ALONG THE WALK 98 , M’ 96 ↗ For more about Trinfo.Café, please visit commons. trincoll.edu/ pinosa ’ Reporter. los Es ar C TRINITY TREASURE Growing up in Hartford, Carlos Espinosa ’96, M’98 loved accompanying his dad to the Friendly’s on Broad Street for ice cream. For the past 21 years—ever since the former Friendly’s became the home of Trinfo.Café—Espinosa has been retracing the steps of his childhood outings as he heads to work each day as director of community relations and Trinfo.Café. Atfer earning a B.A. in educational Initiative, with a goal to bridge the com- at Trinfo.Café, he is especially ener- studies and sociology and an M.A. in munity’s “digital divide” through com- gized by a student leadership initiative. public policy, Espinosa worked in com- puter technology and internet access. “All our student workers organize and munity organizing with Connecticut non- Today, Espinosa says, “Technology is still put on events open to the community.” proifts and in Washington, D.C., before at the core of Trinfo, but we’ve become Examples include yoga sessions, a joining his alma mater. He is known for a much broader community space.” His portrait-painting event, and a Halloween his devotion to strengthening connec - role has expanded, too. Within a few celebration, when neighborhood tions between Trinity and Hartford; years atfer his initial job reaching out to children visited the Trinfo.Café EDITOR’S NOTE developing community partnerships; col- organizations to offer internet access, he Community Garden to pick out and “Trinity Treasure” laborating with professors, staff, and stu- became Trinfo.Café’s director. In 2018, decorate pumpkins before enjoying highlights a person, dents; and creating a welcoming experi- he was promoted to his current position, snacks and cartoon movies. place, or thing on coinciding with the creation of Trinity’s Espinosa learned long ago that a good campus that is just ence for all at Trinfo.Café. His longtime what the name colleague, Instructional Technologist Center for Hartford Engagement and community organizer works behind the implies: a Trinity Dave Tatem, says, “Carlos looks for ways Research (CHER), which brought together scenes most of the time. “I’ve never treasure. Do you O to improve things. Even when some- several community engagement pro- wanted to be in the limelight.” Instead, have an idea for grams at the college. he says, “I’m happy being a good con- what to showcase? CAIT thing’s really challenging, he’s always Please send your CK Espinosa is a parent of two, along with tributor to a variety of institutional suggestions to NI cheerufl.” Trinfo.Café opened in 2000 as : O the hub of Trinity’s Smart Neighborhood wife Luiselle Rivera M’08. These days efforts to make this a better place.” sonya.adams@ T trincoll.edu. PHO 14 THE TRINITY REPORTER t t