Auction Sponsors Gold
formerly New Haven Home Recovery
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VOL. 1 #4 SPRING 2015
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AT & T Ralph & June Rossi Charitable Foundation Yale-New Haven Hospital
It’s Auction Time!
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ur Annual Celebration Auction is Wednesday, April 29 at Anthony’s Ocean View! Join us for our sixteenth year for a night of fund, great food, and amazing items to bid on. New Reach will be auctioning off an iPad mini, tickets to the Delta Sky Box ® at Yankee Stadium, a timeshare in Florida, and tickets to Walt Disney World Resort. New Reach is thrilled to welcome the one and only Eric Hummel, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hummel Brothers, as our auctioneer. Eric’s charisma and support for New Reach’s mission makes the auction a night to remember. For the first year, New Reach is welcoming James “Jim” Travers, Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of Greater New Haven, as the emcee for the evening. “I am excited and humbled to emcee this year’s auction,” shared Jim, “I remain in awe of the amazing work that New Reach does on a daily basis in support of women and children. I look forward to helping make this event the most successful.”
Reservations for the auction are $60 per person, which includes cold and hot hors d’oeuvres and a 1½ hour open bar. Gold Patron tickets are $100 per person and include a special mention in the program book. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,000. Reservations can be made online under the event page at www.newreach.org. For more information or to become a sponsor, place an ad in the program book, donate an item, or volunteer, please contact Mary Grande at 203-492-4866 ext.36 or mgrande@newreach.org.
2015 Auction Honorees: Please join us in honoring Geralyn Tagatac and
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Lifeline with Community in Excellence Awards and Shirley A. Jackson, recipient of the Chris Vogt Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award.
Geralyn Tagatac first became acquainted with New Reach as a part of a running group, where she met New Reach’s CEO, Kellyann Day. The longer she ran with Kellyann the more she learned about New Reach and knew she wanted to become involved with the mission. Geralyn began volunteering at New Reach’s The Furniture CoOp in 2005. She participates in New Reach’s Adopt-A-Family and serves on the auction committee. Geralyn and a group of volunteers who call themselves the Friends Committee for Children have brought many smiles to the women and children at the shelter with pizza parties, Easter baskets, Halloween treats, and gifts during the holiday season. In her spare time when she isn’t volunteering or working in the electronics industry you can find Geralyn hiking, running (she’s done 14 marathons and at this time is training for her 15th),
biking, snow shoeing, traveling or writing on her blog. Geralyn has a passion for helping homeless women and children and New Reach is pleased to honor her with a Community in Excellence Award.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor LifeLine proves emergency assistance to families, working people and individuals who do not have resources to pay for life’s necessities. N2N was created by United Way of Greater New Haven the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven to provide assistance with housing costs and healthy food to people in need. From 2009-2013, support from N2N provided an additional 1,265,106 meals to the community. In addition, 4,068 individuals were provided with emergency shelter or housing services to prevent homelessness. N2N has
supported New Reach’s Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing program, Emergency Shelter for Women & Children, and The Furniture Co-Op. Dr. Shirley A. Jackson is a professor of sociology at Southern Connecticut State University. Dr. Jackson is a researcher, editor and has work published on African American women’s organizations, African American women’s activism, and gender, race, social justice and academia; several encyclopedia entries; an instructor’s manual and test bank for a text on social inequality. After learning about New Reach’s Furniture Co-Op and volunteering at one of the agency’s sites through United Way’s Day of Caring, Dr. Jackson was interested in more ways to get involved. She joined New Reach’s board in 2010 and is an active member on the Fund Development Committee. Dr. Jackson is an advocate of
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP People’s United Bank Webster Bank
Community
Paul B Bailey Architect The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven First Niagara Foundation Nutmeg Consulting Viking Construction Margery Vogt Voltz Electric
Friend
Bankwell Guilford Savings Bank The Hurley Group Lab Logistics Law Office of Elizabeth McMahon Nicholas R Nesi, Esquire Start Community Bank Elizabeth Tagatac Geralyn Tagatac Voya Financial Yale University Office of New Haven & State Affairs
Supporter
Anderson-Krause Insurance Co ARS Restoration Specialists Constitution Advisory Group LLC Fireworks LLC Goodcopy Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski LLC HI Stone & Son, Inc Jh Hair Design MARCUM LLP Mayo Crowe LLC MLC Properties Pension Plus Inc Reitman Personnel Services Russo Roofing S & T Deleading & Construction Tech Impact United Way of Greater New Haven Bernadette & William Welsh Wireless Zone Wright Plumbing
service learning; including this as a requirement in several of her courses. In the Fall of 2013, she offered an opportunity for some of her graduate students to work on data for New Reach in order for the agency to better serve its growing diverse clientele. In the Fall of 2014, students in Dr. Jackson’s undergraduate service learning course made Martha’s Place one of its venues for service activities. She too has prepared meals with her colleagues for the women and children at New Reach’s shelters. Dr. Jackson believes in spreading the word about New Reach’s impact and is being honored with the Chris Vogt Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award.
Ending Family Homelessness Board of Directors Officers Linda Zimmerman Chair
Deborah Woodworth Vice Chair
Mary Ferrari, Esq. Treasurer
Maryrose Hoffman Secretary
Directors Leo Connors, Jr. Shirley A. Jackson, Ph.D. John Keyes, Esq. Barbara Nelson, MSW-LCSW Eileen O’Donnell Alfred Smith, Jr., Esq. Diana Teixeira, CPA Bernadette Welsh Michael West
Contributors Kellyann Day Chief Executive Officer
Mary Grande Community Relations Specialist
Kristen McKay Development Manager
Josephine O’Neil Graphic Design
If would like to receive our monthly e-newsletter please visit our website and click on “NEWSLETTER”.
Stay in touch.
Visit our web page http://www.newreach.org or call us at (203) 492-4866.
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A Letter From Kellyann Day, Chief Executive Officer
here is a lot of buzz about ending homelessness. Last summer, Greater New Haven accepted the challenge to end chronic homelessness for our most vulnerable and long term homeless neighbors. We are close to ending chronic and Veteran homelessness in Connecticut by the end of 2016 and now are focusing on family and youth homelessness. What does it mean to “end family homelessness”? And who is supposed to make it happen? And with what support? The current economic climate is still having a negative impact on most families, given the alarming rates of request received by 2-1-1 for shelter and housing assistance. Connecticut is ranked #7 in the country for high housing costs and cities like New Haven have a smaller vacancy rate than New York City. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has set ending family and children homelessness as a national priority. USICH has defined ending family homelessness to mean that no family will be without shelter and any episode of homelessness will be rare and brief. In order to achieve this vision, the USICH and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development will be working with local communities and state agencies to strengthen the local crisis response systems. These system changes began in Connecticut last spring and continue today. Changing systems is not easy and each community in Connecticut has its own unique personality and way that it approaches serving homeless families. In order to ensure no families are unsheltered, and that periods of homelessness are brief, communities are working to identify and implement prevention strategies to help families avoid homelessness. The state operated 2-1-1 system is the first point of contact and has partnered with the emergency response system across the state to identify families who can be diverted from shelter. The goal of diversion is keep families out of shelter if housing resources are available.
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It is our vision to alleviate homelessness and create opportunities for women, children and families to lead meaningful lives.
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New Reach is currently working in both New Haven and Fairfield Counties to end family homelessness. The New Reach shelters are actively partnered with other family shelters in the regions to implement a centralized and coordinated entry system. In addition, New Reach has rapidly re-housed over 100 families in the past 12 months, shortening the episodes of homelessness for families to less than 50 days in shelter. New Reach operates the largest supportive housing for families program in the state, serving close to 100 of the most vulnerable families. It is our vision to alleviate homelessness and create opportunities for women, children and families to lead meaningful lives. We are excited to be an active partner with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to end family homelessness. Your support of the shelters is critical. We need your help to end family homelessness for the 299 children, 128 women and 185 families that we shelter each year. Please consider investing in our mission.
“Like” New Reach and Life Haven @NewReachCT #buildinghopefulfutures #lifehaven
Communities around the state are implementing a Coordinated Access Network, which is streamlining entry into the shelter system and allows communities to assess the needs of families and target assistance wherever possible and provide temporary shelter as needed. Targeted assistance includes providing rapid re-housing assistance to families who are living in temporary shelter. In addition, families assessed with the highest needs are provided with supportive housing. All families are connected with mainstream resources, as needed including benefit assistance, employment services, health and behavioral health services.
Kellyann Day, MSW Chief Executive Officer
A New Mom’s Journey Out of Homelessness
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nita was living at three addresses a week for four years. Many nights, she was living in her car.
Before becoming homeless, Anita had an apartment of her own and was working to support herself. Anita was in her 20s, young and irresponsible and lost her housing. For four years, Anita turned to her family and friends to stay on couches or any spare space they might have. It was not until Anita became pregnant that she knew she needed to turn her life around.
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After having a baby, I realized life is precious.
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When Anita found out she was pregnant, her family and friends stopped providing support. Even with five brothers and sisters, Anita was on her own. Anita was determined to do what was best for her and her unborn child, which is when she sought out help from New Reach. Anita remembers the day she gave birth to her son Daniel vividly. She was at a training for her job when she began to feel very ill. Rather than call an ambulance, Anita took the bus to the hospital. She delivered a healthy baby boy, with her sister by her side. After spending a couple days at the hospital she returned back to Life Haven. Anita was thankful to have a bed for her and her son after leaving the hospital Taking care of a newborn is tiring, especially as a single parent. Anita appreciates the support she received at Life Haven with clothing, diapers and a stroller for her son. “It was a tough winter to push a stroller along the sidewalks in New Haven,” Anita expressed, “One day one of the wheels on the stroller just gave out from the ice and snow, but the staff at Life Haven helped me replace the wheel.”Anita continues to push through her struggles. She has secured a housing voucher through Shelter Plus Care, which will cover the costs of her rent. She is working on securing a job and takes up fitness as much as she can as her dream is to become a police officer. “After having a baby, I realized life is precious,” shared Anita. Anita will soon be housed and is looking forward to her future with her son.
A Young Boy’s Battle
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I don’t know what I would have done if Life Haven was not there to give a roof over our heads for a short time.
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t fifteen years old, Brian was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Brian’s whole life was head of him and his mom Jenna knew he deserved the best medical treatment. As a single mother, Jenna made the decision to move from Florida to Connecticut for her son’s health.
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Jenna, Brian, and 11 year old Leslie found safety at Life Haven when arriving in Connecticut. “I don’t know what I would have done if Life Haven was not there to give a roof over our heads for a short time,” shared Jenna. After securing a place to stay, Jenna enrolled Brian and Leslie in school. Life Haven provided Brian and Leslie with back to school supplies and backpacks, as well as gift cards to purchase uniforms. Jenna found comfort in a regular women’s group at Life Haven. The contacts through the group also helped her find a job at a local salon. Jenna and her family were referred to New Reach’s CT Rapid Re-Housing program, which helps families move out of shelter quickly with financial assistance. With a security deposit through CT Rapid Re-Housing and a housing voucher from NeighborWorks New Horizons, Jenna and her family moved into their apartment! Last December, Brian underwent surgery and New Reach staff were there for him and his family throughout the process. Jenna was happy to have New Reach by her side during Brian’s surgery. Brian’s surgery went well and his health is stable. He and his sister Leslie are happy at their new school. Brian wants to start to learn the violin!
At left: Attorney Mary-Ann Haran, Lorraine Young, Life Haven founding member, State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., Judge Jack Keyes, New Haven Probate Court, and Kara Capone, COO
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Senator Kennedy, Jr.Visits Life Haven
n March 4th State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., and State Representatives Lonnie Reed and Sean Scanlon attended a breakfast at Life Haven to learn more about the mission and the work of New Reach.
New Haven Probate Judge John A. Keyes Jr., welcomed the legislators and the attendees before turning over the program to Kara Capone, Chief Operating Officer, who spoke about the importance of the shelters being the difference between sleeping in an unheated porch with your child in the middle of the record cold of February and having a room in which the child does not have to turn to her mother and say “I don’t need to sleep on the floor anymore.” Dr. Martha Okafor, Community Services Administrator for the City of New Haven spoke forcefully that “shelter and housing is a fundamental right of every human being that we should preserve to give dignity to all.”
A resident of Life Haven, Sarah*, spoke of having to go between three houses with her six month old and not being able to establish a routine for herself and son. She not only did not have a bed but needed to pay each person she stayed a rental fee. Sarah found Life Haven to be the safety and support she needed for herself and son. Upon hearing Sarah’s story, State Representative Lonnie Reed of Branford added, “She showed us the challenges of being homeless and the need for wraparound services for families is such an important investment for our future. Not only is it the most cost effective to support these services but more importantly it is the right thing to do. When you hear 80% of the children in the Family School Connection program are on the honor roll you know New Reach programs are working!” Lorraine Young, one of the founders of Life Haven, presented Senator Kennedy with a picture of his father who attended the very first fundraiser of Life Haven. “When women and children feel backed against a wall, they are lucky to have a place like Life Haven to turn to for help," said Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., "Life Haven offers housing, job placement, and vital social services to help people get back on their feet and achieve personal independence. I am very proud of the significant progress that Life Haven and New Reach have made."
State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr.
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Life Haven offers housing, job placement, and vital social services to help people get back on their feet and achieve personal independence. I am very proud of the significant progress that Life Haven and New Reach have made.
State Representative Sean Scanlon, Attorney Lou Federici and Kara Capone, COO
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Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr., Linda Zimmerman, Board Chair and Carmen Brown, Shelter Director
Sophie Kaplan, Katie Fischer, Life Haven Fund Development Committee, Dotty Weston-Murphy, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Lorraine Young and State Rep Lonnie Reed
Dr. Martha Okafor, Community Services Administrator, City of New Haven
Ending Homelessness in Fairfield County
Spring Cleaning? pring cleaning is here and we are looking for your gently used furniture! The Furniture Co-Op is in need of:
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Mattresses Kitchen Tables & Chairs Sofas Bureaus For more information, please call 203-492-4866
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odd Kipperman, Projector Director of the Fairfield County Housing First Collaborative, has more than 15 years of experience in the human services field. He has worked with many populations including adult psychiatric, homeless children & sibling groups who have been removed from their families due to abuse and neglect, and homeless adolescents. Todd is from New Haven and studied psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Hear more about the Fairfield County Housing First Collaborative from Todd.
NR: What is the mission of the Fairfield County Housing First Collaborative (FCHFC)? TK: The mission of the Fairfield County Housing First Collaborative is to end chronic homelessness in Fairfield County by regionally integrating services and treatment for the county’s homeless population through the collaboration for non profits, service providers and government agencies. The collaborative works with individuals, families and Veterans. NR: What cities in Fairfield are participating in FCHFC? TK: New Reach is partnering with organizations in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford and Westport to achieve our mission. We are specifically contracting with Homes with Hope, Shelter for the Homeless, and Supportive Housing Works. NR: What are the goals of FCHFC? TK: FCHFC has five main goals: 1. House 224 chronic homeless Fairfield County individuals, families and veterans into permanent supportive housing over the next three years. 2. Reduce the vulnerability and rate of return to homelessness. 3. Reduce the cost to taxpayers and communities of expenses related to homelessness.
Summer is Coming! Save the Date for Summer on the Sound
n August 13, 2015 we will gather on the shore for Life Haven’s annual Summer on the Sound Event at Owenego Inn Beach & Tennis Club. Join us for a summer night with a barbeque and wall of wine. For more information, please contact Mary Grande at 203-492-4866 ext.36 or mgrande@newreach.org
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4. Identify and increase the number of affordable housing units in Fairfield County. 5. Collaborate with local agencies to create a regionally integrated community system to provide permanent housing and support services to the chronically homeless population in Fairfield County. NR: What are your personal goals as a New Reach team member? TK: I have a great passion to better the lives for the populations of clients that are supported at New Reach. I feel there is a true lack of understanding and sympathy for the homeless in much of today’s mainstream society. I would like to do what I can to raise awareness and create empathy within communities that New Reach clients call home. Fairfield County Housing First Collaborative is funded by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Carmen Muniz, Shelter Manager, who graduated from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. “I really appreciate the chance to participate in leadership program,” shared Carmen, “It gave me an opportunity to network with professionals in a variety of industries.” The program provided trainings on topics like emotional intelligence and finance.
“The program pushed me to go back to school for leadership,” added Carmen. Carmen is enrolled in Albertus
Magnus College’s Master’s program for Organizational Leadership and is excited to put her new knowledge to use at New Reach.
Special Thanks To… City Church for providing a meal to the women and children at Martha’s Place.
Thank you to Christ Church Anglican of Branford for taking the time to learn about our mission.
Art Plus Studios of New Haven for the donation of artwork to the shelters. Little Miracles of St Margaret Church Madison for their continued support. Vito & Anna Mazza for the donation of toddler beds and linens to Life Haven.
you to those who invested $1,000 or more since January 2015 to support our shelters and programs.
One night at CareWays, Life Haven and Martha's Place shelters costs approximately $50, which includes food, clothing and intensive case management. As you can see, these generous gifts go a long way to supporting the shelters' budgets, and we are very grateful.
Alpha Lambda Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta for holding Valentine’s Day parties at CareWays and Life Haven.
Abundant Harvest Outreach Ministries for continuing to provide a meal a meal every month to the families at Life Haven for the past two years.
newreach extends a very special thank
Bill & Paula Reis for their donation of toddler beds and linens to Life Haven. Idiom Boutique of New Haven for collecting items for the shelter during February.
Anonymous The CarMax Foundation Commercial Appliance The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven William & Diane Dow Stephen W. Marcucio Charitable Foundation For Battered Children New Haven Road Race Inc. Newman’s Own Foundation People’s United Community Foundation St. Margaret Church of Madison UIL Holdings Corp. Yale Hunger & Homelessness Action Project
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and PULSE for collecting cleaning supplies for our families transitioning out of homelessness.
http://www.newreach.org/the-furniture-co-op The Furniture Co-Op www.lifehaven.org
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153 East Street New Haven, CT 06511 www.newreach.org formerly New Haven Home Recovery
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