Wood Yard Permanently Closed

The Open Hearth to Hold ‘Firewood Fire Sale’ Sept. 18^th as Organization Prepares to Close Hartford Wood Yard

Organization evolves its work helping men experiencing homelessness achieve employment with its highly successful Working Man’s Center

HARTFORD, CONN. – [09/10/2021] – As the colder months slowly approach and the crisp autumn air creeps in, The Open Hearth is inviting the public to their upcoming “Firewood Fire Sale,” where residents can fill their car trunks with deeply discounted quality firewood at the organization’s Hartford wood yard on Maxim Road. The event will be held Saturday, September 18^th from 8 a.m. – noon.

“For over half a century The Open Hearth Wood Yard has provided practical work experience for hundreds of local men learning how to maintain employment and rediscover their self-worth,” said Marilyn Rossetti, Executive Director of The Open Hearth. “Last year, we made the difficult but necessary decision to close the wood yard due to COVID-19. Given the growth and success we are experiencing with our Working Man’s Center in Hartford, we have decided to close the wood yard and devote our energies to the Center, a place where men with little or no job experience can develop the skills or earn the certificates they need to achieve sustained employment—particularly in roles that incorporate computers, digital tools and remote work.”

With a $40 cash donation, The Open Hearth will fill your trunk with firewood and you won’t even need to leave your car. Supplies are based on a first-come, first-served basis, and only cash donations can be accepted. All proceeds from the sale will support the organization’s mission to help local men experiencing homelessness.

“The wood yard has been a terrific program for us, but given the growing success we are having with The Working Man’s Center and the complications associated with COVID and firewood restrictions, this is the perfect time to make a transition,” added Rossetti. “We encourage everyone to stop by and stock up on discounted cords of wood, which will support our mission and the evolution of our Working Man’s Center and its important mission to connect the men we serve with continuous employment.”

Established in 1884, The Open Hearth is the oldest continually operating housing program for men on the East Coast, with a mission to help men experiencing homelessness enhance their capacity for self-help, self-respect and dignity by achieving their full potential as responsible residents of Greater Hartford and Connecticut. Located at 150 Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford, Connecticut, The Open Hearth is home to the Working Man’s Center, which provides a multitude of needed services to local men—including counseling, mentoring, recovery, healthcare, relationship restoration, adult education, work experience and employment placement. For more information on The Open Hearth or to learn how you can get involved or support our mission, visit theopenhearth.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.