HARTFORD, Conn. — Through rain and shine, Corrie Betts has spent the past 36 Wednesday mornings at Unity Plaza off Barbour Street in Hartford. His presence is making residents take notice, and it's for an important job that's showing results.
Following a violent summer in 2023, eight fatal shootings, Betts and the greater Hartford NAACP decided to take action.
“We said, ‘Well, what could we do?' And I said, 'Well, you know, there's a lot of agencies that do this work when it comes to intervention and prevention, and we're not an agency, but let's go out there.’” Betts said.
Betts, the president of the Hartford NAACP, had a simple idea: Set up a tent, start conversations, and engage with the community.
“More of a proactive instead of reactive approach like – Let's not wait until something happened, and then we show up. Let’s show up, and let's show some consistency in doing that,” Betts said. “We can, you know, engage the community, get their trust, let them know that they're not alone out here. And that folks are watching, and they really care about their needs.”
READ MORE: The Art4Hope trail transformation starts in Keney Park
NAACP’s “Wale Up Wednesdays” initiative has been happening since last August. They connect neighbors and offer resources like job training, voter registration, and even food.
“I've come here on days when it's been rainy, and there's been nobody around. I've come here on beautiful days when it's full,” said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. “Unity Plaza here in the center, in the heart of Barbour Street. The NAACP has consistently sat down and been a presence in the community. I think that's made a real difference.”
This initiative is now marking a significant milestone with nine, violence-free months in the Barbour Street area.
“I've noticed the change as far as in this plaza, yes, because it brings positivity,” said Hartford native Barbara Turner. She explained that she's lived on Barbour Street for 16 years and has seen "a lot going on."
Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines
The Hartford NAACP says the Barbour Street community has seen a complete halt on fatal gun violence since Wake Up Wednesdays started last year.
“I think it is working because of the consistency in which individuals have seen that, okay, these folks aren’t just showing up for a day; they’ve been here for the last nine months, every Wednesday,” Betts continued.
This initiative draws together community leaders, law enforcement, and even state lawmakers.
“It's these kinds of efforts, it's the people who are doing the hard work of healing pain and trauma in our city, who are really going to allow us to move forward, who are really going to build stronger and safer communities here,” added Arulampalam.
READ MORE: Hartford cracking down on out-of-state slumlords with stiffer fines, public exposure
NAACP hopes to expand this program to other parts of Hartford eventually, but Betts and community members know change won’t come overnight.
“It's so easy to do the wrong thing, but it's just as easy to do the right thing as well,” said Turner.
“People are talking, it's quiet, you know, not to say that you're going to eradicate it all,” Betts said. “But you know, one chip at a time.”
---
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.