This Is My Hartford is a series from the MetroHartford Alliance where we connect with local business owners, community drivers, residents, and employees to find out how the Hartford Region has shaped them throughout their career, and how they have contributed to our city and region.
By Nan Price, Content Manager, MetroHartford Alliance
Lynn Vasquez is Community Relations Specialist at Eversource Energy.
WHY HARTFORD?
LYNN VASQUEZ: I was born and raised in Hartford. In the 1970s, we were living diversity and inclusion before it became the thing to do. Everybody got along. I’m grateful that part of my upbringing involved learning about different cultures, especially now, when diversity and inclusion are so important in the workplace. That’s what brings me back to Hartford. I live in Newington now, but I’m very proud of my Hartford roots.
HOW HAS HARTFORD BECOME A PART OF YOU?
LYNN: Mostly through community involvement. I donate to the Bushnell Performing Arts Center and volunteer at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, where I went as a kid. I was on the Executive Committee for the Veterans’ Day Parade in Hartford for a long time too, which was another way I connected with the city.
I’m also proud to say my son is assisting with coaching football and basketball at Hartford Public High, so the passion about giving back to the community has grown with the family. He loves Hartford and coaching the students, too.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT HARTFORD?
LYNN: One of the things I love about Hartford is that it’s a small and accessible city that has a hometown feel, but still provides a lot of big city opportunities. There are so many dining options and we’ve got UConn Hockey and football, which my son loves. Also, are so many events and different cultural parades. I enjoy going to the variety of places like the Hartford Public Library, the Bushnell, Hartford Stage, and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
HOW DO WE TELL THE STORY OF HARTFORD?
LYNN: We have to continue to market our assets, like the variety of cultural events, and let other communities know Hartford is a friendly environment for restaurants, parking, and all the events taking place throughout the city.
I think it’s important to build that vibe into the communities and reinforce that it’s really one community and there’s a lot to see and do. I’m so passionate about seeing the city grow. I enjoy spreading the word about what’s going on in Hartford by inviting friends into the city for cultural events and showing that it’s a really fun place to do things.
WHERE DO YOU SEE HARTFORD IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
LYNN: I see it growing, especially with the UConn School of Business moving downtown, the activity on Front Street, and people moving into some of the newer apartments. It’s creating a vibe and I hope people will start to catch onto this and enjoy the access to different cultures Hartford provides.