Dovetail Online Journal

The transformation began when Stamford’s housing authority, Charter Oak Communities, joined with Stamford Hospital and local nonprofits to begin collaborating on a wide variety of programs to help West Side residents significantly improve their quality of life. By aligning their objectives with visionary planning, and combining resources and land, these disparate organizations came together to develop new affordable housing and healthcare services for neighborhood residents, and accomplished a $450 million hospital expansion.

Together we made personal health the central focus for strengthening the community, under the banner of the Vita Health & Wellness District. Today, the Vita District continues to thrive, with over 500 units of mixed-income housing, a multi-function youth center, a volunteer-powered urban farm, innovative educational programs, and an affordable medical clinic right in the neighborhood.

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The Vita Interconnected Community

Nutrition

With nutrition counseling for adults and children, cooking classes, and a welcoming urban farm, we are focused on improving people’s everyday connection with healthy food.

Education

We help people of all ages reach their potential, with programs from preschool to ESL to transitions to higher education.

Housing

Our mixed-income communities have individual yards and communal playgrounds. They are smoke-free and designed to promote health, fitness, safety and community.

Jobs

Economic well-being is integral to health; our partners offer job training and access to employment services to help residents meet their goals for economic self-sufficiency.

Health

We partner with a top-ranked regional medical center, multiple healthcare providers, mental health services and a caring community pharmacy.

Community

We foster social interaction with volunteer opportunities, a neighborhood association, social events and indoor and outdoor communal spaces.

Outcomes in Stamford

100%

of sub-standard housing replaced with low-density, mixed-income housing, with zero-displacement of original residents.

546 units

of high-quality housing built to Energy Star standards for energy efficiency and indoor air quality in safe, walkable communities.

63%

improvement in pre-K student performance of at-risk students compared with a control group, with help from the Parents as Co-Educators program.

5,000 lbs.

of organic fruit and vegetables provided by Fairgate Farm to volunteers, nonprofits and local residents each year.

Large-scale change at the local level.