The Hartford Youth Civic Collective (HYCC) is a youth-led digital initiative designed to make civic life in Hartford more understandable, accessible, and meaningful for young people. The project brings together information about local government, elections, community organizations, and opportunities for civic engagement in one centralized, youth-friendly resource.
The initiative was developed through a partnership between the Hartford Votes~Hartford Vota Coalition and the Hartford Registrars of Voters Office as part of a broader effort to create an ongoing youth engagement initiative that serves Hartford’s young people. At the center of the project is a youth-led, public-facing website featuring tools and resources such as a Civic Opportunities Portal, Election Information Hub, Elected Officials directory, Organization Directory, Civic Glossary, and Civic Journey page.
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 Office provides election and voting information while increasing registration and participation. The office maintains voter records, administers elections and referendums, and supports 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.
The Hartford Youth Civic Collective is also made possible through the critical support and partnership of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation and the Point 32 Health Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their generous commitment to empowering Hartford's youth and strengthening our local civic ecosystem.
Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
Point 32 Health Foundation
Point 32 Health Foundation
Organization Team
Meet the individuals who were the driving force in bringing the Hartford Youth Civic Collective to life!
Jason Pittner is a civic education and youth 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 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 is an animator and graphic designer based in Atlanta. She works at a creative studio with a focus on design, animation, and film in public health and the entertainment industry. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a BFA in art with an emphasis on Graphic Design and a BA in Entertainment & Media Studies.
Abbie Herrin is an animator and graphic designer based in Atlanta. She works at a creative studio with a focus on design, animation, and film in public health and the entertainment industry. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a BFA in art with an emphasis on Graphic Design and a BA in Entertainment & Media Studies.
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 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.
Seven Hartford-based students were actively involved in developing the initial launch of the project, having met remotely on a biweekly basis—15 times!—with a member of the Hartford Votes Coalition and two contracted web designers. Students also completed asynchronous work between meetings focused on research, content development, and design feedback. Through this process, students served as co-creators of the platform, bringing their own experiences and perspectives to help ensure the website reflects the information, language, and resources that Hartford youth actually need. Upon launch, these students will officially serve as the first cohort of Hartford Youth Civic Collective ambassadors, helping introduce the resource to their peers and communities across Hartford.
In serving as ambassadors, students are gaining experience in public speaking, collaboration, civic literacy, and digital content development. The goal was not simply to create a website for young people, but to create a living and breathing resource for Hartford youth to interact with indefinitely.
Youth Working Group
A website created for Hartford’s youth would be nothing without the voices, perspectives, and guidance of young people themselves!
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Ultimately, the HYCC seeks to foster a stronger culture of youth civic engagement by giving young people the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to participate in their communities. We hope young people across Hartford will recognize the HYCC as THEIR resource—one they can use, share with friends and peers, and help continue to grow as a lasting youth civic engagement initiative in the city.
If you are a federal, state, or city leader: young people represent the future. Give them the opportunity to take the lead, have a stake in their city, and shape the communities they call home.
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