Blogs

Join us this Monday, October 7th, at 11:00 am in Ives Squared at the Ives Memorial Library as the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) hosts the Regional Digital Navigator Kick-off! This event marks the official launch of our regional partnership to provide expanded computer and technology assistance in the form of a Digital Navigator in communities throughout the state of CT, supported by an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant in collaboration with the State Library.

What is a Digital Navigator?
According to the National Alliance of Digital Navigators, they are "trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills."

The Digital Navigators provided through the State Regional Hub are trained team members who specialize in offering personalized help with all kinds of technology, from computers and tablets to online tools and services.

How does this benefit our community?
While NHFPL staff already assist patrons with their tech needs, they also juggle many other responsibilities including general reference, collection development, and programming. The Digital Navigator program allows us to offer a dedicated team member solely focused on providing individualized tech support, whether at the Library or out in the community. Plus, participants who commit to working with a Digital Navigator for multiple sessions may be eligible to receive a free laptop or tablet of their own to keep!

We are thrilled to host this kick-off, especially as it coincides with the start of Digital Inclusion Week 2024. We’re looking forward to welcoming our partners from Bridgeport, Hamden, Naugatuck, Derby Neck, West Haven, and Woodbridge, along with Mayor Elicker and local elected officials.

Meet Our New Haven Digital Navigator
Help us spread the word about Hugh-John Dunkley, New Haven's very own Digital Navigator! A recent graduate in Computer Science from the University of New Haven, Hugh-John is available to meet with clients at the library or anywhere in the community—coffee shops, community centers, and colleges (just not private homes). Bilingual support is available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. He is available in New Haven on Wednesdays and Thursdays, by appointment.

Learn more about the program here.

How can a Digital Navigator help me?
Our Digital Navigators assist with job applications, résumé building, basic Microsoft and Windows skills, email setup, learning how to use computer programs, navigating MyChart, college applications, and distance learning tools. They can also help with any type of digital device beyond just PCs and tablets.

Celebrate Digital Inclusion Week with Us!
Digital Inclusion Week highlights the importance of bridging the digital divide. For many, access to technology is a barrier to career mobility, applying for benefits, or accessing education or healthcare resources. Digital equity is key to ensuring everyone can use digital tools confidently and effectively.

Here are some exciting programs happening systemwide during Digital Inclusion Week:

Resume and Tech Support with Yale Undergraduate Prison Project (YUPP)** at Ives on 10/5
Introduction to Computer Literacy Series** in partnership with CfAL starting 10/7 at Ives (three-part series)
Digital Navigator Introduction and Cyber Security Awareness** for local senior centers on 10/10 at Ives

Remember, NHFPL also lends free hotspots and Chromebooks to help extend access beyond the Library walls.

Let's work together to build a digitally inclusive community!

Marlene Engelhorn, 30, heir to a fortune, isn’t interested in philanthropy, believing it only perpetuates existing power dynamics. She’s calling for structural change to how the ultrarich are taxed...

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/world/europe/marlene-engelhorn-wealth-tax.html ;

Alexandra Miller, consultant  01/23/2023

What’s your child’s experience playing sports? We want to hear from you.

Youth sports look much different than 10 and 20 years ago. With increasing costs and limited spots, fewer children are playing sports, and many aren’t getting enough physical activity.

Today, we explore who gets the privilege to play on a team.

https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2022-06-16/who-gets-the-privilege-of-playing-sports

New Haven Physician and Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Vice-Chair , Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, is prioritizing health equity from the White House

Source: NBCNews website

Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith leads the White House's Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force.Richard Chance / for NBC News

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) is accepting applications for membership on our Board of Directors!

DESK is a New Haven-based nonprofit organization, committed to serving people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. We are a small organization, but we are growing significantly! (Have you seen the recent article on the Yale Daily News?!) As we continue to grow, we would like to invite passionate and committed people to join the organization as Board Members.

DESK’s Board of Directors is comprised of a group of dedicated individuals who are highly engaged in the community, each bringing at least one area of specialization or knowledge to their Board service. Ideal candidates will be passionate and committed to DESK’s mission. To learn more about Board Membership, please take a look at our posting here.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV or résumé to Sofia Morales at sofia.morales@yale.edu with “Board Member Application” in the subject line.

July 20, 2021

Satonya Fair

CEP’s latest research report, Persevering Through Crisis: The State of Nonprofits, provides further evidence of the devastating impact of 2020 on nonprofits — and how the crises of the past year hit some nonprofits much harder than others. While many nonprofits reported that their foundation funders were flexible, responsive, and communicative, this was not the experience for a great number of nonprofits that are led by women, that serve certain marginalized communities, and organizations for which both are true.

Consider these findings...https://cep.org/take-it-from-the-nonprofits/

Pandemics highlight global inequalities, from who is educated about a disease to who can afford a visit to the doctor if they get sick, to who can work remotely—or even take time off work—to recover and prevent the spread of the disease to others. Health officials have said it’s inevitable that America will see an outbreak of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that was first reported in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to more than 60 countries, infecting more than 88,000 people so far...

https://www.fastcompany.com/90470785/what-an-equitable-coronavirus-response-should-look-like?utm_campaign=eem524%3A524%3As00%3A20200304_fc&utm_medium=Compass&utm_source=newsletter

Could worker ownership of corporations hit mainstream US politics in 2020? Some Democratic presidential candidates are making that case, reports Jeff Stein in the Washington Post...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/will-worker-ownership-seize-center-stage-in-us-politics-in-2020/?utm_content=117346822&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-542508

Green Schoolyards America connects ecological innovation with education, equity, and community engagement.

Source: 

Read more: https://ssir.org/articles/entry/schools_most_untapped_resource

The strength of American cities – and the nation as a whole – depends on generating inclusive growth for people of all races, ethnicities, and incomes...

Continued: http://www.sharedprosperitypartnership.org/

REPORT on: Building Shared Prosperity in America’s Cities

http://www.sharedprosperitypartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ACP1039-SP2-Framing-Paper-Final-1.pdf

Community Foundation President & CEO Will Ginsberg shares his thoughts about Charlottesville, New Haven and our community's future on The Foundation's blog.

The time of testing is upon us. Will we stand up to the powerful forces that would substitute hatred and demonization for the inclusive, unified and optimistic spirit of community that we have so painstakenly built over the decades? 

Read the post at #NHVCares Blog