LGH Polaris Awards

June 16, 2023 BrianAmbrosePhoto

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They exemplify the three pillars of LGH: Community, Leadership, and Connections.

The Hartford Public Library received the LGH Community Award.

HPL’s role is focused on being an active catalyst for connectivity, creativity, and literacy for all ages. The Library helps the Hartford community go deeply into the worlds they know and the worlds they want to know. HPL champions a new vision of what an urban library can be. It serves as an agent for change in the lives of its customers. Hartford Public Library centers community priorities and voices in its work and serves as a national model for 21st century urban libraries. LGH is proud to recognize the work of Bridget and the entire HPL team for its role in delivering literacy and educational services through innovative programs and community outreach. HPL is a critical institution in the City of Hartford and the city’s diverse neighborhoods. For these efforts and commitment to creating access, the HPL team is more than deserving of the 2023 Polaris Community Award.

Doris Rivera received the Leadership Award.

She is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has devoted much of her life to helping others. Doris Rivera is a retired Hartford Public Schools Paraprofessional. She has always been an active member of her church. After retirement, Doris volunteered at Mary Hooker School as a classroom helper. She also enrolled in Class 2 of LGH’s Third Age Initiative. Doris and her LGH classmates led a project that assisted with strengthening families through parent education. Her bilingual skills and experience in schools made her an invaluable asset to the team. Today, Doris continues to volunteer at Jubilee House as an English as a Second Language volunteer. She has been volunteering there for over twenty years! Her commitment to helping others is truly inspiring. Her humility and steady involvement in so many organizations have made a difference in countless lives and in the broader community.

Christopher W. Clarke received the Connections Award.

Christopher Clarke is a Financial Advisor with the KFD Team of Merrill Lynch. In his role, he is responsible for connecting high net worth individuals and institutions to strategies that can help reach their financial goals. He currently serves as Chairman of the Connecticut Chapter of Bank of America’s Black Professionals Group and as 1st Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. He also chairs the Chamber’s Minority Business Network. In this work, he makes important connections between individuals and businesses, and challenges all to be a part of the solution for better representation and equity in our local business community. Chris is receiving our 2023 Polaris Connections Award. He leads in the region with passion and connecting minds to bring about change.

Dr. Paul H. Dworkin received the Visionary Award.

Paul H. Dworkin, MD, is Executive Vice President for Community Child Health at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. His vision led to the creation of Help Me Grow, a Connecticut statewide initiative to promote the early detection of children at risk for developmental and behavioral problems and their linkage to programs and services that is currently being replicated in more than 30 states. Dr. Dworkin received the 2023 Polaris Visionary Award for his exceptional medical career and contributions to building access to quality healthcare for underserved populations. We commend his vision to deliver services in new ways and with care and respect for the communities served.