Blogs

By MEGAN HAFNER AND ELIZABETH RAMACCIA | January 5, 2018

We Love What Makes You Unique
Your perspective fuels our mission-driven work at United Way of Greater New Haven. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience.

Who We Are Looking For
Are you passionate about bringing people together to be a force for good in our community? Are you a self-starter who is organized in the office and has a knack for meeting and making new friends?

If so, our Volunteer Coordinator position may be perfect for you.

What You Will Do:

• This is not a 9 to 5 job. If that statement sparks joy, keep reading. If not, this may not be for you. Each month you will be required to work some evenings and weekends to coordinate and participate in volunteer events that make a difference in the community. This also means that you will have a flexible schedule.
• Your number one job will be to make sure United Way volunteers have an excellent experience. From event planning to execution–you will need to support United Way’s big, fun signature events that draw more than 100 volunteers at a time. There are also smaller United Way volunteer projects that you will lead on your own. You will represent the values and mission of United Way and engage groups of people, big and small, before, during, and after volunteer projects to deliver a seamlessly executed and meaningful experience.
  
• You will be the point person for United Way volunteers. You will make sure we have the right amount and a great mix of options to meet different volunteer needs. You will help craft and send volunteer email communications, solicitations, and thank you cards. You are comfortable with technology and will use your skills to update volunteer postings on United Way’s website, manage volunteer registrations, and communicate with volunteers to share information, solicit feedback and have fun together. To make this happen you will keep an organized United Way volunteer database.  All of this work will help you build new relationships and deepen existing ones in the community.
• You will work as part of a team. Back in the office, you will work closely with every department at United Way. You will report to the Director of Communications, and meet weekly with the Communications and Marketing team. You’ll collaborate with our fundraising team to set up projects for local businesses looking to volunteer and lend a hand with fundraising events. You will recruit and coordinate volunteers for our community change efforts. You will need to track who volunteers and when, so that at the end of the year we know the impact United Way volunteerism has made. You will need to participate in the planning and advertisement of volunteer events. You will also maintain good working relationships with community, nonprofit and business leaders in the community. And of course, there will be other duties as assigned.

What You Need:

• A positive, team-focused, can-do attitude with a commitment to excellent customer service.
• A driver’s license and a reliable vehicle because you will need to travel throughout our region. You will be able to expense your mileage.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to key stakeholders and staff; strong written, public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to problem-solve in the moment and juggle multiple priorities.
• High degree of professional integrity to deal ethically with confidential information.
• High comfort level with MS Office suite, Google apps including Gmail, and social media.
• The ability and willingness to support peer to peer, social media, digital, and volunteer fundraising efforts.
• The ability to lift 40 pound boxes to a height of 3-4 feet and load them into and out of vehicles as necessary for volunteer projects.
• Photo and video experience is a plus. 

About United Way
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. United Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply
Submit a cover letter telling us about your relevant experience and your interest in this position and a current résumé to careers@uwgnh.org. No phone calls, please, but we encourage you to explore uwgnh.org. The position will remain open until filled.

The New Haven-Milford area has emerged as one of the the nation’s top spots for millennials on the move.

That’s according to a new study by the National Association of Realtors....

Source: CT Post

https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/More-millenials-moving-to-New-Haven-Milford-13797749.php

Support for scientific research, monitoring and pollution reduction efforts in river and surrounding watershed   

New Haven, CT (April 22, 2019) – The Quinnipiac River Fund has awarded $138,000 in grants to study the Quinnipiac River and its wildlife, reduce pollution, and increase access and recreational opportunities. Eleven competitive grants were awarded to organizations working in Greater New Haven. 

The Quinnipiac River starts west of New Britain and flows through Wallingford and North Haven before spilling into New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound. The river has a long history of pollution from industry and urban development. 

The Quinnipiac River Fund was established in 1990 with a mission to improve the environmental quality of the river, New Haven Harbor and the surrounding watershed. It is a permanent fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and its grants and distributions are recommended each spring by an Advisory Committee and approved by The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. The grants support studies of the water quality and ecology, studies of pollution, public access to the river, land use planning, land acquisition around the river, habitat restoration, advocacy, education, and other relevant projects.  Continue reading.

Derby Daycare Center was founded in 1972 in order to give working parents an affordable option for high quality childcare and early education. More than four decades later, it continues offer young children in the Valley with opportunities to grow and learn in a nurturing environment that puts a focus on play.  Continue reading.

April 11, 2019; Indianapolis Business Journal

“The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) has a new five-year plan to make Indianapolis a more inclusive city—and it involves tackling criminal justice reform, reinvesting in poor neighborhoods, and training 5,000 community leaders and residents about institutional racism,” reports Hayleigh Colombo in the Indianapolis Business Journal.

The foundation, which has assets in excess of $426 million, changed its mission last year, Colombo notes, “to reflect its new focus on equity and tackling racism.” As NPQ’s Cyndi Suarez noted a year ago in an article about Puerto Rico, increasingly community foundations face a strategic choice: Do they stick with the traditional approach of funding the good work of nonprofits, or do they forthrightly challenge structural inequality by supporting community organizing and civic groups that aim to change those conditions? In Indianapolis, CICF has opted for the latter...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2019/04/17/a-community-foundation-in-indiana-adopts-comprehensive-equity-approach/

Job Description

Youth Work-Site Coordinator for Edgewood Park Stewardship Program - Summer 2019

The Friends of Edgewood Park, New Haven, CT are looking for a coordinator to create and implement a five-week youth park stewardship work program in the park for summer 2019.

Work and Program Description:

The Site Coordinator will supervise three to five New Haven youth, ages 14 – 18, selected to participate in New Haven’s Youth at Work Program.  The youth will work 25 hours per week, July 1 – Aug 2   The coordinator will work 30 hours per week.  The Site Coordinator will plan and oversee the young people’s work, most often independently, and sometimes alongside community members and other volunteers. The Coordinator will work with the group to create and implement environmental projects and help the youth learn valuable long-term work skills.

In these Youth@Work park programs, the young people will focus on:

• Infrastructure improvements -  such as trail maintenance, tree planting and care, invasive plant control, and trash clean up,
• Environmental education – learning about plants, animals and eco-systems, and park/plant stewardship,
• Work skills development – attendance, punctuality, attitude toward work, and environmental careers.

Coordinator:

We are looking for a person who:

• Is excited to work with youth and diverse community members.
• Has youth leadership skills.
• Is creative, flexible, and autonomous, yet collaborative. S/he should be comfortable taking initiative. The position requires collaboration with Youth@Work and community members; working with the New Haven Parks Dept., and the Edgewood Park friends group.
• Have some knowledge of urban parks and their stewardship.
• Is comfortable leading and doing outside physical work.

We can offer you:

• $3080 total, for 10 hours of pre-program planning, and for 5 weeks of direct on-site supervision of the youth program, Jul 1 – Aug 2. (For 24 week days, the youth work 5 hours per day; the coordinator works 6 hours per day. No work on July 4. Coordinator pay is $20 per hour.)
• A base of diverse and passionate community members to help you design and implement the program.
• Financial support for implementation of the program (reimbursement for supplies/tools, etc. as approved by the park group.)
• Administrative support.
• A fascinating summer experience where you gain valuable insight into working with youth, community members, and the City of New Haven on environmental education and justice.

To apply for this position, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to Maria at mashashevshev@gmail.com by April 24.

Young people in Solar Youth’s Green Jobs program not only earn money to work outside. They also beautify New Haven neighborhoods while developing skills that will help them professionally and in life. 

Green Jobs was launched in 2010 with a grant from the CT Office of Policy and Management's Urban Youth Violence Prevention program in response to a need for constructive out-of-school opportunities for at-risk teens. A lack of funding suspended the program for a year until it was restarted with support from Elm City Communities, corporate funders, and a three-year grant from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Continue reading.

We are on course to have an amazing summer at Schooner Camp for 2019!!

Join us for Long Island Sound exploration and sailing this summer. For ages 6-12, we have our popular one week Sound Explorer sailing program, but we also have a new two week Adventure Sailing program that will provide a more in depth experience for those learning to sail. For ages 6-8, we offer an exciting hands-on land based program exploring the Sound.

We have a generous scholarship program again this year for income eligible families. Our goal is to provide camp opportunity for 50% of campers with the support of financial aid. The application is available on our website or can be completed in conjunction with online camp registration. We hope you'll help us spread the word! 

Do you know someone that would make an amazing camp staff member, sailing instructor or Junior Counselor? Schooner Camp is hiring! We are looking for sailing instructors, environmental educators and an assistant camp director. Please link here for the job descriptions. Junior Counselors are teens ages 15+ that can receive volunteer hours for assisting staff at Schooner. Junior Counselors register through the online camp system.  

Further details on camp are listed on the Schooner section of our website. If you have any questions, please call the Land Trust office at 203-562-6655 or email Cori Merchant, Camp Director at cori.merchant@newhavenlandtrust.org 

Interested in serving on the Board of Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen?  Check out the Board membership posting below or on our website.

POSTING

Board of Directors Membership

Multiple seats available

Nominations accepted through May 31, 2019

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) is currently accepting nominations for membership on our Board of Directors.  Ideal candidates will be passionate and committed to DESK’s mission.  This is a volunteer position with an expected commitment to a three-year term.

Mission and Background

DESK serves people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity.  We are located in downtown New Haven, just off the Green.  Our core programs include nightly dinner, a weekly food pantry, a summer mobile pantry, and a senior lunch program.  DESK has been operating in New Haven since 1987.  For more information on our programs, services, history, and vision, visit us online at www.deskct.org.

DESK’s Board of Directors is comprised of a small group of professionals who are highly engaged in the community in a variety of ways, each bringing at least one area of specialization or knowledge to their Board service.  In addition to our monthly meeting, Board members meet as part of standing committees (Finance, Development, Program, Nominating, and Facilities) or task-forces.

Core Requirements and Responsibilities of Board Members

• Board Meeting Attendance – Board members must generally be available to meet for the full Board meeting on the second Monday of each month.
• Committee Participation – Board members must serve on at least one standing committee. 
• Fiduciary Responsibility – Board members are responsible for providing financial oversight to the organization, including adherence to relevant laws, appropriate expenditures, and ethical fundraising practices.
• Programmatic Oversight – Board members are responsible for determining ethical, appropriate, and impactful program and service provision.
• Employment Oversight – Board members are responsible for ensuring ethical and fair employment practices in accordance with all laws.
• Strategic Planning – Board members are responsible for setting the mission, vision, and values of the organization and determine the long-term plans for achieving predetermined goals and ensuring organizational sustainability.

Skillsets and Backgrounds Currently Being Sought

• Social service and healthcare professionals
• Food service professionals
• Representation from underserved communities and neighborhoods in New Haven
• Financial and accounting professionals
• General diversity of voice

Compensation and Benefits

Board service is an unpaid volunteer position.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete the online application at www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com/hr, or email a cover letter and résumé to Daniel Scholfield at president@deskct.org with “Board Member Application” in the subject line.

DESK values greatly the role of diversity in organization and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.

Funding to Continue to Address Infant Mortality with Focus on Social Determinants of Health and Promotion of Health Equity for New Haven Families

• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Infant Mortality Continue Especially For Black Mothers
• Significant Disparities Exist in IMR and Health Status in High distress, Low Income Neighborhoods
• New Focus on Maternal Mortality 
• Greater Emphasis Will Be Place on Social Determinants of Health, such as Housing, Education, Racism, Domestic Violence, Unemployment

New Haven, Conn. (April 1, 2019) –The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has been awarded $5.4 Million for a 5 year period (2019-2024) from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau to continue its New Haven Healthy Start Program, which serves vulnerable young women, infants and fathers in New Haven. New Haven Healthy Start was among 100 programs across the nation to successfully compete for approximately $100 million in total federal aid to reduce high infant mortality rates and improve maternal care in high risk communities. Grant funds will continue to support care coordination model of service and community health workers and patient navigators as well as a central office staff housed at The Community Foundation.

“For three decades, meeting our community’s maternal and child health challenges has been a Community Foundation priority. Our partnerships have been strong with the city of New Haven’s Health Department maternal and child health division, local hospitals and both federally qualified health centers in the area. Through these and other partnerships we have been able to successfully navigate families through the fragmented health care system. With this new grant we can continue to address the underlying causes of infant mortality, including racial and ethnic health disparities, in a comprehensive and systematic way,” said William W. Ginsberg, president & CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Continue reading.

LEAP is looking to hire a Development and Marketing Associate. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development and Marketing Associate is responsible for the management of all development office systems and administrative functions, including LEAP's donor database, as well as communications and marketing via social media and press. Go to www.leapforkids.org/jobs to see the full job description. Please email your cover letter, resume, and short writing sample to   if you are interested in applying.