Helping a College Student in Need

Barry Kriesberg, Hartford Hospital’s vice president of operations, was reading the newspaper in the summer of 2018 when he found a story about a homeless college student in the capital city. He learned the young woman had been sleeping wherever she could and often going hungry while taking certified nurse aid courses at a local community college.

Heartbroken for her plight and misfortune, Barry reached out to several colleagues to see what Hartford Hospital could do.

Vicie Brooks, a nurse and community outreach coordinator, reached the student by phone within hours and invited her to visit the hospital. Heather Quinn and Marlene Harris helped schedule a job shadow opportunity and interview while the student was on campus.

Thanks to their efforts, the student started her new job at Hartford Hospital in the fall. The opportunity offers the student a chance to put her education to good use and work toward a more stable future.