The Open Hearth's First Annual Overcomer Breakfast Attracts 300 Guests on April 19 to Hear Sportscaster Pat Summerall
Pat Summerall, Hall of Fame sportscaster and kicker for the New York Giants championship teams of the '50s and '60s, was the featured speaker for The Open Hearth's First Annual Overcomer Breakfast. The community event was held on April 19, in the Ballroom of the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Presenting sponsor was Citizens Bank.
Over 300 guests were
treated to Marriott's
All-American hearty
breakfast and a brief
presentation on The
Open Hearth's efforts for 125 years to transform the
lives of men recovering from poverty, homelessness, addiction and incarceration. Mr. Summerall spoke
about his career as a professional athlete and as the signature voice of sports broadcasting in America.
He also became transparent about a dark season of
life addicted to alcohol, leading to a life-saving liver transplant and transformation as an individual.
Presented by:
CT Works' Career Express Serves Residents
The Career Express mobile van, operated by Connecticut
Department of Labor, serves the men of The Open Hearth
by making its services available on site every eight weeks.
The colorful vehicle (shown at right), parks conveniently in
front of our facility on Charter Oak Avenue for three hours
at a time and residents are able to board to receive help
with resumes, job searches and completing applications
online. The comfortable interior is equipped with an instructional plasma monitor, individual work stations and knowledgeable staff.
For more information on Career Express, visit www.ct.gov/dol.
The audience was moved to laughter about Pat's call from Mike Ditka while at the Betty Ford Clinic, his proudest "athletic achievement" and his memory of the late Reggie White of the NFL. We were also challenged by Pat's handling of his ailing health through his newfound Christian faith. The event was emceed by Lauren Petty of NBC30 and chaired by Reid Fraser, Vice President, NewAlliance Bank. We extend our appreciation to sponsors, ticket buyers, program advertisers, media partners and committee members for assuring a successful event.
Please email us if you want to be contacted for tickets to our 2008 Overcomer Breakfast, or click here to order a professionally-produced CD of Pat Summerall's message at the 2007 Overcomer Breakfast with a gift of any size to The Open Hearth (indicate 'Overcomer CD' in the memo box).
Click here to view more color pictures from the Overcomer Breakfast with Pat Summerall
Gideons Place Bibles at The Open Hearth
The Gideons International of Connecticut, the organization that places Bibles in area hotels and motels, hospitals, nursing homes and shelters, brought a group of Gideons to The Open Hearth on May 2. The group, comprised of members from New York, Maine and Connecticut, placed complete hardcover Bibles by 84 beds in our Transitional Living Program at no cost to The Open Hearth. Michael Kornegay (far right), associate counselor of The Open Hearth, is pictured with the Gideons who visited in May.
Project Horizon Nurses Teach CPR, First Aid to Staff of The Open Hearth in May
Nurses from Project Horizon of the University of Hartford's Bachelor of Science Nursing program taught CPR and first aid classes to staff of The Open Hearth on May 2-3. Staff that have direct contact with shelter guests and residents are equipped to handle multiple emergency situations.
University of Hartford BSN Program
Muhammad Ansari (foreground) and Ahmed Jilu, employees of The Open Hearth, receive CPR training on May 2, in the agency's chapel.
Guests Hear Agency Overview at Annual Meeting on May 23
Eighty donors, partners, trustees, staff and guests enjoyed lunch and the Annual Meeting of The Open Hearth on May 23, at The Lyceum in downtown Hartford.
The event included an agency overview by President Steve Norris and Executive Director Ron Torok. Award presentations were made to staff, trustees and service partners, including Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and University of Hartford Project Horizon nurses. Michael, current resident, and Fred, graduate of The Open Hearth, shared how the agency is helping to transform their lives.
Ron Torok, who is retiring from the agency later in 2007, was honored with City of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez's "Rising Star Award" by Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson for his nearly 40 years of service to the Hartford community.
Special Gathering on July 10 Celebrates Computer Resource Center's Opening
Forty guests attended a special gathering on July 10, to mark the grand opening of The Open Hearth's new Computer Resource Center. Executive Director Ron Torok explained how educational initiatives are integral to the agency's efforts to transform men's lives. Phil Davis, Employment Counselor, gave an overview of the Center's mission, purpose and various class offerings. Joy Chance, Director of Employment, Education and Training, presented a plaque to Sheila Flanagan and Mina Beaulieu (shown at left) of the SBM Charitable Foundation, whose financial grant equipped the Center. The Center aims to train hundreds of men annually in an array of software titles and self-improvement courses. We're grateful to SBM Charitable Foundation for its support of this important initiative!
The Open Hearth Holds Memorial Service
to Honor Dr. Al Alissi, Long-time Trustee
More than 50 guests attended a memorial service on
October 18, to honor the late Dr. Albert S. Alissi, who
served as trustee of The Open Hearth for three decades
up to his passing in August. Trustees, staff, residents,
family and friends shared how Al impacted them and the
agency's efforts to help formerly homeless men rebuild
their lives. One former resident, Robert, spoke of how
Al always encouraged him to keep moving ahead with recovery and connecting with family.
In Dr. Alissi's honor, trustees purchased a memorial boulder with bronze plaque (shown above with family and staff) acknowledging his many years of service that will grace the courtyard at The Open Hearth. We are grateful to have benefited from Al's leadership and commitment.
Chinese Government Officials Visit The
Open Hearth to Observe Service to Needy
Three men who serve as government officials in the
Sifang and Shandong provinces in the People's Republic
of China came to Hartford in early October to learn about
efforts to meet the needs of people affected by poverty.
The group, comprised of Gao Fang, Xiu Chunqing and
Zhang Jun and headed by Naimah Shabazz of the City of
Hartford's Office of the Mayor, interacted with agency staff about our processes and successes, and toured the facility. The group is shown with Gerald Roberson (second from left) and Ron Torok (third from right) of The Open Hearth.
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Annual West Hartford Concert in November Benefits Area Homeless
Shelter Providers
The Universalist Unitarian Church in West Hartford held its annual "Heaven's Bells" concert to benefit two area homeless shelter providers, My Sisters' Place and The Open Hearth. The concert featured choral selections, instrumental music and poetry by an array of local talent. Michael Woolworth of The Open Hearth expressed his appreciation to the audience for its generous monetary donations to the two Hartford-based providers.
82-year-old Trustee Honored as "Local Hero" by Bank of America on November 7
David LaBau (standing, far right), retired trustee of The Open Hearth, was honored by Bank of America president Susan Rottner (standing, second from left) at its Neighborhood Excellence Awards event at The Bushnell in Hartford on Nov. 7. Over 200 guests applauded five "Local Heroes," including LaBau, who was recognized for his efforts to launch our agency's program that aids formerly homeless men in becoming homeowners.
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NY Giants’
Super Bowl XLII Star David Tyree Guest Speaker at
The Open Hearth’s Second
Annual Overcomer Breakfast on
April 10, 2008
Pro player selected after initial speaker Art Linkletter suffers
stroke
David Tyree
reached stardom status after making a one-handed clutch catch on top
of his helmet in the final drive of this year’s NFL Super Bowl XLII
leading to a game-winning touchdown for the New York Giants over the
New England Patriots.
Tyree will be the guest speaker at The Open Hearth’s Second Annual
Overcomer Breakfast on Thursday, April 10.The community event, a fundraiser for the 124-year-old
Hartford-based human services organization, will be held
7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the
Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Boulevard.
Tyree was
selected to speak after the organization’s initially scheduled
speaker, legendary TV and radio personality Art Linkletter, suffered
a mild stroke in early March and was advised by doctors to cancel
his engagement.The
95-year-old Linkletter is reportedly doing well at his
Los Angeles home, but
doctors encouraged him to focus on recovery for now.
Tickets for the
Second Annual Overcomer Breakfast are $100 each and sponsorships for
tables of ten are available for $1,000.A portion of each ticket is tax deductible.This is the annual signature event for The Open Hearth, a
nonprofit provider of shelter and recovery counseling for men in
Greater Hartford since 1884, and the oldest continuously operating
facility of its kind on the East Coast.The organization, located at
437 Sheldon Street
in
Hartford, annually serves 600 men in recovery
from homelessness, addiction and incarceration through its shelter,
transitional living and homeowner-ship programs.It operates an 84-year-old firewood business that serves
thousands of customers every year.Hall of Fame sportscaster and former NFL player, Pat
Summerall, was guest speaker at the first Overcomer Breakfast in
2007.
For more information on The Open Hearth or to
order tickets for the Second Annual Overcomer Breakfast, please call
the Development Office at The Open Hearth at (860) 525-3447, or
visit www.theopenhearth.org.
DAVID TYREE
Tyree was a
sixth-round draft choice by the Giants in 2003, after having a
standout career at
SyracuseUniversity.The 28-year-old is considered one of
the NFL’s finest special teams players and was selected to the Pro
Bowl after the 2005 season.Tyree caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Eli Manning
in the Super Bowl before making “the famous head catch” in the final
drive that lead to the Giants 17-14 win over the Patriots.
Drug and alcohol addictions nearly cost Tyree his professional
football career.His
Christian mother, who died this past December, urged him to get
his life in order and he embraced the Christian faith and
overcame his destructive addictions.Off the field, Tyree volunteers with a number of
charities, including Special Olympics and the D.A.R.E. anti-drug
school program.He
resides in
New Jersey with his wife, Leilah, and two
young sons.
