Expanding Access to Health Care in Waterbury

July 6, 2026

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Expanding Access to
    Behavioral Health Care
  • Funding for Hayden Park Renovations
  • Advocating for More
    Affordable Housing
 

Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care

I was proud to join community leaders in celebrating an exciting new chapter for Wellmore, a trusted Waterbury-based organization that has served our community for decades. Wellmore and The Village for Families & Children (The Village) announced a merger that will strengthen behavioral health services and expand access to care for more than 30,000 people across Connecticut.

This new partnership will bring together nearly 1,000 staff members across the state while preserving Wellmore's strong presence in Waterbury, with no planned layoffs. By combining their expertise and resources, these two respected nonprofit organizations can reach more people and provide even greater support to children, families, and individuals throughout our region.

Village President & CEO Hector Glynn

Wellmore CEO Gary Steck

Together, they will continue offering a wide range of essential services, including:

  • School readiness and early childhood education
  • Home-based counseling, support for parents, and caregivers
  • Substance use prevention and recovery support
  • Urgent Crisis Centers and mobile crisis operations for youth
Wellmore provides a wide range of treatment and support services for all ages in 43 towns in the northwest region of Connecticut. I am excited to see this partnership build on that legacy, ensuring that residents continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve while strengthening Waterbury's role as a leader in behavioral health services.
 

Funding for Hayden Park Renovations

Hayden Park is getting a much-needed makeover thanks to more than $360,000 in state funding that will transform this downtown green space into a safer, more welcoming destination for children, families, and residents.

The park on Grove Street, adjacent to affordable housing and community centers, will receive significant upgrades designed to improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life.

Planned improvements include:

  • Extensive tree removal and pruning to improve safety and open up the park
  • Removal of invasive plants and overgrown vegetation
  • Repairs to retaining walls and stairs
  • New sidewalks, benches, and trash cans
  • Upgraded park lighting
  • Installation of Wi-Fi hotspots and security cameras

This investment is part of a broader statewide initiative to preserve and enhance parks, open spaces, and community green areas. By revitalizing Hayden Park, we are creating a cleaner, safer, and more inviting place where neighbors can gather, children can play, and families can enjoy the outdoors for years to come.
 

Advocating for More Affordable Housing
I was pleased to join residents, housing advocates, and community leaders for a thoughtful discussion about making Waterbury more affordable and strengthening protections for tenants.

Hosted as part of the Here for Housing initiative led by the Partnership for Strong Communities, the gathering focused on expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, while empowering renters and addressing the affordability challenges facing families across our city.

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. I remain committed to working with community partners to advance policies that protect tenants, expand housing opportunities, and help ensure that Waterbury remains an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.