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.**

Building Movement Project’s just-released leadership report, “Race to Lead: Confronting the Racial Leadership Gap,” which you can download here, highlights what many of us know: The nonprofit sector is experiencing a racial leadership gap. As the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse, the percentage of people of color in executive director/CEO roles has remained under 20 percent for the last 15 years. A study respondent said, “One of the big problems in the nonprofit sector is that the leadership of nonprofit organizations doesn’t represent the racial/ethnic diversity of the country.”... https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/06/08/nonprofit-racial-leadership-gap-flipping-lens/?utm_content=55629656&utm_medium=social&utm_source=googleplus ;

Higher Heights builds a community of college-bound students. Photo provided by Higher Heights.

Thirteen years ago, Higher Heights stepped in to help underrepresented college-bound students in Greater New Haven. Now, the organization is bringing its model to other districts and college access programs around the state with training programs that help counselors better support minority, English Language Learner, and low-income students.

“It’s very exciting. We’ve been doing good work in New Haven and now we’re going to have a statewide reach,” says Executive Director Chaka Felder. Continue reading here.

Creative Arts Workshop

Executive Director/Head of School

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Board of Directors of Creative Arts Workshop (CAW) seeks an Executive Director who will lead the organization into a new era of innovative arts education. 

The new Executive Director will be an experienced professional who will be the driving force in broadening the visibility, impact, effectiveness and financial stability of CAW. This individual will work with the Board, staff and faculty to define and implement strategies which will enhance programming, boost enrollment, increase fund raising and position CAW as a national model for effective community arts organizations.

 Required knowledge, skills, and attributes:

• Significant organizational leadership experience

• In fundraising, marketing/branding, fiscal management, programming and community relations.

• Expertise with QuickBooks and Microsoft Office required. Expertise with ActiveNet registration system, donor database programs a plus.

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• In Board reports, faculty communications and media updates.

• Familiarity with social media and technology to promote and advance CAW.

• A strong ethic of responsibility and accountability for actions and results.

Essential Functions:

• Develop comprehensive and effective program implementation, administration, and impact. 

• Create annual budgets that are consistent with the long-term financial sustainability and goals of CAW. Ensure that the budget is adequately benchmarked against actual results.

• Establish and ensure effective fundraising programs and initiatives for corporate, foundation, government and individual donors, including the use of technology and social media.

• Oversee the development of strategic and long and short range financial plans to ensure the financial success and long-term sustainability of CAW.

• Supervise the development of competitive and innovative grant applications and continuation proposals including: needs assessment, progress reports, work plan and budget.

• Build strong relationships with individuals and constituencies within CAW, public, media, collaborating agencies, advocates, community partners and other stakeholders. 

• Enhance CAW’s image by being active and visible in the community and by developing relationships with corporate, civic and arts leaders.

• Communicate effectively with the Board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.

• Motivate, develop, and evaluate faculty and staff.  Show initiative in resolving issues/challenges, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Manage facility operations, upgrades, repairs and maintenance.

• Manage and prioritize simultaneous projects and work effectively within numerous deadlines.

   

Required Credentials:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field i.e., education, business, or the arts.  Equivalent work experience considered; MFA or MBA preferred.

• Experience as an executive director or senior administrator with a proven record of success in leadership and fundraising efforts.

Overview of the Creative Arts Workshop

CAW is considered one of the anchors of the New Haven’s arts community and throughout its 56 year history has been a regional center for visual arts education for adults and children alike. It is the largest community arts school in the state of Connecticut.  More than 2,000 students enroll annually in the 300+ courses offered by CAW. governed by a Board of Directors, the organization employs a small staff and 55 teaching faculty and has a budget of approximately $750,000. Visitors enjoy exhibitions in the Hilles and the Creative Works galleries throughout the year.

Application Process

Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter describing your interest in the position and a resume by June 15, 2017 to EDsearch@cawmail.org

Creative Arts Workshop provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Creative Arts Workshop complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which Creative Arts Workshop has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The Creative Arts Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates.

Testimony to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

In Opposition to

House Bill 7322, An Act Concerning State and Local Revenue

Submitted by David V. Hunter, President & CEO, The Mary Wade Home

April 25, 2017

On behalf of The Mary Wade Home in New Haven, I respectfully submit the following testimony in strong opposition to House Bill 7322, An Act Concerning State and Local Revenue, which in Section 31 proposes to remove the sales tax exemption for not-for-profit nursing homes, not-for profit residential care homes, and all other 501(c)(3) organizations.

Mary Wade is a not-for-profit, full service Senior Living Community that has provided quality and compassionate care and assistance to the older adults and their families in our community since 1866. As a not-for-profit organization, we carefully manage our financial resources in accordance with our mission, a task that is becoming more and more difficult every year. We operate on a very thin financial margin and we reinvest that margin into our organization so as to continue to provide the benefit of mission driven care, services and supports to those we serve.  This deficit requires daily challenges to continue to provide the benefit of mission driven care, services and supports to those we serve.  The additional tax burden proposed by House Bill 7322 would be detrimental to our financial stability and the ability to fulfill our mission.

As a provider of Medicaid services, we allocate a significant amount of resources to subsidize the care and services that we provide to our Medicaid clients. The state Medicaid reimbursement consistently underfunds the cost of the high level of care, services and supports that we deliver. In fact, due to the challenges faced by the CT Department of Social Services, our costs in the skilled nursing center exceed the current Medicaid rate by $91.00 per day.   By subsidizing the Medicaid reimbursement so as to maintain that high level of service, we currently provide a great benefit to the state, to those we serve who are enrolled in the Medicaid program, and to the Connecticut taxpayer. This reality also challenges our ability to service older adults and their families in our other community-based services, such as transportation, adult day health center and non-medical home care services.

Our ability to continue to invest in and provide the high level of care and services that our community has come to expect will be severely hindered by this additional tax burden. We ask that you reject this proposal and continue to support the not-for-profit health care and aging service providers in the state.

I make myself available to you in the event you have further questions about the complexities and challenges involved in serving this population under the current circumstances.

Respectfully submitted,

David V. Hunter, President & CEO

The Mary Wade Home

118 Clinton Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510