HangTime at Hop: Budding Community Service Initiative

Mira Krichavsky ’24 Features Editor Rania Das ’26 Assistant Features Editor

With Spring Service Week completed, the Hopkins community shifted its focus to alternate forms of community service. Students, parents, and faculty have been contributing to the work of HangTime, an organization based in Bridgeport that helps reintegrate formerly incarcerated people back into society.

Founded in 2014 by former Hamden police officer and social activist Charlie Grady, HangTime seeks to provide specific formerly incarcerated people with social service navigation. Additionally, weekly meetings in Bridgeport, Waterbury, and New Haven serve as a sanctuary for its participants, offering a respectful, safe, and empowering atmosphere to share insight on day to day issues. In the words of the organization’s executive director, Michele Litt, HangTime “provides a unique approach to community integration for those coming home from incarceration.” Seeking to further expand its efforts within the New Haven community, the organization hoped to develop a connection with Hopkins by involving the school in their work. Marissa Latshaw, a member of the Hopkins Parent Association and a friend of Litt, directed Litt towards Alissa Davis, Hopkins’ community service director. Following their introduction, a collaboration began to take shape.

Beginning in March, students, parents, and faculty members gathered in the Weissman Room to put together meal plans for HangTime’s New Haven meetings. The group met weekly, taking time to curate a diverse menu

filled with nutritious options. In return, HangTime provided participants with educational materials, such as literature and informative videos, on the causes of incarceration, as well as the struggles formerly incarcerated

people face when reintegrating themselves into society. According to Litt, “HangTime’s long-term goal is to reduce the level of violence in the community and recidivism among returning citizens through empowerment, community engagement, and building connections.” Litt hopes that more members of the Hopkins community will be involved in HangTime’s efforts in the future, adding, “There have been discussions amongst a group of students about forming a ‘HangTime Club’ at Hopkins and we would be very much in favor of this effort.” Litt hopes the Hopkins ongoing collaboration with HangTime is the beginning of a long-term relationship that will benefit participants and the community at large. She encourages interested students and members of the Hopkins community to check out HangTime’s website at https://www.hangtimerealtalk.com.

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HangTime at Hop: Budding Community Service Initiative