Blogs

This is a new program funded by the CT Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and administered by LISC Connecticut, designed to introduce women of color to the community development sector. Recruitment is still underway for a new cohort of participants for 2023. The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, December 16^th.

Elements of the HCDLI include:

• Monthly workshops with industry leaders in areas of affordable housing development, economic development, asset management, and resident services coordination
• Monthly “Lunch & Learn” opportunities to have deeper conversations about emerging topics within the affordable housing and community development sector
• Opportunities to network with individuals currently employed in the community development sector through career panels and networking events
• Access to participate in a paid internship opportunity to gain hands-on experience

This program is offered at no cost. Typical backgrounds for individuals entering the program include:

• A Bachelors degree or some college
• Around (±) 10 years of work experience
• Interest in building equitable communities of opportunity
• In 2022, 94% of participants identified as a person of color and 69% were women

This is a unique opportunity for someone who may be looking to transition careers and seeking affordable pathways to do so. If you have additional questions about the program, I encourage you to reach out. The 2023 cohort will launch in January and therefore applications are due by Friday, December 16^th.

Questions or need additional information contact:

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/

I am not OK

Less-educated African American women who report experiencing high levels of racial discrimination may face greater risk of developing chronic diseases, says a new study by UC Berkeley researchers.

https://news.berkeley.edu/2018/10/05/racial-discrimination-linked-to-higher-risk-of-chronic-illness-in-african-american-women/

Mrs. Joseph Sheffield, in the picture, was the first President of the all women Board of Managers of the Home For the Friendless, now known as Mary Wade Home. The Home began in 1866, following the Civil War, when a group of ladies representing the Churches of New Haven, were inspired to begin a program to aid women and children. A parcel of property was acquired at 118 Clinton Avenue at the corner of Pine Street in Fair Haven in September, and the Home opened in December. Mrs. Sheffield served as President from 1866 to 1868.

Maria St. John was born on May 22, 1801 and in 1822 married Joseph Earl Sheffield. Mr. Sheffield wrote of his wife of many years, "Blest with a most devoted wife, with whom I have lived happily for over fifty seven years, mother of nine children to whom she as devoted constant care, love and affection." Mr. Sheffield was one of Yale's greatest benefactors and continued to support the school throughout his life. Their home on Hillhouse Avenue is now one of the buildings of the Yale Sheffield Scientific School.

Testimonial to her in the 1889 Report of the Home for the Friendless, "Great loss in the death of Mrs. Sheffield, first President, one of the founders, and one who always retained a deep interest in the work, and who was ever ready to help by her generous pecuniary aid." Mrs. Sheffield died on April 21, 1889 and is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery.

David V. Hunter

Do you know a woman who is struggling to continue her education, get a good job and make things better for her family? Yes? Then you need to tell her about the Women's Opportunity Award!! It is a special educational grant given by our volunteer service organization, Soroptimist International of Greater New Haven. The grant is described below and the application materials are attached. If you could make this information available to any women who you feel may be good candidates, I would sincerely appreciate it.

The Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

Each year, Soroptimist clubs in 19 countries and territories (including the New Haven club as well as several other clubs in CT) assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and skills training. The women may use the cash award of $500 to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation. The program begins on the local club level. The Greater New Haven club winner will be announced in late February 2012 and will become eligible to compete for a region-level award of $5,000. The region winner is then entered into a contest on an international level for one of three $10,000 finalist awards.

To apply, candidates must complete the attached full application, as well as submit 2 personal references (form also attached). The deadline for submitting applications is January 15, 2012. Because the full application is somewhat lengthy, we encourage women who are interested in the award to first complete and submit the attached preliminary application. After receiving the preliminary application, we can verify a candidate's eligibility and assist her in the application process if needed.

Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. The Women's Opportunity Awards program is the organization's major service project. At various levels of the organization, about $1 million is disbursed annually through the Women's Opportunity Award program. Since the program began in 1972, about $15 million has been granted to more than 22,500 women. Soroptimist International of the Americas is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, as is our local club, Soroptimist International of Greater New Haven. More information can be found at www.soroptimist.org and www.soroptimistnewhaven.com.

Please also feel free to contact me at sandra603203@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you!
Sandra A. Fitzpatrick
Chair, 2012 Women's Opportunity Award Committee

WOAPrelimApp2012.pdf

WOAFullApp2012.pdf

WOAReference2012.pdf