Geraldo Reyes Jr

A recent report detailed that throughout Connecticut there was an increase of 13% in overall homelessness from 2021 to 2022.

The state has announced a five-year, $46.6 million investment to expand small business assistance programs across Connecticut, specifically supporting small business owners who may have previously experienced barriers to accessing financial support.This initiative will also support startup businesses, which is great news for our economy.

The Waterbury delegation in the Connecticut General Assembly welcomed the Community Investment Fund 2030 board’s approval of $10 million toward the city's Freight Street Corridor Redevelopment Project.
 

Every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, recognize, and feature the countless achievements of the many Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched our communities.

On Thursday, I joined fellow members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and the community for a kick-off event on the South Lawn of the State Capitol for National Hispanic Heritage Month, which also coincides with the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Suicide prevention begins with all of us.

To learn about the risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide click here. 

Call or text 988 to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7, 988 gives you access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.

The life and legacy of Hall of Fame baseball player Roberto Clemente was celebrated Saturday in Waterbury with the official dedication of the Roberto Clemente Memorial Bridge on Baldwin Street. 
 
The tributes to Clemente, the first Latin American player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, have been ongoing for decades. Schools, museums, streets, buildings, stadiums and bridges have been named after Clemente to honor his prodigious talent on the diamond and his charity work.

On Monday, I joined Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti and local elected officials and community partners Monday at Union Station in New Haven to launch all-electric trains on Shore Line East.
 
The M8 offers a substantial improvement over older diesel-powered train sets as they emit no carbon emissions and include additional amenities for riders, such as electrical outlets at each seat.