Maya McFadden Photo
Bonita Grubbs.
Christian Community Action, Inc. (CCA) is partnering with the Housing Authority of New Haven to renovate 660 Winchester Ave. and revive its transitional housing and training and support program for homeless New Haven families.
The organizing team and community Tuesday celebrated the beginning of the transformation of the former Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program, closed after federal funding cuts in 2018, into the “Moving to Work Pilot Program” at 660 Winchester.
For 25 years the Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program provided a safe environment at 660 Winchester, the former Ivy Street School, for households who were homeless, residing in emergency housing, or at-risk of becoming homeless, to work towards stability.
The revival of the program was a long time coming said CCA Executive Director Rev. Bonita Grubbs.
Tonya Gandy and Valery Adams.
Tonya Gandy, a former resident of the Stepping Stones program from 2008 until 2010, said she was hurt when she heard the complex closed.
Before joining the program, Gandy lived in a homeless shelter with her two kids.“I fell down, and no one was there to help me get up,” she said.
Eight days before her release date from the shelter, a friend suggested she look into the Stepping Stones Program. Two days before her release date she got a call back from the program for an interview.
Many residents referred to the building and program as “660.”
Gandy recalled living on the second floor and the program staff treating her like family. “It was a village,” said Gandy.
Gandy would refer to Grubbs as her mom and staff members as her aunties. While in the program, Gandy got her GED and CNA license. “I learned to pull myself up,” she said. “Because of this building, I am happy.”
Gandy’s mother, Valery “Mama Angel” Adams, joined the celebration as a former resident of 660 from 20 years ago.
Lindy Lee Gold.
Amour Propre Fund President LindyLee Gold was involved with the former Stepping Stone Program. Gold secured the funding for the renovations of all 18 apartments in the building, which will be updated and furnished for families.
Gold shared with the audience of CCA staff, community members, and local and state politicians her perspective of the program’s opportunities. She used the Yiddish word “beshert,” meaning destiny, often used in the context of finding a soulmate. Gold named Grubbs her “beshert” who continues to inspire her to with her work. Then she mentioned the Hebrew word “chai,” meaning life and symbolizing the number 18. Once renovations are complete, 18 families will be “given life.”
Grubbs said the team will be continuing its former work in a new form.
The former program began in 1993 to help the homeless get the housing and resources to seek out permanent housing.
Genet Gebreberhan.
Former 660 resident Genet Gebreberhan was living in a shelter for six months before joining the program in 2013. Gebreberhan spent three months at 660 with her two daughters. Throughout 2013, Gebreberhan had seven major surgeries, which left her unable to walk and financially struggling. While at 660, Gebreberhan’s two daughters. ages 17 and 13, had to temporarily stop attending school to help their mother make money. The program helped Gebreberhan get acess to a Section 8 rental subsidy.
“Being here gave me hope,” Gebreberhan said.
Gebreberhan’s daughters are now in college for cosmetology and astrophysics.
Shellina Toure, Bonita Grubbs, State Sen. Gary Winfield, State Reps. Toni Walker and Robyn Porter, CCA’s Merryl Eaton, and Karen DuBois-Walton, who heads the housing authority.
The new program will require residents to commit to a plan of training and services to help transition from the program.
Tri-Con Construction Managers, LLC will renovate the building. The team expects the building renovations will be complete by late fall.
CCA is waiting on approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); then construction will begin. The team expects a 116-day turnaround, said Grubbs.
Tonya Gandy, Valery Adams, Shellina Toure, and Genet Gebreberhan.
Shellina Toure, CCA director of housing services, use to be a case manager at 660 for Gandy and Gebreberhan.
The group reunited at the celebration. “You never stopped being my case manager,” Gandy said to Toure. Both Gandy and Gebreberhan offered themselves to the 660 revival team for any future help needed. “I am here for 660 whenever 660 needs me,” Gandy said.