New Gazebo to Promote Friendship at Southington Housing Authority

The Southington Housing Authority celebrated the opening of a new gazebo at the DiCaprio Forgione Terrace housing complex on October 15.

Located at 408 Main Street, the community provides rent-assisted housing for elderly and disabled individuals in need. For years, some residents have been meeting daily to discuss life and share news in weather both good and bad.

“The residents would have a handful of chairs, a small beat-up table, and a beach umbrella that they would hang out here. They would be out here every day, socializing, enjoying the outdoors, and solving all the world's problems,” said Kevin Meier, executive director of the Housing Authority.

Yet it soon became clear that their meeting spot needed some improvement.

Inspired by the real friendships being forged in a less-than-ideal gathering spot, the Housing Authority and the Main Street Community Foundation worked together to have a new gazebo constructed there.

The gazebo is fitted with new tables and chairs, and has a ramp to make it accessible to all. Its roof will provide shade for residents' discussions on hot days.

“This is really more than just a structure to me. The three words that I landed on were: residents, community and partnership. I think this is really what it symbolizes. For us to go out into the community and work with our partners to enhance the lives of all of our residents here - this is what we do at the Housing Authority,” said Meier.

The funds that financed the project came from the Main Street Community Foundation’s KAWFY Memorial Fund, which annually underwrites improvements in the Southington community, such as the gazebo. Foundation President Susan Sadecki said that the fund was made possible by a large anonymous donation, and is dedicated to enhancing the town.

“This particular donor actually left a million-dollar bequest to the community foundation several years ago. A portion of that fund is used for scholarships for students,” said Sadecki, “and the other portion, which is the majority of the fund, is used to enhance different programs and projects in the Southington community.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by State Senator Rob Sampson and Representative Chris Poulos. Both praised the Housing Authority and Main Street Community Foundation for working together to bring the project to life in a way that showed the power of community collaboration.

“I really appreciate everybody involved in making it happen. It proves that we don't need government for everything. It proves that a lot of things can happen that are very beneficial to our people, our citizens, and our communities without government,” said Sampson.

Poulos recalled visiting the housing complex while out door-knocking for his campaign, and being welcomed into the discussion by the residents in their seating area.

He said he was touched by the genuine friendship of those who were present, and how the residents care for each other. The gazebo, said Poulos, will not just serve as a physical place to gather but a location that will help those friendships continue into the future.

“It might be a structure that you have on your property,” said Poulos. “But I think more important than the structure is that intangible camaraderie and friendship that that structure allows you to maintain.”