Diversity Matters at United Way

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 committed to creating meaningful change in greater New Haven? Do you enjoy leading and developing teams, both internal and external, to design and implement effective solutions for community issues? Do you get excited about collaboration, innovation, and community mobilizing?  If so, our Vice President of Community Impact position may be perfect for you.

Position

The Vice President of Community Impact is responsible for driving the strategy and execution of United Way’s multi-faceted work in the community. This leadership position will co-create with staff, board, partners, and volunteers the strategic directions, investments, infrastructure, and culture necessary for the organization to maximize its impact in the areas of education, financial stability, and health.

This is a tremendous opportunity for an experienced program professional to deepen and expand the community results of a well-respected, high-impact organization.

Responsibilities

Leadership of Community Impact Department

• Develops community impact strategies based on an assessment of community need and opportunity, internal capacity, knowledge of best practices, and ability to galvanize resources.
• Provides oversight of all department staff and consultants.
• Oversees the decision making process about use of program resources, in conjunction with staff and volunteers.
• Administers the department, including responsibility for developing and monitoring department budgets and meeting grant and contractual obligations.
• Oversees efforts to assess the impact of United Way in the community and supports continuous learning and improvement efforts.
• Represents the organization on community collaboratives and advisory groups and at public meetings related to United Way’s community initiatives.

 Organizational Leadership

• Serves as a member of the leadership team, which includes participating in policy development and management decisions, strategic planning, supporting the board of directors, and supporting and modeling the core values of the organization.
• Supports developing a strong team culture that models the mission of United Way and creates a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity within and outside the organization.
• Works to align efforts across departments.
• Communicates with internal and external partners to promote the work of United Way.

Resource Development

• Assists United Way senior staff and board of directors in developing and executing strategies to capture revenue and retain and grow our investor base, including from workplace campaigns, public and private grants, and the United Way donor base.
• Develops and stewards positive relationships with donors and funders.
• Works in conjunction with other United Way departments to develop innovative ways to share the story and impact of United Way’s work and respond to investors’ needs.

 Qualifications

 Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.

• At least 10 years of non-profit experience, with at least 5 years’ experience leading teams and/or managing complex community initiatives.
• Substantive knowledge in one or more of United Way’s focus areas (early childhood, homelessness, hunger, poverty, children’s mental health).
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
• Excellent relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with individual donors and foundations a plus.

• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of UWGNH.

Application Procedure

• Send resume and cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for the position to employment@uwgnh.org with the following subject line: Application for Vice President of Community Impact.
• Position open until filled.
• Review of applications will begin by June 26.

Organization

Founded in 1920, United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) brings people and organizations together to create solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Income, and Health. We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone, building on our long history of partnerships and creative problem solving. For more information about us, visit www.uwgnh.org.

The business world is abuzz with mindfulness. But perhaps you haven’t heard that the hype is backed by hard science. Recent research provides strong evidence that practicing non-judgmental, present-moment awareness (a.k.a. mindfulness) changes the brain, and it does so in ways that anyone working in today’s complex business environment, and certainly every leader, should know about.

We contributed...

https://hbr.org/2015/01/mindfulness-can-literally-change-your-brain utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=hbr

DERBY, CT (June 13, 2019) - The Valley Community Foundation has awarded a total of $17,275 in its Community Grants Program to eight community groups serving the Valley. These grants will support youth, seniors, historical endeavors, and wellness initiatives in the region. 

“With more than $17,000 in grant funding, these eight community groups are doing meaningful work in the Valley,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO. “We are proud to be able to offer funding through our Community Grants Program to responsively support volunteer groups and nonprofits with very limited staff in our Valley’s five towns.” 

Applications for the Valley Community Grants Program are considered through a request for proposal process. These grants are responsive to community groups that are volunteer or nonprofit in nature, serve Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and/or Shelton, and have less than two full-time or four part-time staff. Community Grants range from $250 to $2,500, and can be for new or recurring programs to support civic and community engagement efforts. 

2019 Community Grant Recipients:

Annual Thanksgiving Basket Program - $1,250 to support the purchase of perishable and non-perishable food items and supplies for distribution of Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. 

Derby Historical Society - $2,500 to support Valley schools to defray the partial cost of their transportation to “A Day in 1762", a hands-on living history program at the General David Humphreys House. 

Music Mends Minds (Valley Chapter) - $1,500 to support the improvement of the lives of patients with dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and PTSD through the healing power of music. 

Oxford Senior Center Singers - $2,110 to support the purchasing of a keyboard/synthesizer and accessories so that the Senior Center Singers will have accompaniment during their rehearsals and performances. 

Seymour Soccer Association - $2,500 to support an indoor winter activity that promotes physical activity, education, and soccer foot skills such as dribbling and ball handling. 

Shelton Historical Society - $2,415 to support an exhibit of rarely seen artifacts, photographs and documents throughout the Shelton History Center for the 50th anniversary of the Historical Society’s founding as well as the 100th anniversary of the naming of the City of Shelton. 

Shelton Youth Service Bureau - $2,500 to support sending high school students to the Youth to Youth Eastern States Conference in Rhode Island. The conference focuses on a comprehensive approach to drug education and information, personal growth through decision making, environmental change, and drug free fun. 

Southford Falls Quilters, LLC - $2,500 to support demonstrations of techniques by members, and promotion and display of personal and charitable quilt making. 

About The Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.

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Photo Caption: Southford Falls Quilters Guild quilts on display at the Quilt Show and Tea in Seymour

To view this press release on our website click here. 

We currently have multiple employment opportunities available. For more information please visit our website at www.tccoh.org

The Children's Center of Hamden is a private nonprofit organization providing services to children who suffer from one or more of a variety of problems; psychological and social problems; physical and/or sexual abuse; learning disabilities; substance abuse and family trauma.

NHR is hiring an Outreach Director to manage all of our volunteer programs! Read the full job description and learn how to apply below.

Outreach Director Job Description

Location: 45 Bristol St, New Haven CT

Exempt – Full time

Job Reports to: Executive Director

Job Summary: The Outreach Director is responsible for overseeing all volunteer management at New Haven Reads, including volunteer intake, data, and events. Additionally, the Outreach Director manages the Outreach Assistants.

Major Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Recruit volunteers from the greater New Haven community, screen applicants, and provide initial volunteer orientation.
• Manage all volunteer data in Salesforce database, including tutor assignments across all four sites.
• Manage the Outreach Assistants.
• Manage all volunteer events, including six annual tutor trainings, NHR book club, and site socials.
• Coordinate Volunteer Appreciation Month at NHR.
• Recruit and schedule work-study students and interns from local universities.
• Represent NHR at community events when appropriate.
• Help establish a Tutor Advisory Committee.

Requirements:

• At least one year of experience working with volunteers and planning events
• At least one year of experience working with a database, preferably Salesforce
• Proficient in Word and Excel, and proficient in or able to learn Box
• Ability to relate well to a diverse population
• Superior communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Flexibility

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Spanish

Hours: Flexible 40 hours per week, M-F between the hours of 9 AM to 7 PM, with occasional evening or weekend hours.

Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience, within NHR's annual operating budget.

To apply: Email a completed NHR Employment Application, cover letter, and resume to hr [at] newhavenreads [dot] org.

New Haven Reads is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Catholic Charities is seeking both full and part time case managers and behavioral health clinicians at our New Haven, Milford and Ansonia Family Service Centers to work with adult and child victims of crime in our Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funded programs.

It is preferred that candidates for the case management position have an associates or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, or related field. Candidates must have experience working with victims of crime.

Behavioral health clinicians must have a master's degree in a license eligible field (i.e. counseling, social work).

Please forward resumes to Suzanne DeRosa, LPC, Director of Behavioral Health at SDeRosa@ccaoh.org

Catholic Charities Inc., Archdiocese of Hartford is in compliance with all applicable discrimination laws. All hiring, promoting, and transferring is done on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to membership in any protected class. EEO/ AA/ M-F/ VET/ DISABLED.

There are horse barns in New York City. A lot of people don't realize this, but I'm lucky enough to have uncovered this secret through volunteering at a therapeutic riding program for children with disabilities. A couple of Sundays a month, I get up early, drink my coffee on the train to Forest Hills, and spend a few hours helping kids with their riding lessons...

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a37nvk/volunteering-is-the-best-kept-secret-for-mental-health-stressweek2017?utm_campaign=sharebutton&fbclid=iwar0fq8d3f9q2e8z_vhsij4zhruzwj0tyvxgrw7fkdzbqd_jx7jplcwaszcy

Trump has changed our national narrative.

By David Brooks

Opinion Columnist

June 6, 2019

       Immigrants and their supporters marching in Los Angeles in 2017.CreditCreditDavid Mcnew/Getty Images

At New HYTEs, formerly known as New Haven Youth Tennis and Education, youth in the city learn the game of tennis and receive educational enrichment. During this year’s Great Give, they embraced an opportunity to show leadership. 

The high school and college students that make up the New HYTEs’ junior board decided to develop their own campaign for the 36-hour on-line giving event. In the end, they raised more than $5,000 of the $18,100 in total donations that the organization received to support its programs. 

“Our young volunteers believe in our mission to create healthy pathways in our community,” says New HYTEs Executive Director Mavi Sanchez. “They went out and told their stories and reached out online and on Facebook to their parents, grandparents, and teachers at school. All of the students were excited to share what we do.” Read more.

Strategies for a Growing and Inclusive Economy

When industrial factories powered the Greater New Haven economy, there was an abundance of jobs with minimal education requirements. What a worker needed to know could be learned on the job, and there was a good chance that job could support a family. Those days are long gone.

An education beyond high school is now a minimum requirement for most of the jobs that provide a base level of financial security. Many workers in low-wage occupations are forced to take second and third jobs to make ends meet. After a decade of lagging behind other regions, Connecticut’s economy is gradually improving and projected to add jobs in high paying fields such as computing and skilled manufacturing. To meet this demand, and enable the economy to grow in an inclusive way, the workforce must have access to the right education and training. Continue reading

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”- Vincent Van Gogh

Who We Are Looking For
Are you a finance professional with strong strategic thinking skills? Do you find joy in making systems run
more effectively and efficiently? Are you interested in developing staff and consultants into a team with
cutting-edge skills and a strong focus on customer service? If so, our Director of Finance and Administration
position may be perfect for you.

Position
The Director of Finance and Administration will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership
team in financial management, systems development, and operations. The successful candidate will be a
hands-on and participative manager and will lead and develop an internal team of staff and consultants to
support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, administration,
and IT.
This is a tremendous opportunity for an experienced finance and operations leader to maximize and
strengthen the internal systems and capacity of a well-respected, high-impact organization.

Responsibilities
Financial Management
 Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate
monthly and annual financial statements; and oversee all financial, project/program and grants
accounting.
 Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the finance
committee of the board of directors; assess any changes necessary.
 Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the President/CEO;
administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep
senior leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
 Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting.
 Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the
finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
 Effectively communicate critical financial matters to the board of directors.
 Act as a liaison for external relationships with accountants, auditors, banks, and other financial
services.

Operations
 Manage the transition to a new donor database and develop appropriate processes between
fundraising and finance staff for data conversion, data entry, and reporting.
 Manage external vendor relationships and contracts related to operations.
 Play an active role in creating an organizational culture of philanthropy.
 Identify and analyze cost-reduction strategies (work flow efficiencies, vendor accounts, etc.) across
the organization.
 Supervise and support a customer-oriented and effective team of staff and consultants, including
outsourced support for IT and HR functions.
Qualifications
 Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
 At least 10 years of overall professional experience; ideally six-plus years of broad financial and
operations management experience, with significant experience managing complex projects from
start to finish.
 Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
 The ideal candidate has experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial
data, reporting and audit coordination for a division or significant program area.
 Ability to translate financial concepts to and to effectively collaborate with programmatic and
fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
 A track record in grants management.
 Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing
relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
 A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills
which support and enable sound decision making.
 Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and
work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
 A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.
 A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.
 Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of UWGNH.

Application Procedure
 Send resume and cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for the position to
employment@uwgnh.org with the following subject line: Application for Director of Finance and
Operations.

 Review of applications will begin by June 12.

Organization
Founded in 1920, United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) brings people and organizations together to
create solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Income, and Health. We
tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone, building on our long history of
partnerships and creative problem solving. For more information about us, visit www.uwgnh.org.

On July 5, 1779, as British warships darkened the mouth of New Haven Harbor, a small militia of nineteen patriots fought back from Black Rock Fort. Perched on a rocky ledge over the city’s eastern shore, the small force held back the Redcoats for several hours before eventually becoming overwhelmed and captured. The British continued their march downtown, where they spent the next several days drinking rum and harassing the residents before suddenly leaving, declaring the city too pretty to burn.

The battlefield, now named Fort Nathan Hale after the Connecticut patriot, is a unique city park that keeps history alive through the work of a longtime corps of local volunteers. Continue reading.

Creating a Future of Opportunity

At The Community Foundation, we strive every day to honor the legacies of those who have come before in ways that build a bright future for Greater New Haven. The pull of the past and the face of the future are always with us. In 2018, this seemed especially true. To mark our ninetieth anniversary, we recommitted to the ideals that have built and sustained The Foundation: trust, connection, legacy and progress. These commitments will guide our work going forward as they have shaped our history.

Last year, The Foundation put forward a new vision of our community’s future progress. To move forward in this time of deep division in our society, we collectively must create more substantial opportunities for a greater share of our residents. We convened our community around this vision of inclusive growth in diverse groups both large and small. We ignited a new dialogue between the social sector and the business sector and both responded with enthusiasm tempered only by Connecticut’s current economic and social challenges. Most importantly, we listened. 

The highlights and stories in this Report to Our Community tell us that in our community we can create a different reality, a counterpoint to the national experience where too often growth exacerbates inequality rather than ameliorating it. The Foundation is committed to playing our role in creating a future of opportunity through growth that is more inclusive and driven by a  commitment to equity. We are developing a new strategic plan in 2019 to guide our efforts in the coming years. View The Foundation annual report.

On July 5, 1779, as British warships darkened the mouth of New Haven Harbor, a small militia of nineteen patriots fought back from Black Rock Fort. Perched on a rocky ledge over the city’s eastern shore, the small force held back the Redcoats for several hours before eventually becoming overwhelmed and captured. The British continued their march downtown, where they spent the next several days drinking rum and harassing the residents before suddenly leaving, declaring the city too pretty to burn.

The historic site of that battle, now named Fort Nathan Hale after the Connecticut patriot, is a unique city park that keeps history alive through the work of a longtime corps of local volunteers. On Saturday May 18, the Fort Nathan Hale Restoration Projects volunteer organization welcomes the public for its annual opening day celebration. Activities include the raising of the fort flags, military drills, and tours of the fort’s earthen bunkers. Continue reading.

A mosque in New Haven was intentionally set on fire on 12th May 2019, the 7th day of Ramadan. "The fire that scarred the Diyanet Mosque of New Haven Sunday was intentionally set" said New Haven, Fire Chief John Alston. See also, the Eyewitness News 3 report.

​Let's Help Rebuild

The mosque is normally packed for congregational prayers each night, after community Iftar service. This is a mosque that is a central hub to thousands of Muslims in and around New Haven. The damage caused by the fire is said to amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Help us raise money that will go towards repairing the mosque and opening its doors back to the community once again...

Continue reading and support here:

https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/united_for_new_haven_mosque#!/

#in2languages #en2idiomas is a Language Literacy TV initiative for persons learning English or Spanish which uses world, technology, arts and health news produced by German Broadcast TV Deutsche Welle in consecutively published segments Weekdays and Saturday, midday on WPAA-TV in Wallingford.

For those without cable TV, programs are concurrently streamed on the Internet at on wpaa.tv here http://wpaa.tv/watch/tvoninternet/

The initiative began in 2013. The program continued until 2016 with a no fees contract between DW.DE and WPAA-TV.  In 2017 Ion Bank underwrote the acquisition of Spanish content. Since then WPAA has matched local contributions from its program fund to keep the initiative going. As part of WPAA-TV distribution policy, a person or individual must consider content Good Enough 2 Share to be published. The Spanish Community of Wallingford has been the entity for this and has committed to helping with outreach and assessing community impact. 

Help us get news of this exceptional media resource to as many people as possible serving populations who speak Spanish and are learning English, or vice-versa so that more learners can be helped in an informing manner.

Details here: https://wpaa.tv/watch/in2languages/

Related videos are published on this page to give a hint about the quality and content of each of the four shows used in this initiative.

African-American, Native American and Alaska Native women are about three times more likely to die from causes related to pregnancy, compared to white women in the United States.

A pregnant woman at a medical appointment at a clinic in Orlando, Fla. 

Credit Zack Wittman for The New York Times

By Roni Caryn Rabin

African-American, Native American and Alaska Native women die of pregnancy-related causes at a rate about three times higher than those of white women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on ...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/health/pregnancy-deaths-.html