Our Community Partner Hyacinth Yennie is a lifelong community advocate and organizer in Hartford’s South End. A co-founder of Organized Parents Making a Difference (OPMAD), she has spent decades creating opportunities for youth through after-school enrichment and mentorship. As chair of multiple advisory boards—including the Southend Wellness Center and Maple Avenue Revitalization Group (MARG)—she has led efforts to address quality-of-life issues, secure funding for schools and public spaces, and bring neighbors together. Originally from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, Yennie brought with her the village ethic of mutual care, which now shapes all her work. She believes meaningful change happens through relationships and collective action. From organizing youth programs in church basements to advocating before state and federal leaders, she is known for her persistence, clarity, and deep community ties. Her legacy lives on in the thriving programs she helped build and the thousands of residents—young and old—whose lives she has touched.
Nola Marchese (She/Her): I’m a freshman attending Trinity College. My intended major is Urban studies. I was born in China and raised in Hartford. I wanted to participate in this project because I’ve grown up in Hartford all my life and wanted to learn and help out the community!
Kimberly Tepan (She/Her): I’m a freshman from Brooklyn, New York, majoring in psychology at Trinity College. Coming from New York, I was already aware that affordable housing is a significant issue, so I wanted to explore it in a new area that I would be calling home for the next four years, especially as it relates to seniors.
Tshepo Molotja (She/Her): Hello! My name is Tshepo. I am an International Student from South Africa. I am currently in my Junior year and I am an Urban Studies Major and Architectural studies minor. My interest in the Action Lab and the Senior Affordable Housing Project stems from my exposure to housing disparities in the Hartford area and my desire to actively be involved in creating better steps to solving this issue.
Emma Almoney (She/Her): Hello! I’m Emma Almoney, a Sophomore at Trinity College originally from Dayton, Ohio. I’m pursuing a major in Urban Studies with minors in Architectural Studies and Art History. My interest in Senior Affordable Housing grew out of my background in Urban Planning, as I’m deeply committed to creating sustainable and inclusive communities. I’m particularly passionate about addressing the unique needs of senior citizens and ensuring they have access to safe, affordable housing. Through my studies and experiences, I hope to contribute to positive changes in the Hartford community and make a lasting impact.
Katerina Soto (She/Her): I’m a freshman from Capital Community College and I was born and raised in Hartford, CT. My intended major is Political Science.
Anish Pokhrel: I grew up in West Hartford, CT. My intended major is economics, with a minor in business formal. I was very interested in Senior Affordable Housing. I grew up in West Hartford and I wanted to give back to the community and try something new.
Janice Martinez (she/her): Hello! I am Janice Martinez. I am a current Senior at Trinity College, majoring in Psychology. I was born and raised in New Jersey! I was interested in exploring new classes for my senior year and found the Action Lab. I was excited for the chance to help make a difference and learn more about local issues in Hartford.
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Derin O. Atalay holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Liberal Arts Action Lab before joining the faculty at Trinity College. Their research explores queer spaces and LGBTQ involvement in local decision-making, with publications in journals such as Journal of Lesbian Studies and Geography Research Forum. At the Action Lab, they collaborate with community partners, students, and faculty on impactful, community-based projects that inform both their teaching and research. They earned their master’s and bachelor’s degrees in urban planning from the University at Buffalo (SUNY) and Istanbul Technical University.
Jonathan Cabral is a manager in the Planning, Research & Evaluation Department at the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority where he regularly conducts research, as well as manages a variety of relationships and programs with nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining the Authority, Jonathan worked as a Compliance Officer at Webster Bank specializing in the Community Reinvestment Act. He also sits on a number of nonprofit boards and City of Hartford commissions including its Zoning Board of Appeals.
Jonathan is a certified planner and holds a BA in International Studies and an MA in Public Policy from Trinity College. He is currently a PhD student of Geography, studying urban planning and policy at Birkbeck, University of London.