Originally, reSET set out with the dream of creating a community of social entrepreneurs, supporters, and co-workers. Since opening the doors of our Community Space at 99 Pratt Street to the public in July of 2013 our community has grown by leaps and bounds!

On Thursday November 21st we held our first #SocEnt LIVE! Coffeehouse to celebrate the opening of reSET’s Community Art Gallery. What a night, the energy in the room was electric! The super cool lights provided by ElectroSpin University certainly helped foster such a vibrant environment, but I’m fairly certain the energy in the room was felt by everyone. In fact, many who were in our space commented on the room’s feel saying things like, “wow I love the energy in this place!” what a compliment! Those types of reactions indicate to me that our organization’s mission is resonating with many. They are on our wave length, picking up what we’re putting down, or however you prefer to describe it.

Week after week new events pop up within our walls, or a new call for celebration. The positive energy and excitement springing up around reSET has been nonstop.

In October, reSET alongside a crowd of 200 supporters celebrated several social entrepreneurs who received recognition during the Social Enterprise Awards on October 29th. If that night wasn’t memorable enough, not even three weeks later here we are with another gigantic show of support from our community. Over one hundred people came to #SocEnt Live! to celebrate art, music, and social enterprise.

Let’s back track- the inspiration to have an Art Gallery was first considered by reSET’s staff over the summer. As time went on the plan developed, and through that development word started to spread that we were working towards having a community art gallery. As people learned of our plans it became clear that they also wanted to volunteer their talents and help bring the gallery to fruition. It’s amazing when we stop and think of all the partners who pitched in!

Sarah Paolucci, owner of Paolucci Illustration and Design and downtown Hartford resident, curated the gallery for us. We met Sarah in July and since then she has been a huge supporter and friend to reSET. Not only did Sarah manage the Call to Artists, but she helped put up the rails to hang the art. She also designed the entire layout for the gallery. Sarah’s presence in our Community Space started to become a common occurrence. Often she would stop in to say hello, drop off art, or take a walk around brainstorming what the gallery would look like once completed.

We worked with Sarah and decided to put out a call to artists, we wanted art that represented, you guessed it, community! Twelve artists from in and around Hartford answered the Call to Artists and brought in their work to be hanged on reSET’s walls. What an amazing turnout! We couldn’t have asked for a better selection of Art. Like I mentioned earlier, our goal was to create an innovative, positive, forward thinking community; and through this Call to Artists we had some gems walk through the door! Just really great people.

This December marks the end of our second Social Enterprise Accelerator Program, and in addition to members of the Hartford art community coming out in support of the gallery opening; members of reSET’s programs were all over the space helping out and getting involved. We had past accelerator participants and current accelerator participants, it was really special getting the two groups together, and they instantly recognized shared interests. Two come to mind: their affiliation with reSET, operating a start up social enterprise. After realizing those two things, a connection was made. Watching connections like that take place is a Community Builder’s dream come true! Everyone was eager to help out at #SocEntLive!, setting up lights, and manning the drink table. Others brought friends and introduced them to reSET. Their support continues to be immeasurable.

As Bill Clinton once said, “When I think about the world I would like to leave to my daughter and the grand children I hope to have, it is a world that moves away from unequal, unstable, unsustainable interdependence to integrated communities- locally, nationally and globally that share the characteristics of all successful communities.”

Kate Callahan joined reSET as a reSET reSIDENT in July of 2013, and was one of three performers at #Socent LIVE! Kate was one of the first to take a desk as a co-worker at reSET’s Community Space. She gravitated to the idea of having a community of coworkers, people she could share her day with, as well as have sincere conversations that would benefit the advancement of the two businesses she operates out of reSET. Since walking through reSET’s doors, Kate has been willing to help in any way possible, including performing during our event. Kate came to reSET in search of a more productive work space, a place where she would have a community and the ability to get out of her house and into a space where she could focus. She has become so much more than a co-worker; she has become a friend.

James Woulfe, reSET’s Public Policy and Impact Investment Specialist, was joined by former reSET Accelerator participant Chris Brechlin for a #Socent LIVE performance. The duo brought their college band back together, and put on a dynamic festive performance.

Ojala Naeem, reSET’s IT and Incubator Manager, was the project manager for the Art Gallery/ #Socent LIVE! event; she was the visionary and leader. Ojala followed each step of the process closely and in the end, we had a great event!

A singular idea that grew, but couldn’t grow on its own as the idea needed a community to flourish; it needed not just any community but our community. Without everyone’s talents, collaborative efforts, time, and energy the Art Gallery might still just be an idea.

From the time reSET opened its doors in June, our goal – our very intentional goal – has been creating community. Community can be hard to define but is instantly recognizable. It’s here and now at reSET. Join us!