Police post transformed
Resource hub offers different kind of aid at Barnum complex
BRIDGEPORT — Residents of the P.T. Barnum apartment complex will now have a place to go to get clothes, food and coffee, tea and snacks — in the police post at the complex itself.
The P.T. Resource Hub — which will house a cafe, pantry and clothing closet — was made possible through a partnership with LifeBridge Community Services and the police department’s community services unit, a news release said.
It’s grand opening was Thursday.
The hub is in Building 15, Apt. 103 of the P.T. Barnum apartments. The goal of the hub is to serve as a “unique collaboration between residents, the community policing division of the Bridgeport police and LifeBridge Community Services,” the news release said.
The cafe is designed as a place where residents can grab a coffee, tea or snacks. The space will be available to host workshops.
The pantry will provide residents of the apartment complex with access to food when they are in need. It will be stocked with non-perishable goods, the news release said.
And the clothing closet will feature school uniform pieces and suits for men as well as clothing for women and children.
All the services offered in the hub will be free to residents, managed by resident leaders and staffed by resident volunteers.
The news release indicated that the collaboration came together after residents and former residents talked about challenges and ways to build up the community in the P.T. Barnum apartments.
“In the past, residents would help each other when times were hard and that spirit of community self-determination should be recreated and needed a location,” the news release said.
The idea was brought to Capt. Roderick Porter — who oversees the department’s community services division — to use the police department’s post in P.T. Barnum for the services.
After getting the green light from Porter, the President and CEO of LifeBridge Community Services Alan Mathis and the site manager of P.T. Barnum apartments were approached about jointly offering the services and they agreed.
LifeBridge has donated clothing racks, bins for storage and agreed to host clothing and food drives throughout the year with its staff.
The police department will donate the coffee pots, furniture and pastries.
Residents will volunteer and manage the hub, including the booking for special presentations and services for residents.