You must live feverishly in a library. Colleges are not going to do any good unless you are raised and live in a library everyday of your life. -- Ray Bradbury
A Legacy of Giving: In Honor of John Rossi
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For Ellen, giving to Hartford Public Library is deeply personal—it is a way to honor her father, John J. Rossi, and the life he built in Hartford.
John was born in Syracuse, Sicily in 1920 and immigrated to the United States at three years old. His family settled in Hartford’s Front Street neighborhood, where his father owned a small sundry store. Like many immigrant families, they arrived without speaking English, navigating a new country while learning a new language.
That experience stayed with John. He understood firsthand how difficult and how important it was to find your footing in a new place.
John became a U.S. Citizen while serving as U.S. Army medic in the Philippines. Returning home, he married his wife, Lucy, in 1947. Through the GI Bill, he graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1949 before finding his first job as an insurance agent.
In the early 1950’s, John began volunteering in the adult education department at Hartford Public Library, teaching English as a Second Language to others who, like him, were building new lives in Hartford. Teaching wasn’t just about language—it was about helping people feel confident, connected, and part of their community.
That spirit of service shaped his life. John went on to serve as a commissioner of the MDC, where a building was later named in his honor. All four of his children carry forward his commitment to helping others—working in fields like education, cultural programming, healthcare, and including one who became a librarian.
When John passed away in 2009, Ellen wanted to honor her father in a way that reflected who he was and what he believed in. That year, she made her first gift to Hartford Public Library’s The American Place in his memory. She has continued to give over the years, keeping his legacy alive through her ongoing support.
For Ellen, supporting the Library is a way to ensure that others have the same opportunities her father valued—access to learning, connection, and a place to belong.
Hartford Public Library is grateful to Ellen, to the service and legacy of John J. Rossi, and to all who carry that spirit of giving forward in our community.
They Started at Hartford Public Library. Now They’re College Graduates.
Emeline, Samantha, and Honore at HPL in 2021
Every journey begins with a first step—and for Samantha, Emeline, and Honore, that step was Hartford Public Library (HPL).
As immigrant and refugee teens new to the United States, they found support, belonging, and opportunity through HPL’sThe American Place (TAP) after-school programs. These initiatives provide a safe, empowering space where young people learn English, build leadership skills, and chart paths toward higher education and citizenship.
Today, they are proud college graduates. Their stories show what’s possible when young people are given the support they need—and how your generosity helps open doors to brighter futures.
Samantha’s Story: Rooted in Purpose, Driven to Care
When Samantha and her mother immigrated to the United States from Brazil, everything was unfamiliar—language, school, community. But through Hartford Public Library’s after-school program for English Learners, part of The American Place (TAP), Samantha found the support she needed to thrive.
With guidance from caring library staff and the stability of TAP’s programs, Samantha quickly found her footing. At Bulkeley High School, she rose to become a student leader—joining the Girls Varsity Soccer and Track teams, serving as Co-President of both the Latinos in Action Club and her Senior Class, and representing her peers as a member of the City of Hartford’s Youth Advisory Board.
Samantha graduated from high school in 2021 as a Hartford Promise Scholar and began her college journey at the University of Connecticut that fall. There, she continued to shine—earning distinction as a Mortenson Scholar and becoming an active member of CT Students for a Dream, a youth-led immigrant rights group.
In May 2025, Samantha graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. Today, she works as a Patient Care Assistant at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, and has been accepted into UConn’s highly competitive Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Program in Nursing.
Samantha’s journey—from newcomer to healthcare professional—is a powerful reminder of how opportunity, support, and determination can transform lives. She is now a passionate advocate for healthcare access for immigrants, determined to give back to the community that helped her find her way.
Emeline’s Story: Empowered to Lead, Inspired to Heal
Emeline was just a teenager when she and her family arrived in Hartford as refugees from Malawi, Africa. Adjusting to a new country wasn’t easy—but when she walked through the doors of Hartford Public Library, she found hope, belonging, and a path forward.
She joined HPL’s very first cohort of immigrant and refugee teens in 2017. Through TAP’s after-school and summer programs for English Learners, Emeline gained more than language skills—she found confidence, purpose, and a support system that encouraged her to dream big.
At Bulkeley High School, she excelled academically, earning membership in the National Honor Society and graduating as Salutatorian of the Class of 2021. Her dedication and hard work were recognized with both a Hartford Promise Scholarship and a Lewis Fox Scholarship.
While in college, Emeline also became a U.S. citizen with the help of HPL’s immigration services. True to her spirit of giving back, she volunteered as a Citizenship Ambassador, helping others in the community navigate the same process she had just completed.
In May 2025, Emeline graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. Her next step? UConn’s prestigious Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Program in Nursing. Her passion for maternal and child health was born from witnessing the challenges women and children face in accessing healthcare back in Malawi—and now she’s committed to being part of the solution.
Emeline’s story is one of resilience, vision, and the power of community support to create lasting impact.
Samantha (left) and Emeline (right)
Honore’s Story: Team Captain to Business Graduate
When Honore and his family fled Rwanda and arrived in Hartford as refugees, the future was uncertain. But thanks to Hartford Public Library’s teen programs for immigrants and refugees, Honore found a place to grow, to lead, and to prepare for an extraordinary future.
Throughout high school, he was a regular participant in HPL’s after-school programming, where he built skills and confidence in an environment that nurtured his goals. At Bulkeley High School, he emerged as a true leader—serving as captain of the varsity soccer, basketball, and track teams in his senior year, earning recognition as a CIAC Scholar-Athlete.
His leadership extended beyond athletics. Honore served as Vice President of the City of Hartford Youth Advisory Board, and upon graduation was named a Hartford Promise Scholar.
That summer, he entered UConn’s Student Support Services (SSS)/Center for Access and Postsecondary Success (CAPS) program to ease the transition to college life. Each year after, he returned to that same program—not as a student, but as a mentor, guiding other first-generation college students along the path he had walked himself.
Honore also became a U.S. citizen with the help of HPL’s immigration staff, and helped other members of his family begin their own journeys to citizenship and higher education.
In May 2025, Honore graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. This fall, he will begin his professional career at the global accounting firm Ernst & Young, where he previously interned.
Honore’s story is a powerful example of what happens when young people are given access, encouragement, and opportunity. His roots are in Hartford—but his reach now spans far beyond.
Honore
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About HPL's TAP Teen Programs
The American Place (TAP) is Hartford Public Library’s award-winning initiative that supports adult and youth immigrants, refugees, and English learners through education, workforce development, and citizenship services. HPL’s after-school and summer programs for teens, offered through TAP, help young people develop language skills, build leadership capacity, prepare for college, and feel a sense of belonging.
These programs are changing lives—one student at a time.
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Phone: (860) 695-6300
