State tax refund recipients will not have the option to receive a paper check this year

Options include direct deposit or a debit card. There are no monthly fees. After a year, if the card still has money on it, a $1 per month fee will be charged. When using at ATMs, any withdrawals at People’s or Chase machines are free. For non Chase or People’s machines, the first three uses are free, after that $1.50 is charged. If the card is used to pay bills or go shopping, no charges apply for either debit or credit card transactions. Cash advances are also free at any bank or credit union that is associated with Visa. (source: Shannon Houston, VITA Project Coordinator, CT Association for Human Services, 860-951-2212 x225

Arts Council Kickstarts fundraising

The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is using Kickstarter's online fundraising tool on Curated Pages. This tool allows institutions and organizations to highlight creative projects and/or region, enabling artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, writers, illustrators, explorers, curators and performers to realize their projects, events, and dreams through a unique all-or-nothing funding method. The New York Times calls Kickstarter an “unexpected influence on indie culture, a new model for a D.I.Y. generation."

 

TACO BELL is hiring managers

An open house will be held at Taco Bell, 2320 Dixwell Ave., Hamden on Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 am-3 pm.  If unable to attend you may apply online here.

Click here for latest RFPs listed by the Foundation Center

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Grant Applications due Feb. 8

Greater New Haven and Shoreline 2012 Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine applications are available.

• Greater New Haven applications are due February 8 at  noon
• Shoreline applications are due February 27 at  noon

Applications must be submitted using  online system. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the remaining training sessions:

• January 26, 2:30-3:30pm (webinar)
• January 31, 2-3:00pm
    

Questions? Send email or call 203-691-4223.

Happy hour for good

The Group with No Name (TGWNN) is hosting a Happy Hour for Good at The Anchor, 272 College St., New Haven, at 5:30 pm on Friday, Jan. 27. A $10 donation helps to support two New Haven organizations: Music Haven and the New Haven Free Public Library. The Anchor is providing free beer, wine and food for a couple of hours.

Click here for information about upcoming grants opportunities at The Community Foundation for GNH and the Valley Community Foundation

New Haven Register campaign forum tomorrow night (Jan. 25)

The first of several public forums will be held at 5:30 pm Wednesday at the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St. Register staffers want to hear from the public about questions they should direct to candidates about their policy positions and their visions for Connecticut. They will discuss resources at the Register that have been designed to  communicate with you during the campaigns. Feel free to use your laptops, tablets or mobile phones to share social media updates during the forum, which will be live streamed from our website.
Parking is on-street metered spaces or Yale lot #51 across from the library, on Temple Street.

Upcoming Annie E. Casey Foundation Learning Opportunities

Feb. 16,9 am–noon--Professional Development & Learning Series: Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative as a Strategy for Juvenile Justice, examines detention reform as platform for system change; JDAI process and its 8 core strategies; review of two decades of practice; expanding the Foundation’s juvenile justice work to the deep-end of the system. Register here by Feb. 9. 

Feb.  23,10 am–2 pm--Workforce Development Learning Series: Workforce Development Basics, overview of Workforce Investment Act and core elements of a comprehensive approach to serving job seekers, including the history of workforce development in the U.S., core elements of workforce program design, and appropriate workforce strategies for sectoral approaches, bridge programs, and transitional work models. Register here by Feb. 17.

Feb. 27, noon-1:30 pm--Lunch and Learn: Elm City Fellowship for Children and Families Information Session--Learn about this executive training program designed to foster leadership within New Haven’s nonprofit and public sectors. The Fellowship explicitly strives to increase the pool of diverse, visionary leaders with the confidence and competence to create supports and systems that help families achieve better outcomes.  Register here by Feb. 22.

Click here for latest RFPs posted by the Foundation Center

Main Library will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, for Annual Mardi Gras Gala

It's the library's 125th anniversary, and this event kicks off a year of celebrations. Please join us for fun, frivolity, delicious food and drink. Tickets online or call 203-215-3943.

It just got more affordable to bring home that dog or cat from the shelter

Effective February 1,  pet adoption fees at The Animal Haven are:
Cat or kitten - $75
Dogs - $125
Puppies - $175
Pets over 7 years of age - $50
Pets that have been at the kennel for over a year - $50

The Animal Haven, Inc., 89 Mill Rd., North Haven. 203-239-2641

                                                                                   

                                                                       

New Haven Museum to host family programs during the month of February.

All activities are designed for children ages 4+ and their families to discover history and art at the New Haven Museum. Information at 203-562-4183 x 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org.

2012 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade seeks regional contestants to run for Parade Queen and Honor Attendant

Unmarried young ladies of Irish heritage* aged 17+ are invited to apply to become the next Parade Queen or Honor Attendant. The Queen and the Honor Attendant will reign as Irish Royalty for a full year as a spokesperson and role model for the Irish Community.  Winners receive Crown and Sash; Trip to Ireland; Monetary Prizes; crystal; tickets to the Parade Ball; Limo Ride on Parade Day; more.

Apply by Jan. 30. Winners will be crowned on Feb. 11 at the New Haven Gaelic Football & Hurling Club during the annual Parade Queen Contest pageant. Details: Parade.Queen@gmail.com or call Briana (203) 623-7394 or Courtney (860) 343-3508.

*All contestants must be a member, daughter or granddaughter of one of the four Associated Irish Societies in Greater New Haven. Contestants who are not members can apply for membership.

Community Foundation for GNH invites participation in Nonprofit Finance Fund’s annual survey

The Nonprofit Finance Fund has agreed to provide The Foundation with the aggregate data on our twenty-town region. This data will provide insight into our economic climate and its impact on the nonprofit sector in our region and nationally. The results of the survey will help the Foundation determine the critical areas of need in this region, both now and for the long-term.

Please click here to take the 10-15 minute survey.

Nonprofit service providers get smoother contracting process with the state

Governor Malloy announced yesterday the establishment of a Point of Service Contracting Efficiency Office within the Office of Policy and Management to help modernize the contracting process between the state and nonprofit service providers. Read more at Governor Malloy's website

Internship at International Festival of Arts and Ideas

A fellowship is available for Greater New Haven 11th and 12th graders to work behind the scenes of the festival, writing reviews of performances and exhibits, analyzing and critiquing media, creating written and video blogs and interviewing artists and arts professionals.  A $500 stipend will be given at the end of the program which runs Jan. 31-June 30. Full guidelines here. Questions: Susan Stone or 203-988-1770

GNH Community Loan Fund To Help with Job Creation

The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund has received a capital grant from the Create Jobs for USA Fund, a collaboration between Starbucks and Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). The money willbe used to help create and sustain jobs in Greater New Haven as part of a national campaign to support community businesses in underserved communities.
The Create Jobs for USA Fund pools donations from Starbucks customers, partners/employees, and concerned citizens into a nationwide fund, held and managed by OFN, for community business lending. Donors who contribute $5 or more will receive a USA-made red, white, and blue wristband with the message “Indivisible.”

Since November 1 The Create Jobs for USA Fund has been collecting donations at www.CreateJobsforUSA.org and at nearly 7000 company-operated Starbucks across the country. 100% of the donations will support local organizations like GNHCLF that are lending for job creation and retention.  Read more.

New Haven Oratorio Choir seeks A FEW GOOD SINGERS

Sopranos and altos are especially needed.  This chamber ensemble rehearses weekly (Wednesday nights) at Church of the Redeemer, New Haven, under the leadership of Daniel Shaw. Choir enjoys a varied repertoire, mainly a cappella, and offers a May concert. To schedule an audition: c.bates.c@gmail.com  or 203-241-7479.

Click here for latest RFPs posted by the Foundation Center

Take Your Child to the Library Day Feb. 4

What started a month ago as one Connecticut librarian's idea for her library has now spread to 119 libraries across 12 states and 1 Canadian province.  In partnership with Connecticut Library Consortium, Connecticut Library Association, Connecticut State Library, and authors Nancy Elizabeth Wallace and Geno Auriemma, we hope to see you in one of our branches Saturday, Feb. 4.

Assistant to CEO/Marketing Coordinator in Stamford

Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has a full-time opening for an assistant to the CEO/Marketing Coordinator. Requires min. two years of pertinent work experience in administration and marketing for this  new position with a nonprofit that promotes women in business.  Read more.

Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers...

 Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. In 2012 (up to) five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast.Read more.

Apply by noon on Feb. 13 for New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grants

Community Foundation for GNH is accepting grant applications through its New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program, which is designed to work with resident leaders in City neighborhoods to create positive community change. Details here  or   at 203-777-7084.

Part-time Library Assistant for Circulation at Fairfield Univ.

Circulation staff opens/closes the library building, serves on the circulation desk loaning out & receiving materials, etc.

Requires  High School diploma, prefers Associate’s degree or LTA certificate. 1 year library experience;  familiarity with computer systems; accuracy in typing or data entry; verbal and written communication skills; strong customer service skills; able to work Friday schedule 9-5; flexibility a plus.

Submit resume to JoAnn Garrity, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824 or electronically to jgarrity@fairfield.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Call for Entries in our 4th Annual Poetry Contest

The New Haven Free Public Library is once again gearing up for its annual poetry contest, open to those who live, study or work in New Haven. The 2012 theme is “New Haven + reading legacies,” and poems will be judged on original interpretation of the theme as well as other criteria.

Entries may be submitted between Feb. 1 and March 1, 2012, and winners will be announced at the April 21 Winners’ Reception at the Main Library, 133 Elm St.  The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation will award $100 cash prizes to winners in each age category, as well as a $25 award to a People’s Choice Winner at the reception.

Winning poems will be featured in the New Haven Review.  Full guidelines here or call 203-946-8835.

Main Library Will Close for Stair Recarpeting Saturday, January 14

Annie E. Casey Funding Updates

Two information sessions providing an overview of Annie E. Casey Foundation’s grantmaking and emerging work for 2012, including the  Family Economic Success strategy and its impact in New Haven and the state,  will be offered on Friday, January 27, at  10am-noon and  2-4 pm, at Casey Family Services, 127 Church St., New Haven. RSVP:   trivera@aecf.org no later than Monday January 23. 

Click here for latest RFPs from the Foundation Center

Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat on Jan. 21

A "Green Eggs and Ham" family breakfast will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss and benefit the St. Patrick's Parade on March 11 in New Haven, at the Irish American Community Center, 9 Venice Place, East Haven,  9 am-noon. $9 adult/$6 children, with door prizes, games, story time, face painting and breakfast. Ticket price is $1 less with a new/or gently used book donation for New Haven Reads. RSVP: paradefamilyevents@gmail.com.

West Haven Library has internship opportunity

West Haven Public Library is seeking a resourceful, self-motivated graduate student to become a member of the Children and Youth Services team for a Spring Internship beginning this month.  10-15 hours a week with a flexible work schedule; unpaid.  Details: Bernadette Niedermeier or 203-937-4233.

Click here for latest RFPs from the Foundation Center

New Haven Review Subscription Party Jan. 20

The New Haven Review and The Institute Library invites you to a Subscription Party
Friday, Jan. 20, 8-10 pm, at The Institute Library, 847 Chapel St., New Haven.
Drinks, music, books and journals! $20 payable at door, includes a 1-year subscription to New Haven Review, beginning with issue #9, available at the party.  RSVP: 203-772-2002 x 100 or
susanc@rainmakerthinking.com

Opportunity for summer internship at Artspace in New Haven

Artspace is one of 7 semi-finalist organizations for the ArtTable Summer Mentored Internship for Diversity in the Visual Arts Professions.   The 8-week position carries a $3000 stipend and is open to a college senior, graduate student, or recently graduated woman student from an ethnic, racial, or cultural background that is underrepresented in the visual arts. ArtTable will fund up to 5 host placements, selecting those where there is greatest interest expressed by intern applicants. Read more or call Helen Kauder at203-772 2709 x13. The deadline to apply is Feb 10.