Early Learning Arts Grants

The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT) announces new Arts in Education pilot grant opportunities for eligible applicants in two categories: Early Learning and Underserved Youth. CCT will award two to five grants in the amount of $10,000 to $25,000 in each category. Details: http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/site/default.asp.

New Haven Chorale seeks Development Consultant

The New Haven Chorale, an award-winning organization of 100 auditioned and professionally conducted singers, seeks development consultant to manage and implement a formal development program. The program’s goals are to double annual giving and to build endowment to ensure long term financial sustainability for the Chorale’s music performance and outreach projects in the community.
The Board of Directors has completed a Strategic Planning process to set fundraising goals, and is already working with 2 volunteer development professionals in program design. The current need is for experienced individual to manage and implement the program including identifying prospects and managing new fundraising activities and programs in partnership with the Board, Executive Director and the Music Director.
Details: business@newhavenchorale.org or 776-7664 by Jan. 9.

Mercy For All Program at Mercy Center, Madison

Mercy Center offers day-long, overnight, and multi-day programs for groups of the materially poor, or professionals who work with them. This means that people experiencing homelessness, depending on soup kitchens, struggling with unemployment, or case workers and advocates who work with them, may take advantage of a respite in a secure and beautiful environment.

For information about this free opportunity, please call 245-0401 or visit http://www.mercybythesea.org/.

Hygeia Foundation, Inc. and Institute for Perinatal Loss and Bereavement

Hygeia's mission is to comfort those who grieve the loss of a pregnancy or newborn child. Hygeia holds four different support group meetings several times a month at two locations, including New Haven. All meetings are facilitated by volunteers trained in bereavement support, and are run by parents who have suffered a loss or been affected by the loss of a baby.

Groups include

• Miscarriage and Early Pregnancy Loss
• Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death
• Subsequent Pregnancy Group
• Grandparents meeting

For more information: 800-893-9198 or www.hygeia.org.

Donations for CT Food Bank Accepted at Downtown Library

The New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St., is accepting donations of non-perishable items for the Connecticut Food Bank through January 6, 2008.

Eco-minded electronic games teach kids (and youthful adults) about real issues like climate change without skimping on fun

For example:

• SimCity Societies - build and manage green societies to combat global warming; for PC ($44).
• Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol - water flowers, clean up trash, and help creatures in need; for Nintendo DS ($30).
• NoteNiks: Respect Our Earth - eight games for kids under 10 that challenge them to protect endangered species, save energy, and recycle; for Mac and PC ($20).
• Adventure Ecology - free, online game for kids, where they take on climate change, deforestation, and other eco-problems.
• FreeRice - free, online vocab game that donates 20 grains of real rice to the UN World Food Program for each word you get right.

A daily tip from www.Idealbite.com.

Job Openings at Life Haven (New Haven)

Assistant Teacher FT for toddlers, preschoolers in family homeless shelter, prior exp. preferred.

Case Manager FT at family homeless shelter. BSW or related degree required.

Childcare Director/Head Teacher FT at family homeless shelter. College degree in early child ed or rel field. 2 yrs supervisory exp in preschool setting.

Child Development Worker Mornings at homeless shelter for women & children. CDA credential or Early Childhood college credits required. Must work independently, plan activities and supervise volunteers.

Head Teacher FT for toddlers, preschoolers in family homeless shelter, prior exp. preferred. CT head teacher certification required.

Residential Worker PT for homeless shelter serving women with children. 2nd and 3rd shifts. Candidates must have HS/GED, residential exp.

All resumes should be sent to Jacquelyn D. Pheanious, Executive Director, Life Haven, 447 Ferry St, New Haven, CT 06513. No phone calls please. jpheanious@lifehaven.org.

How is the Chatham Square area of Fair Haven doing?

A snapshot of grassroots opinion in this New Haven neighborhood may be found in a recent Community Foundation survey: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/upload/2007/12/2007%20Chatham%20Survey%20Results%20.pdf

Do You Belong To a Book Club?

The New Haven Public Library is looking for input from book club members for program ideas--authors you'd like to meet, books you want to read, workshops about books and writing, etc. Please let me know if you'd like to be involved, or just to stay informed. Thanks!
Carol Brown
946-8835
nhfplevents@gmail.com

You are invited to help develop CT's first Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

CT's Dept. of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is seeking public input for the first Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the state. The plan will include transit, sprawl, taxes, keeping businesses, development guidelines, job creation & retention, housing, energy policy, and more. Broad citizen input will help make this a plan that really serves our needs today and for posterity!

Our region's forum will take place on Tuesday, January 8, 5–8 pm, at SCSU's Adanti Student Center Theater (Bldg. 14) - New Haven. For a complete list of public forum locations, visit http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?Q=398428&A=1104.

Ways to participate: 1) Sign up to speak (first come, first served, maximum of three minutes) 30-60 minutes before the hearings begin. A court reporter keeps a record and hearing transcripts are posted at www.ct.gov/ecd/site/default.asp. 2) email comments to DECD at CTStrategicPlan@ct.gov or 3) snail mail to: Stan McMillen, Ph.D., Managing Economist, DECD, 505 Hudson St, 2nd floor, Hartford CT 06106

(Good background information on CT nonprofit sector may be found at http://www.ctnonprofits.org/Content/Reports/ct_2003_FINAL.pdf)

Community Fund for Women & Girls Grant Applications due Jan. 18

The Community Fund for Women and Girls funds projects that creat and support opportunities for the economic, educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of women and girls. Applications for funding above and below $10,000 are due by Jan. 18. For details please contact Sarah Fabish (777-7075).

New Haven Symphony seeks Admin. Assistant

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. New Haven Symphony seeks bright energetic individual w/good phone and computer skills to assist in all aspects of administration. Must be adaptable and willing to handle varied projects. Start Jan. 1st, 2008. Competitive salary. Email resume to nforbes@newhavensymphony.org

Applications for Quinnipiac River Fund due Jan. 18

The Quinnipiac River Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is accepting applications for its 2008 grants process. Grants are awarded to organizations that work to improve the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River, the New Haven Harbor, and the watersheds of these waterbodies. Guidelines and application available at http://qrwgis.newhaven.edu/QRFprojects.htm

For more information, contact Kim Sanders-Croom at 777-7078.

Gesell Institute Announces New Leader

Marcy P. Guddemi, PhD, MBA, has been appointed Executive Director of the Gesell Institute of Human Development, a New Haven based nonprofit organization whose work focuses on the education and support of teachers and parents worldwide. Details at www.gesellinstitute.org.

submitted by
Crista Marchesseault
777-3481 x704