Catholic Transcript Online

HARTFORD – "Magic happens," said Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez at the grand opening of the newly built Institute for the Hispanic Family on June 17. "This is a magical building where a lot of great work will get done."

The new 22,000-square-foot building at 45 Wadsworth St., he said, "is a symbol of a lady who wouldn’t give up." He was referring to Rose Alma Senatore, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities, who brought the need for a larger facility to the attention of then-Archbishop-designate Henry J. Mansell in October 2003.

"It is true," the Archbishop said. "When I came here, the first day I was in Hartford … the first place I came on that day in October was right to the Institute of the Hispanic Family on Jefferson Street, and you know who took me there? Rose Alma Senatore."

It was immediately apparent that the Jefferson Street building was too small, Archbishop Mansell said. "We didn’t own the building. We just knew that we had to have our own building."

The nearly $7-million project became a major priority of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, which donated $1 million, according to Ms. Senatore.

"We have been trying to build [a new facility for the] Institute for the Hispanic Family for over 20 years, and here we are today," Ms. Senatore said. "But, if it wasn’t for the seed dollars that we received from the Archbishop, we would not be able to leverage the money that was needed in order to be successful in receiving the funds that we received from other funders."

In his remarks, Archbishop Mansell said, "Under one roof, this building will house, among so many other things, a child guidance clinic, a day care program, family support services, a substance abuse program and health and wellness services for the Latino and Spanish population of Hartford."

As he invoked God’s blessing, the Archbishop said, "May the children, the youth and the elderly discover and develop here the gifts you have given them. Help all to experience your love and share it with others. Grant that the kindness and respect that each one will receive here will nurture and strengthen the bonds of family, parish, community and neighborhood."

Senator John W. Fonfara, of the First Senatorial District, said, "Archbishop, we are so lucky to have you here in Connecticut and in the Hartford area. It’s truly a godsend, and from the day you came here, what a difference you’ve made in the support of our community, and we hope you stay forever. And Rose Alma, for you as well, for your dedication to this neighborhood and the community and the people of Hartford and the region; it’s unsurpassed."

State Rep. Kelvin Roldán of Hartford’s 4th House District echoed Senator Fonfara’s sentiments. "Archbishop Mansell has been a real champion in getting us to today. Rose Alma has been an incredible champion in getting us to today," he said.

Michael Culhane, chair of the board of trustees and chair of the building committee, said that a lot of behind-the-scenes work was done selecting and coordinating the efforts of architects, builders and others.

"There is one last person who was never at a meeting, but I know he was there in spirit and in guidance, and his unbelievable support of this project really was the catalyst that we needed to produce these walls," added Mr. Culhane, who also is the executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference. He extended his "sincere appreciation" to Archbishop Mansell.

Elba Cruz-Schulman, chair of the advisory board, said, "We did it, didn’t we?"

She said the Institute is the fulfillment of 35 years of need, going back to the days of a large influx of Latinos to the Hartford community. "Most of the people did not speak the language, and there were a lot of situations where people were really abused," she said. Many Spanish-speaking residents would seek medical help at a hospital and end up being misdiagnosed as mentally ill, she said.

Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, episcopal vicar for Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese, said in an interview that the new facility is bigger and has more room for day care and for seniors. "I think they are going to be able to offer more services here with a bigger staff," he said.

Ms. Senatore told The Catholic Transcript that when she learned years ago how cramped the Jefferson Street facility was, she decided to take on the project of getting a bigger space. She said the new building will shorten the waiting list for services and allow for the creation of jobs at the facility.

"The other piece that’s really unique about this is the intergeneration connection," she said, referring to services for both young and old under one roof. "I think that is just going to be absolutely phenomenal."