Volunteer Administrative Assistant

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Inc.
Part time, 20-30 hours per week

Overview

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) seeks a dedicated and passionate volunteer who will assist the Executive Director in a variety of administrative and development duties.  The appropriate volunteer will be a self-starter with strong computer skills, and the ideal candidate will have previous experience working in an office setting, preferably for a nonprofit organization.

Mission & Background Information

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen serves people who are experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity.  Since 1987, DESK has offered evening meals and a weekly food pantry to the Greater New Haven community.

Position Summary

The Administrative Assistant will work with the Executive Director to accomplish a variety of tasks related to Fund Development, Finance, Governance, and overall administration.  Fund Development includes external communications (email, social media, direct mail, website, etc.), event planning, grant writing, and donor relations.  Finance includes general bookkeeping, bill payments, and donation processing.  Overall administration includes a variety of day-to-day office tasks.   Most work will take place at DESK’s main office, located at 311 Temple Street in New Haven; there will be occasional off-site work.

Qualifications and Requirements

Volunteers interested in this position should be enthusiastic about providing much-needed services to the target population, but they should also have a strong sense of the importance of the administrative support that goes into social service work.  Ideally, the volunteer will be very comfortable using a variety of computer programs applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and social media and web applications.  Background in nonprofit administrative or other office experience is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

This is an unpaid volunteer position.  The primary benefit will be in the form of direct services experience, university credit (if applicable), and the overall satisfaction of helping those in need.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should email a letter of interest and résumé to Steve Werlin at swerlin@deskct.org with “Volunteer Administrative Assistant” in the subjection line.

DESK is an equal opportunity employer who values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp is joined by (back row from left) Members of the Youth Conservation Corps, Youth @Work Program Coordinator Tomi Veale, United Illuminating Program Manager Maritza Estremera, Youth Conservation Corps Supervisor Shequerra Hobby and New Haven Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett to launch the Home Energy Solutions- Income Eligible canvassing program as part of the city’s "Clean Energy Summer"

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (July 13, 2017) — On Wednesday, July 5, 2017, members of the New Haven Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) were joined at City Hall by Mayor Toni Harp, other local dignitaries and employees from United Illuminating (UI) to launch the fourth consecutive year of their energy efficiency canvassing program. These efforts were announced as part of New Haven’s "Clean Energy Summer," a city-wide commitment to combatting climate change as part of Mayor Harp’s agreement with the Compact of Mayors – a national group working to develop a low-emission society.

The YCC will spend the summer visiting an estimated 10,000 New Haven homes promoting the financial benefits of the Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible program. These no-cost assessments provide an average of $1,000 worth of efficiency services designed to increase comfort and lower monthly energy bills for those meeting certain income requirements.

As a partner of the Energize Connecticut initiative, UI committed $5,000 to the efforts, in addition to supplying brochures, applications, backpacks, shirts and other useful materials.

After decades of effort, the health of Long Island Sound is beginning show signs of improvement. But long stretches of coastal waters remain imperiled by pollution. Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save The Sound is on a mission to clean them and continue protecting the region’s air, water, and land.

Originally two separate organizations that were founded in the 1970s, Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save The Sound merged in 2004 to become one of the leading environmental advocacy and policy groups in the Connecticut and New York region. Its advocates work with state legislatures in Hartford and Albany as well U.S. representatives to pass strong environmental laws and policies. And when municipalities and companies violate clean water laws, staff attorneys hold them accountable. The organization also tests water quality, cleans beaches, restores habitats, removes dams, and installs green infrastructure such as raingardens that reduce storm water pollution.

“We have a diverse set of tools we use to protect and clean the water, land and air,” says President Don Straight. “We use the right tool for the project at hand.”Continue reading.

When neighbors transform a vacant lot or trash strewn curbside into a flowering pocket park or garden, they are doing more than planting bulbs and shrubs. They are building strong communities where people care about one another and the places where they live.

For more than two decades, the Community Greenspace program has helped volunteers around the city take charge of making safe and livable neighborhoods. The beautiful spaces that result from their work typically begin with a group of neighbors who come together with a vision for what they want their community to look like.

“They will say, ‘I want my community to look beautiful,’ or ‘I want to create a safe place for kids to play,’ says Collen Murphy-Dunning, Executive Director of Urban Resources Initiative (URI), which runs the program. “These places undergo magical transformations. Children are now playing in parks that had been dumping grounds.” Continue reading.

When classes let out in June, children who depend on school breakfasts and lunches are at risk of going hungry. End Hunger Connecticut! leads a statewide campaign to prevent this suffering by helping schools keep cafeterias open and offering free meals throughout the summer.

“We work with the school districts to make sure they can offer the meal programs in a sustainable way so they aren’t there one day and gone the next,” says End Hunger Connecticut! Chief Strategy Officer Shannon Yearwood. Continue reading.

It is not every day you have someone offer to climb 19,340 feet above sea level to celebrate your 60^th Anniversary and celebrate people of all abilities.  Lew Nescott, an avid climber who has climbed to the summit of 3 of the 7 highest peaks in the world, has offered to do just that.  Lew will be starting his ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro on February 18, 2018 and will place the SARAH banner at the summit!  Please help support SARAH and the people we support by sponsoring each foot, #onestepatatime.  Please see below for sponsor levels.

• ½ penny per foot - $97 Make it possible for people with disabilities to participate in community activities and experience social time with friends and family.

   

• 1 penny per foot - $194 Train and place people with disabilities into meaningful jobs and provide transportation to work and social activities.

• 5 cents per foot - $970 Provide family support and early intervention services to young families and keep seniors with disabilities active and involved.

   

• 10 cents per foot - $1,940 HELMET SPONSOR Facilitate an independent lifestyle for people with disabilities while living with dignity as valued members of their community.

• 25 cents per foot - $4,850 ROPE SPONSOR Make it possible for people with disabilities to      participate in community activities and experience social time with friends and family.

• $1.00 per foot - $19,400 FLAG SPONSOR Help SARAH Foundation ensure it remains a vital part of our community for years to come.

   

Helmet Sponsor - Mention on women’s luncheon invitation and in print that day.  Two (2) social media mentions in the month of September.

Rope Sponsor - Mention on women’s luncheon invitation and in print that day.  You will be mentioned four (4) times a month on social media September through February 2018.  Name placed on Mount Kilimanjaro on the SARAH banner.

Flag Sponsor - Mention on women’s luncheon invitation and in print that day.  You will be mentioned on printed press releases and interviews as well as (four) 4 times a month on social media September through February 2018.  Name and logo placed on the SARAH banner and a picture of Lew with your banner on Mount Kilimanjaro.

New Haven's Fellowship Place offers support for clients with #mentalhealth issues, #homeless - https://t.co/juXBYvDYZO @FellowshipPlce #NHV

— EdStannardNHR (@EdStannardNHR) June 26, 2017

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20170625/new-havens-fellowship-place-offers-support-for-clients-with-mental-health-issues-homeless

The Summer meals program is looking for volunteers to help with activities at the New Haven Public School Food Services free summer meal mobile sites. At these sites from Jun 29 until Aug 18 either free meals, lunch or supper, is provided to any child aged eighteen or younger. Over 40% of New Haven's children live in poverty and while school is out these free meals are a way for children to get healthy food.We need volunteers to run fun activities to attract the children to the site(s) so they can get food when the food truck or bus arrives. While the food trucks tend to stay in an area for about 30 mins, programming can be longer.  Activities can include music, art, games, reading, etc.

If you are interested in lending your talents, please contact Cathy Davies (cathy.davies@foodcorps.org) or call 858 231 0274. 

While there are twenty sites throughout New Haven, the following are the most in need of activities

Place                                  Address                             TIME 

Brookside Apartments         1 Shirley Way                       SUPPER 3:45p-4:15pm

DeGale Field                       County & Goffe Streets        SUPPER 4:45p-5:00pm

Diamond ridge apartments    174 Diamond St                  SUPPER 5:00-5:30pm

Eastern Circle                     25 Bouchet Lane                  SUPPER 3:45p-4:15pm

Fulton & Farron Corner                                                  LUNCH 1:00-1:30pm

Kensington park                  Kensington ave                    SUPPER 6:00-6:30pm   

Stetson library                      197 Dixwell Ave                  SUPPER: 5:00-5:30pm

Trowbridge Square Park       159 Carlisle St. & Cedar       LUNCH:  12:30pm-1:00pm                                                  

West Rock Academy           311 Valley Street                  SUPPER: 4:25pm-4:45pm 

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) takes great pride in delivering high-quality, reliable and affordable water. And we understand the importance of helping customers maintain water service in their homes during times of financial hardship. That's why we're partnering with the Dollar Energy Fund to provide yearly one-time grants to families struggling to pay their water bills.

If your household income is at or below 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, you may qualify for assistance through our Residential Water Assistance Program. Eligible customers receive a one-time Residential Water Assistance grant of up to $80, applied directly to their water bills. The grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis or until funding is depleted.

For more information, call the RWA at 203-562-4020 or visit our website at www.rwater.com. 

Residential Water Assistance Fact Sheet

Common Ground - high school, urban farm and environmental education center - has several full time and part time job openings.  Please visit http://commongroundct.org/get-involved/join-our-staff/ for complete listings.

New Haven, CT (June 14, 2017) – The Community Fund for Women & Girls, Greater New Haven’s permanent charitable endowment dedicated solely to advancing women and girls, held its annual event June 14 entitled FEMINISM: The Common Denominator? featuring feminists Linda Sarsour (co-chair of The Women's March 2017 and lead plaintiff in the travel ban lawsuit Sarsour v Trump) and Rebecca Traister, author of All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation.

As national leaders, Sarsour and Traister shared their thoughts on feminism, activism and the issues at the core of feminism. Sarsour and Traister also shared thoughts on finding common ground with diverging views and moving beyond differences. The conversation was moderated by Kica Matos, Chair of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Board of Directors. The event was held at the New Haven Lawn Club.

In addition to the event’s speakers, the Community Fund for Women and Girls announced 2017 grant awards totaling $80,950 to nonprofits in Greater New Haven. Nine area nonprofits were awarded grants ranging from $20,000 to $2,250. The grants will be used to support a broad range of projects that promote the social and economic advancement of women and girls. Continue reading.

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven is looking for two AmeriCorps members to serve the 2017-2018 year at our organization. Join us as we revitalize neighborhoods in New Haven, help homebuyers purchase their first homes, and host multiple volunteer events throughout the city. 

For more info, visit: www.nhsofnewhaven.org/vista!

Job Summary

United Way of Greater New Haven brings people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Health, and Financial Stability.  We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone.  

We are seeking a full-time professional to lead our effort to prevent and end homelessness.  The Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network Manager supports the mission of United Way by working with Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (CAN) members, public and private partners and the United Way team to provide leadership, project management, and oversight of services to reach regional, state, and federal goals to end homelessness.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in homeless services, and passionate about helping people in need and promoting community philanthropy.   

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Chief Impact Officer; supervises 4 FTEs. 

Essential Job Functions:   

• Monitor, evaluate, and work collaboratively to adjust CAN services and partnerships to ensure effective and efficient operations of homeless services. 
• Troubleshoot when the CAN system clogs or fails.
  • Provide day to day onsite supervision and develop workflow for 4 FTEs.
  • Establish protocols to track and analyze CAN performance and outcomes using appropriate systems, tools and techniques; creates reports and communicates.
  • Facilitate CAN meetings as necessary.
  • Manage, update, and report on regional By Name List in HMIS.
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with leadership staff from CAN agencies.
  • Proactively engage with and promote clear communication of information to CAN agencies.
  • Interface with agencies and advocates, and participate in statewide meetings and events.
  • Maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with United Way employees and teams, and executing on shared work products.
  • Other Job duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Human Services or related field preferred.
• Degree plus three to five of years of experience in a Human Services or related field required.
• Demonstrated success in direct service supervision, project management, and relationship management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the delivery of human services and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that people experiencing homelessness face.
• Experience with group facilitation, training, and working in a collaborative environment.
• Flexible thinker who can balance systems thinking and on-the-ground implementation.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must be able to take initiative, demonstrate leadership, work inter-dependently and produce consistently high quality work.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely for a broad audience.
• Ability to analyze and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to relate to people of different economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to balance a variety of perspectives within a politically sensitive environment.

Personal Characteristics    

Ideally, the successful candidate will be:

• Personally committed to advancing UWGNH’s values, mission, goals and programs.
• Flexible, reliable, creative, outgoing and energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.
  • Superior communicator who shares information readily and concisely, and listens as well as gives advice.
  • Team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.
  • Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor in order to maintain balance and perspective.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit a detailed letter of interest, resume, writing sample and contact information for three references to employment@uwgnh.org.  No phone calls, please. 

All applications are treated confidentially.  The position will remain open until filled.

**United Way of Greater New Haven is an equal opportunity employer.**