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In the best creative scenarios, the mind and hand engage in a back-and-forth of impulse and revision, allowing the artist to step back metaphorically and watch, remaining open to the surprise of what unfolds. You can see the results of this process yourself at the City Gallery exhibit IN MIND AND HAND featuring new fiber work by Jennifer Davies, on view May 6 - May 29. There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, May 7 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Davies is an accomplished and admired fiber artist who has exhibited her work across the country in galleries and museums. What sets her work apart is her ongoing inquisitive nature and her willingness to be the observer, to translate what she sees into both the making of paper and the creation of art.

She makes her own Japanese paper from mulberry branches which she cooks, cleans, and beats into a fluffy pulp. She then fashions this into artwork using techniques such as pulp painting, direct casting, and indigo dyeing. “Collage is another technique I use to build up layers of paper that have been painted or dyed with either indigo or persimmon. The impetus can be scraps and leftovers from other projects that beg to be assembled,” explains Davies, who also incorporates translucent sheets of kozo fiber, printed calligraphic shapes, and woven and sewn materials.

“Much of my work refers to natural forms, the surfaces of bark, boulders, or water,” says Davies. “Living by Long Island Sound, I see waves sliding onto the beach almost daily. I have tried to capture that feeling by pouring and splashing translucent pulp in layers over black paper. The smooth river rocks, long my companions for holding paper down in the breeze, I have honored by pouring pulp around them to suggest their silhouettes.”

Davies’ work was most recently featured at the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Lexington, MA, and at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown, MA. In 2019, she was awarded Best in Show at the Surface Design Association’s exhibit Context: Language, Media, and Meaning at the Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, MA). She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design and the Rome Honors Program, has studied and taught papermaking at Women’s Studio Workshop and Creative Arts Workshop, and has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows at museums and galleries including Hygienic Gallery (New London), Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (Gatlinburg, TN), Artspace (New Haven), Center for Contemporary Printmaking (Norwalk), Hockaday Museum of Art (Kalispell, MT), Morgan Conservatory (Cleveland, OH), and the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking (Atlanta, GA). Davies’ work is included in numerous corporate and private collections. She is a long-standing member of the City Galley.

IN MIND AND HAND is free and open to the public, and runs May 6 - 29, 2022. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., or by appointment (203-645-1404). City Gallery follows New Haven City’s mask mandate policy. For further information please contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org, www.city-gallery.org.

Design for sales and/or educators with a dedicated page.

Here is our 1st exploration of the interactive video apps use for #TheGreatGive. #ThegreatGive06492

https://wpaa.tv/promo/

We don’t know where in Africa Lucretia was born. We don’t know where she’s buried. We do know where she lived in New Haven — and Ann Garrett Robinson and Steven Winter are working, four centuries later, to make sure her name lives on there...

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/drive_begins_to_recognize_citys_first_black_settler

By: Kayla Giordano

With spring bringing warmer weather, households across Connecticut rejoice as temperatures rise and home heating season comes to an end. A recent survey found that the average monthly energy bill for Connecticut consumers is $411 the highest in the nation. Together with the threat of climate change, international conflict, and disrupted supply chains, increasing the energy efficiency of households is front of mind. This is doubly true for the state’s low- and moderate- income residents who bear an increased burden of high energy costs. A 2020 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient EconomyDownload PDF found that low-income households faced the greatest energy burden of all income types, meaning they spent the largest percentage of their income on energy costs. Furthermore, low-income renters, who have limited ability to increase the energy efficiency of their homes, face a greater energy burden than those who own their homes. Low-income renters living in multifamily buildings spent 5% of their income on energy costs, compared to non-low-income renters who spent just 1.5% of their income on utilities. Given that one third of Connecticut residents are renters and over 300,000 of them make under 80% of the area median income, it is critical to consider energy efficiency in the construction and preservation of affordable housing...

https://www.chfa.org/the-intersect/energy-efficiency-as-a-tool-for-developing-and-preserving-affordable-housing/

You can’t hear or read the news without people screaming they don’t want Critical Race Theory (CRT) in their schools. This is not a problem because no one is interested in teaching legal theory in our K-12 schools...

https://carolynedwardsphd.medium.com/critical-race-theory-the-term-appropriated-by-white-supremacists-29d1347dea07

Many people in Puerto Rico consider Harvard-educated Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos the father of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement.  Following the conclusion of the Spanish American War (1898) Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. Albizu Campos spent most of his life, from 1924 to his death in 1965, fighting to make Puerto Rico an independent nation. For his activities he spent much of this life in prison, both in the United State and Puerto Rico...

http://latinopia.com/latino-history/biography-pedro-albizu-campos/

You may be hearing a lot about community land trusts right now. They’ve become a popular answer to the question “How will we prevent displacement?” or “How do we keep housing permanently affordable?” But what are community land trusts, and how do they work? This page will give you a quick introduction to the topic, with lots of links to further reading from Shelterforce and advocacy organizations...

https://shelterforce.org/2021/07/12/understanding-community-land-trusts/amp/ ;

Millions of Americans count right-leaning Fox News as their primary source of information about politics and current events. A new working paper co-authored by Yale political scientist Joshua Kalla presents evidence of the influence such partisan media outlets wield over people’s attitudes on the major issues of the day...

https://news.yale.edu/2022/04/13/partisan-media-cable-viewers-shift-attitudes-after-changing-channel

Leaders in America’s cities and regions are grappling with the fallout of a severe pandemic, historic economic crisis, and social and racial reckoning. In this post-crisis moment, a wide range of local government, business, civic, and community organizations—which in the past tended to operate in isolation, if not at cross purposes—are navigating their disparate narratives and goals, rethinking their missions to drive economic and racial inclusion, and forming new systemic alliances that will enable them to improve and scale their efforts. Drawing inspiration from case studies profiling efforts to “rewire systems” in five older industrial cities (Akron, Ohio; Birmingham, Ala.; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Paul, Minn., and Syracuse, N.Y.), this report provides a framework and practical examples that can guide local action and state, federal, corporate, and philanthropic investment in cities across the nation. 

Which people and professions rake in the most income year after year? Which are most adept at shielding that money from the taxman? And what does this tell you about America?

The top earners, of course, are often fodder for lists — but those are usually based on estimates or even speculation...
https://projects.propublica.org/americas-highest-incomes-and-taxes-revealed/

A few years ago, hospital workers tried to confiscate the purple-gray backpack that Christine carries with her everywhere, she said. At the time, the bag was her only possession; it doubled as a pillow when she slept on the streets.

Rather than sacrifice the bag, Christine refused health care. She has avoided medical centers ever since...

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/swan_study_supports_harm_reduction_model ;

Coordinated Access Network (CAN) Entry Coordinator

We Love What Makes You Unique

Your perspective fuels our mission-driven work at United Way of Greater New Haven. We are committed to building a team that is inclusive across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and lived experience. As an organization, we are committed to addressing systemic racism and injustice in our community, our partnerships, and our practices. 

Who We Are Looking For?

Are you passionate about using your organizational talents as a force for good in our community? Are you the type of person who pays attention to details and can support a team to reach their goals such as ending homelessness in greater New Haven?

United Way is seeking a CAN Entry Coordinator who is passionate and organized to serve as the support that keeps CAN back-bone staff and community partners operating at their highest potential to ultimately end homelessness in our region.  This person will provide critical administrative and data management support to the Greater New Haven Coordinated Entry system, to ensure that progress is continually made towards meeting system goals. Salary is $40,000-$42,000/year and includes benefits.

What You Will Do

• Support Coordinated Entry.

Coordinated Entry is the process of assessing and connecting households experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness to resources and supports. You will assist the CAN Entry Manager in ensuring this process runs as efficiently as possible. This includes but is not limited to filling emergency shelter beds in a timely manner and covering assessment appointments whenever needed.

• Provide support to monitor system performance and drive improvement.

If that statement gets you excited, keep reading. If not, this position may not be for you. This person will provide technical support to our Entry Manager. They will also monitor and maintain accurate lists for households seeking emergency shelter. The right candidate will be:

• Skilled in viewing and analyzing data to provide suggestions for continuous improvement.
• Comfortable with being client facing and fielding phone calls from clients who continue to need emergency shelter.

• Support collaborative activities for the CAN.

Coordination and collaboration are key ingredients to the success of the CAN and reaching our goal of ending homelessness. As part of the United Way team, the CAN Entry Coordinator will assist in setting up committee meetings, and work with co-chairs to develop, circulate and distribute meeting materials. This position will also ensure transparency of the CAN by maintaining and updating CAN policies and procedures and other CAN documents.

• You will work as part of a team.

You will work closely with every department at United Way. You will collaborate with our marketing team to tell the story of United Way to ensure that our community understands the work and impact of ending homelessness in our community. 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

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, including basic business writing skills and positive phone personality with active listening skills.
• Ability to work independently, adjusting to changing priorities.
• Ability to work with groups and balance multiple points of view.
• Local and statewide travel is required; out of state travel as needed.
• Experience working with various types of databases and content management systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of CT HMIS is preferred.
• Ability to develop visual presentations of data/metrics is preferred.
• Knowledge of the challenges and barriers that homeless people face is preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain high quality relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely for a broad audience.
• Highly motivated and creative problem solver.
• Ability to relate to people of different economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to be diplomatic when working with staff from other agencies and clients in crisis.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred with at least one year of similar experience; equivalent life experience may be substituted for education.
• Preference given to bi-lingual, Spanish speaking applicants.

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 grounded in racial and social justice. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. We operate according to these organizational values.

In accordance with organizational policies, this position requires a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

United Way staff are currently working hybrid, with at least two days per week in our office in New Haven.

United Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To Apply – Go to our website and click on the Careers Page to upload your resume and cover letter: https://www.uwgnh.org/careers

We Love What Makes You Unique

Your perspective fuels our mission-driven work at United Way of Greater New Haven. We are committed to building a team that is inclusive across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and lived experience. As an organization, we are committed to addressing systemic racism and injustice in our community, our partnerships, and our practices. 

Who We Are Looking For

Are you a passionate advocate for building equitable economic change in our community? Do you come alive listening and learning from community members, and looking for opportunities to help households thrive? Are you always looking for ways to improve your work and grow your impact? Do you enjoy organizing and managing new projects that impact the community? If you answered yes to the questions above, this position may be an opportunity for you to use your talents as a force for good in our community! 

United Way is seeking a Community Impact Manager of Financial Stability who is enthusiastic and organized to coordinate efforts to help households meet their basic needs and move them along a path to financial stability.  This person will collaborate with multiple community partner organizations supporting existing initiatives to ensure that progress is made towards meeting regional goals. This role will also have the opportunity to build new community-driven initiatives to improve access to financial stability resources.  Salary is $50,000-$55,000/year and includes benefits.

What You Will Do

• Design and help implement equitable solutions to increase the financial stability of households in greater New Haven. United Way is committed to driving equitable solutions that improve the lives of everyone in our region. You will work closely with community partners and community members to map the landscape of existing programs and identify opportunities to eliminate barriers and improve access to resources across the region.

• Identify opportunities and partnerships for innovation and continuous improvement. Are you always thinking about how a process could be improved? The work to meet basic needs and help households thrive is complex and you will be asked to apply critical thinking and creativity to explore opportunities for growth.

• You will work as part of a team. You will report to the Senior Director of Financial Stability. You will collaborate with our Marketing team to tell the story of United Way to ensure that our community understands the work and impact in our community. 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

• Bachelor’s degree with three to five years of relevant experience in a nonprofit OR the equivalent of lived experience in related fields.
• Experience in workforce development and financial stability strategies preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and presentation skills, including in front of large audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize material, both verbally and in written form for a broad audience.
• Experience with group facilitation, training, and working in a collaborative environment.
• Skills to establish and maintain high quality relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Flexible thinker who can balance systems thinking and on-the-ground implementation. Ability to proactively see what actions are needed, take initiative, and implement projects.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Community minded with high-level active listening skills and the ability to connect with people of different economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience working with various types of databases and content management systems is preferred.
• Local and statewide travel is required; Out of state travel as needed.

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 grounded in racial and social justice. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone. We operate according to these organizational values.

In accordance with organizational policies, this position requires a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

United Way staff are currently working hybrid, with at least two days per week in our office in New Haven.

United Way is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To Apply – Go to our website and click on the Careers Page to upload your resume and cover letter: https://www.uwgnh.org/careers

Health Equity Solutions (HES) is hosting our fourth annual statewide Health Equity Week campaign (#HealthEquityWeek & #HEW22)! Health Equity Week is a week-long campaign held annually and is designed to raise awareness and spark action to advance health equity throughout Connecticut. Slated for the first full week of April, this year’s Health Equity Week will begin on Sunday, April 3, and conclude on Saturday, April 9, 2022. https://bit.ly/HEW22 ;

This year we are highlighting our recently released Connecticut’s Path to Equity, which outlines key areas for policy change that will promote health equity in Connecticut.

#HEW22 #HealthEquityWeek #Path2Equity

For this eclectic group show, six City Gallery members have invited six fellow artists to participate in 6x6: AN INVITATIONAL, on view from April 1 - May 1. Artist Receptions will be held on both Saturday, April 2 and Sunday April 3 from 1-4pm featuring: 

Saturday
Sheila Kaczmarek/Rick Albee
Kathy Kane/Gary Recchia
Ruth Sack/Esthea Kim 

Sunday
Judy Atlas/Abbie Griffiths
William Frucht/Ellen Burnett
Joyce Greenfield/ Lenny Moskowitz

“Building a sense of collaboration and community is an important part of art making, and this show is an affirmation of that,” says City Gallery artist Kathy Kane. “We’re excited to open up the gallery to new artists whose work we admire.” Artists’ media include assemblages, collage, painting, photography, and a variety of sculpture.

The 6x6: AN INVITATIONAL exhibit is free and open to the public, and runs April 1 - May 1, with Artist Receptions on Saturday April 2 and Sunday April 3 from 1pm - 4 pm. City Gallery is located at 994 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Gallery hours are Friday - Sunday, 1pm - 4 pm, or by appointment. City Gallery follows New Haven City’s mask mandate policy. For further information please contact City Gallery, info@city-gallery.org, www.city-gallery.org.

One week left to apply: Deadline April 1: Resiliency Grants

Up to $15k, 15 Towns Eligible as well as Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Covers operating expenses

To help communities build capacity and advance evidence-based efforts to improve health in indoor home environments by reducing exposures to common indoor air contaminants including radon, mold and moisture, dust mites, environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke), pests, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion byproducts (e.g., CO and NO₂), and other emerging indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, the National Center for Healthy Housing invites communities to apply for a bundled award of coaching and support over 18 months that includes on-call access to technical assistance from a network of national experts, opportunities to engage in peer learning, and a $15,000 grant...

https://nchh.org/build-the-movement/grants-and-scholarships/2022-building-systems-to-improve-iaq-mini-grants/