New North Hartford Ascend Logo

The North Hartford Ascend is a cradle-to-career effort 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.

Connecticut Children’s received a five-year, $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Program to support the initiative, which officially launched in January 2022. Connecticut Children’s is now leading an impressive cross-sector team of early childhood experts, community leaders, community-based organizations, and residents to identify community priorities and enhance the academic, health and life outcomes of North Hartford residents.

Read our most recent blog to learn more about our rebrand!

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The North Hartford Ascend holds monthly Community Conversations to ensure residents and community members are able to provide input about community needs and help shape the direction of this important initiative. 

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Join the North Hartford Ascend community and make a difference! Participate in our workshops, canvassing efforts, and community conversations to learn more and get involved!

About Ascend

Announcement of Promise Neighborhoods Grant

Harlem Children's Zone Founder Inspires Ascend Work

The Goal of Ascend

Ascend is partnering with the community to build an integrated and coordinated pipeline of services and supports that will help children and families reach their full potential. Ascend will:

  • improve developmental outcomes so children are healthier in their earliest years and are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten;
  • enhance academic outcomes by increasing standardized test scores and graduation rates while reducing absenteeism; and
  • strengthen long-term well-being and quality of life so children can successfully transition to college or a career.
     

Desired Outcomes

The U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Program seeks the following outcomes for students:

  • Enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school
  • Proficiency in Math and English Language Arts
  • Successfully transition from middle to high school
  • Graduate from high school
  • Obtain post-secondary degrees, certifications or credentials
  • Are supported by families and communities in their learning
  • Are healthy
  • Feel safe at school and in the community
  • Live in stable communities
  • Have access to 21st century learning tools

As a trusted partner of the North Hartford Ascend, you have access to our exclusive content hub. View and download Ascend resources on-demand, including marketing and communications guidance and templates; governance work group and team meeting schedules, guidelines and member contact information; finance documents and procedures; position marketing and onboarding guidance; and much more.

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The North Hartford Ascend is making headlines for its work transforming outcomes for residents living in the North Hartford Promise Zone.