Abiba Biao photo
Marcus Harvin: “As long as they’ll have me, I’ll be there.”
Re-entering society is a daunting task for many formerly-incarcerated individuals. For Marcus Harvin, that stress was partially alleviated thanks to Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS) — an affordable housing nonprofit where Harvin has found a sense of purpose through community building and beautification.
Harvin was one of the many guests that celebrated the work of NHS at the organization’s 44th annual meeting last Monday night.
Attendees at NHS's annual meeting, and viewing art displays up for auction
The event, held at the NXTHVN art gallery at 169 Dixwell St., commemorated the affordable housing nonprofit’s achievements over the years as it has worked to increase homeownership among New Haven residents.
Some of the event’s speakers included state Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Mayor Justin Elicker, NHS founder and Executive Director Jim Paley, and local visual artist and muralist Kwadwo Adae.
Jim Paley and Kwadwo Adae.
Adae, 46, was a special guest of the night, receiving an award for his artistic work with NHS since 2016. For him, partnering with NHS was a natural move to extend his art into the social justice sphere and empower communities.
“Both of our missions is to utilize art in ways that beautify the communities that have been redlined previously in the City of New Haven and beautify the community in a way that allows public art to be something that everyone can enjoy,” he said.
Adae wasn’t the only one to receive an award Monday night. Others who were awarded by the nonprofit included NHS homebuyer Ojay Lewis, EMERGE CT Director of Training and Business Development Reinaldo Cruz III, and Operation Fuel Energy Efficient Programs Manager Tenée Mack.
Paley, 77, nodded in agreement, expanding on NHS’ mission and core values.
“There are a lot of absentee-owned buildings and under-maintained buildings, and we want to be able to stabilize neighborhoods so that we can have people feel good about where they live,” he said.
Ashley Bailey, Brittiany Mabery-Niblack, and Crystal Bailey.
Ashley Bailey, 30, spoke to how she has felt the impact of NHS’ services. First having heard about the nonprofit through her dad as well as from her sister, she decided to give the program a try and is currently going through the homeownership process with the goal of getting the keys to a future house located in the Hill.
“Homeownership is important to me, so I could leave something for my legacy and my family and for my daughter,” she said.
Bailey hasn’t experienced any difficulties with the homeownership process and attributes her success and the easy process to Bridgette Russell, managing director of NHS, and the rest of the nonprofit’s team.
“They are wonderful staff and they will make sure they do everything in their power to make sure that you become a homeowner,” she said, “if in fact you’re willing to put in the work to do what you need to do as far as getting your credit together, coming to meetings, showing up, and doing what needs to be done to become a homeowner.”
Brittiany Mabery-Niblack and Jesse Phillips.
Sitting in the corner eating cupcakes were Jesse Phillips and Brittiany Mabery-Niblack.
Phillips, 40, holds two jobs, including working as a coordinator for inclusive growth at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and is on the board of NHS. Phillips felt compelled to join the board after seeing the impact NHS has had revitalizing neighborhoods and has held his position for over a year.
“I’ve literally seen these properties go from abandoned properties to first-time homebuyers, to becoming assets in a neighborhood,” he said. “I’ve seen some of my friends purchase these properties, so I was like, the way they’re creating wealth and stabilizing neighborhoods — it’s very few organizations that are doing it in this area.”
Mabery-Niblack, a 33-year-old Democrat nominee for Ward 20 alder, agreed with the sentiment, coming out to celebrate her possible future constituents and understand the needs of her ward.
“I’m excited for what they [NHS] do for the community and how they present opportunities for people in New Haven to purchase homes that are affordable,” she said.
Mabery-Niblack, praised the nonprofit for its prominent exposure in the community, hoping that “more people can learn about the resources that‘s afforded to them.”
Harvin, 35, was formerly incarcerated at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Facility and earned an associate’s degree in general studies through a partnership from Yale Prison Education Initiative and the University of New Haven.
Originally from Newhallville, Harvin found his way to NHS from his role as a President’s Public Service Fellow at University of New Haven and College to Career Fellow at Yale College, which matched him with a fellow site. Through his work at NHS in their community building and organizing programs, he partakes in community beautification projects such as removing litter from the grounds of Lincoln Bassett Community School, which he fondly remembers attending years ago.
“They gave me an opportunity as being a formerly incarcerated individual to work with them as a fellow and then actually go on to work with them as a contractor after, still doing community building work,” Harvin said.
Harvin voiced his joy working with NHS, hoping to continue with the nonprofit to wherever life takes him.
“As long as they’ll have me, I’ll be there,” he said with a smile.