Delicious CLEAN FOOD was enjoyed by a large crowd at the library last night, prepared by author Terry Walters.  TONIGHT: We learn  how the press has treated our FIRST LADIES through the ages, with Quinnipiac Professor Lisa Burns. More information at www.firstladies.eventbrite.com.

Click here to find out about New Haven Google Fiber Project

Chamber offers Italian Lakes, Greek Islands and Croatia May 21-June 1

12 Days and 25 Meals are included in this Mediterranean Cruise to the Italian Lakes, Greek islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini,  and Croatia, docking in Dubrovnik. Starts at $3,199 per person, double occupancy. Includes airfare, air taxes and fees, port charges and hotel transfers. Complete details at

(203) 288-8100.

Click here for March 11 RFP postings from the Foundation Center

Participate in the 15th Annual Int'l Arts & Ideas Festival

Apply by April 5 to take part in the Festival's Noon to Night Weekend Showcase on Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20, during which a lineup of acts and activities will be presented on the New Haven Green.

Successful applicants will be notified by the beginning of May, so keep June 19 and 20 free until May 15. A limited number of activity tents and performance slots are available. For more information contact  ralderman@artidea.org

United Way Tagging Party March 19

In two weeks, United Way of Greater New Haven will be relocating to 900 Chapel Street, 10th floor. As a result of our move, we are able to offer area nonprofits an assortment of gently used office furniture at no cost to them.

Available items include U, L, regular and table desks; credenzas; coffee, end, meeting and folding tables; wood and metal file cabinets; assorted chairs; AV equipment; white/corkboards; a small TV; and other miscellaneous office furniture and supplies. If your organization is interested in claiming an item for your use please attend our “Furniture Tagging” Party on Friday, March 19, 11am-3pm at our 71 Orange Street offices. (Furniture will be donated to nonprofits on a “first come, first serve” basis.) All furniture must be picked up on Friday, March 26 from 9am-2pm (at the cost of your organization).

submitted by Jan McCray
United Way of Greater New Haven
 (203)691-4216 or jmccray@uwgnh.org

Peace Vigil March 19

In the past seven years it is estimated that 4376 American soldiers, 933 American contractors, 30,000 Iraqi soldiers, and 845,411 Iraqi civilians have been killed.  On Friday, March 19, 4-5pm, the GNH Peace Council will sponsor a vigil protesting the occupation of Iraq, in front of Rosa DeLauro’s office at 59 Elm St, New Haven.
submitted by Henry, 203-389-9547 / grnhpeacecouncil@sbcglobal.net.

Opening at Life Haven in New Haven

Wanted full time: individual to provide direct care and educational support to homeless children in a licensed childcare setting at Life Haven, a temporary shelter that provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women and women with young children. 
Responsibilities: Recruit and enroll children aged 8 weeks-2.9 years for Early Head Start classroom. Assist families to improve conditions and quality of family life. Visit homes to assess strengths, needs, and goals with families. Support and assist families in emergencies. Accompany parents to appointments. Provide transportation to families as required. Engage in advocacy work on behalf of individual families. Assist Health Coordinator with health screening and preventative health activities. Maintain accurate records. Participate with an interdisciplinary team in regular case management.Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related. Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or related field. CDA. Knowledge of basic child development.

REQUIRED: min. 1 year experience in social service setting and working with children. Ability to work as part of a team; to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to maintain files, etc.
Send resume with cover letter describing relevant experience and motivation for working with children who are homeless to: Jennifer Butler, Life Haven, Inc., 447 Ferry St., New Haven CT 06513-3617.

Hospice seeks volunteers

SolAmor Hospice is looking for volunteers in Madison, Hamden, Trumbull areas to play a vital role in  preserving each patient’s dignity while removing the fear associated with dying. Individuals 14+ who are willing to share 1-4 hours per week are encouraged to volunteer. Activities can include support for patients;  respite and support for family members; bereavement support; administrative work; vigil during final hours; complimentary care.

Currently looking for .For more information please contact Melissa Dombroski 203-301-0489 or Melissa.Dombroski@SolAmorHospice.com.

Think afresh about how CT handles education policy

This morning's GNH Community Loan Fund Breakfast explored the relationship of education to poverty, reforms underway in New Haven, and strategic legislation coming up in Hartford. CONNCan is a good place to start to learn more: http://www.conncan.org/.

Thanks again to GNH Community Loan Fund (http://www.gnhclf.org/) for a most informative and thought-provoking presentation.

Gateway offers 140 scholarships totaling $84,000

Gateway Community College Foundation invites applications by March 19 for scholarships ranging from $200- $1600, for students who will be continuing at Gateway Community College (GCC) this fall.

Information is available at GCC’s Long Wharf and North Haven campuses or by contacting the foundation at 203-285-2617 or sswirsky@gwcc.commnet.edu.

Facilitation Training starts April 12 at Community Mediation

April 12-14, 5pm-9pm:  Learn to lead and facilitate any discussion on just about any topic in this certified 12-hour training program.  Volunteer opportunities will be available after the training for  co-facilitating dialogues throughout New Haven. Attendance at all three sessions is required for certification. Training will be held at Community Mediation, 32 Elm St., New Haven.  $250 (includes dinner). $25 non-refundable deposit is required at least one week prior to first training. Details at david@cmediation.org or 203-401-2045.

Volunteer at New Haven Land Trust?

The New Haven Land Trust (NHLT) is a volunteer-run urban land trust promoting the conservation and use of open spaces in our city. Key programs include support for almost 50 community gardens throughout the city that produce food and build community, land acquisition and stewardship of conserved landscapes in six nature preserves, and a growing program of public environmental education.

Volunteering on a committee is a great way for anyone to have a real impact on the organization and is a good training ground for future board members. Each of the following committees has openings:
Marketing Committee
Fundraising Committee
Environmental Education Committee
Land Committee
Gardening Committee

Contact: info@newhavenlandtrust.org.

New Women's Business Council kicks off March 23

GNH Chamber of Commerce launches a new Women's Business Council with Inspirations: a Conversation With Giuliana Maravelle at 5:30pm at Gelato Giuliana, 240 Sargent Dr., 110 Terminal Plaza, New Haven.   Members free/$10 non-members. Register with Paul Tommaselli or 203-782-4342.

Leadership Opp'y at Community Foundation

Community Foundation for GNH is launching a multi-pronged, multi-year initiative to enhance levels of student achievement in the New Haven Public Schools. The Foundation seeks to hire an individual with the knowledge, experience, leadership potential and skills to conceive, design, implement and lead this initiative.


At the center of the Student Achievement Initiative is an intervention strategy to achieve specific  goals over five years.  $250,000 has been budgeted in 2010 for the first year of this strategy, not including  the director position. The director of the Student Achievement Initiative will take the lead role in defining this strategy, including its long-term and annual goals, and in defining how it will be pursued.

Inquiries about this opportunity should be directed to Leon J. Bailey, VP Human Resources, 203-777-7094 or lbailey@cfgnh.org.

Yale Lecture Series on Business and Environment continues ...

March 24: Growing Materials: Using Mushrooms To Transform Waste, presented by Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntryre of Ecovative Design.

April 6: The Challenge of Innovation in E-waste Recycling, featuring Thomas Hogye, AER Worldwide

April 15: Expanding Biogas Applications, with Anand Gangadharan, Novi Energy.

All lectures start at 4:30 at Kroon Hall, 195 Prospect St., New Haven. Free and open to public, with receptions following. 203-432-6953 or IEM@yale.edu

Congratulations to Lee Cruz, Minority Businessperson of the Year

Anyone not know this man?

Congratulations to Lee Cruz, Community Outreach Director at Community Foundation for GNH, on being named Minority Businessperson of the Year by Business New Haven. Read about it here.

A well-deserved honor for a tireless New Havener who sees the patterns and connects the dots--or helps others to make the connections.

Winterfest at Common Ground March 20, 11am-2pm

Families are invited to enjoy nature in winter and learn about the sap-to-syrup process in making maple syrup. See tapped trees, taste raw sap, and participate in a maple syrup taste-test. Watch the wood-fired evaporator at work and warm up by a campfire in the woods. Finally, head inside for brunch featuring locally made maple syrup, pancakes, and Common Ground raised eggs and bacon. Families can explore the forest trails independently--bring sleds for nearby slopes. $8 ages 6+/free ages 5 and under. (SEVERE weather date is Mar. 27). At Common Ground, 358 Springside Ave, New Haven. rholcombe@nhep.com or (203) 389 4333 x1213/ http://www.commongroundct.org/.