A Message from Kimberly L. Beauregard, LCSW, President & Chief Executive Officer, InterCommunity Health Care As I reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I am more convinced than ever that, amid the challenges facing our community and our world, Dr. King’s vision and moral leadership matter more than ever. His “I Have a Dream” speech remains a timeless call to end racial discrimination and to realize the full potential of our nation. At its heart is a simple but enduring truth: that people should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, and that justice denied anywhere threatens justice everywhere. As a leader in healthcare, I am grateful to serve within an organization whose values align so closely with that vision. Dr. King’s words remind me that healthcare is not only about diagnosing illness or prescribing treatment. It is about dignity, compassion, equity, and respect for the whole person. I am proud to lead with an unwavering commitment to health equity and to ensure that compassion guides every interaction and decision we make. Dr. King captured this responsibility powerfully when he said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane because it often results in physical death.” This truth continues to shape our work and our resolve. Dr. King’s final book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, still challenges us to look beyond the walls of our clinics and hospitals and confront the social and systemic barriers that impact health, including access to safe housing, quality education, and economic opportunity. At InterCommunity, we reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling Dr. King’s dream by advancing health equity, standing firmly against injustice, and ensuring that every person has access to compassionate, high-quality care, regardless of race, income, or background. Inspired by his legacy, we strive to listen more closely, serve more humbly, and act more boldly in pursuit of a healthier and more equitable future for all. Today, and every day going forward, I encourage each of us to reflect on how we can advance Dr. King’s vision, not only in our words but also in our deeds and interactions with clients, colleagues, and communities. Together, we can make his dream of justice, peace, and equality a living reality.

On December 18, InterCommunity was honored to once again partner with Steven’s Stockings for a day rooted in compassion, dignity, and hope. Backpacks filled with self-care essentials, warm clothing, and recreational items were distributed to InterCommunity clients and community members impacted by mental illness, addiction, or homelessness—small gestures with a powerful message: you are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone. Steven’s Stockings was created in memory of Steven Sienkiewicz, whose life was shaped by both addiction and progressive mental illness. Steven believed deeply that everyone deserves a second chance—or a third, or a tenth—whatever it takes. Though he is no longer here to build the safe, welcoming space he dreamed of, his spirit lives on through this program. Each backpack shared on December 18 carried not only essential items, but also acknowledgement, acceptance, and emotional support—the heart of Steven’s vision and the mission of Steven’s Stockings. The relationship between Steven’s Stockings and InterCommunity began unexpectedly on Christmas Eve in 2016. After delivering gifts to shelters across Hartford, the Steven’s Stockings team found themselves with remaining backpacks and no destination. A family connection led them to Coventry House, one of InterCommunity’s recovery programs. When they knocked on the door, they were met with warmth, gratitude, and open arms. What began as a spontaneous stop became the start of a deeply meaningful partnership—one that has grown stronger each year. “InterCommunity holds a very special place in our hearts. From that first unexpected visit years ago, we felt an immediate sense of warmth, respect, and shared purpose," said Marie Sienkiewicz, President of Steven's Stockings. "Each December, when we return, we are reminded that recovery is built on connection, compassion, and believing in people—exactly the values Steven carried with him and that InterCommunity lives every day.” Since that first visit, Steven’s Stockings has returned annually to InterCommunity, delivering backpacks to clients at every stage of recovery. Beyond the items themselves, the December gatherings have become moments of connection—opportunities to meet clients and staff, share Steven’s story, and honor the strength and courage it takes to keep moving forward on the path to recovery. This year’s December 18 distribution was a powerful reminder of what is possible when compassion meets community. Through Steven’s Stockings, InterCommunity clients were reminded that their journeys matter, their resilience is recognized, and their future is worth investing in. Together, InterCommunity and Steven’s Stockings continue to carry Steven’s legacy forward—one backpack, one conversation, and one moment of hope at a time.