Paul Bass Photo
Patricia Tynan picked up a coffee to go from the Humphrey Street Dunkin’ on her way into work Thursday, but this time she ordered a decaf.
She usually orders caffeinated coffee. But she had already downed a caffeinated cup when she woke up at 5 a.m. to prepare for the day. She didn’t want to overcaffeinate.
Because Thursday was not a routine day. Tynan’s team at work was expecting visitors.
Tynan works as an employment specialist at IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services), which helps up to 500 new arrivals a year resettle here. Tynan works with colleagues to help newcomers from nations like Afghanistan and Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo find jobs at places like Medtronic and Chabaso Bakery.
On Thursday a regular periodic meeting was scheduled with federal health and human services officials who work with IRIS as well as IRIS’s state refugee coordinator for a case and services update.
So instead of her usual pre-work weight lifting (“I try to be very diligent about that because I just turned 65”) Tynan used the quiet early-morning hours to gather her thoughts.
“A lot of time you’re reacting to situations. This gives us a retrospective on exactly what we’ve done, who we’ve helped, how we’ve helped them, how we’ve changed individual lives,” she said in a 9:30 a.m. conversation on her way to work, on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
The time focused her on recent successes like the placement of two more IRIS clients in the paid training program at Havenly, the women-refugee-run nonprofit Temple Street restaurant that readies participants for the workforce or entrepreneurship with culinary, English, and computer skills. One small example of the difference she and the IRIS crew make every day in the lives of New Haven’s newest neighbors, and to the soul of a city that cares.
Click on the video to watch the conversation with Patricia Tynan on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
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Click here and see below for previous“Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
Word On Kensington Street: Paintbrushes Pass Down
The Word On Maple Street: STEM?‘Snow Sweat
Word On Crown Street:“Warehouse Guy” Hops In The Truck
Word On The Street: Ashes Mark New Life Chapter
The Word On County Street: Greg Weighs His Next Move
Surprise Drop-Off Turns Bottle Man East
Word On Boulevard: Love’s On The Menu
Old-School Chainsaw Comes Through
During Dwight Detour, Dominique Discovers Eden
Dreams Flagged on Ellsworth
Word On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’s
Pizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake Victims
Word On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler Planet
Park Trees Preserved
Word On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBs
Word On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon Fades
Word On Beers Street: That’s The Drill
Word On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erful
Word On The Street: 1st Step Taken
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone
Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots