.

By engaging in facilitated conversations, individuals, organizations, and companies can create and enhance relationships. Through these relationships, youth and adults can understand geographical divides, challenge assumptions and stereotypes, and gain insight into community concerns. Whether addressing local concerns or exploring the effects of national and global trends within our community, PEOPLE Connect creates diverse opportunities for the kind of open, meaningful, and productive exchange of ideas that build community.

Our Services and Products

• Community Leadership Technical Assistance
• Facilitated Convening
• Partnership Planning and Facilitation
• Results-based Action Planning
• Positive Approaches to Youth Development
• Community Conversation Resource Kits
• High-profile Event Planning
• Panel Moderation

A Sample of PEOPLE Connect Opportunities

• “Teens Speak Out,” a live CPTV Broadcast
• Our Piece of the Pie (OPP)
• A Community Conversation Resource Kit on “Cruelty and Violence”
• A library series on “What is the American Family?”
• On “Being Black,” conversations at universities and community organizations
• A Conversation (and Drumming Circle!) on “The Power of Music”
• A Business Roundtable for the Casey Foundation’s Making Connections Community Building Initiative
• “Children in the News: What Makes a Great Story?” A Media Roundtable and Resource Guide in Partnership with the CT
• Commission on Children

Ticket Outreach Program...1,000 Forum tickets are given to high school students and community members each year, enabling them to experience and participate in high-profile Forums. Currently this program is fully funded by St. Paul Travelers.

Holiday Party for Hartford children...As part of the YOUTH Forum's community service, 260 elementary school children, who otherwise might not have a holiday celebration, are treated to lunch, entertainment and activities, receiving great gifts each year.

The Connecticut Forum has been a founding partner in ...

The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame...The mission of the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame is to honor and give formal public recognition to Connecticut women, past and present, who have broken new ground or have emerged as leaders in their fields of endeavor. Visit their website at www.cwhf.org.

Our Piece of the Pie...OPP is a youth business incubator currently running 12 youth businesses including Junior Art Makers, RiverWrights Boat Builders and Crunch Time recording studio. OPP offers pre-employment training and professional work experience for high school youth in Hartford.

For more information about FCI, please contact Trish Moylan Torruella.