Celebrating New London's First Neighborhood Heroes

The Office of Development and Planning, Community Development, and the Mayor’s Office are proud to announce and celebrate the first recipients of New London’s Neighborhood Hero Initiative.

This new initiative was created to recognize residents who go above and beyond to make New London a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate community. Through their service, leadership, and dedication to others, these individuals help make our city a better place for all.

Please join us in congratulating our inaugural Neighborhood Heroes:

• María del Carmen Cortorreal  
• Frida Berrigan  
•  Amparo Bustamante
• Jose Colon

These outstanding residents were nominated by members of our community and selected for their exceptional commitment to serving others and making a positive impact throughout the City of New London.

As part of this recognition, each Neighborhood Hero receives the following citation (City, State, and Federal Citation): "In recognition of your outstanding dedication, compassion, and service to the City of New London. As a Neighborhood Hero, you exemplify the spirit of community through your selfless contributions and unwavering commitment to uplifting others. Your impact does not go unnoticed, and we honor you as one of the unsung heroes who make our city stronger every day."

In addition to recognition from the City of New London, this year’s honorees were also recognized at the state and federal levels through citations from State Representative Anthony Nolan, State Representative Dan Gaiewski, and the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.

Today’s honorees represent the spirit of service that exists throughout New London, where countless residents contribute their time, kindness, and energy to strengthen our neighborhoods and support one another.

If you know someone who consistently makes a positive difference in our neighborhoods and community, we encourage you to submit a nomination for a future Neighborhood Hero recognition.

Nomination Form: Neighborhood Hero Nomination (Current Nomination Round closes July 15th, 2026)

Current Nomination Round Closes: July 15, 2026

Thank you for helping us recognize and celebrate the individuals who make New London a special place to live, work, and thrive. Together, we can continue to uplift those whose everyday actions strengthen our community.