Our Team

Meet the People
Behind the HYCC.

Get to know the young people who are helping shape the Hartford Youth Civic Collective—and the organizing team supporting their perspectives.

Program Sponsors

A project of this scale would not be possible without the generous financial support of our sponsors.

Hartford Votes~Hartford
Vota Coalition

Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition is a nonpartisan organization committed to growing a culture of civic participation across Hartford. By meeting people where they are, they strengthen democratic power through education, engagement, and collaboration.

Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition

Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition is a nonpartisan organization committed to growing a culture of civic participation across Hartford. By meeting people where they are, they strengthen democratic power through education, engagement, and collaboration.

City of Hartford Registrar of Voters Office

The City of Hartford Registrar of Voters provides election and voting information while working to increase voter registration and participation. The office maintains voter records, conducts elections, primaries, and referendums, and works to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

City of Hartford Registrar of Voters Office

The City of Hartford Registrar of Voters provides election and voting information while working to increase voter registration and participation. The office maintains voter records, conducts elections, primaries, and referendums, and works to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Organization Team

Meet the individuals who were the driving force in bringing the Hartford Youth Civic Collective to life!

Jason Pittner

Project Manager

Jason Pittner is a civic education and youth engagement advocate based in Connecticut. He is the Program Assistant for the Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition and School Programs Coordinator at the CT Democracy Center in residence at CT’s Old State House. He graduated from Connecticut College in 2025 with a BA in Mathematics & Sociology.

Jason Pittner

Project Manager

Jason Pittner is a civic education and youth engagement advocate based in Connecticut. He is the Program Assistant for the Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition and School Programs Coordinator at the CT Democracy Center in residence at CT’s Old State House. He graduated from Connecticut College in 2025 with a BA in Mathematics & Sociology.

Abbie Herrin

Web Designer

Abbie Herrin is a graphic designer based in Atlanta. She works at a creative studio focusing on design, animation, and film. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Entertainment & Media Studies.

Abbie Herrin

Web Designer

Abbie Herrin is a graphic designer based in Atlanta. She works at a creative studio focusing on design, animation, and film. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Entertainment & Media Studies.

Jordyn Brousseau

Web Designer

Jordyn Brousseau is an artist and designer based in Connecticut. He currently works at a Connecticut-based marketing agency, and is always collaborating with other creatives in his independent freelance practice. He graduated from the University of Hartford in 2024 with a BFA in Visual Communication Design.

Jordyn Brousseau

Web Designer

Jordyn Brousseau is an artist and designer based in Connecticut. He currently works at a Connecticut-based marketing agency, and is always collaborating with other creatives in his independent freelance practice. He graduated from the University of Hartford in 2024 with a BFA in Visual Communication Design.

Youth Working Group

A website created for Hartford’s youth would be nothing without the voices, perspectives, and guidance of young people themselves!

Giovanni Soto

Youth Advisor

Giovanni is a student at Hartford Public High School, expected to graduate in 2027. He plans to go into law and policy change and hopefully further involve himself in the community.

Giovanni Soto

Youth Advisor

Giovanni is a student at Hartford Public High School, expected to graduate in 2027. He plans to go into law and policy change and hopefully further involve himself in the community.

Jahlani Ustanny

Youth Advisor

Jahlani is a student at Wesleyan University, expected to graduate in 2027. He is an aspiring physician, hoping to partake in clinic research and public health advocacy after graduation.

Jahlani Ustanny

Youth Advisor

Jahlani is a student at Wesleyan University, expected to graduate in 2027. He is an aspiring physician, hoping to partake in clinic research and public health advocacy after graduation.

Karen Casso

Youth Advisor

Karen Casso is a student at Hartford Public High School, expected to graduate in 2027. She plans to become a paralegal/legal assistant or study within law after graduation.

Karen Casso

Youth Advisor

Karen Casso is a student at Hartford Public High School, expected to graduate in 2027. She plans to become a paralegal/legal assistant or study within law after graduation.

Kasiyanna Henry

Youth Advisor

Kasiyanna is a student at Central Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2030. She hopes to become a Family lawyer to help individuals in her community.

Kasiyanna Henry

Youth Advisor

Kasiyanna is a student at Central Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2030. She hopes to become a Family lawyer to help individuals in her community.

Laila Skyy Williamson

Youth Advisor

Laila is a student at Hall High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts Half Day program, expected to graduate in 2027. She plans to major in Sociology & Musical Theatre.

Laila Skyy Williamson

Youth Advisor

Laila is a student at Hall High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts Half Day program, expected to graduate in 2027. She plans to major in Sociology & Musical Theatre.

Makayla Fletcher

Youth Advisor

Makayla is a student at Eastern Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2030. She plans to start a career in the entertainment industry after graduation.

Makayla Fletcher

Youth Advisor

Makayla is a student at Eastern Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2030. She plans to start a career in the entertainment industry after graduation.

Nashali Johnson

Youth Advisor

Nashali is a student at Central Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2028. She plans to find a career path in the tech industry after graduation.

Nashali Johnson

Youth Advisor

Nashali is a student at Central Connecticut State University, expected to graduate in 2028. She plans to find a career path in the tech industry after graduation.

About

The Hartford Youth Civic Collective is a civic resource hub made for and by young people in Hartford. The HYCC aims to make civic life in Hartford understandable, accessible, and meaningful.

Contact

info@hartfordyouthcivichub.com

About

The Hartford Youth Civic Collective is a civic resource hub made for and by young people in Hartford. The HYCC aims to make civic life in Hartford understandable, accessible, and meaningful.

Contact

info@hartfordyouthcivichub.com

About

The Hartford Youth Civic Collective is a civic resource hub made for and by young people in Hartford. The HYCC aims to make civic life in Hartford understandable, accessible, and meaningful.

Contact

info@hartfordyouthcivichub.com

About

The Hartford Youth Civic Collective is a civic resource hub made for and by young people in Hartford. The HYCC aims to make civic life in Hartford understandable, accessible, and meaningful.

Contact

info@hartfordyouthcivichub.com