I’m so glad you’ve made it here! I’m sure it hasn’t been easy, but you’re here and I’m proud of you. Welcome to Hartford–your home for the next four years– a city brimming with unique restaurants, beautiful green space, and caring people. I think you’ll like it here.

I’m writing to you on the morning of Sunday, April 24th from Pope Park. It is just warm enough to sit outside in a jacket comfortably (perfect sweater weather!) and I am sitting on a bench, next to my friend Reese, who is drawing in her journal. Spring has sprung here, and dandelions dot the bright green grass. Birds chirp sing-songily from old dark oak trees, which are just beginning to bud. 

Our bench overlooks a kids baseball game. Some families sit on the bleachers, but most have brought their own foldable chairs. They are sitting close to each other, hollering for their beloveds, snuggled up in sweatshirts and a blanket or two. Behind the bleachers, a young child in a red hat is practicing his hitting. He swings confidently, though he misses most. Soon enough, he is pitching to his father, who is standing just a few feet in front of him. 

Across the field I see kids playing with bubbles, running around trying to pop them. They swarm the patient adult, who dips down into a soapy bottle and extends her arm into the wind, making bubble after bubble. The children dip their hands down to the ground, trying to pop a bubble before the grass does. 

To my left is a small pond, eddies moving quickly across the water. One duck floats peacefully in the direction of the wind. Along the shoreline, where the green grass meets the water, are newly blossomed ferns, their light green leaves still changing and growing and becoming. 

When I finish writing this letter, and Reese finishes drawing the trees, we will walk along the pond, up the green hills, and through the narrow, winding roads back up to Summit Street. We will pass small restaurants and businesses, which will come alive with friends and neighbors and families in the evening. 

I’m excited for us to fall in love with Hartford and all of the depth and beauty that our new home has to offer.

Your friend,

Anna

Given that you have enrolled in the Community Action Gateway, I imagine that you are interested in social justice. This is great! Hartford has plenty of options to get involved, whether it be through policy change or direct action. Even before you get fully settled in the city, start looking around social media and following organizations and activists.

Of course, not everyone is comfortable going to protests, for a variety of reasons. You don’t necessarily need to be out on the streets every weekend. I tell you this just so that I may hopefully convince you of how important it is to just get out into Hartford and talk to people. This is your city now, too. I hope that you will come to love it.

Feel free to reach out to me, I'm happy to help with anything you need.
IG: jobourbeau
Phone #: 978-500-6376

-Jules

I might be a little biased, but I think that CACT-101 is where you’re going to meet and befriend some of the coolest people on campus––and possibly in the world. It’s the specialist, warmest, loveliest space to call yours as you start out here at Trinity. 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all but just think of CACT as your secret weapon against it all. No matter how much work piles up, how many events saturate your calendar, or how stressful it is navigating all these firsts, just know that CACT has your back. 

I encourage you to bask in the magnificence of the old buildings and vast space of green that stretches the length of the long walk––revel in the fact that your home looks like Hogwarts! But I also encourage you to seek out and be a part of all the beauty that takes place just steps away from campus. 

You have the most charming city to call your home. It’s easy to narrow your field of vision to the iron gates that surround you, but there are so many places, people, and stories to get to know in Hartford.

Today I spent a quiet Sunday morning in Pope Park––only a short walk down Summit street. Sun gleaming high in the sky, me and my friend Anna (a fellow CACT student!) strolled down to the park. We circled around the hilly green landscape, passing by people who waved hellos accompanied by gentle smiles. We sat on a bench overlooking a baseball game. 

A week earlier, we took another short stroll to the Mexican-American diner just off Summit Street. This time a slow Saturday morning. We were greeted with the warmest hellos and colorful, welcoming decorations. Gently moving through the morning, Anna and I chatted about mundane things, savoring food so delicious it had to have been made with the most attentive love.

Amidst the craziness of your first year of college, I hope you find the time to slow down. And I hope that you find the perfect places to slow down for. Always take the scenic route––Hartford has so many to choose from. 

Lots of love,
Reese 

ig: @reesesandiego
number: (217)-377-0426

You got this! My Instagram DMs are always open! @oliviasilvey :) 
- Olivia