Abby Su
llivan Moore is the co-founder and executive director of
Footwear with Care, a nonprofit program that provides new shoes, boots, socks, and other support to people who are homeless in Hartford. It is a public-private partnership, engaging the city of Hartford, the Podiatric Medical Association, and a local business. An all-volunteer program, it now helps more than one thousand people in need each year.
Abby has experience in both the world of journalism and the corporate sector. She started her career at the Hartford Courant (her first beat was covering the town of Avon). She later worked at Travelers and then CIGNA, where she served as a director in corporate relations. In that role, she helped initiate several , successful programs that knit together the public and private sectors. After CIGNA, Abby returned to journalism, writing for the New York Times, and becoming a Simon & Schuster author. After stepping away from journalism six years ago, she met an amazing Hartford cop, who bought shoes for a homeless man. And that was the beginning of Footwear with Care—her most challenging and rewarding role ever (besides being a mother of two boys—now grown!).
Abby was inspired by Hartford Police Officer Jimmy Barrett. A veteran and advocate for the homeless, Officer Barrett bought new shoes for a homeless vet whose only footwear were worn-out flip-flops. Officer Barrett's special relationship with the homeless in Hartford facilitated the start of the program to provide footwear. Abby sought the aid of the shoe store FleetFoot of Hartford and the Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association. Footwear with Care (FwC) is now one of the CPMA's non-profit ventures. To donate via the CPMA Foundation, click
here.
The COVID pandemic completely changed their plans and ability to raise funds and help the homeless.
FwC now works with the various shelters getting shoe sizes and identifying recipients, the Hartford Police, and other groups. They recently had an event at the Yard Goats Stadium where they provided flu shots, toiletries, clothes, shoes and socks. Abby mentioned that the Canton HS Interact students have participated in their events. Our Interact Advisor, Michelle Traub, confirmed that the students have been working with FwC for two years.
(Note the picture of Interact President, Alex Lederman, and one of the homeless at one of last year's events.)
FwC works with the larger food kitchens in Hartford. Last week 500 pairs of shoes were given out along with bus passes. The residents of the shelters have to be vaccinated. Those that live outside in the elements generally are not vaccinated. Steel-toed shoes are provided so that people can work at jobs that require them for safety. Abby estimates that about 1000 people are served each year.
Phil Ferrari asked about the percentage of male to female homeless. Abby said that about 35% are female.
Yvonne Gardner mentioned that the Church on the Pond on Bushnell Park helps with reaching out to the homeless.
Bob Cave was surprised at the number of people that live under I-91. He mentioned that Journey Home helps the homeless find a place to live. Abby said that a lot has been done in the last ten years to reduce the homeless population, but the opioid crisis has not helped. Many of the homeless don't like rules and curfews imposed by shelters, especially the younger population.
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