[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 150 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S6597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
celebrate the 150th anniversary of Community Partners in Action, one of 
Connecticut's foremost criminal justice organizations, and the 
invaluable work of its staff.
  Community Partners in Action was originally founded as the Prisoners' 
Friends' Society in Hartford, CT, in 1875, making Connecticut the fifth 
State to have an organization specifically dedicated to providing 
services for incarcerated individuals. Since then, CPA has become a 
leader in promoting accountability, dignity, and rehabilitation for 
individuals affected by the criminal justice system.
  CPA combines direct services, community action, and restorative 
justice advocacy to create holistic, sustainable solutions for 
incarcerated individuals and their communities. The direct assistance 
they provide is essential to countless individuals' ability to obtain a 
brighter future. These services include transitional housing, reentry 
and resettlement support, workforce development and coaching, and 
partnerships with mental health and addiction services. In addition, 
CPA has built and led coalitions of relevant nonprofits, city 
departments, State agencies, and other stakeholders to create 
integrated networks and programming for the individuals they serve.
  Community Partners in Action has truly set a gold standard for 
innovative leadership in reformative justice. The solutions they 
provide are both meaningful and authentic, meeting individuals where 
they are and tailoring programming to their specific needs. To this 
day, CPA continues to launch novel and effective projects, such as 
opening Greater Hartford and Waterbury Reentry Welcome Centers in 2018 
and 2021, respectively, and opening additional residential locations 
for their REGIONS program in 2020.
  Community Partners in Action has a remarkable history of creating 
opportunities, inspiring change, and making a difference in Connecticut 
and beyond. The organization has become an invaluable resource 
throughout Connecticut. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
recognizing the crucial work that Community Partners in Action and its 
many staff perform and celebrating their 150th anniversary.

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