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People with disabilities are — first and foremost — people. People with disabilities are people who have individual abilities, interests and needs. For the most part, they are ordinary individuals seeking to live ordinary lives. People with disabilities are moms, dads, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, students and teachers.  About 54 million Americans — one out of every five individuals — have a disability. Their contributions enrich our communities and society as they live, work and share their lives...

https://tcdd.texas.gov/resources/people-first-language/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took has unprecedented action on September 1 by issuing a temporary national moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Citing the historic threat to public health posed by coronavirus, the CDC declared that an eviction moratorium would help ensure people are able to practice social distancing and comply with stay at home orders.  The moratorium took effect September 4 and last until December 31, covering tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction. 

More information and a printable declaration of inability to pay rent is linked here: Overview-of-National-Eviction-Moratorium.pdf

Please circulate to anyone you think might be able to use it.

From the CT Mirror:

It’s no secret the pandemic has hit Connecticut’s economy hard. It’s also no secret that the COVID shutdown has hit the state’s black and latino communities the hardest.

Pre-pandemic, there were some more signs of life in Connecticut’s cities – especially in downtown areas, but those gains weren’t always felt in the neighborhoods. City residents have been saying this to political leaders for decades, and still, little was being done.

The CT Mirror’s Tom Condon, a veteran reporter, has been exploring the different ways the state could make recovery more “inclusive.” This means everything from transportation and infrastructure improvements, to finding ways to get private investment into neighborhoods.

The idea is called “inclusive growth,” and Tom has charted how it’s helped cities like Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Oakland. In a new series, launching today in The CT Mirror, he considers how these ideas could be put to work in Connecticut.

Follow this series at The Connecticut Mirror.

Below are dates, times and locations for FREE COVID testing in New Haven.

• Whalley Commons, 1471 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, October 5, 7 & 12, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• New Haven Green, Northwest Corner @ Temple & Elm Streets October 6, 13 & 17, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Bishop Woods School, 1481 Quinnipiac Ave., New Haven, October 3 & 10, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Augusta Lewis Troup School, 259 Edgewood Ave., New Haven October 14, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• James Hillhouse High School, 480 Sherman Pkwy., New Haven October 15, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Barnard Environmental Magnet School, 170 Derby Ave., New Haven October 16, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

If you have questions, please contact:

Andrew Orefice, Program Coordinator
Community & Government Relations
Phone: 203-688-5671
Cell: 203-640-5502
Email: andrew.orefice@ynhh.org

By Galina Angarova

Sain Bainaa, Hundete Nuheduut/ Greetings dear friends. My name is Galina Angarova and I come from the Ekhirit Nation of the Buryat Peoples in Siberia. I was born and raised in a traditional community where storytelling, ceremonies, communicating with the land and our ancestors was part of our daily lives. Before my work in philanthropy and fundraising, I was an on-the-ground organizer who relied on philanthropy to resource the work. As an Indigenous woman, I also recognize and have the lived experience of understanding the shortfalls of philanthropy and hold solutions that can help this field be more accessible, equitable, and supportive of a regenerative, sustainable future for all...

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/reimagining-philanthropy-towards-relationships-trust-abundance-and-radical-love

Do you know a family with school-age children and no Internet access? Please let them know! MiFi hotspots are available at the New Haven Free Public Library for New Haven residents to borrow. These hot spots provide free internet access for 3-5 devices at a time. Call the Library at 203-946-8130 x 101 for more information and to reserve one today.  No one should be denied an education for lack of Internet access.

Community Learning Hubs are safe spaces for children to go during the school day for supervised distance learning with high-speed internet access, social support, and enrichment, in a small cohort of no more than ten children. Children eligible to attend a Hub must be New Haven residents in 1st through 9th grades, registered for the New Haven Public Schools, and demonstrate high need. Space is extremely limited and families with the greatest need will receive priority. There is no cost to families.

There is a common application at nhvlearninghubs.net for all Hubs participating in the New Haven Learning Hubs Collective, which is comprised of the City of New Haven Youth & Recreation Department, non-profit organizations, the New Haven Free Public Library, faith groups, families, educators, and community members. While we are now accepting applications for five initial Hubs, we anticipate at least ten more Hubs, operated by different community partners, to open later this Fall.

To apply for a space at one of the five Hubs operated by the City of New Haven Youth & Recreation Department, please complete the application between **September 28 and 30**. If you prefer a hard copy application, please visit the City of New Haven Youth and Recreation Department at 720 Edgewood Avenue.

Hubs locations are:
-Barnard Nature Center
-Trowbridge Square
-Salperto Park
-Coogan Pavillion
-Edgerton Park

Families will be prioritized by need, with a lottery among the highest-needs families if necessary. Efforts are also underway to open Hubs in Dixwell, Dwight, Fair Haven, Fair Haven Heights, the Hill, Newhallville, and West Rock. Please complete this survey to help us understand the need to this service: https://forms.gle/6h7SFJk2E9HUmbPB7.

Before beginning your application, please note the required documents:
https://tinyurl.com/yyl6mouw

Further program information here:
https://tinyurl.com/yxv4dbgt

Please contact the Reach Out Connecticut support line with additional questions: 1-844-TALK-4CT.

NHV%20Learning%20Hubs%20Digital%20Flyer.pdf

NHV%20Learning%20Hubs%20Hardcopy%20Flyer.pdf

THE RENSSELAERVILLE INSTITUTE would like to hear from you!  Come to the IGNITE Information Session to learn about "Community Sparkplugs" and how your idea may be eligible to receive a grant up to $3,000.  

✓Easy application Process

✓ Training and support provided

✓ Short projects - 6months or less

✓ Opportunities to share ideas and learn what has worked in other communities

✓ Build your community’s ability to do more

3 IGNITE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Session 1:  Wednesday, October 14, 2020 @ 12 pm – 2 pm

Session 2:  Thursday, October 15, 2020, @ 7pm – 9pm

Session 3:  Saturday, October 17, 2020 @ 10am – 12pm 

Register Today!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

For more information contact:

 Raquel Hill, Director

Community Sparkplugs

rhill@rinstitute.org

or Call 571-446-7653

Prevent, Detect, Report Medicare Fraud.

Unfortunately, scam artists are using the coronavirus pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number and other personal data, but you can protect yourself. 

REPORT all suspected SCAMs!

CT SMP 800-994-9422

       Volunteer Opportunities Available

Do you speak multiple languages?

Want help spread the word about fraud? 

Join us volunteer opportunities available! Call me Kisha Hull direct for more info 

203-785-8533 ext3162 bilingual Representation is Needed   

Who We Are Looking For?

Are you a finance professional with strong strategic thinking skills? Do you find joy in making systems run more effectively and efficiently? Are you interested in developing staff and consultants into a team with cutting-edge skills and a strong focus on customer service? If so, our Finance Director position may be perfect for you.

Position

The Finance Director will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team in financial management, systems development, and operations. The successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager and will lead and develop an internal team of staff and consultants to support the following areas: accounting, business planning and budgeting, and IT.

This is a tremendous opportunity for an experienced leader to maximize and strengthen the internal systems and capacity of a well-respected, high-impact organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce monthly and annual financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the finance committee of the board of directors; assess any changes necessary.
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the President/CEO; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep senior leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
• Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the accounting department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
• Effectively communicate critical financial matters to the President/CEO and board of directors.
• Act as a liaison for external relationships with accountants, auditors, banks, and other financial services.
• Play a key role in the transition to a new donor database and develop appropriate processes between fundraising and accounting staff for data conversion, data entry, and reporting.
• Manage external vendor relationships and contracts.
• Identify and analyze cost-reduction strategies (workflow efficiencies, vendor accounts, etc.) across the organization.
• Supervise a team of two FT employees and work with consultants in IT and HR.

Qualifications

 Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.

• At least 7-10 years of overall professional experience; ideally six-plus years of broad financial management experience, with significant experience managing complex projects from start to finish.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• The ideal candidate has experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting and audit coordination for a division or significant program area.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to and to effectively collaborate with programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
• A track record in grants management.
• Technology-savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
• A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of UWGNH.

Health Equity Solutions invites you to join our 2020 Listening Sessions!

These listening sessions will be approximately an hour and a half long and involve community members and partner organizations. We hope to learn your thoughts on health care and health equity and will use the information to inform our 2021 legislative agenda.

There will be multiple sessions throughout the month, with a maximum capacity of 25 people per session! Please register for the date & time that works best for you: https://bit.ly/3biFMfe

If you have any questions or need accommodations, please do not hesitate to reach out. Community members not representing an organization will be compensated a $20 gift card for their time. Please feel free to share with your networks!

The Graduate Student Grant Program provides direct payments to Graduate Student Loan servicers for up to $10,000 over two years, paid in semi-annual installments. Applications are due by Friday, October 2, 2020.

Applicants to this program must:
• Either have earned a graduate degree in the past five years or will be earning a graduate degree by June 2021
• Either be employed or be promised future employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a public service nonprofit organization* (The employer must have current 501c3 status with the IRS)
• Work for a nonprofit in one of the following municipalities: Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford,  Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Ha ven or Woodbridge
• Have previously received need-related student loans through such vehicles as the GSLA (Stafford) or NDSL (Perkins) programs during their graduate studies
• Have a personal annual income of less than $60,000 at the time of the award
* Qualifying nonprofits are: human services, arts, environment, community development organizations
If awarded, the program will forward payment directly to the Loan Servicer for four consecutive periods (over two years) during which the applicant must remain employed by a nonprofit that meets the criteria described.  See the attached brochure for details and the application form.

Graduate%20Student%20Grant%20Program_Brochure-2020%20v2.pdf

Program made possible by the New Haven Real Estate Education Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

Submit Nomination Here

Hello,

The New Haven young adult congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values kindness, caring for others, and supporting individual and community growth. Two of the young people in our congregation are volunteer missionaries who leave their home for 18 to 24 months to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ. They also spend time helping and supporting others, independent of religious, social, or other interests or affiliations.

Our current missionaries, Sister Napier and Sister Wright, are looking to volunteer with one or more nonprofit organizations for up to 10 hours a week. Activities could include food preparation or packaging, indoor or outdoor cleaning, paperwork or office organization, or light maintenance such as painting. They are open to other opportunities for collaboration, ideally with activities taking place during the day.

For their safety and that of community members, the missionaries have been asked to avoid the following:

• Activities that cost money or where money is collected;

• Using power tools or operating or riding any machinery;

• Working where they could fall from great heights (roof, trees, etc.);

• Working where they could get trapped or injured in closed spaces (deep trenches);

• Working in schools, daycare centers, or any other place where they may be alone with children;

• Activities with or around animals;

• Working with populations who are at high risk of catching COVID (senior care centers, hospitals, etc.); and

• Large group gatherings.

In addition, the missionaries have been asked only to participate in activities in which all participants are required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Please contact me for more information.

Thank you,

Andrew Wait

857-287-5809

andrew.w.wait@gmail.com

POSTING

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERSHIP

Multiple seats available

Nominations accepted through Sept. 14, 2020

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) is currently accepting nominations (and self-nominations) for membership on our Board of Directors. Ideal candidates will be passionate and committed to DESK’s mission. This is a volunteer position with an expected commitment to a three-year term.

Mission and Background

DESK serves people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. We are located in downtown New Haven, just off the Green. Our core programs include nightly dinner, a weekly food pantry, a summer mobile pantry, and a senior lunch program. DESK has been operating in New Haven since 1987. For more information on our programs, services, history, and vision, visit us online at www.deskct.org.

DESK’s Board of Directors is comprised of a small group of professionals who are highly engaged in the community in a variety of ways, each bringing at least one area of specialization or knowledge to their Board service. In addition to our monthly meeting, Board members meet as part of standing committees (Finance, Development, Program, Nominating, and Facilities) or taskforces.

Core Requirements and Responsibilities of Board Members

• Board Meeting Attendance – Board members must generally be available to meet for the full Board meeting on the second Monday of each month.
• Committee Participation – Board members must serve on at least one standing committee.
• Fiduciary Responsibility – Board members are responsible for providing financial oversight to the organization, including adherence to relevant laws, appropriate expenditures, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Programmatic Oversight – Board members are responsible for determining ethical, appropriate, and impactful program and service provision.
• Employment Oversight – Board members are responsible for ensuring ethical and fair employment practices in accordance with all laws.
• Strategic Planning – Board members are responsible for setting the mission, vision, and values of the organization and determine the long-term plans for achieving predetermined goals and ensuring organizational sustainability.

Skillsets and Backgrounds Currently Being Sought

• General diversity of voice
• Community leaders
• Financial and accounting professionals
• Project management, real estate, and construction professionals
• Representation from underserved communities and neighborhoods in New Haven
• Fundraising and strategic development professionals
• Social service and healthcare professionals

Compensation and Benefits

Board service is an unpaid volunteer position.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and résumé to Scott McLean at president@deskct.org with “Board Member Application” in the subject line.

DESK values greatly the role of diversity in organization and strongly encourages applications

from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.

here is a “gravitational pull” dragging down Black men in America. “There’s no respect in our community for each other as brothers.” “There are not enough men who are positive role models.” “What can we do as a society to lift Black men up, because y’all did a hell of a job tearing them down?”

These and many other hard truths came to light Wednesday night in the screening of and panel discussion about the short film These Truths: A Documentary on the State of the Black Community, hosted online by The Narrative Project and drawing an audience of about 100...

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/narrative_project_tells_these_truths/

Call for Participants

UNDERSTANDING COVID-19 IN NEW HAVEN

Do you identify as: 

• A New Haven Resident?
• Black, African American, Latinx, or Hispanic?

If so, please consider taking this survey: https://bit.ly/33McUuf

You will be entered to win a $250 gift card (3 winners will be chosen)

Prefer to take the survey by phone?
Contact: (203) 290-2764

Flyers:

CARE%20-%20COVID-19%20Survey%20-%20English.jpg

CARE%20-%20COVID-19%20survey%20-%20Espanol.jpg

Join Us and Take the Pledge:

In order to become more anti-racist, (Your Organization Name Here) pledges to make these changes:

CULTURE
To change our internal culture to one that actively amplifies BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) voices, encourages open and productive discourse on race and racism, and is aware of and addresses racism when it happens.

POLICY & PRACTICE
To review our policies to identify and dismantle any unjust policies and practices that create barriers for BIPOC; this involves recruiting, promoting, and empowering BIPOC for leadership roles in the body responsible for organizational oversight (i.e. board of directors), and committing to a JEDI statement (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) around which to build policy and programming.

ART
To acknowledge the barriers that have led to BIPOC artists being vastly underrepresented in the arts; and to actively counter this by employing and presenting work(s) by more BIPOC artists.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: To acknowledge that there are diverse communities which have been untapped by our organization; and to actively counter this by seeking out and providing a space for art focused on cultural pride, racial justice, civil rights, and other issues which are important and relevant to BIPOC communities.

ACCESSIBILITY
To offer programming that is more accessible to BIPOC, which may include adjusting ticket and/or admission price, format, schedule, and/or venue, in addition to content.

PARTICIPATE
To change our mentality from doing for the community to partnering with the community; this involves offering more “participatory” programming that directly involves diverse community members and allows them an interactive role in artistic and cultural activities.

HISTORY
To research and be aware of the historical and social context of the programming and the impact it may have on BIPOC communities; and to let this research and awareness inform programmatic decision-making.

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Note: Each point of the pledge has its own accompanying list of resources and tools to guide you through the process of becoming an anti-racist organization. 

TAKE THE PLEDGE

Amidst a global health and economic crisis, attention to racial inequity and injustice, and growing divisions in a pivotal election year, CAW seeks to explore issues of our time and of our city and region through our fall exhibition program.

Even as our own building is closed, our most public stage — our street-to-roof curtain wall — looking into our two-floor gallery space is wide open. We are excited at the opportunity to invite proposals for work by New Haven and CT-based artists to exhibit at CAW.

Proposals are now being accepted for site-specific window installations at 80 Audubon Street that explore issues that our community is grappling with. Proposed artworks or installations can be 2D or 3D, but must be designed to be viewed streetside through the windows of the CAW gallery. A reopening plan for CAW is still in formation; however, it is anticipated that no gallery visitors will be entering the building and gallery space to see work during the fall. Applications and concept ideas must take this into account.

Proposals may be submitted by individual artists or collaborative artist groups or teams. CAW’s intention is to better use its gallery and window space, particularly in this triple crisis we are experiencing as a community and nation. We hope to see proposals that advance the most creative use of the space and opportunity within the context presented. We strongly encourage applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, experience, and training. Preference will be given to artists whose work affirms the importance of black and brown lives, lived experiences, influence, and culture in our community and nation.

Successful proposals will both explain the concept for the installation, and give consideration to the technical elements of the installation, including being mindful of social distancing requirements during installation and de-installation. Ladders are available at CAW, but no scissor-lifts.

Proposals should include an idea for an accompanying online program to complement the installation. This part of the proposal can be modest in scale and scope, but seen as a way of engaging with the community. For some it may look like an ‘on air’ demonstration, artist studio visit, or visit to the windows to give a tour of the work, for others it may be a proposed 1:1 conversation with another artist, a CAW board member, teacher, staffer, and for others, it might include community organizing. Ideas need not be limited to this list.

Stipend: Each selected artist or artist team will receive a $750 stipend to cover materials, creation of the work, and facilitation of an online program.

In addition to the stipend, CAW staff will assist artists with the marketing, installation, and development and execution of relevant online programming.

Exhibition Dates: Up to three (3) proposals will be selected. Each window installation will be installed for up to four (4) weeks, slated as follows:

Window Exhibition 1: September 28 – October 25
Window Exhibition 2: November 2 – November 29
Window Exhibition 3: December 7 -December 20

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 5 pm

Artist Notification: Monday, August 31, 2020

To Apply: Interested artists should submit their proposal along with 3 samples of work and contact information to gallery@creativeartsworkshop.org. Please use “2020 Window Installation” in your subject line.

Window Dimensions: There are five identical window bays, each with three vertically-stacked panes. Each bay is 82” wide and just over 19½’ tall. For dimensions of the panes, see our online specs.

This exhibition program is made possible with the generous support of the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality grant program of the City of New Haven.