Synopsis: The emerging science of implicit bias is one of the most promising fields for animating the human change that makes social change possible. The social psychologist Mahzarin Banaji is one of its primary architects. She understands the mind as a “difference-seeking machine” that helps us order and navigate the overwhelming complexity of reality. But this gift also creates blind spots and biases, as we fill in what we don’t know with the limits of what we do know. This is science that takes our grappling with difference out of the realm of guilt, and into the realm of transformative good.

You can listen to this podcast or read the transcript here.

Gain a better understanding of your bias, take the Harvard test Implicit Bias here

For 30 years, Elizabeth Hird was a pioneer in the local community for environmental preservation and education. Perhaps no single act demonstrated her commitment to environmental conservation as much as her donation of Outer Island to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1995. 

In 1940, a white developer wanted to build a neighborhood in Detroit. So he asked the US Federal Housing Administration to back a loan. The FHA, which was created just six years earlier to help middle-class families buy homes, said no because the development was too close to an "inharmonious" racial group. Meaning black people.

It wasn't surprising. The housing administration refused to back loans to black people — and even people who lived around black people. FHA said it was too risky. So, the next year...

https://www.vox.com/2016/6/6/11852640/cartoon-poor-neighborhoods ;

The Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship managed by Rooted in Rights and AAPD provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn and apply skills in digital media storytelling, and to connect with media professionals to prepare participants for advanced careers in media production, journalism, online advocacy, or digital design. The project combines hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies with a strong foundation in developing each individual’s voice and using story-driven videos in advocacy.

https://www.aapd.com/disability-rights-storytellers/

Accepted entrepreneurs receive: 

• A spot in a 10-week workshop series on leadership and entrepreneurship
• Pre-seed funding of $1000
• Free coworking space
• 1-on-1 coaching sessions
• An assigned mentor from the Collab Mentor Network
• Case-by-case pro bono services from Corporate Partners (legal, marketing, etc.) 
• Opportunity to pitch in front of investors and community members.

Apply here.

OPEN POSITION

Fall Program Intern

Part time, 10-15 hours per week

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) seeks a dedicated and passionate intern who will be responsible for overseeing our weekly Food Pantry program.  You must be an advanced undergraduate or graduate student, or burgeoning professional in a field related to social work, nonprofit administration, public health, or nutrition.

Mission & Background Information

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.  For more information on our programs, services, history, and vision, visit us online at www.deskct.org.

Core Responsibilities

• Program Execution – The Program Intern will be in charge of ensuring that the weekly Food Pantry program—serving up to 150 people weekly—is carried out under the standards and guidelines set forth by DESK staff.  You must be available on Wednesdays between 1:00 and 4:00 pm.
• Client Relations – The Program Intern will work directly with clients to ensure that their immediate needs are met (within program parameters).
• Volunteer Supervision – The Program Intern will oversee up to 10 volunteers at a time.
• Performance Measurement and Quality Assurance – The Program Intern will work with Executive Director to develop the standards and metrics to determine program success, and ensure that all requisite data are collected in an appropriate manner.

Compensation and Benefits

This is an unpaid internship position.  The primary benefit will be in the form of direct services experience and university credit, if applicable.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and résumé to Steve Werlin at swerlin@deskct.org with “Program Intern Application” in the subjection line.

DESK is an equal opportunity employer who values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and

Strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.

Job Summary

United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) brings people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’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.  

We are seeking candidates for this full-time position to lead the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network (GNH CAN), a collaborative housed at UWGNH, to prevent and end homelessness for individuals, families and youth experiencing homelessness in our nineteen-town region. The Director will work with partners and stakeholders to realize the GNH CAN mission: to make homelessness rare, brief and a one-time experience.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in leading work across organizations and sectors, using evidence and partnerships to deliver measurable results, and putting their passion into action to help people live their best possible lives.   

Reporting Structure: Reports to the UWGNH Chief Impact Officer

Essential Job Functions:   

The GNH CAN Director will be responsible for leading a set of strategies to reach the goals of preventing and ending homelessness, as well as the other priorities of the GNH CAN:

• Develop cross-sector collaborations with state agencies, municipalities, businesses, advocates and providers.
• Maintain relationships with local and statewide leadership, and work with GNH co-chairs to support members in developing and monitoring policies, priorities and goals.
• Advocate for issues affecting the GNH CAN goals, including expanding access to deeply affordable housing.
• Develop strategies to engage consumers in identifying opportunities for growth, assessing needs and identifying areas for improvement.
• Work with partners and funders to align existing resources and services to meet goals.
• Develop new resources and relationships to meet goals, including grant writing and fundraising activities.
• Provide oversight of operations, including: direct services, contracts, communications and use of CAN resources.
• Supervise and support a customer-oriented and effective team of staff.
• Monitor use of funds and manage budgeting and reporting, in conjunction with the finance department.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years experience preferred in leading collaborative or systems-change efforts.
• Experience with group facilitation, coaching and training.
• Effective public speaker and presentation skills.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Effective relationship management skills.
• Ability to use data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to lead a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Knowledge of the challenges/barriers homeless people face, and understanding of the systems with which they interact.
• Proficient with MS Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Local and Statewide travel is required; candidates must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Personal Characteristics    

Ideally, the successful candidate will be:

• Personally committed to advancing UWGNH’s values, mission, goals and programs.
• A proactive and strategic thinker with the ability to work both individually and

• A result-oriented problem solver, willing to learn and engage with diverse perspectives, and able to manage an aggressive workload.

• A superior communicator who shares information readily and concisely, and listens as well as gives advice.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit a detailed letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to employment@uwgnh.org.  No phone calls, please. 

All applications are treated confidentially.  The position will remain open until filled.

**United Way of Greater New Haven is an equal opportunity employee. **

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven seeks a qualified candidate for Director of Gift Planning for Development. Application deadline: August 31, 2018.  Learn more

It wasn’t too long ago that a lot of people were talking about a post-racial America. We had elected a Black president for the first time, and then went ahead and re-elected him four years later, and the country was feeling pretty good about itself.

While Barack Obama’s presidency was indeed a profound and meaningful mark of true progress, racism, of course, never really went away. The presence of a black president, hockey star, or movie-franchise superhero, however welcome and exciting, cannot reverse centuries of racial injustice.

In fact, racism is built right into every level of our society in ways that might surprise you...

https://www.benjerry.com/home/whats-new/2016/systemic-racism-is-real#.W2JO84J-_QY.email

by Khalilah L. Brown-Dean

June 28, 2018

...

This week marks the fifth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision that gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965. An act that single handedly transformed American politics by ushering in more American Indians, African-Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans as voters, candidates and legislators. The Shelby decision struck down the formula used to determine which jurisdictions needed to vet proposed changes to their voting qualifications by the Justice Department before taking effect....

http://diverseeducation.com/article/118924/

Job Description: Full-time Lead Organizer

PREST is a youth-led organizing effort for racial and educational justice throughout Connecticut. We envision a country in which the histories of Black people and people of color are taught, understood, and celebrated as fundamental to American history and where people feel affirmed in their identities.

PREST is excited to add a full-time Lead Organizer to our team this year! The PREST Lead Organizer will be responsible for training and directing the organizing team, forging relationships between PREST and the community, and strategizing PREST’s campaign and movement activities.

The Lead Organizer will:

• Manage PREST Campaign Organizers, Student Organizers, and the PREST Youth Team
  • Facilitate regular PREST Youth Team (PYT) meetings
  • Deliver leadership and organizing training opportunities to PREST Student Organizers
  • Design workshops and trainings for PREST Student Organizers
  • Participate in occasional parent/guardian outreach
  • Lead field trips, special events, and parent workshops
• Provide strategic vision and direction to campaigns and projects
  • Develop, implement, and coordinate campaigns and projects with Student Organizers
• Mobilize and build PREST’s base
  • Manage campaign-related communications
  • Conduct outreach to and regular one-on-one meetings with young people
• Provide overall support for the PREST infrastructure
  • Attend all PREST Leadership Team meetings
  • Manage the PREST project budget, with support from the Executive Director
  • Support the Executive Director in fundraising efforts and organizational capacity-building
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Director

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience as an organizer
  • Experience working with young people
  • Experience or demonstrated interest in facilitation
  • Experience with education justice work is a benefit
• Understanding of oppression, race, and identity, and commitment to fighting racial injustice
• Passion for real and sustainable change
• Flexibility in working within a new and growing organization
  • Willingness to learn and share knowledge, experience, and skills
  • Willingness to adopt best practices, to experiment, and to make and learn from mistakes
  • Capacity to lead and be led
• Strong communication skills
  • Comfort with social media such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
  • Knowledge of Prezi, Canva, Wix, and MailChimp are benefits
• Strong ties to the New Haven or Connecticut community a plus
• Must be at least 18 years of age

People of color, queer, trans/gender non-conforming, and recent college graduate-aged folks are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please send resumes and cover letters to info@theprestmovement.org to apply!

Metro Taxi is driving efforts to give people with disabilities more freedom.

http://www.metrotaxict.com/accessible/freedom-fund-taxi-voucher-program.htm

Catholic Charities is hosting a FREE Back To Preschool Fair on Wednesday, August 1st, 2018 from 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m. at St. Francis & St. Rose School, 423 Ferry St. New Haven , CT 06513.

There will be FREE backpacks (as supplies last), FREE pony rides, snacks, face painting and fun activities!

There will also be an opportunity to enroll children 3-5 years old in preschool programming at one of Catholic Charities' three Child Development Centers in Fair Haven and tour the preschool classrooms at St. Francis & St. Rose School!

DON'T MISS THIS FUN, FREE EVENT!!!!!!!!!! 

Capital for Change is the nonprofit formed two years ago through the merger of Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, Community Capital Fund and Connecticut Housing Investment Fund.  We are a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that creates high impact lending programs and products that help develop affordable housing, increase energy efficiency and nurture nonprofit organizations. We are looking to fill a crucial position in our growing organization.

The Senior Manager of Operations and Organizational Development provides strategic and visionary leadership to develop and implement planned interventions that increase organizational effectiveness. The position drives organizational culture and effectiveness through management of diverse systems including talent management/HR, strategic planning and evaluation, and programmatic and administrative operations.  Serving on the senior management team, the Senior Manager of Operations and Organizational Development reports to the CEO but serves all departments and staff of C4C. Initially the position will be based in New Haven with some travel to Hartford, and will then relocate to our new office in Wallingford this winter.

Applications must be received by Sunday, July 29th with interviews scheduled on a rolling basis.  For more information and to apply please go to:  https://www.ziprecruiter.com/job/a2b61a65

C4C is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.  People with disabilities, people of color, Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply.  C4C is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive and talented staff team.  If you are excited about this role but are unsure whether you meet 100% of the requirements we encourage you to inquire and/or apply.

Anyone walking a hot stretch of sidewalk along Grand Avenue now has an inviting spot to rest in the shade, talk to neighbors, and watch children play.

The oasis is called a “parklet,” and was designed by two Yale graduate students who won New Haven’s first Parklet Design Competition, a collaboration between GoNewHavenGo, the Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking and MakeHaven.

After months of planning and construction, the Urban Canopy Parklet opened at 379 Grand Avenue, and involved the collaboration of local businesses, the community management team, and local nonprofits including the New Haven Land Trust and EMERGE.
The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven provided a $2,000 year-round small grant in support of the project to the fiscal sponsor, Urban Resources Initiative.

Continue reading.

By Robert K. Ross Jul. 17, 2018

Civic engagement and community voice make up the secret sauce of US democracy. We need a new, community-generated social compact to assert the vision and policy framework for an inclusive 21st-century America.

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/on_shared_vision_and_a_new_social_compact

I’m reaching out today looking for a potential partner for a class at the University of New Haven.  I’m hoping that our students can help your organization while they gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world as they relate to the field of health care.    

The class is titled Elementary Spanish for Health Care I and the instructor, Dr. Alessia Dalsant, is looking for her students to volunteer at a local organization(s) that serves Spanish speaking clients.  We have about 12 college students who would each be available for about 20 hours from September – December 2018.  Students would not have previous knowledge of Spanish but would be learning the language throughout the semester. We are open to all ideas so please send them my way! 

Here is a description of Elementary Spanish Health Care:

This course is designed to help English-speaking health professionals better serve the growing population of Spanish-speaking patients. During the course, students will be exposed to basic grammatical structures and will learn specific vocabulary necessary for the health professions. Class activities will emphasize listening, writing, reading, and conversational skills through role-playing and dialogues related to clinical settings. Beside linguistic skills, the objective is also to promote a deeper understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, as they relate to the field of health care. This component of the course will be fulfilled via service learning opportunities with community partners, where students will practice Spanish and offer community service. Upon completion of this course the student will be able to greet and introduce him/herself, will be familiar with vocabulary relating to body parts, injuries, and basic commands, will be able to conduct consultations and basic examinations with patients, and obtain clinical information. 

Please send me an email at sanastos@newhaven.edu or give me a call (203-479-4588) if you have an upcoming project or program where our students would be able to help your organization while they learn about others and practice their Spanish.   

Thank you, Sally 

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

Black Lives Matter at Five: Activists Take Stock

By  STEVE DUBB 

The acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin took place on July 13, 2013. Reaction to the acquittal led to the birth of what is now known as the Black Lives Matter movement. Chauncey Alcorn, writing in Mic, recalls the movement’s origins...

Continued: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/07/16/black-lives-matter-at-five-activists-take-stock/?utm_content=74390363&utm_medium=social&utm_source=googleplus ;