Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) Team

The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) advocates for social justice issues at the community and state levels.

GHIAA is a part of the Hartford-based Center for Leadership and Justice (www.cljct.org). The mission of the Center for Leadership and Justice is to develop leaders who act collectively for social justice in Greater Hartford. GHIAA consists of 50 diverse, multifaith faith communities throughout Greater Hartford organizing together for justice. First Church is a member of this group of faith communities.

GHIAA uses an organizing process which consists of:

• Individual Meetings – the fundamental building block of organizing together.

• House Meetings – where a small group meets with a leader to deepen relationships and imagine how to improve local society.

• Research and Cutting Issues – where common issues that arise from house meetings are cut into campaigns that are specific and resolvable.

• Action and Evaluation – where leaders and organizers advocate with decision makers capable of effecting desired change.

Contact: To learn more or get involved, please contact Jim O’Brien at james_f_obrien@sbcglobal.net or any GHIAA Team member.

While there is more work to be done, the fall 2025 legislative short session saw some success as two bills that GHIAA supported passed.

HB 8003 allocates $500 million from the state budget surplus to make up for the loss of federal funding for a number of important programs including food assistance, healthcare and housing assistance. These funds are available through February 4, 2026, when the spring legislative session begins. HB 8004 bars law enforcement from conducting arrests without a judicial warrant in state courthouses or courthouse grounds and prohibits agents from wearing masks (unless medically necessary) while conducting their duties at courthouses. HB 8004 also prohibits all public agencies and officials from sharing personal information unless specifically required by law. This protects all of us who have shared our information with the state in good faith. GHIAA will be following up and continuing to advocate in the weeks and months ahead.

Some of our GHIAA Micah Moments

All are invited to watch the recordings of our presentations about these important issues!

Micah Moment: Environmental Justice (February 1, 2026)

Micah Moment: Education Funding Equity for All Our State’s Children (March 26, 2023)

Micah Moment: The Changing Landscape of Juvenile Justice featuring Danae Dwyer Esq. (April 3, 2022)