Citizen Contributions

Newhall Gardens Wins Top Preservation Award

by | Jul 2, 2021 9:27 am | Comments (3)

New Haven Preservation Trust photo

Newhall Gardens.

These photos and the following write-up were submitted by the New Haven Preservation Trust.

This year, the New Haven Preservation Trust celebrates its 60th Anniversary and recognizes the creativity and preservation of some unique structures built in the founding year of 1961. The Trust also reflects on the prescient and deeply relevant vision of one of its founders and embraces a New Haven partner with the shared spirit of appreciation of our city’s multi-cultural heritage.

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Students Sought For Youth Rowing Program

by | Jul 1, 2021 9:11 am | Comments (2)

The following release and these photos were sent in by a nonprofit looking for students to participate in summer and fall rowing programs on Long Wharf.

Crew Haven Corporation and Canal Dock Boathouse have partnered to create the Crew Haven Youth Rowing Program, a Sports Based Youth Development program that will bring competitive and recreational rowing, as well as academic after-school programming, to students in underrepresented communities in New Haven. The program, which launches this Fall, will be underwritten by Crew Haven Corporation (“CHC”) and operated by the Canal Dock Boathouse.

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“Outraged Elders” Keep RBG’s Spirit Alive

by | Mar 16, 2021 9:30 am | Comments (1)

Contributed Photo

Outraged Elders Monday on the Green.

Activist Melinda Tuhus submitted the following write-up about an event she helped organize on the Green Monday.

Dori Dumas wanted to celebrate Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s birthday on March 15, so she pitched the idea to the other members of the core group of Outraged Elders.

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A Sweet Xmas

by | Dec 24, 2020 10:26 am | Comments (2)

Bruce Seymour Photos

I was walking past Lucibello’s this morning,” Bruce Seymour wrote in on Thursday after visiting the Grand Avenue Italian pastry shop, and was inspired to send you these pictures.

The line runs AROUND the building. Everyone socially distancing, and getting some of the best cookies in the world.

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Cold + Covid = Tough Winter For Homeless

by | Oct 16, 2020 12:53 pm | Comments (43)

Steve Hamm Photo

Steve Hamm Photo

“There’s a lot of us that are still out here. I’ve known people who fell asleep outside and died.”

Steve Hamm Photo

“Before you could walk into the library and stay there. You could look for jobs. You could look for food pantries. Without a phone, without internet access, it’s very difficult for people living in tents, living outdoors.”

Sizing up the challenge ahead — and how we as a community can meet it.

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Help, Not Handcuffs

by | Oct 2, 2020 11:53 am | Comments (2)

The following article was submitted by local clergy and other community leaders:

Every year in New Haven, there are over 100,000 9 – 1‑1 calls. The New Haven Police Department dispatches an array of units depending on the nature of the call. The Special Victims Unit handles cases involving domestic violence or minors, the SWAT team deals with potentially violent situations, and the bomb squad handles suspected explosives and hazardous material.

However, when a resident calls 911 feeling suicidal, or because a family member is experiencing psychosis, we have no specialized unit; we dispatch the police.

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Virtual Teaching and Learning: Supporting Youth and Families in 2020

by | Sep 21, 2020 3:27 pm | Comments (0)

Participants in a July 2020 Zoom forum: “Virtual Teaching and Learning: Supporting Youth and Families in 2020”


Josiah Brown, a volunteer member of the board of the Literacy Coalition of Greater New Haven, sent this update and account of an event in which the Coalition was involved.

As the New Haven Public Schools began the academic year remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic, community organizations from ConnCAT’s safe space” to the Boys and Girls Club’s learning hub have emerged as sites for children to engage with school from a distance.

One of the NHPS teachers (and parents) responding to the pandemic circumstances is Rashana Graham of Troup, featured by the Independent last spring and again as the 2020 – 21 year began. In between, Rashana Graham was a panelist as the New Haven Free Public Library and the Literacy Coalition of Greater New Haven joined to offer a July Literacy Forum on Virtual Teaching and Learning: Supporting Youth and Families in 2020” — a recording of which is now freely available on the Coalition’s new YouTube channel.

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DNC Diary: Get In “Good Trouble,” And Vote

by | Aug 21, 2020 11:43 am | Comments (7)

Darryl Brackeen Jr. photo

At Dunkin’ Donuts Park in person for the virtual DNC watch party.

Below is the fourth and final DNC 2020 diary entry submitted by Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr., who is a delegate at this year’s national party convention. The convention took place almost entirely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here, here and here to read the first three entries.

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DNC Diary: Kids Watch Kamala Make History

by | Aug 20, 2020 12:53 pm | Comments (1)

Contributed photo

Staying up late to watch the DNC. Darryl Brackeen (second from right) with wife Chaz and daughters Gabriella and Chelsea.

Below is the third DNC 2020 diary entry submitted by Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr., who is a delegate at this year’s national party convention. The convention, which began Monday, is taking place almost entirely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here and here to read the first two entries.

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DNC Diary, Day 2: Roll Call

by | Aug 19, 2020 12:00 pm | Comments (3)

Markeshia Ricks file photo

Westville Alder and DNC delegate Darryl Brackeen, Jr.

Below is the second DNC 2020 diary entry submitted by Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr., who is a delegate at this year’s national party convention. The convention, which began Monday, is taking place almost entirely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read the first entry.

On Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention, we were off to the races as the CT Delegation kicked off our afternoon celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with Lt. Gov Susan Bysiewicz & Norwalk Town committee Chairwoman Eloisa Melendez.

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DNC Diary: “Forever” First Lady Delivered

by | Aug 18, 2020 9:24 am | Comments (2)

Contributed photo

Alder Brackeen with a “Biden Berry” soda included in a DNC swag bag for delegates.

On Monday morning, I rose to my feet to prepare to get ready for what would be my first Democratic National Convention representing the Third Congressional District as a delegate.

By 8 a.m., I was on my way to the convention. Well, actually, my makeshift virtual studio in my home office.

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A Night In The Lock-Up

by | May 27, 2020 7:52 pm | Comments (5)

New Havener Jhon Llanos contributed the following first-person piece about an experience had had in the New Haven police lock-up, in which he was told he was going to be held and referred to federal immigration authorities in contravention of New Haven’s sanctuary city policies. Asked for a response, Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said that as soon as he was alerted to the situation, he intervened and Llanos was released from custody within minutes.” He attributed the episode to a misunderstanding”: We dealt with it and clarified it” with the officer involved.

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Nursing Home Hell

by | May 6, 2020 1:56 pm | Comments (7)

Annette Korzick in her room a month before the lockdown.

My mom is in a nursing home, and while there have been many stories about the countless number of brave medical personnel, maintenance workers, kitchen staff working this nightmare, living it, dying it, there have not been many about the way it impacts a family — or in my case, a family member. Me.

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