Blogs

Chapel Haven drew more than 200 families and friends at its September 15 groundbreaking, celebrating a new chapter in Chapel Haven’s storied history.

Chapel Haven is underway with a multi-year campus expansion, with the ultimate goal of providing lifelong services to adults with social and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1972, Chapel Haven empowers 250 adults with a range of disabilities, from autism and Down Syndrome to Asperger Syndrome, to live independent and self-determined lives.

Among the featured speakers were State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, Alderman Richard Furlow and Chapel Haven President Michael Storz, along with parents and adults. All attendees signed a ceremonial beam and toured the construction.

The event drew lots of media coverage. Click here to read a front-page story in the New Haven Register. The New Haven Independent also did a story. Click here to read the coverage in the New Haven Independent.

TV stations who covered the event included FoxNews 61. To see their coverage, click here

“I am so proud of Chapel Haven’s founding in 1972. We were the first agency of our kind to champion the idea that adults with disabilities can gain independent and live happy, productive lives,” Storz said. “With the expert help of SLAM architects and our building team, we are poised to become a pioneer once again with the planned addition of aging services and a complete transformation of our campus.”

Students Jamie Harberg and Andrew Burbank got the crowd singing along to songs from “Wicked” and “If I Had a Hammer.”

Chapel Haven was a pioneer when the agency was founded by two families on Chapel Street in New Haven in 1972, to help adults with disabilities move away from the protective wings of their parents and into a more independent, adult lifestyle. Fast forward 45 years and Chapel Haven has broken ground on a campus expansion that promises to be a national model in accommodating the changing needs of adults with disabilities as they age.

Dr. Fred Volkmar, a Chapel Haven board member and an internationally renowned expert in autism as the Irving B. Harris Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, said Chapel Haven is at the forefront.

“With earlier detection and treatment, many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders are doing better overall, but often need continued support as they enter adulthood,” Dr. Volkmar said. “Chapel Haven has been a leader is providing such support to students interested in going on to college and adult independence.  It is one of the few programs around the country to offer comprehensive support for individuals and their families.”

Phase One consists of construction of three new buildings, including a new, 32,500 SF building to house the REACH program, where adults with developmental and social disabilities learn independent living, a welcome center, and a new, universally designed facility allowing those with significant life skills and medical needs to remain living among friends in a community they call home.

The project is being designed by S/L/A/M Collaborative & S/L/A/M Construction Services and owner’s representative Leland Torrence.

ABOUT CHAPEL HAVEN
Founded in 1972 in a house on Chapel Street, New Haven, CT, Chapel Haven is a nationally accredited transitional living program and approved private special education school with a mission of teaching adults with cognitive disabilities and social disabilities to live independent and productive lives. Chapel Haven has grown to serve more than 250 adults (18 years of age and older) in the residence and the community with three distinct programs; REACH, Asperger’s Syndrome Adult Transition (ASAT), and Chapel Haven West (Tucson, AZ). Read more at www.chapelhaven.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED FROM MILTON FISHER FUND

Scholarships Awarded for Creativity and Innovation to 7; Honorable Mention to 7

New Haven, CT (September 20, 2017) - The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region’s largest grantmaker and charitable endowment, announces the winners of the 2017 Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity. A total of $128,000 in college scholarships (payable over four years of college) was awarded this year to 7 high school students who came up with distinctive solutions to problems faced by their schools, communities, families, and the world. In addition, a total of $3,500 in scholarships was awarded to 7 high school students receiving honorable mentions.

While each application submitted for consideration highlighted a creative project, scholarships were awarded to the candidates who demonstrated the greatest innovation and whose projects have the most potential impact. The winners were recognized for projects involving the arts, science, technology, and social action.

The Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity was established in 2003 at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven by the Reneé B. Fisher Foundation. This scholarship is not a traditional scholarship focused on rewarding academic achievement and addressing financial need.  Its specific goal is to reward and encourage innovative and creative problem-solving. High school juniors and seniors and college freshmen from Connecticut and the New York metropolitan area are eligible to apply. The application deadline for 2018 is April 30th; a complete of set of guidelines and a link to the online application can be found at www.rbffoundation.org and  www.cfgnh.org/scholarships. 

For more information, please email mfscholarship@gmail.com or contact Denise Canning at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven at 203-777-7076.

Milton Fisher was born and educated in New York City and was a Connecticut resident from 1960 until his death in 2001. He was an attorney and an investment banker who also taught a unique course for adults called "Applied Creativity" for over 25 years. His deep interest in the roots of creativity, and the many exercises he developed to help people become more innovative and creative in their lives, also led him to write the book Intuition: How to Use it in your Life, which has been translated into several languages. Fisher also served on the boards of several public companies and wrote two books about Wall Street.  
 
The Milton Fisher Scholarship is one of dozens of scholarships administered through The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Thanks to the generosity of three generations of donors, The Community Foundation awarded over $30 million in grants and distributions in 2016 from charitable assets of more than $530 million composed of hundreds of individually named funds. In addition to its grantmaking, The Community Foundation helps build a stronger community by taking measures to improve student achievement, create healthy families in New Haven, promote local philanthropy through www.giveGreater.org® and The Great Give®, and encourage better understanding of the region. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s 20-town service area includes: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge. For more information about The Community Foundation, visit www.cfgnh.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.org/cfgnh or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cfgnh. 

2017 Winners

Jack Adam (NYC iSchool, New York, NY) An adventurous street artist, Jack chose garbage as his canvas. His iconic signature tag — the stylized marker-drawn outline of a 1959 medium format Yashica-A camera and the words “Who Shot Who?” — began appearing in his neighborhood on hundreds of items discarded and left on the curb, sparking puzzlement, pleasure and conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. His quirky street art offered his neighbors unexpected, new ways of interacting with each other and with urban space. Jack plans to study Art at Yale University.

Alexander Bohr (Coventry High School, Coventry, CT) Caring deeply about the need to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and the need for more healthy food in his high school cafeteria and local food pantries, Alexander addressed both issues simultaneously by building a solar-powered acquaponic geodesic dome at his school that will help educate and feed his community. He will study Environmental Science at the University of Connecticut.

Gavrielle Kamen (Georgetown Day School, Washington, DC). Convinced that empathy and communication are the building blocks of world peace, Gavrielle created “Middle East Skype Sessions,” an organization that facilitates conversations between teenagers in the U.S. and teenagers in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Pakistan and Afghanistan. She will major in Performance Studies and Peace and Conflict Resolution, with a minor in Middle East Studies, at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Ana Larrazolo (Veterans Memorial High School, Brownsville, TX)  Despite the discrimination and hostility, widespread illiteracy, and tremendous poverty endured by the Mexican-American residents of the Rio Grande Valley where she lives, Ana knew that the region was also a site of vibrant creativity.  She founded an artist collective in South Texas, Artistas de la Frontera, to help poets, painters, photographers, muralists and others inspire and support one another through poetry slams, exhibits and a zine. She will study Acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Neal Soni (Staples High School, Westport, CT) After seeing his grandfather suffer from excruciating low back pain, Neal devoted himself to developing an ingenious process to reduce the scarring that often occurs with back surgery. Combining the use of hydrogels with modeling prototype spinal columns through 3-D printing, Neal’s innovative intervention could have revolutionary and global impact. He will be a high school senior in 2017-2018.

George Stefanakis (Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, NY) The distinctive mathematical model and unorthodox conceptual framework in computational science that George developed can pave the way for a potentially groundbreaking approach to resolving some obstacles to the development of a large-scale quantum computer. He will major in Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

William Yin (Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT) Troubled that there was no user-friendly, low-cost diagnostic test for the early detection of atherosclerosis (the leading precursor to heart attacks and strokes and the leading cause of death worldwide), William filled this gap with a creative, life-saving device of his own design.  He developed an inexpensive, self-administered, tattoo-based biosensor patch resembling a Band-Aid® that can reliably detect arterial plaque build-up. He will study Bioengineering and Computer Science at Stanford University. 

2017 Honorable Mentions

Christopher Arrandale (Daniel Hand High School, Madison, CT) designed an innovative 3D printing curriculum for middle school students. He will be a high school senior in 2017-2018.

Melissa Gurzenda (St. Paul Catholic High School, Bristol, CT) invented a lap desk with a crank-powered light to help children in areas without electricity read and write at night. She will study Entrepreneurship at Bryan University.

Dana Joseph (Engineering and Science University Magnet School, West Haven, CT) created inventive classes called “Code Pink, Code Blue, Code You” to encourage girls to explore computer science. She will study Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. 

Jeffrey Richiez (Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology, New York, NY) developed software that helps teachers and guidance staff at his school do their jobs more efficiently.  He will study Computer Science at the State University of New York, New Paltz.

Elora Rosedale (Canton High School, Canton, CT) produced thoughtful chemotherapy companion bags to provide comfort and aid to patients going through chemotherapy.  She will attend the University of Hartford.

Kadir Sahin (Engineering and Science University Magnet School, West Haven, CT) developed an online, student-written publication to inform students city-wide of what is happening in all the high schools in the New Haven area and to give all students the chance to hone their skills as journalists and photographers.  He will be a high school senior in 2017-2018.

Skyler Szot (Farmington High School, Farmington, CT) designed and built durable turtle basking platforms that will enhance the health and wellbeing of the local turtle population while allowing park visitors to view the turtles. He will study Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. 

To view this press release (with photos) online, visit https://www.cfgnh.org/MiltonFisher2016

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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As of October 5th, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will stop taking DACA renewals. That means DACA recipients with expiring permits have only a few weeks to gather the $495 renewal application fee.

CT Students for a Dream is raising money to help DACA recipients pay for their renewals. Click here to learn more and join them.

Those with DACA permits that expire before March 5 2018 must apply for renewal by October 5th. Applications for financial assistance through the Renewal Scholarship Fund can be found here. 

CT Students for a Dream is a youth-led statewide network fighting for the rights of undocumented youth and their families.

Do you want to make a difference in your community? 
Join us at an orientation session for the 2018 Neighborhood Leadership Program.

New Haven Youth Conservation Corps Supervisor Shequerra Hobby presents a member of the group with a certificate honoring his efforts during their fourth annual energy efficiency canvassing program.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Sept. 11, 2017) — The New Haven Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) recently celebrated the results of their annual energy efficiency canvassing program during a special ceremony hosted by United Illuminating (UI) as part of the Energize Connecticut initiative. For the fourth consecutive year, the teens spent four weeks targeting 10,000 New Haven homes promoting the financial benefits of Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible, a no-cost energy assessment designed to increase comfort and lower energy bills for those meeting certain income requirements.

Nearly 150 New Haven residents signed up for the Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible program as a result of the canvassing efforts, and 30 have already scheduled their assessment. On average, each resident will receive approximately $1,000 in weatherization services and save around $250 in annual energy costs. If everyone who registered is served through the Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible program, the City of New Haven can save more than $35,000 in energy costs and reduce carbon emissions by more than 129 tons. That’s equivalent to removing 23 cars from the road for an entire year.

“In just one month, the New Haven Youth Conservation Corps helped many New Haven residents rethink the way they view energy efficiency and made an impact on the city that will last for years to come,” said Maritza Estremera, Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible program manager, United Illuminating. “This has been the most successful year of canvassing to date and we look forward to supporting this program in 2018 and beyond.”

As a partner of the Energize Connecticut initiative, UI committed $5,000 to the efforts, in addition to supplying brochures, applications, backpacks, shirts and other useful materials. This canvassing was also part of New Haven’s “Clean Energy Summer,” a city-wide commitment to energy efficiency as part of the Mayor Toni Harp’s agreement with the Compact of Mayors, a global group combating climate change to develop a low-emission society.

UI is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). For more information on energy-saving programs and services provided through the Energize Connecticut initiative, call 1-877-WISE-USE or visit energizect.com.

Infant mortality rates are an important public health indicator for assessing and comparing the health and well-being of populations. Although the overall infant mortality rates in New Haven have declined since the 1980s (thanks in large part to the work of a Special Commission and its successor New Haven Healthy Start), there are still marked disparities between the mortality rates for white and non-white infants.  Read more...

Community Foundation President & CEO Will Ginsberg shares his thoughts about Charlottesville, New Haven and our community's future on The Foundation's blog.

The time of testing is upon us. Will we stand up to the powerful forces that would substitute hatred and demonization for the inclusive, unified and optimistic spirit of community that we have so painstakenly built over the decades? 

Read the post at #NHVCares Blog

Hi all,

I know this topic comes up frequently, but IRIS is looking to change/upgrade its donor database, and is wondering what other groups' experiences have been.  We currently have Giftworks, and one option would be to upgrade to their new cloud edition, but we also want to explore other systems.  

If you are willing to share (via phone, in person, or email, whatever you prefer) about what system you use and what your experience has been like, can you let me know?  

Thanks!

Kelly Hebrank

Development Specialist at IRIS

(203) 562-2095 x226

khebrank@irisct.org

At Common Ground, a truly diverse community of 200 students from 16 different towns experiences a mix of high academic standards, active learning and leadership opportunities, and small school supports that are producing dramatic educational results.

Common Ground -- the nation’s oldest environmental charter high school, creating the next generation of successful college students and powerful environmental leaders -- is seeking a passionate, creative, outstanding Youth Organizer. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to work at a school that prioritizes leadership development and project-based learning around environmental and social justice issues.

The Youth Organizer is a newly-created part-time position designed to address the organizational need for and commitment to greater student empowerment and engagement regarding systems of oppression, as well as models and tools for resisting and transforming those systems.  The position will be responsible for supporting student facilitation of after-school programs and creating spaces for students to reflect and take action together on issues of community, power, oppression, and justice.

This employee will have the chance to:

• Dedicate time to getting to know the school and organization while building relationships with students in and out of the classroom and with staff across the organization
• Support student planning and facilitation of existing after-school programs focused on activism, identity, and organizing
• Co-create all school opportunities with students during school-wide events (such as assemblies/town halls, biannual Mix It Up Day events, etc.) and after-school workshops to build student awareness around issues of social and environmental justice
• Facilitate or coordinate workshops for student group leaders to develop leadership, activism, and organizing skills
• Help facilitate field work/trips or guest speakers for classroom-based and out-of-school opportunities (including experiences such as plays, workshops, protests, conferences, etc.)
• Facilitate student participation in organizational committees and decision-making (e.g. curriculum re-development, working to build a more effective and inclusive organization, board of directors)
• Support student action to create community events, engage in advocacy, and develop and/or participate in existing campaigns in area issues of their choosing and concern
• Participate in a working group aiming to build the capacity of Common Ground staff to support student organizing, and student-led and intergenerational change efforts
• Facilitate networking with other youth-serving organizations in New Haven

Together with the CEIO (Co-Creating Effective and Inclusive Organizations) Core Partnership Team, with support from the Student Affairs Manager and Environmental Leadership Manager, the Organizer will identify local opportunities for our students to develop their leadership skills and create change in and beyond our school community.

Common Ground is seeking outstanding candidates with:

• Concrete youth organizing experience (six months minimum organizing experience preferred but not required)
• Experience with and passion for working with youth from diverse ethnic, racial, and class backgrounds is a must
• Experience developing leadership in others
• A high level of self-motivation and a proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• A passion for social, environmental, and food justice

We will accept applications from:

• individuals who would join our staff as part-time employees, and
• community organizations, who would act as independent contractors and identify a member of staff to play the role of youth organizer

This is a part-time position (approximately 40 hours over two week periods during the school year, with the possibility of summer work), mostly during the second half of the school day and after school hours as well as some evenings and weekends for events. This position can be structured as an hourly position compensated at $18 per hour, or a contract with an organization for $15,000 for the school year.

To apply, please send résumé and cover letter to:

Jesse Delia

Environmental Leadership Manager

jdelia@commongroundct.org

Applications will be received on a rolling basis and will begin being reviewed on August 28, 2017. Applicants will be contacted to schedule first interviews in-person or by phone in late August.

Common Ground is particularly eager for candidates who help us fulfill our commitment to building a racially and culturally diverse faculty and staff.

It is the policy of the New Haven Ecology Project, Inc. and Common Ground High School that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise discriminated against under any program, including employment, because of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, mental retardation, and past/present history of mental disorder, learning disability and physical disability.

It is the policy of the New Haven Ecology Project, Inc. and Common Ground High School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, color, marital status, civil union status, national origin, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender in all personnel actions, including recruitment, evaluation, selection, daily interactions, promotion, compensation, training and termination.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, it is the policy of the New Haven Ecology Project, Inc. and Common Ground High School not to discriminate against protected qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in all aspect of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

This is an unpaid internship position.  The primary benefit to the successful candidate 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 encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.

OPEN POSITION

Volunteer Coordinator

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, Inc.
Part time, 10-15 hours per week

Overview

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) seeks a dedicated and passionate volunteer to serve as the point-person and coordinator for day-to-day volunteer activities.  The appropriate volunteer will be a self-starter with strong computer skills and who is friendly and welcoming and has excellent people skills.

Mission & Background Information

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen serves people who are experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity.  Since 1987, DESK has offered evening meals and a weekly food pantry to the Greater New Haven community.

Position Summary

The Volunteer Coordinator works with the Executive Director and Program Manager to coordinate all volunteer activities.  Because volunteers are primarily scheduled online and coordinated via email and phone, the majority of the 10-15 hours per week can be accomplished remotely; in addition, the Volunteer Coordinator must be available for a few hours each week to meet with the Executive Director and Program Manager onsite at 311 Temple Street in New Haven.   The Volunteer Coordinator serves as the primary point-of-contact for all volunteers seeking to serve at DESK.  Duties include the following:

• Conducting volunteer outreach to recruit new volunteers.
• Administering DESK’s online scheduling system through SignUp.com.
• Communicating with volunteers to answer questions and ensure that they are aware of any guidelines and rules for volunteers, as well as their rights as volunteers.
• Working with court-appointed and for-credit volunteers to ensure that they are tracking their hours appropriately and can access any documentation needed for proper fulfillment.
• Maintaining the volunteer Group Schedule, and working with volunteer Group Captains to ensure that their groups will have the appropriate number of volunteers.
• Communicating with and scheduling other one-time occasional volunteer groups and service-learning groups.
• Overseeing volunteer data entry to ensure the proper tracking of volunteer activities.
• Working with the Program Manager and Executive Director to develop new volunteer opportunities that can better serve the organization and the community.

Qualifications and Requirements

Because the Volunteer Coordinator is often the first person that a new volunteer will encounter, the most qualified candidate will be very enthusiastic about DESK and the people we serve.  The Volunteer Coordinator must have excellent people-skills and be able to represent DESK in an outgoing, positive, and dynamic fashion.  The ideal candidate will be comfortable with learning new online applications (like SignUp.com), and can communicate promptly and professionally via email. 

Compensation and Benefits

This is an unpaid volunteer position.  The primary benefit will be in the form of direct services experience, university credit (if applicable), and the overall satisfaction of helping those in need.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should email a letter of interest and résumé to Steve Werlin at swerlin@deskct.org with “Volunteer Coordinator” in the subjection line.

DESK is an equal opportunity employer who values greatly the role of diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles.

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.

Roles and Responsibilities

United Way of Greater New Haven seeks enthusiastic college graduates and professionals interested in an invaluable experience to include professional training, fundraising and community engagement skills and opportunities. The Campaign Associate will work closely with the United Way Resource Development team, other United Way staff, community leaders and workplace volunteers to help manage and increase support for the 2017 United Way workplace campaign.  This is a seasonal, full-time (30-40 hours weekly) position from September 15 through December 15, 2017.

The basic responsibilities and expectations of a Campaign Associate are as follows:

• Assist with account management of a variety of businesses and organizations in the Greater New Haven region that run United Way workplace campaigns.
• Attend an orientation on roles and responsibilities along with techniques for effective calls, group presentations and data collection and management.
• Participate in campaign planning, coordinator meetings, kick off events, and presentations with United Way staff. 
• Manage distribution and collection of United Way campaign materials to local businesses and organizations.
• Manage campaign calendar and update campaign data as needed.
• Assist with special events and volunteer projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Good communication skills and familiarity with fundraising techniques
• Excellent organizational skills and familiarity working in a professional office environment
• Ability to work well with a team as well as independently
• Advanced Microsoft Word and Excel skills; knowledge of Google applications (e.g. Gmail, Insightly, Google drive, etc.)
• Own a vehicle and have a valid driver’s license and car insurance and be willing to travel throughout the Greater New Haven area.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume 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 employer.**

From NonProfit Quarterly

Nonprofits should understand that this moment defines us on a deep level—a moment where civil society must declare with moral certainty that notions of racial superiority are antithetical to our common humanity and our future. As a sector, we have not taken the leadership on this that we should. In fact, our organizations often mirror the distortions of larger society. Not only must we publicly disavow white supremacy; we must offer a counter narrative, and model leadership that supports racial justice and economic justice—in society at large and in our organizations. We have no time to waste. More...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/08/14/ending-white-supremacy-nonprofit-action/

http://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/DeLauro-brings-New-Haven-veteran-his-WWII-medals-11734887.php

At the New Haven Animal Shelter, it takes a village to help abandoned dogs and cats find their forever homes. Although the city funds and staffs the shelter, the dedicated volunteers with the Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter provide vital assistance with socializing the animals and getting them ready for adoption.

“It’s a real passion,” says Elaine Spinato, treasurer of the nonprofit volunteer organization. “I find it therapeutic. Whatever your problems are, they’re gone when there is a big set of eyes looking at you. The rewards are unending. And when a dog is adopted, it’s like seeing your kid going off to college.” Continue reading.

When migratory songbirds reach New Haven after flying across Long Island Sound, they immediately hunt for safe perches on which to rest and recover. Audubon Connecticut’s Urban Oases initiative ensures that even in the heart of this urban area, a corridor of green habitats is waiting.

Created with the help of community volunteer teams in parks and schoolyards, the habitats are the product of a larger mission by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to “bring the wildlife to the people,” says Michelle Frankel, Center Director for Audubon Greenwich and CT Team Leader for Bird-Friendly Communities.

Beyond the benefits to birds, wildlife and the larger ecosystem, the oases are also outdoor classrooms for students. They provide leadership opportunities for young people. And they are tranquil green spaces for neighborhoods with an abundance of asphalt and concrete.

“Our focus is not just on birds, but also on communities,” says Frankel. Continue reading.