James Sánchez

A brand-new state program stands to help thousands of people pay back part of their student loan debt. You need to scroll below to find out if you are eligible and when you can apply!

Our community is getting significant help to bring new life to a series of vacant properties. Please read below to learn how the city of Hartford plans to transform those buildings.

Hartford Police is delivering holiday spirit to children in need by participating in a holiday toy giveaway. I'll let you know when and where kids can get a free gift!

These are the sections in today's email:

• Student Loan Reimbursement Program Rolls Out in January
• Funding to Revitalize Abandoned Properties
• Remembering the Victims of Sandy Hook 
• Holiday Toy Giveaway

Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:

• Must have graduated from a public or private college or university in Connecticut with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education
• Must be a Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years
• Must have an income below $125,000 if filing single in 2023
• Must have an income below $175,000 if filing married in 2023
• Must have made payments towards student loans
• Must have 50 hours of volunteering time after January 1, 2024

This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce.

Questions should be directed to OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1.

Hartford will receive $162,000 in state grants to revitalize eight abandoned properties across the city. Officials are considering a variety of options to bring new life to these vacant lots and buildings. They include developing residential housing, creating a new public library branch, providing social service operations through the House of Bread, and establishing a digital inclusion center.

The state grants were allocated by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. In total, the state approved $20 million to cleanup and redevelop 21 blighted properties across the state.

So many lives were affected on December 14, 2012, and many continue to struggle with the trauma that followed.

My thoughts are with the victims' families, the survivors of that horrible day, the responding law enforcement, and the entire Newtown and Connecticut community. Though time has passed, you will never be forgotten.

Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Dylan Hockley, 6
Madeleine Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Emilie Parker, 6

The Hartford Police Department hopes to make the holidays extra special for children in need! Officers will play the role of Santa as they give toys away on Saturday, December 21 from 12 P.M. – 3 P.M. at Park Street Library. Children who live in Hartford will receive gifts on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

I would like to thank the Hartford Police Southwest Community Service Bureau and all the sponsors for making the Holiday Toy Giveaway a reality. Whenever our community shows kindness, it makes a huge difference.