Welcome

Juanita Crispin moved to Hartford, CT with her mom and her 4 siblings from Puerto Rico in 1986.  Crispin graduated from Hartford Public School; holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford; and a master’s degree from Ashford University.

Juanita Crispin is the founder of iamhartford.  The mission of iamhartford is for residents and visitors to learn about the history of Hartford, and to get information about events and activities in the city.  One of Crispin’s goals is for the Hartford Spanish-speaking residents to be more involved in the city by attending events, activities, etc.  Language is one of the barriers that is keeping many Spanish-speaking residents from coming to the events.  Juanita reached out to different organizations and places in the city and has volunteered to translate in Spanish.  Some of the places that Juanita enjoys doing tours in Spanish are at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park Foundation and Hartford Stage.

Juanita Crispin also enjoys photography.  She has used her love for photography to capture places, events, etc. of the city.  Some of her photography has been featured on websites, calendars, and books.  Juanita has a journal collection that can be found at amazon.com which covers are of pictures that she has taken, and drawings.  

Juanita's background is in mental health and education.  Education is her passion, and she is currently working in the Hartford Public School District.  Juanita taught Spanish for several years and she incorporated the history of the Hispanics/Latinos residents of Hartford in her curriculum.  Her main focus is Puerto Rican history and the history of Puerto Rican migration to Hartford in which she obtained a certification from Hunter College.  

Juanita Crispin is involved with different organizations such as the Connecticut Institute for Community Development (CICD) in which she was a board member for several years.  Juanita is currently teaching cultural classes as part of the CICD cultural pageant process, and also classes for children.  
Juanita enjoys doing storytelling as a tool to share stories from when she grew up in Puerto Rico and also about her experiences when she moved to Hartford.  

Juanita Crispin developed and summer program with the support of Mount Olive Child Development Center, Inc. in which she introduced the students to Hartford by attending museums, fire house, and other places in the city.  

Juanita Crispin is currently working on iamhartford website (www.iamhartford.com) whose goal is for it to be a hub with information about Hartford including the migration of Puerto Rican to the city of Hartford.