This Saturday, 8/24: Our Second Building Leadership and Organizing Capacity (BLOC) Training of the Summer

Participants gathered at Katal’s office in Middletown for a BLOC training on June 15, 2024.

Join us for the second Building Leadership and Organizing Capacity (BLOC) training session of the summer! We’ll meet this Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Middletown office (425 Main St, 4th floor), with a virtual option via Zoom. Register here! 

This free training will address key topics like business setup, the “Six Rules for Community Organizing,” and how to have effective one-on-one meetings. Registration is required.

For questions about the training, contact Lorenzo Jones at lorenzo@katalcenter.org.

Farm Action Day on Saturday, August 24, at Lovie’s Farm 

Join us at Lovie’s Farm for a Farm Action Day on Saturday, August 24, at 2 p.m., as we fight to make the “Right to Farm” real in Connecticut for Black and Latino farmers! Come by for a tour of Lovie’s (350 Randolph Road, Middletown), help feed the animals, bring your kids for an egg hunt, and take action with us!

RSVP here and remember to wear closed-toed shoes! Can’t make it? You can still support Lovie’s by signing this petition! 

Lovie’s Farm Update: Middletown IWWA Maintains Cease-and-Desist Order Against Lovie’s Farm

On August 14, the Middletown Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Agency upheld the Cease-and-Desist Order against Lovie’s Farm during its monthly meeting. The commissioners once again offered no solutions or support. This decision continues a troubling trend of delays and intimidation faced by Matt Mitchell, one of Middletown’s few Black farmers.

Read Matt Mitchell’s full statement in response to the meeting.

Katal Is Hiring a Community Organizer! 

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re hiring a community organizer in Connecticut! Check out the full job details and apply here. Please help spread the word and share this opportunity with your network. If you’re passionate about making a difference, don’t wait – Katal is reviewing applications on a rolling basis. 

The Connecticut Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call Returns on Thursday, September 19

We’re back from our summer break. Join us for our next Connecticut Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call on Thursday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to noon! If you’re interested in learning more about the upcoming elections, the 2025 legislative session, and the latest on reforming the criminal legal system in Connecticut, this call is for you. We’ll be joined by organizers, advocates, and community members working on every aspect of justice reform in the state. The call will start with a report from our lobbyist about what’s happening behind the scenes at the capitol. Since we’re heading into the long session, we’ll spend extra time this fall discussing important timelines and dates.

Register to join us on Thursday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to noon.  

If you have any questions about the statewide call or would like to be a presenter, please contact our advocacy coordinator, Taina, at Taina@katalcenter.org 

Katal Monthly Community Meetings 

Community members joined Katal’s monthly meeting in Middletown on August 14, 2024.

This month, we held two successful community meetings in Greater Hartford and Middletown. These gatherings are part of our ongoing efforts to foster community organizing and local empowerment across the state. Our monthly meetings are designed to enhance civic engagement, tackle community issues, and build leadership and organizing skills.

Join us for our next meetings:

• Middletown monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 11, at 6 pm: Register here.
• Greater Hartford monthly meeting on Saturday, September 14, at 11 a.m.: Register here.

Katal Quotes of the Week

“To build community requires vigilant awareness of the work we must continually do to undermine all the socialization that leads us to behave in ways that perpetuate domination.” – bell hooks

Please support our work. We can’t do this without you. Please support our work to build leadership and organizing capacity in Connecticut, New York, and beyond. 

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Email: info@katalcenter.org 

Phone: 646.875.8822