Passion led
us here
Our Mission
The People's Place (TPP) is an incubator for economic growth and social change that connects organizers and entrepreneurs to development, technology and each other.
Our Vision
TPP envisions a thriving Waterbury where residents and neighbors from surrounding towns cooperate in meaningful place-making, community revitalization and economic and community development.
Our Values
Innovation
We encourage creative solutions to address unique challenges and achieve communal goals.
Community-Centric
We prioritize the needs, interests, and aspirations of the community above all else.
Mutual Support
We foster a culture of collaboration and cooperation to disburse risk and build a supportive network of change agents.
Integrity
We recognize that our success is contingent upon the faith and confidence that others place in us and are unwavering in our commitment to uphold the highest ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in our actions and relationships.
Building People Power
We believe in harnessing the collective strength and potential of empowered individuals and communities to take an active role in shaping their own destinies
Community Organizing
We believe in the power of strategic movement building and principled struggle to bring about necessary, lasting change.
Our Story
There have always been passionate leaders who, with resourcefulness and innovation, have made do with what they had. They work tirelessly to create change, often in makeshift spaces and with limited resources. They see the need for more than just individual effort and understand that real, lasting impact requires strategy, cooperation, and rigor.
The People’s Place is a testament to what can be achieved when strategic and cooperative relationships are combined with a deep commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment. Our purpose is to provide accessible and flexible infrastructure necessary for people to connect, collaborate, and build — together. Our vision is a future where every resident is confident in their ability and supported in their responsibility to form the communities, institutions, and systems they dream of. Our values are rooted in the belief that through collective action and shared resources, we can transform our small corner of the world, and beyond.
As we moved from idea to reality, a diverse array of organizations played a crucial role: Basement Ghost Media, Brass City Gamers, Building Legacy and Community, It's Time Waterbury, and WEPA (Waterbury Empowers the People to Act). In 2022, this coalition rallied together, raising nearly $200,000 to secure a one-year planning grant. This was not merely a fundraising effort, but a strategic move to address the core issues facing our communities. The planning grant was used to design a comprehensive business plan, laying the groundwork for The People’s Place’s official launch in 2024. Over 14 months, with the dedication of a committed Board of Directors, a skilled Project Manager (now Executive Director), and expert consultants, The People’s Place took shape. We developed our mission, vision, and values; established our programs and services; created a preliminary client portfolio; and built a network of supporters who believe in the power of collective action.
Today, The People’s Place stands as a vibrant hub, where residents and their communities are well equipped to solve problems and build institutions, systems, and spaces rooted in care, safety, and abundance.