We couldn't be happier with our summer at Miss Yelena's Educational Place. She is truly wonderful,…read moreand it has been the perfect transition for our child into preschool. I would highly recommend this as a first daycare option--she welcomes children up until they move on to Pre-K or Kindergarten. Along the way, we've also met such wonderful families and friends through this experience. If you're looking for an interactive, safe, and enriching environment for your child, definitely check out Miss Yelena's.

My preschool daughter has been at Mrs. Yelena's Educational Place for almost two years now and we…read morecould not be happier with the love and care that she has received. Before finding Mrs. Yelena we visited multiple day care centers, we never liked the place, the people or simply we did not feel comfortable with the setting. (As first time parents we were nervous). When we first visited Mrs. Yelena we knew, we knew right away, we had found a place where our daughter could play, learn and grow. It felt like, and it is for our daughter, a home away from home. The small group really allows Mrs. Yelena to focus on the kids and their growth, our daughter, learned to clean up after herself, snack time and sharing, gave up the diaper, started napping (she only naps during the week, not on weekends), playing with other kids, climbing, painting, snow, new songs, English! She started singing all out and expressing herself in so many creative new ways. Every so often you meet people that have found their calling, when you meet Mrs. Yelena you can tell she is doing what she loves to do. She is a great educator, with so much warmth and kindness. Every single day the kids are playing with something new to stimulate a new sense, or new songs, or planting trees. A beautiful place and environment for kids to grow in. I highly recommend Mrs. Yelena's Educational place in West Hartford and Mrs. Yelena, if anything everyone who cares about their kids should visit her place to see what a loving and nurturing environment looks like.

What a wonderful organization. Very helpful and understanding. Arrived on time and were very…read moreprofessional and thoughtful!

This is hands down the best daycare my child has attended and we have been to a lot of…read moredaycares/home care. They are very flexible and accommodating. The director is so great- she is sweet, kind, and very personable. I have felt that their rates were extremely reasonable compared to other daycare centers. Their hours are fabulous too. The facility is always so clean and modern. I love the kids play area. My daughter who no longer attends this center because she is in school now, still remembers how much she loved going here! Thank you for making our lives so much easier when she attended here.

I have been involved with kiddie academy for a few years now. The administration is very involved…read morewith the kids and has also worked within the classrooms. They are very in tune with what's going on with the kids due to excellent communication with both staff and admin. Their biggest priorities are the children and having qualified employees who pay close attention to the children's well being. They also communicate with the families. When a concern is noted, they hold their responsibilities as mandated reporters demonstrating their complete interest and concern for each child.

Annually, the town of Windsor Locks holds a food drive on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It's a…read morecoordinated effort that involves WL Social Services, the Lions Club, local Boys Scouts, town businesses, and over 100 volunteers. Kudos to hard-working Heidi, WL town director of Social Services, and Wonderful Wendy, director of Youth Serices. Heidi puts her heart and soul into the effort, spending many late nights in preparation. Wendy assists with many other tasks. The goal is to obtain Thanksgiving food (turkeys, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, fresh veggies, etc, etc) for over 200 families who qualify for assistance, and also to replenish shelves in the pantry to help in the months to come. The Lions Club arranges for pickups in all neighborhoods in town between 9AM and noon (Boy Scouts collect the bags from porches). All items are dropped off in front of town hall and ferried inside by runners. Once inside, in the old gym, a veritable army of mostly teens check dates and sort products by type. I liken it to organized chaos more than synchronized swimming. Non-Thanksgiving products are then shuttled to the pantry where Heidi's asst, Darling Debbie, as well as Gracious Gabby, Affable Anne, and Cool Kristen work their magic. By 3 PM, most of the work is done, w some teen volunteers making up approx 200 bags of non-perishable Thanksgiving items. All for pickup Sunday between 2 and 4 PM by a conga line of vehicles that snake thru the parking lot. Special thanks also to Foodshare who donated large quantities of carrots, onions, and potatoes (sweet and white), as well as 32 turkeys and 20 chickens!! Overall, a success, as over 200 families get to enjoy all the trimmings of a holiday meal. 5 rewarding stars AND PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED POEM THAT HEIDI WROTE AND POSTED ON THE TOWN'S FACEBOOK PAGE THE EVE OF THE EVENT.

Amazing organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is built on…read morelove and respect. Amazing organization

The folks at Journey Found LOVE what they do and their nurturing approach is life-changing I've had…read morethe privilege of getting to know Tracey and Monica and find them to be such compassionate individuals with a driving passion to be there for their staff, friends and a support to families as well. The world would be a cold empty place without people like these two and Journey Found to warm and fill the hearts and guide the lives of so many. Thank you for all you do at Journey Found!

Amazing staff, good food, great location and atmosphere. Love their mission to help the homeless…read morecommunity too. Wonderful place to go if you need help or services in Hartford. They will take care of you and help you in any way they can!

Today's lunch at Gather 55, the latest Hands on Hartford food experience, offered up a truly…read morewonderful meal. The place was packed but the front of the house rep found us a perfect table against the rear wall with a view of the dining room. The gentleman who fixed/adjusted our table did a super job; hate those wobbly tables I always manage to find. The menus were clear and the ordering was super easy. The end product went way above our expectations. My dining partner ordered the Chicken Salad plate with a pasta side included. The chicken was fresh, tender and delicious [I stole a piece] and the penne pasta was just right while the celery and walnuts added crunch. I had the Salmon Wrap with spinach, avocado and ginger vinaigrette. The wrap was huge and the salmon perfectly cooked while the added ingredients made the dish even better. The crowd was lively and the atmosphere was full of love. We will return! Want to try the breakfast.

Wow! What an inspiring place! The Community Services Director Janet Mellon gave me a tour. They…read moreprovide services for Southington residents, and there are some programs for anyone at all, for example, if anyone needs a coat, hat, and gloves. Such an organized place! They have a huge food pantry, there is an amazing well-stocked Community Closet, and you will see the many volunteers there helping the community! Please donate food and gently used or new clothing and other products here. They will take anything. It's easy to donate, they have plenty of parking in the back, there's an area to donate in the front with huge bins and food carts. I really enjoyed learning about their many programs, like making Easter baskets for kids, back to school packages, and so much more. They also provide financial assistance. The Community Closet smelled good, the items were clean. I highly recommend you visit this place for services or to help their cause. They have fundraisers. Check out the website. You can stop by weekdays from 8:30-4:30 to drop off clothes or food and other items. They provide services during these hours, but as the director said, she's even there working on the weekends to care for the community.

A tremendously creative, inspiring & enriching cultural organization that Hartford is lucky to…read morehave. Greater Hartford Arts Council is a treasure when it comes to promoting and supporting the arts and cultural development initiatives within the region. The council supports dance, visual arts, theater, music, public art projects and organizes the city's annual Taste of Hartford (which I'm all about!). They also have a pretty rockin' events calendar and offer a Let's Go Arts card (I think it's $50) for member discounts. Put it this way- their 7 Day Arts & Entertainment Forecast has saved me from a boring existence. Scope out their website & go get cultured!