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In 1998, three volunteers from suburban churches began praying and planning toward the launch of Noah’s Sidewalk Sonday School (NSSS), a ministry designed to share the gospel of Christ with un-churched children in the north end of Hartford. This weekly outdoor outreach ministry quickly grew and so did the children, so a youth ministry called “tL” was begun in the fall of 2001 to help reach and disciple teens, many of whom had grown up going to NSSS. In April of 2008, “tL” transformed into a partnership between Hartford City Mission and Young Life called “Hartford Young Life.” During these same years, HCM transitioned from NSSS to doing after school-tutoring programs. HCM now has many ministries focused on children, such as, “Noah After School” (at two sites) and “The Bridge” both after school programs, and “Camp Noah” a half-day camp held during the summers. In all they do, HCM hopes to raise-up and utilize leaders from within the north end community.

After years of praying for a building of some sort to serve as HCM’s base of ministry in the north end, late in 2004 a two-family home located at 280-282 Vine Street, the heart of the north end, was donated to HCM. After an amazing two-year renovation project made possible by over 200 different volunteer leaders, craftsmen, tradesmen, and other laborers, the distressed property was renovated into a beautiful and functional home for HCM’s ministries. This home was given a name, “The Vine”. HCM finally had a real presence in the community, no longer limited to weekly visiting missionaries from the suburbs. Utilizing “The Vine” as its base, Hartford City Mission is able to live out their mission to:

• SHARE the Good News. . . of Christ and His Kingdom, glorifying Him in words and actions.  HCM currently partners with other north end ministries to provide assistance for physical needs including food, shelter, education, job assistance, and economic and housing development activities.

• DEVELOP Disciples. . . fully devoted followers of Christ who are growing more into His likeness.

• PROVIDE Opportunities. . . for Christians from a variety of geographic, economic, or racial backgrounds to serve in relevant, life-changing urban ministries, thus experiencing Christ in a unique manner, and in turn becoming more fully devoted followers of Him.

• TRANSFORM Communities. . . we want God’s will as it’s done in heaven to be done down here in Hartford.  So as Christ finds new homes in more and more hearts of Hartford residents we will work to expand the impact of HCM as an agent of justice and peace in our community, striving for: reductions in crime; improvements in education; less poverty; more jobs; fewer boarded up buildings; and more block parties.  The goal of the prophet Nehemiah was to rebuild & revive the whole city of Jerusalem – our vision is no less for Hartford.

To learn more about Hartford City Mission click here.