Need help with public relations?

Invitation from Beverly Levy, Visiting Professor at Quinnipiac University, to area nonprofits:

As part of the course requirements for my Public Relations writing classes, I require the students to volunteer for local nonprofit organizations. Throughout each semester, the students are assigned various PR writing projects such as fact sheets, news releases and media advisories that they write on behalf of the agencies that they have selected. In addition, the students are required to volunteer an additional 10 hours at the agency. For many agencies, particularly those with upcoming events, this has been a wonderful opportunity for the agencies to get some closely supervised public relations help. The students are
free to choose their agencies, but I like to provide them with a list of
opportunities. If you would like to be included on that list, please send
me (beverly.levy@quinnipiac.edu) a brief description of your agency and the type of volunteer work that you would anticipate for a student who selects your agency. Please also indicate whether you have any pending events or announcements - and when they are occurring. My request of participating organizations is that you assign someone who will be responsive to the student's phone calls and emails and that you have a need for the kind of public relations work I have described. These are not actual "internship" opportunities, but in the
past, these smaller experiences have led to full internships. If you have
a need for an intern, please let me know and I will pass that information along
to Quinnipiac University's internship coordinator. Feel free to send me an
e-mail with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Many
thanks!

Let's push funders to get as comfortable with social impact outcomes that may take a generation to manifest as they are (with) measuring individuals served annually in a program.

from Reclaiming our Social Justice Organizations,

an article in Grassroots Fundraising Journal,

July/Aug. 2006 (at the library)

Recent Research Reports of Interest

• Foundation Center's latest report on corporate giving indicates a 5.8% increase in 2004 (total of $3.6 billion), but that increase was less than the rate of growth in giving from community and independent foundations. Total corporate giving has actually declined 17% since 1987. Funding priorities continue to be education and public affairs. (Full report available in the nonprofit center at the library)
• A study from the Alabama Reading Initiative, which focused on improving reading among secondary school students, is available at www.air.org. It discusses best practices in teacher training, resource development, program sustainability, and reading-based research.
• Hispanic Housing in the United States 2006 is available at www.nd.edu/~latino, and provides housing stats involving Hispanic households between 1995-2005.
• An EPA report, Clean Water: How States Allocate Revolving Loan Funds & Measure Their Benefits, is available at www.gao.gov. Clean water loan funds have been cut almost in half in the last three years, sharpening the need for maximizing funding dollars.
• One Sick Child Away From Being Fired : pdf file at www.uchastings.edu, search for one sick.

(Source: Federal Assistance Monitor, 6/15/06)

LEAP Summer Read-In On the Green Wednesday, July 5

LEAP (Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership) launches into summer on the New Haven Green with a statement about the importance of reading. After some energizing exercises, all participating children and youth will LEAP into reading, either in small groups or by themselves. The community is invited to join in anytime from 10-noon and be part of the movement! Read to a child, join a reading circle or just read on your own. Be sure to pick up your I believe !!! READING IS IMPORTANT sticker at the LEAP table set up on the corner of Chapel and College Streets. More info: 773-0770 x124 or jjclark@leapforkids.org.

Next AFP Audioconference at Columbus House July 11

Columbus House and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven invite area non-profits to an audio conference presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Strategic Planning to Lower Fundraising Costs and Boost Revenues will be presented by noted author Mal Warwick. Warwick's firm has provided nonprofit organizations nationwide with direct mail fundraising services for 27 years. He has written or edited eighteen books, including the standard texts How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters and Revolution in the Mailbox. Program details: http://www.afpnet.org.

When: July 11, 1-2:30 pm (Feel free to bring your lunch)
Where: Columbus House conference room
Who: 18 (max.) area nonprofits (first come, first served)
Cost: FREE, The Community Foundation underwrites the entire 2006 series!

RSVP by July 10 to jbrooks@columbushouse.org .

United Way's Day of Caring Sept. 9-15

United Way of Greater New Haven invites area businesses and organizations to participate in their annual Day of Caring (which actually runs several days!). Examples of activities include on-site food, clothing or diaper drives, or any project that can help to make our communities stronger. United Way is also ready to help match your volunteers with projects in your area.

Contact Nancy Burke for ideas and information, and help in preparing for this special community effort: (203) 772-2010 x206 or dayofcaring@uwgnh.org.

Resources to Help Agencies working for CT's Children and Youth

The CT Nonprofit Information Network has compiled a very good list of local resources, internet sites, and news articles that can help agencies working with children and youth in Connecticut. See links at http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/HumanServices/Children_Youth.asp.

Donate Violin--Get Symphony Tickets!

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is calling for used violins to be used for an upcoming juried art competition and fundraiser. Violins of any brand or size in fair condition or better are acceptable provided the wood is intact and has no significant cracks. The deadline for donations is August 18.

All donors will receive two free tickets to the second of seven concerts in the NHSO’s 2006-07 Symphony Series on Saturday, October 14 at 8 pm in Woolsey Hall, New Haven. The Clear Spring Water concert features guest conductor William Boughton conducting works by Vaughan Williams and Richard Strauss and showcases Canadian guest violinist Karen Gomyo performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Violins may be shipped to or dropped off at the following address:

New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Attn: “Violin Exchange”
70 Audubon Street, 3rd Floor
New Haven, CT 06510

Details: (203) 865-0831 x19 or jellis@newhavensymphony.org.

FYI: Disability Resource Book

The City of New Haven Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities has provided an extremely useful 42-page resource directory at http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/DisabilityServices/index.asp.

Need a list of residents in your neighborhood?

We have added a residential feature to our ReferenceUSA database, so you can now use it to create and download mailing or prospect lists for residents as well as businesses. If their name is in the phonebook, it's in the database.

Access from your home or office computer with a New Haven Library card , or create your list at one of the library's computers. Call me if you'd like to arrange an orientation session or to reserve a computer, or just to find out more about information that you can obtain--for FREE!

In the Neverending Quest for the Monied...

Prospecting for individual donors can lead you to interesting sites. For example, airplane owners and/or pilots might be intelligent and monied prospects, and you can find them at www.landings.com. Other indicators of wealth might include horses and boats, and links to US assessor's offices with such data may be found at http://indorgs.virginia.edu/portico/personalproperty.html.

Mayor's Youth Initiative presents Open Schools Summer Program

Register now for FREE summer workshops at Career, Martinez, and King/Robinson schools for 12-18 year olds!
When: 3-8pm, Monday-Friday, 6/26 - 8/11
What: Open gym, open pool (at Career and Martinez), and workshops in grafitti art, hip hop, poetry, breakdancing, arts and crafts, and karate. Registration form may be downloaded from www.cityofnewhaven.com/pdf_whatsnew/Flyer.pdf

Need more information? Call Katherine Zhang at 946-7130.

America's Fastest Growing Urban Businesses

For the past eight years, Inc. magazine and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) have teamed up to recognize America's fastest growing urban businesses through the annual Inner City 100 list. Between 2000-2004, the companies on this year's list created more than 10,300 new jobs, generating average revenues of $31.1 million in 2004 and an aggregate revenue of more than $3 billion. The list includes three CT businesses: Oakleaf Waste Management and Horizon Staffing Services of East Hartford, and Gima Sport of Hartford. For facts and statistics about the companies on the 2006 list, visit http://www.inc.com/inner100/index.html.

Applications due July 5 for Community Leadership Program

William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund's Nonprofit Forum invites community leaders to participate in the 5th Community Leadership Program to equip, support and inspire each other to practice values-based collaborative leadership. This free year-long program includes readings, monthly meetings, and two weekend retreats. Bill Graustein and Curlena McDonald will facilitate. Part 1: Leadership, Vision & Values begins Sept. 15. Details: 230-3330 x19. Send letter including statement of interest and professional bio to gailt@wcgmf.org.

Free Books for Children and Young Adults

The Greater NH Literacy Coalition will be distributing more than 4,000 free new books later this month. These books have been donated to the Coalition through Scholastic, Inc. and are books for children and young adults. Chris Alexander and the NH Reads Book Bank are in charge of the distribution.

If you could use some of these books, please let them know! There are lots and lots of books and they will distribute 40 at a time to you. Just send an email to Newhavenreads@yahoo.com with your name and contact info and the type of books you need (pre-school, primary level or young adult). The Book Bank will prepare your order and let you know when you can pick it up. You can also call the Book Bank (752-1923) with your request.

Adult Adoptees and Adoptive Parents Sought

Jewish Family Service of New Haven is seeking adult adoptees and adoptive parents of grown children to share their experiences. Adults of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are sought for this panel. Details: Amy Rashba at (203) 389-5599 x 113 or arashba@jfsnh.org.

New home buying program from Empower New Haven

Empower New Haven's MI Home Power aims to sustain housing affordability and promote financial success among first-time homebuyers. This project will assist with down payment and closing costs, education to protect against predatory lending practices, and a loan-to-grant program that will help reduce monthly and long-term expenses on private mortgage insurance. Details at www.empowernewhaven.org.

Recycle Your Computers on June 15

The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and Benchmark Computers, LLC are teaming up for a special computer and electronics-recycling event in New Haven.
Bring your old computer parts, accessories or electronics to be recycled.
Thursday, June 15, 8-4, at 240 Sargent Drive, New Haven (behind IKEA)
240 Sargent Drive runs directly behind IKEA, near the Brewery Street Post Office. 240 Sargent is next to Hummel Brothers and items will be collected at the rear of the building. Follow the large red arrows! Details: http://www.gnhcc.com/docs/20060615BenchmarkRecycle.pdf

New Haven SCORE Volunteers Needed

SCORE is built on the strength of its volunteers. Each year, New Haven SCORE counselors touch hundreds of lives, generously sharing their knowledge and experience so that entrepreneurs can realize their dreams of business success. Volunteers provide confidential one-to-one and team business counseling and low-cost entrepreneurial training workshops and seminars. In addition, many counselors are virtual volunteers, providing online counseling directly from their homes or offices. Counselors come from a variety of occupations and backgrounds. Many volunteer counselors owned small businesses for years; others have worked for major firms such as 3M, General Electric, and Procter & Gamble. Counselors share a belief that small business owners are more likely to succeed if they have a business mentor to guide them.

If you want to share your business expertise, give back to your community and connect with like-minded people, please call 865-7645 or email nhscore@netzero.net.

Nominate a Hill Hero!

To celebrate the opening of the city's first new branch in 40 years, the New Haven Free Public Library requests nominations for special heroes who come from the Hill. Nominate someone living or working in the Hill neighborhood who has made a difference in your life--aunt, teacher, neighbor, business person, community advocate...You decide!

All nominees will be recognized on opening day of the new Wilson Branch Library, and three Hill Heroes will be chosen by lottery to receive a $50 gift certificate from Atticus Bookstore Cafe. Nomination forms (they're short!) will be available soon at any New Haven branch library; nominations must be received by Sept. 1.

Free computer literacy classes at New Haven Public Library

Classes are offered in basic computer skills every Monday (3-5), Wednesday (10-noon, 3-5) and Thursday (3-5), at the Main Branch, 133 Elm St. Free, but registration is required: 946-7452.