Data from New Haven suggests that communities of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In a city where 33 percent are Black/African American, 30 percent are Hispanic/Latinx, and 31 percent of people are white, cases of COVID-19 are disproportionately higher among people of color: 29 percent are Black/African American, 30 percent Hispanic/Latinx, and 14 percent white. Notably, we don’t have a full picture of these disparities, because data from COVID-19 testing sites do not accurately account for race and ethnicity. One-quarter of the reported data are missing these identifiers. We implore the state of Connecticut and local testing sites to ensure accurate data collection. We must have complete data about the disparities affecting our communities.

This data isn’t surprising. It illuminates deep-seated health disparities seen for decades in New Haven and other U.S. communities. According to the DataHaven 2018 Community Wellbeing Survey Report, 17 percent of residents in New Haven neighborhoods that are predominantly Black and Latinx have diabetes, compared to 10 percent of residents in New Haven overall. Disparities by race also occur in asthma prevalence, with 15 percent of white, 22 percent Black, and 30 percent Latinx residents in New Haven reporting asthma. A new DataHaven report on health equity in Connecticut documents stark differences in access to economic opportunities, food, affordable housing, health care, and more, disproportionately impacting low-income individuals and people of color, particularly Black and Latinx residents.

These gaps in health are part of complex issues ingrained in our society. Health is affected by elements related to one’s community, race, environment, and social and economic status. The Black and brown communities that are most at-risk for chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, hypertension) and COVID-19, experience greater barriers within their environments that prevent people from engaging in healthy behaviors. These barriers can be lack of access to affordable healthy foods, streets unsafe for walking and biking, limited recreational resources, among others. These elements are part of the structural racism that has profound impacts on access to health care and opportunities to live a healthy life. We see this play out dramatically with COVID-19.

The New Haven REACH Coalition is a new approach to local solutions. Made up of several New Haven residents and community partners, the REACH Coalition began with federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health, or REACH, aims to address systemic barriers that create health disparities in chronic diseases. To address these barriers, REACH brings together members of the community to plan and carry out strategies to address health equity. The pandemic has made the work of REACH more pressing — as chronic diseases are underlying conditions that put people at risk for COVID-19, especially people of color.

Through the specific activities of the REACH strategies put forth by the CDC, we are tackling systems that perpetuate inequities through:

Prioritizing equity in the food assistance system by promoting and coordinating access to healthy foods in food pantries.

Supporting breastfeeding among Black moms by hiring a Black peer counselor, improving community spaces for breastfeeding, and advocating for policy changes.

Creating connections among health centers and community supports through Community Health Workers to help people access resources.

Centering historically segregated communities of color in planning processes for safer and equitable “active” transportation (biking, walking, taking the bus).

The REACH Coalition has also spent its first year focused on the formative work of our member organizations’ and individuals’ roles in upholding components of racist infrastructure that still exists today, resulting in inequities. We are examining systematic ways in which we can address racism by creating racial equity goals and values, and encouraging self-reflection with anti-racism education. The work is difficult and incremental. It is work we must all do.

As the REACH Coalition & Steering Committee, we suggest the following actionable steps for all partners in New Haven and across the state:

1. Foster decision-making that centers the voices of communities by including residents in decision-making roles. Staff, boards, and committees of organizations should reflect the local community.

2. Prioritize health-promoting assets during and after COVID-19, such as increasing access to healthy, affordable foods; ensuring safe, healthy housing; and creating safe neighborhoods.

3. Examine your roles in systems and organizations and identify specific tactics that contribute to undoing racism, such as anti-racist trainings and policy development.

This pandemic has clearly shown the devastating impact of systemic racism. We must work toward ending health disparities and not simply return to “normal” — so that we can all live our healthiest lives.

The REACH Steering Committee is comprised of New Haven residents, local organizations, community partners and existing coalitions, including the Healthier Greater New Haven Partnership and the New Haven Food Policy Council and their respective working groups.

The City of New Haven Department of Arts Culture and Town Green Special Services District are seeking a New Haven- based Artist (s) to design temporary 2-dimensional artwork for display on windows of City Hall next to the Amistad Memorial at 165 Church Street (see website). Artwork should reflect the importance of black and brown lives, influences and culture on our New Haven communities.
 
Budget: $2500 for artist(s) and supplies
 
Deadlines
Work Sample Submission Deadline: July 7, 2020
Artist Selection Announcement: July 14, 2020
Artwork Production Deadline: August 4, 2020 
 
Interested artists should submit 3 samples of artwork, contact information, and a brief description of the artwork they propose for transforming the windows around the memorial to kfutrell@newhavenct.gov by Friday, July 7, 2020.
 
Final Artwork Display Specifications
The windows are located on the ground level of City Hall and border the Amistad Memorial (see photo). Final artwork dimensions should be compatible with window measurements.:
 
(3) 66"w x 71"h
(1) 54"w x 82"h
(3) 54"w x 70"h
 
Questions should be directed to Kim Futrell, kfutrell@newhavenct.gov or 203-946-7172.
 

Connecticut Humanities will be re-granting a total of $470,000 in CARES Act funding. Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $15,000 and no match is required (maximum amount of funding that can be requested is based upon an organization’s budget size). Grants may be used for general operating expenses only (such as salaries, rent, utilities, supplies, and equipment).

·         Deadlines: Applications will be accepted starting Friday, May 15, 2020, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all program funds have been spent. At least three application reviews will be conducted for all applications received by 11:59 pm on June 1, June 15, and July 1, 2020, respectively. Award notifications are made approximately two weeks following a deadline. 

·         Eligibility: Includes being a Connecticut-based federally recognized tribe or being incorporated in the state of Connecticut for at least one year as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors (that meets regularly) and provides significant programs and/or services to the public on a regular basis, including open hours and special events; or functions as a professional service organization that supports humanities program providers. 

·         Other Requirements: As required by federal guidelines, a DUNS number is needed to receive funds. Apply for it early, as it can take two days to receive it. While not required to initially apply, funds cannot be dispersed without it. 

·         How to Apply: Applications must be submitted using Connecticut Humanities’ online grant portal. If you do not already have an account with our grants system, you will need to create one in order to be able to apply. The application should take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete.

Summer Meals Public School Sites in New Haven. If anyone is aware of a similar list for other towns please post so we can circulate it. No children need be going hungry.

These sites are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Barnard School - 170 Derby Avenue
Beecher School - 100 Jewell Street
Benjamin Jepson - 15 Lexington Avenue
Betsy Ross - 150 Kimberly Avenue
Bishop Woods - 1481 Quinnipiac Avenue
Katherine Brennan - 200 Wilmont Road
Clinton School - 293 Clinton Avenue
Columbus School - 255 Blatchley Street
Fair Haven School - 164 Grand Avenue
Hooker Middle School - 691 Whitney Avenue
High School in the Community - 175 Water Street
James Hillhouse High School - 480 Sherman Parkway
John Daniels School - 569 Congress Avenue
John Martinez School - 100 James Street
King Robinson School - 150 Fournier Street
Lincoln Bassett School - 130 Bassett Street
Mauro Sheridan School - 191 Fountain Street
Nathan Hale School - 480 Townsend Avenue
Roberto Clemente School - 360 Columbus Avenue
Sound School - 60 South Water Street
Strong School - 130 Orchard Street
Troup School - 259 Edgewood Avenue
Truman - 114 Truman Street
West Rock Academy - 311 Valley Street
Wexler Grant - 55 Foote Street
Wilbur Cross - 181 Mitchell Drive

Hey Nonprofits!

Has your organization created processes and procedures to deal with the COVID-19 crisis? Are staff prepared and properly supported? This checklist created by Risk Alternatives highlights key points to consider.

Learn more: https://www.cfgnh.org/articles/covid-19-response-checklist-for-nonprofits

The country is on fire—right now—yet again. It is on fire with a righteous rage that has come from living under the constant threat of Black death, under the constant fear of state-sanctioned racial violence at the hands of law enforcement and vigilantes. But we as a country have been here before many times. About five years ago, social justice foundations and progressive donors proudly proclaimed that Black lives mattered and that they would put significant resources behind building the capacity of Black-led and Black-centered organizing happening in communities across the country...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/dear-philanthropy-these-are-the-fires-of-anti-black-racism/

Thursday afternoon found me kneeling in front of my 2-year-old’s bedroom door, crying. She was on the other side, also crying. Nap was not happening…again.

And not only was I failing abysmally to convince an eminently unreasonable child to nap, I was missing a work call (actually for this article)...

https://hechingerreport.org/teachers-wisdom-on-how-to-stay-sane-dealing-with-your-kids-crazy-behavior/

Open Communities Alliance (OCA) is a Connecticut-based civil rights non-profit working to confront the state’s deep levels of residential segregation, which deprive low income families of color of access to opportunity and deepen the sharp income and race divisions in our society. Open Communities Alliance seeks to expand its enforcement staff and activities to combat exclusionary zoning and ensure housing choice for all families in Connecticut.

Position Overview

OCA seeks an individual deeply committed to social justice capable of working as part of a team to apply the principles of the Fair Housing Act to zoning and discrimination in Connecticut. The Staff Attorney will be responsible for monitoring affordable and multifamily housing zoning proposals across the state, including attending hearings, analyzing fair housing implications of denials, engaging in advocacy to relevant officials, and, where appropriate, pursuing enforcement activities including filing administrative complaints and/or developing and initiating litigation. The Staff Attorney will also conduct research and advocacy on the fair housing implications of municipal zoning regulations in regard to multi-family and affordable housing development, assist with the development of OCA’s new fair housing testing program, and participate in fair housing trainings as part of OCA’s outreach efforts. This is a full-time permanent position that includes a competitive benefits package.  Salary, title, and responsibilities commensurate with experience.  Salary range starts at $76,000.  

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for:

• Solidifying relationships with project partners.
• Researching, monitoring and addressing potentially exclusionary zoning policies statewide.
• Investigating potential fair housing civil rights violations.
• Conducting outreach and education on fair housing and exclusionary zoning issues.
• When necessary, contributing to the litigation of exclusionary zoning cases and potentially other fair housing cases, typically with pro bono counsel.

Who we are looking for:

• Required experience: Five years of litigation experience, including experience litigating in federal court.
• The candidate must be licensed to practice law in Connecticut and admitted to the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut or willing to apply.
• Preferred experience: 5+ years of litigation experience in the housing, land use or civil rights fields and experience negotiating complex or challenging disputes in litigation or pre-litigation settings.
• Competencies & attributes – Strategic thinker and creative problem solver; self-aware and curious; committed to diversity, equity and inclusion; ambitious and collaborative work ethic; detail oriented; ability to communicate with and build relationships across differences easily.
• Excited about and committed to Open Communities’ mission and social change more generally.
• The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work with experts, and/or experience with analyzing and deploying data in discrimination cases.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral argument skills.
• Command of Westlaw and Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

Position to begin ideally in July 2020. Small moving stipend available for moves from out of state. Please submit a resume and cover letter to info@ctoca.org and include “OCA Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Position is open until filled, with the goal of completing the hiring process by the end of July.

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information on this position: https://www.ctoca.org/employment_opportunities

Open Communities Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other basis protected from discrimination under applicable law.  Open Communities Alliance is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action.

Congratulations to Laura Barberia winner of both the Funniest Video and Audience Choice Award in the #WPAATV coVIDEO 3-Minute Movie (Or Less) make a movie challenge. She will be spending $75 in prize money at The Eatery,  She was referred to the contest by Lee Cruz. 

Hello,

In an effort to ensure that Connecticut’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts center health equity, Health Equity Solutions is collecting information from residents in CT through an online survey and one-on-one conversations. The survey asks respondents to identify concerns and proposed solutions to those concerns. These results are shared with policymakers, other decision-makers, philanthropy, and Health Equity Solutions’ partners on a regular basis. The survey is offered in 3 languages, can be taken multiple times, and can be found here:

Survey English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QN6BN3G

Survey Haitian-Creole: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HES_Haitian-Creole

Survey Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HES_Spanish

If appropriate to your network, please share the survey.

We continue to collect input on unmet needs and proposed solutions. Summary results are now available on our website and will be updated regularly, which can be found here http://hesct.org/covid-19/covid-19-health-equity-community-assessment-summary/.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Samantha Lew

Policy Analyst & Advocacy Specialist for Health Equity Solutions

Who We Are Looking For?

Are you someone who wants to use your accounting experience to improve lives in your community? Do you enjoy interacting with colleagues from all departments and being an integral part of making an organization work? Do you find joy in working with numbers, and find satisfaction in accuracy?  This might be the position for you!

Position

The Accounting Specialist is a key position within our Finance Team and is responsible for payables, receivables, data entry, and other accounting functions.  The successful candidate is detailed oriented and thrives when multi-tasking in a fast-paced office environment.  This is a full-time position (40 hrs/week) reporting to the Accounting Manager.

Responsibilities

 Performs daily A/P and A/R functions.

Enters data into our accounting databases.

Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

 Some accounting education, associates preferred

3 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience, A/P preferred

Capable of quickly learning our systems

A team player who collaborates across the organization.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of UWGNH.

Application Procedure

 Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to employment@uwgnh.org with the following subject line: Application for Accounting Specialist.

Position open until filled.

Changes Log:  Suggestions, corrections or updates may be emailed here.

+ Updated New Haven Food Resources information

+ Hotline for Food insecure people who can't get out during this crisis under urgent needs

+ Direct link to food resources in Hamden

+ Face Mask making with and without sewing moved to Urgent Needs due to multiple Mayoral orders requiring the wearing of face mask in certain public situations.

+ Legal information resources page created by CT nonprofit legal assistance providers, includes link to help in multiple languages.

+ Information about cellphone company offers: source - CTLawHelp.org 

+ Clifford Beers Clinic Warm Line: New Haven residents may may call if they need help during the current public health crisis.

+ NH Schools announcement regarding change to the schedule of food distribution along with New Haven Public Schools page of resources and links.

+ added Clifford Beers tele-health phone number under Urgent Needs. They are accepting referrals focus on children\families in need of support. 

+ moved face mask and face shield making videos to the "How to" section.

+ new CDC guideline regarding use of face covering in public at all times

+ instructional video for making face mask, shield, sewing and non-sewing options.

+ Updated web page  to get most current information about Food Assistance Resources, includes form for agencies to submit or update their program info.

+ added link to Perrin Foundation - resources page for youth, community organizing, communications and more.  

+ How to Prevent "Zoombombing" the ruining of your ZOOM meeting.

+ New Haven and Regional Artist and Arts Resources. How to apply and how to donate.

+ multiple language links for people who are having a hard time understanding English language communications. 

+  Connecticut Food Systems Alliance - Statewide information about food \food system during the pandemic.

+ changed Regional organizations to State and Regional organizations and added.

+ Online crowd sourcing\brainstorming spreadsheet for ideas for help arts and community groups move their event(s) live online.

+ link to YouTube videos: How to participate in a ZOOM meeting.

+ link to YouTube Video: How to host a ZOOM meeting.

+ 14 local government sites for access to local information.

- added link to sign up for alerts, State of Connecticut.

+ mutual aid link: Arabic.

+ section for web-based information by kind neighbors.

+ link to the Spanish version of Clifford Beers Clinic Resources for families and children.

+ Mental Health and Addiction Services resource page: Continuum of Care.  

+ recommendation: sign up for calls, email of text alerts from your local government.

Remember to call any place you need to go before leaving home. 

_____________________

Urgent Needs

• Food, shelter, and other Needs statewide: https://www.211ct.org/ OR call 211
• Local Area Food: This listed is updated weekly. Note the tabs on the upper left allow you to see separate pages for soup kitchens, food pantries or client-specific needs programs. Agencies may also submit or update information about their progam through this page:   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSLwQq7WlM0po27dnv3lGliLH1C9Suz-WVQ5JTqSjblJleGCFCqw95QDLdiHWLDd5HnR3Ouimqf4Kop/pubhtml?urp=gmail_link# . For the same information in Spanish click on español at the top of the linked page.
• Food Hotline for food insecure people who can't get out during this crisis: 888-910-2960.
• Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233 with support in more than 200 languages. Free and confidential.
• Child & Family Support: Clifford Beers Clinic tele-health line is up is accepting families in need of support: 203-772-1270. Clifford Beers Clinic Warm line listed under New Haven.
• Mental Health and Addiction Services: http://www.continuumct.org/coronavirus
• Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255
• Legal Information about court access, work, benefits, housing, and more during the COVID-19 crisis: www.ctlawhelp.org/coronavirus. CTLawHelp.org was created by several nonprofit legal aid organizations whose shared mission is to improve the lives of Connecticut residents by providing free legal help to people with very low income. Help on this page is available in: Español  •  Polski  •  Português  •  中文资讯  •  العربية  •  русском языке  •  한국어 
  • Cellphone Company support: Source - CTLawHelp.org

    Assurance Wireless (Virgin Moblile’s version of Safelink) is giving all of their customers unlimited minutes and texts from now through 5/20 as well as 6 GB of data for free.

    TracFone/Straighttalk (Walmart's minute plan): Partnering with Safelink Wireless to enroll clients in free minutes, assistance with bill pay, waiving reactivation fees, setting clients up with data and texting packages. Can visit safelinkwireless.com/enrollment of contact 1800 723 3546 for details.

    Verizon: suspending late fees/re-connection fees, bill assistance, and getting extra minutes with proof of poverty, unemployment due to COVID. Best way is to apply online through the account. We could probably help clients do this!

    AT&T: free/reduced cost wifi/hotspots through your phone, unlimited data for all existing clients, and providing services at $10 per month for families with no income, low income, or financial strain due to COVID. Will extend the $10 per month plan after COVID crisis. Online is the most officiant way to apply due to the high number of callers (per info on website).

    Cricket: dial 611 to enroll in any COVID relief programs. Waiving re-connection fees, and all service fees on payments. Can use Bridge Pay to pay current bills in future months, over a longer period of time, and/or smaller payments per billing cycle. Includes minute plans. To call 611 you must call off of the Cricket issued phone, if someone else is calling for the client the number is 1 800 274 2538.
• Face mask without sewing: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=511791376164596&id=148380082505729
• Do it Yourself face mask:  https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/make-diy-face-masks/
• Instructional video for people with sewing experience:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnhePGv0gmQ&list=PLFmfBXEzoOPXznkrI9VzJUTqVxYYPNMkM&index=3

Please suggest other services in the comments below or via email and we will add them.

_____________________

As the situation with COVID-19 escalates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending face mask or face covering when you are in any public space. Following the instructional videos below you can make mask for yourself then share the videos with a friend. Remember to sterilize you mask before every use, including the first use. You can do this by placing the mask in boiling water for at least 10mins. Allow  the mask to dry completely, if possible in sunlight. Also do not forget to cover the rest of you face. The second video below shows how to make a basic face shield. Cloth masks do not protect you from COVID-19,  they reduce your likelihood of spreading COVID-19 if you have it. Wearing a mask is done in addition to, not in substitution of social distancing.

_____________________________

Local Government COVID-19 Info and other Information: It is highly recommended that you sign up for alerts from your city or town (call, email or text) to get the latest local information if your local government is not providing this service get information from the State of Connecticut. 

• New Haven: https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/
  • Arts and Artist Resources: Department of Cultural affairs in partnership with The Arts Council of Greater New Haven launched a new haven creative sector relief fund for low income artists and small arts organizations. For eligibility and to apply:  https://lnkd.in/exNpybf. To donate: https://lnkd.in/eV6tysy
  • Food Resources during COVID-19: https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/pages/food. This site will be updated as additional food resources become available. Please check back regularly.
  • New Haven Public Schools: Resources and mails: https://www.nhps.net/coronavirus

  • Clifford Beers Clinic “warm line” is a place to call if you need information about the current public health crisis, if you need food or if you need to talk to someone. The line is open from 9am to 7pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 6pm Fridays. (203)287-2460.

• Ansonia: https://www.cityofansonia.com/news/?FeedID=865
• Bethany: http://bethany-ct.com/
• Branford: https://www.branford-ct.gov/community/covid19-community-updates
• Cheshire: https://www.cheshirect.org/
• East Haven: https://www.townofeasthavenct.org/covid-19
• Guilford: http://www.ci.guilford.ct.us/coronavirus-information-updates/
• Hamden: http://hamden.com/695/Hamden-Coronavirus-Information-Center
  • Free Meal Sites: http://hamden.com/704/Free-Meal-Sites-in-Hamden
• Madison: https://www.madisonct.org/CivicAlerts
• Milford: https://www.ci.milford.ct.us/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19
• North Branford: http://www.townofnorthbranfordct.com/
• North Haven: http://www.town.north-haven.ct.us/alertupdate.php
• Orange: https://www.orange-ct.gov/
• Oxford: https://www.oxford-ct.gov/home/urgent-alerts/town-of-oxford-covid-19-update-click-here-for-the-latest-information-town-hall-is
• Seymour: http://www.seymourct.org/ 
• Shelton: http://cityofshelton.org/
• West Haven https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/332/Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19
• Woodbridge: https://www.woodbridgect.org/

Add other local government sites including city/town specific resources from our region in the comment section below or email them and we will update this section.  

______________________

Facebook Mutual Aid Groups 

• New Haven Area Mutual Aid: https://www.facebook.com/groups/639466263512268
• Apoyo Mutuo New Haven (Spanish): https://www.facebook.com/groups/apoyo.mutuo.new.haven
• Mutual Aid in Arabic:  المساعدة المتبادلة في ووتربيري، بريدجبورت، نيو هافن

If you are aware of other mutual aid groups, especially those communicating in other languages, please list them in the comments below and we will update this section.

______________________

Regional and State Organizations

• Agency on Aging of South Central CT: https://www.aoascc.org/news/coronavirus-where-to-go-for-information/ 
• Clifford Beers Clinic (for Families with Children):  https://www.cliffordbeers.org/covid-19-resources. En espanol: https://www.cliffordbeers.org/covid-19-en-espanol
• The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven: Response and Resources Page for COVID-19
• Connecticut Food Systems Alliance: Resources regarding the spread and containment of COVID-19 as it relates to food access and the food supply in CT: https://ctfoodsystemalliance.com/coronavirus-food-and-connecticut/?fbclid=IwAR2MGX8RhiIQE4gJY8nstZW35WUFqWriED1JveeafbRvfpUPZYsapdyz46U 
• Perrin Foundation: Resources for youth serving, community organizing, communications and more:   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DebcMaXLhU4_1K7DepaE2G3DyrRl2eWGAxJ8zbRDgFo/edit?usp=drivesdk
• United Way of Greater New Haven
  • Individual and Family needs: https://uwgnh.org/community-resources/
  • Volunteering: https://uwgnh.org/volunteer-needs/

_____________________

State Portals 

• Connecticut: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
• New York: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Please suggest other statewide portals that should be listed in the comments section below.

__________________________

Your Kind Neighbors:

• New Haven Relief Resources: https://newhavenreliefresources.com/

• 10 Selden Board of Directors: online brainstorming document - anyone can submit their ideas to help arts and community groups move their events live online. Remember in brainstorming there are no bad ideas so put them all down!

__________________________

Useful "How to" links:

• Face Mask Making: Moved up to urgent needs because of the number of recent Mayoral Orders requiring the wearing of face mask in certain public settings.
• Basic face shield:  https://www.facebook.com/100003209936388/posts/2779089395541364/ 

• So many meetings are happening on ZOOM. Here is a simple 1 minute video explaining how to join a zoom meeting that you can use or if you are running a meeting you can send to other ahead of time to encourage them to participate: https://youtu.be/hIkCmbvAHQQ.
• If you need to run a ZOOM meeting here is a 15 min. video on how to do this: https://youtu.be/fMUxzrgZvZQ
• How to Prevent "Zoombombing" the ruining of your ZOOM meeting:  https://www.adl.org/blog/how-to-prevent-zoombombing?fbclid=IwAR3zuLssSexTPAbLp1TyRtaL-K7CdivExM98qkC9OiZZpiTWTFshyGKZoOc

Do you have a neighbor who speaks limited English or is Deaf? Thanks to Western New York State Occupational Safety and Health below is  information on the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), and what workers can do to protect themselves, their coworkers and families. Not everything will be relevant but there is good information here for people having a hard time understanding English.

shqip      አማርኛ       عَرَبِيّ      հայերէն/հայերեն        বাংলা       မြန်မာဘာသာ       ភាសាខ្មែរ      官话       chuuk     دری       فارسی       français     ελληνικά     kreyòl ayisyen     עברית       मानक हिन्दी        lus Hmoob        Ilokano       Italiano       日本語    ကညီကျိာ်       Ikinyarwanda      한국어/韓國語        Kajin M̧ajeļ       नेपाली       پښتو        Polski       português      ਪੰਜਾਬੀ        русский язык        Soomaali       español        Kiswahili        Wikang Filipino    ภาษาไทย        ትግርኛ         українська мова        اردو        việt        ייִדיש

Several dozen Law School students are working together to offer support to organizations in the greater New Haven community as they confront the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few weeks, the Ludwig Center for Community & Economic Development (CED) and the student-run COVID Student Small Business Support Project have collaborated to develop educational materials and access to legal services for New Haven’s small business community.

https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news/clinic-students-provide-resources-greater-new-haven-businesses-and-nonprofits

To help New Haven nonprofits efficiently recruit the volunteers they need during these difficult times, a team of New Haven residents recently launched a partnership platform, NewHavenHelpWithCovid.com. Since our launch three weeks ago, more than 450 volunteers with various skills from computer programming and translation to driving and sewing have signed up, and 15 organizations have successfully recruited for multiple positions from our platform, including Agency on Aging, New Haven Reads, Junta for Progressive Action, Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers, and others.

But we are so much more than just a platform for matching volunteer supply and demand.

First, our platform is intended for speeding up recruitment. When a volunteer expresses interest for a position posted on the platform, the nonprofit automatically receives an email with their volunteer profile, which includes key information such as contact information, skills set, link to resume, etc. This is a useful feature for nonprofits that don’t have their own application portal. But even for those that do, by posting a position on the platform, we can help expedite recruitment for that position through our weekly newsletters and social media that our volunteers subscribe to.

Second, when our volunteers sign up, they are expected to download a learning app from our training partner, Blank Slate Technologies, that is preloaded with flash cards on the latest City of New Haven volunteer safety guidelines. They use the app once a week to ensure that the guidelines stay in the front of their minds. And if a nonprofit has organization-specific guidelines or training, we are happy to break those down into flash cards and push them into the app that our volunteers are already using.  

Third, we are a team that stands ready to support New Haven nonprofits in whatever way is most helpful—we’ve helped organizations do targeted recruiting, post positions when they’ve been too overwhelmed, collect applications, etc.  

If you are interested in learning more about NewHavenHelpWithCovid.com, contact team lead, Tiffany Chan at tiffany.chan@yale.edu.

ACES is living its mission: to enhance and transform lives through education, innovation, and leadership during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Though classes and services are being offered through online services, ACES staff has collectively been reaching out to provide support during the Covid-19 crisis through food drives to support those with food insecurities and donating PPE, and using their skills and technology to make masks and other protective equipment for hospital workers at Yale New Haven Hospital and Hartford Hospital. ACES efforts began in March and have continued through April with no sign of slowing down.

ACES nurses have been making and contributing masks since the beginning of March. To engage and coordinate their efforts, they created a Facebook group that currently has over 45 members, many of them are ACES employees. Many of these masks have been and continue to be donated to Yale New Haven Hospital. Additionally, our nursing staff, donated additional PPE to Yale New Haven Hospital including masks, glove, booties, gloves, gowns and goggles.

ACES Mill Academy and Thomas Edison Middle Schoolhave been using their technology, namely Replicators and 3D printers to create face shields and head straps. To date, Mill Academy has donated 26 head shields and head straps.  These face shields are being donated to Hartford Hospital to help protect medical professionals from the virus as they treat patients in the field. Donations are being made on an ongoing basis to Hartford Hospital.

ACES ACCESSconducted a food drive to help support shelters in the area as well as any ACES ACCESS program participants experiencing food insecurities.  Additional food drives are planned for the coming months.

Fellowship Place is excited to announce new online programming available to help our clients maintain recovery and connection during the COVID-19 crisis, including video demonstrations, art directives, health and wellness tips, and other activities.

Click here for Fellowship Place's new online programming and new program calendar.

Deadly Deliveries, View in graphics how hospitals are failing new moms and read from women as they share their near-death pregnancy experiences in this article by USA Today.

Read here: https://bit.ly/3b2fDAk

If you know of any resources available for pregnant women during CoVid19, feel free to share with us here: https://bit.ly/2JUtk8H. We will send share this with our community.