BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — A promised $100,000 grant for a local summer jobs program has vanished, leaving town officials and community leaders shaken. The funds, earmarked for Bloomfield’s successful Summer Bridge Program, were unexpectedly redirected to a newly established nonprofit now under federal scrutiny.
The funds were transferred to the Society of Human Engagement and Business Alignment, known as SHEBA, a nonprofit founded by Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, a close associate of State Senator Douglas McCrory. McCrory plays a vital role in Hartford’s legislative landscape, particularly in the allocation of grants that impact economically disadvantaged areas in north Hartford and surrounding communities.
Since its inception in 2022, SHEBA has amassed over $3 million in government grants and consulting fees, providing services like job training and placement specifically for minority populations. Both Cicero-Hamlin and McCrory are subjects of an ongoing federal investigation, with grand jury subpoenas seeking information about their personal and professional affiliations. Both have opted not to comment publicly on the investigation.
Town Manager Alvin D. Schwapp Jr. confirmed the interruption in funding, emphasizing the importance of the Summer Bridge Program, which offers essential workforce development opportunities for young residents. “For the past four years, Bloomfield’s Summer Bridge Program has provided valuable workforce development opportunities,” he stated. He noted that the Town Council had to step in with partial funding to keep the initiative alive for the summer of 2023.
Initially launched in 2022 through the efforts of Town Councilor Anthony Harrington, the Summer Bridge Program aims to provide high school students with part-time employment and valuable training. Goodwin University played a crucial role in delivering the training component during the program’s first year.
While preparations were underway for the second year of the program, participants were unaware that the promised $100,000 was being allocated elsewhere. A letter from State Senator Catherine Osten, co-chair of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, prompted the transfer of these funds to SHEBA. Osten described her actions as routine, indicating that legislative staff often prepare such requests based on existing addresses for funding allocations.
Emails exchanged among education department employees suggested an expedited transfer was underway, with indications that McCrory had taken an interest in the matter. Meanwhile, communication between Bloomfield officials and Goodwin University highlighted concerns over unpaid obligations tied to the summer program.
Bloomfield’s Chief Operating Officer, William Guzman, clarified to Goodwin that SHEBA had become the recipient of the state grant, thus shifting financial responsibilities. In its promotional materials, SHEBA identifies itself as a “minority and women-owned full HR support service” dedicated to overcoming socio-economic challenges.
Calculating SHEBA’s total state funding has proven complex due to the variety of grants dispersed by different state agencies. So far, SHEBA has received approximately $3.5 million, with an additional $1 million in approved funding, according to the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Included in these funds is $500,000 for consulting services provided to the Blue Hills Civic Association, another nonprofit receiving state grants. Payment records show SHEBA was compensated $250,000 annually for various services, including salary evaluations and board training.
The circumstances surrounding the missing grant highlights significant questions regarding transparency and accountability in the allocation of public funds in Connecticut. As community leaders strive to navigate the ongoing investigation, the future of the Summer Bridge Program—and its vital role in Bloomfield—remains uncertain.
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