Thank you to everyone who voted for the 2023 Frog Hollow Neighborhood Heroes Mural. In total, we received 1,3097 votes. That said, these are the 3 people who got the most votes, Dr. Noel Casiano, Iran Nazario, and Jacquelyn Santiago Nazario. The mural is featured on the mural located at the corner of Park and Lawrence Street.
Take the Nuestra Historia Bilingual Walking tour that features all the Frog Hollow Neighborhood Murals.
The 2023 Frog Hollow Heroes Mural Finalist were:
Dr. Noel Casiano – Noel grew up on Park Street where he faced different childhood traumas. Through his previous work in DCF, coaching sports teams, serving as youth leader at his church, Noel has given his life to helping others overcome barriers to truly thrive. With his Masters in social work and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Noel has taught Marriage and Family therapy courses at CCSU, been the clinical Director at Institute for Hispanic Families at Catholic Charities, and now teaches as the Assistant Professor of Psychology and Human Services at the University of Hartford.
Hector Rivera – Hector Rivera is the President and CEO of Our Piece of the Pie where he has worked for the last 20 years. Hector is a lifetime Hartford resident and has spent his adult life helping young people achieve their dreams and aspirations. He has his Bachelors degree in Human Services from Springfield College and his Masters degree in Management and Business from Alberta Magnus College.
William Newton – William is a beloved radio personality who worked for Telemundo and Viva!Radio. While working in television he did many innovative programs to connect Hartford with Puerto Rico like airing an episode of Desde Mi Pueblo featuring Hartford on the Puerto Rican Public access channel and doing special Mother’s Day and Christmas programs where he interviewed families on the island and aired them in CT. He is also generous in supporting community causes and countless other initiatives. Originally from Puerto Rico, he moved to Hartford in 1989 and lived in Frog Hollow for many years.
Magda Lopez – A devoted Pastoral community leader, Magda was raised and still ministers in the streets of Frog Hollow. Strongly firm in her core values-helping others change into who Christ intended them to be, she loves her neighbors and lives to be the best influence in their life. Pastor Magda doesn’t live to change the world but to make a wholesome change in the community with Christ in the center of it all.
Pablo Juan Santiago – Pablo served as the assistant coordinator for the Miss Puerto Rico cultural pageantfrom 2003-2008 and became Vice President of Pageantry from 2009-2015. He has helped hundreds of candidates learn more about their culture including traditional
dances, develop self-esteem, and become positive role models in the community. Pablo also has received the 2009 Maria Sanchez Award of Excellence in Cultural Arts, citations from Governor Jodi Rell & Senator Blumenthal, and other awards.
Celestino Jimenez – Celestino was a long time advocate and role model for the neighborhood. With endless energy, he was always lending a hand and inspiring many. Late in life, he worked overseeing the soup kitchen at Mercy House.
Calixto Torres – An unwavering advocate for all, Calixto has been a strong voice for children and the elderly, an inspiring educator, a dedicated public servant, a devoted volunteer, and a respected elected official. For more than four decades, he has passionately pursued ways to enhance the quality of life in our beloved city, becoming an icon of Hartford. His contributions span various domains, including building bridges between Hartford and Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and beyond. Whenever Hartford calls, Calixto is always there, answering with an emphatic “presente.”
Fernando Betancourt – Fernando is a Passionate, long time Frog Hollow resident and innovative advocate for public policy and community development in the Puerto Rican and Latino community. He is an effective leader who is currently working to bring a National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture to Hartford. He is the Executive Director of the San Juan center and before that was the Executive Director of CT’s Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission where he led with purpose and passion.
Sara Ferrer De Romany – Sara was a forceful and fearless advocate for the Puerto Rican community and founded the Institute for the Hispanic Family at Catholic Charities to help connect community members with mental health services.
David Morin – Long time Frog Hollow resident and President of Friends of Pope Park. David has helped to make many improvements to the park to enhance its quality and make it more accessible to residents. He also runs a program helping Hartford youth to create videos, podcasts, and other media projects and personallycollects food from restaurants to share with people sleeping in the park.
Eugenio Caro – Eugenio migrated from Puerto Rico in 1956 and joined the Police Department in 1967. Working as a part of the Police Department’s Community Relations Unit, Caro became involved in projects to support his community. One such project was “La Casa de Puerto Rico,” a community-led organization that provided representation to the Puerto Rican community in areas where it was lacking, such as education and housing. Caro spent the following decades working for his community: with “La Casa de Puerto Rico”, the Puerto Rican Center for Justice, and as a member of Hartford’s City Council.
Iran Nazario – Iran is the Founder/President/CEO of the Peace Center of Connecticut. Having experienced the foster care system, gang life, and prison himself, he repurposed his life to helping other youth overcome their challenges and prevent violence. He has received the 2019 City of Hartford Hispanic Heritage Community Service Award, 2020 CT Hall of Change Award honoring formerly incarcerated individuals who have made a substantial contribution in society, and many others awards.
Jeffrey P. Dressler – A respected attorney, Jeffrey is the founder of Mega Education®, a dynamic program that encourages student achievement and involvement by engaging parents and the community in acknowledging and rewarding student effort. He is also a passionate supporter of Charter Oak Boxing Academy which provides invaluable services to Hartford kids, using boxing as a tool to instill discipline, self-confidence, and determination.
Maria Negron – Maria is a social worker for Juniper Home Care. She previously worked at the Aetna Center for Families and the City of Hartford senior/ elderly services. She used to work for HART and has mentored many people about community organizing. Maria has been in the CICD/Puerto Rican parade multiple times. She is a behind the scenes person who has done wonderful work in the City of Hartford.
Jacquelyn Santiago Nazario – Jacquelyn is the CEO of Compass Youth Collaborative which provides high risk Hartford youth with supports and opportunities to help them become ready and able to succeed. She began her career as a youth organizer at Hartford Areas Rally Together (HART). She had many similar childhood experiences to the youth that inspire her today and she decided that if she was lucky enough to attend college that she would do something to help children. She now has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Trinity College and MBA from Quinnipiac University.
Minnie Gonzalez – Minnie has served as the State Representative for the 3rd district since 1996. She is now the Deputy Speaker and serves on the Appropriations, Public Safety, Legislative Management and Housing Committees.