Blumenthal, Murphy, Larson, Himes, Esty Applaud Funding to Address Poverty and Improve Health in Hartford, New Britain, and Stamford

[HARTFORD, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) applauded the announcement from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund that Hartford, New Britain, and Stamford have been selected to participate in Invest Health. This new initiative brings together leaders from mid-size American cities to work collaboratively to help low-income communities thrive. Each city will receive a $60,000 grant to help improve opportunities for residents to live healthy lives by addressing factors such as access to safe and affordable housing, places to play and exercise, and quality jobs.

The funding for Hartford will be used in the Promise Zone to help address obesity and violence, in New Britain to empower low income and minority adolescents, and in Stamford to address poverty.

“Connecticut is not immune to poverty, obesity, inequality and violence—and strong collaboration between private and public partners is needed to help address these scourges. Participation in the Invest Health initiative will bring Connecticut a step closer to healthier, stronger, more resilient communities. We applaud the Invest Health program, congratulate the cities of Hartford, New Britain, and Stamford, and thank the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund for making these wise investments in our Connecticut cities,” said Blumenthal, Murphy, Larson, Himes, and Esty.

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