Community engagement
Volunteers Needed!
My name is Brian Moore, and I am writing as an outreach worker for Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, which has been providing free English, reading, and math tutoring in the region for forty-eight years.
Our mission is to foster partnerships with adult learners, tutors, and communities that enable individuals and families to achieve educational, career, and quality of life goals. To that end, we provide two free core programs. Basic Literacy is designed for native English speakers who are reading and writing at low literacy levels, and English for Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) is intended for adults who need to speak, read, write, and understand English. Adults tutor these students year-round in locations where they live and work. To learn more about us, you can visit our website: https://lvagnh.org/.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or, if you prefer, give us a call at (203)-776-5899. Thank you for helping us share the gift of literacy, and we are excited to hopefully work with you.
Best regards,
Brian Moore
Yale President’s Public Service Fellow Intern,
Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven
2023 Annual Meeting of United Church on the Green
Our Annual Meeting was held on June 25th, 2023, following the Sunday worship service. Attendance was both in person and on line. For those who have not yet seen the Annual Report, click the link for an online copy. Hard copies will be available during coffee hour following worship for the next few Sundays. You can also contact the front office at office@unitednewhaven.org and request a copy be mailed to you.
Service and Justice Ministry
Our Service and Justice Ministry Team meets monthly via Zoom, typically on the first Tuesday of the month. If you would like to join this important ministry of United Church on the Green we would love to have you! Please reach out to Cher Balkcom at cherbear_b@yahoo.com . She will be happy to provide you with the zoom link prior to the meeting.
If you are interested in helping to plan these important initiatives, join the Service and Justice Ministry Team!
UCG Crafts Group is Back!
The Crafts Group
All are welcome to join the long-standing crafts group for conversation and good company - no need to do a craft to join us. We each work on our own projects, knitting, quilting, sewing, etc. At a recent meeting we chatted about topics ranging from aquariums to the election to cacti to the best local french fries and much more.
We will meet on the following Thursdays at 10AM on Zoom: 3/16 and 3/30
Contact Jean Blue at jeanandjon71@gmail.com for the zoom link or if you have any questions.
Cheers, Jean
IRS Income Tax Assistance
The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
- People who generally make $60,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities; and
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. For more information go to IRS.gov Click the link to find a location near you: Locator Tool
UCC News Digest
Find out what is going on the in the UCC World. Connect with other Believers, Read Articles and Attend On-Line and In-Person Events. Click the link for more information: UCC News Digest
FISH of Greater New Haven Needs You!
Charlie Urban-Mead, who is a program manager and volunteer coordinator at Food in Service to the Homebound (FISH) of Greater New Haven is reaching out to faith groups in and around New Haven because they are experiencing a need for volunteer drivers. FISH of Greater New Haven has served the area for over 50 years, and recently gotten involved with COVID response work through our Pantry to Pantry program. We deliver healthy groceries to low-income residents of New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, and East Haven who can’t leave their homes to access standard “walk-up” food pantries. They need volunteers who can come between 10am and 4pm on weekdays to pick up grocery bags at our pantry warehouse at 269 Peck St, New Haven, and drive a 1-2 hour delivery route to drop off food at 4-6 homes. Those who are interested should complete this sign-up form, or visit our website or contact curbanmead@fishgnh.org.
Connecticut Hospice
Volunteers are Needed! The Connecticut Hospice in Branford is accepting applications for new volunteers!! Our patients and families are in need of your care and support. If you have an interest in Reception or Patient Companionship, please call Joan Cullen, Director of Volunteers at 203-315-7510
Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
IRIS is recruiting female volunteers to work with refugee & immigrant women in New Haven, for our Cultural Companions Program! We're currently looking to pair volunteers with our refugee & immigrant female clients to meet weekly for 3-6 months, outdoors, or in a large public space where there is room for social distancing. The purpose of the weekly meetings is to practice English, share culture, and explore the community. Please see below for a more detailed description. If you are interested, please fill out the general Iris Volunteer Application at: https://irisct.org/volunteer/ Also do the specialized Cultural Companions Application HERE. For questions please contact: amakar@irisct.org.
Connecticut Needs a Recovery for All
Our colleagues at the Southern New England Conference, UCC, invite us to join with a state-wide coalition of labor, community, and faith organizations called Recovery for All, to advocate for a state budget that would bring equity to low and middle class families, address income inequality, and begin to shift institutional racism in CT. To learn more and contact your legislators, please click here.
United Way Reaching Out
The United Way of Greater New Haven has created an online hub where they are posting volunteer opportunities and community needs. Visit their website and scroll down to the yellow buttons to learn more.
Internet Fraud - Protect Yourself
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have seen a rise in the incidents of internet fraud and scams. Double check the "from" address. Don't share financial or banking information online. Verify suspicious emails by phone. Click the link below for more information on how to protect yourself and your family from internet crime. FCC Internet Safety
Community Resources
Community Healthcare Van
This mobile bus which maintains a schedule of different locations around downtown New Haven provides free and confidential adult services on a first-come, first-served basis including needle exchange programs. For more information or to get the schedule texted to you call:
- Angel (203) 996-0162
- Rolo (203) 996-0161
- Rolo,Jr. (203) 823-0743
Vocational schools and Apprenticeship Programs for Veterans
This guide provides information for educational programs available specifically to veterans.
The CitiSeed Farmers Markets
They're Back!: Four neighborhood markets including one year-round market have returned in Wooster Square, Edgewood Park, The New Haven Green and Quinnipiac River Park. City Seed Farmers Markets take all forms of payment including cash, credit/ debit, WIC, SNAP and Senior Market Coupons. They also participate in the Double your SNAP dollars program. Click the link for more information, and the full schedule: www.cityseed.org
E-Recycling is Back
Take 2 Inc provides free and convenient residential Electronic recycling near you! Bring out your TVs. Bring out your Computers. Bring out your Printers. Get rid of those old Monitors and get back that space in your garages and basements. They have made it easy for all Connecticut residents to find e-waste recycling options throughout the state. You can also like Take 2 Inc. on Facebook to get notifications of upcoming events throughout the State. Take 2 Inc. manages events of all sizes. If you're a recycling coordinator or community organizer who wants to schedule an event in your community, call their Legislative Program Director at 203.286.5757 x106 to start planning a collection solution near you. Click the link to find out about existing drop off dates and times, and to see a list of accepted electronics: Take2.
Elder Caregiving
Are you providing care to an elder loved-one and need support? Caregiver Media Group is a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. Founded in 1995, we produce Today's Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, caregiving books, Custom publications, the Fearless Caregiver Conferences, and our website. Caregiver Media Group and all of our products and services are developed for caregivers, about caregivers and by caregivers. Today's Caregiver magazine is the first national magazine dedicated to family and professional caregivers. Content topics include nutrition, pharmaceutical, financial, home safety, new technology options, insurance, homecare, medication breakthroughs and incontinence management. Each issue also features a cover interview with a well-known celebrity caregiver. For more information, to subscribe to the magazine and/or attend a free Caregiver Conference, go to: www.caregiver.com
Safe and Free Disposal of Household Chemicals
Come drop off your hazardous household waste at the New Haven Water authority on Saturday Mornings 9:00AM to 12Noon at the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, 90 Sargent Drive in New Haven. For more information, including a list of accepted items and non-toxic household alternatives, please go to: HazWasteCentral.
Consumer Law Project for Elders
The Consumer Law Project for Elders is a project of Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. Funding is provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Aging Senior Medicare Patrol Program and by Connecticut Legal Services, Inc. For more information CLICK HERE.
Street Sheet Reference Guide
The Town Green Special Services District of New Haven has produced a useful reference guide for those seeking shelter, clothing, food banks, meals and other public support services. Here is a PDF copy:
Or call 203-401-4245 for a printed copy
Twelve Step Recovery Programs
Those interested in learning about available "Twelve Step" help in the New Haven Area can visit this website Twelve Step Support Groups Resource. which lists locations, dates and times for substance abuse support group meetings in our region.
New Haven Area Soup Kitchens and Pantries
Those interested in learning about area Soup Kitchens and Food Pantries should visit the above websites which list places and times for donated food distribution to those in need.
Christ Church Community Soup Kitchen Is Open
The Community Soup Kitchen at Christ Church in New Haven will continue to serve food as prepackaged take out. The take-out soup kitchen is going on at the Community Soup Kitchen located at Christ Church dining room at 84 Broadway, New Haven CT 06511. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they will serve take away lunch from their dining room back door at 11AM - 1:30PM in prepackaged units. Saturdays they will serve breakfast in the same fashion 8AM - 9:45AM. The soup kitchen is open to anyone, including people who are affected by school closings. When the health department gives the "All Clear" they will resume indoor weekday lunch (11:30-1) and Saturday breakfast (8:30-9:30) food service. For more information, go to: www.csknewhaven.org
Food Resources Available
The City of New Haven recently launched a comprehensive list of food resources for residents to access during the COVID-19 pandemic. CLICK HERE for more information.
Community Resources (cont.)
Breakthrough Church in Hamden
Breakthrough Church is sponsoring a food pantry on the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of every month from 12Noon - 2:00PM. This is Walk-Up or Drive Through Food Pantry. No ID is required and it is open to all. If you are walking up, please bring a shopping cart and/or groceries bags to carry your food. The Breakthrough Church in located at 481 Shelton Avenue, Hamden CT 06517. Food is distributed at the Butler St. Entrance (parking lot). For more information go to: www.breakthroughct.com or call 203-691-9296.
Medicare Coverage for substance abuse
See what the state of CT has to offer for medicare resources for substance abuse issues.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
The FCC has a program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, this new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Click the link for more information, or to determine eligibility: FCC Broadband Benefit
Vaccinations for the Homebound in New Haven
The Health Department, in partnership with American Medical Response, has begun a program to deliver vaccinations to homebound New Haven residents. This vaccine service, like all vaccinations for COVID-19 is free, and no insurance or documentation is necessary. If you are physically or medically unable to leave your home to go to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, you are eligible for this vaccine service. Please call 1-877-918-2224 or visit the webpage ct.gov/homebound. These appointments will be available on Wednesdays from 9 am to 3:30 pm for homebound New Haven residents ages 16 and older. A nurse, accompanied by an EMT, will come by your place of residence once you are registered to administer the vaccine.
COVID19 Vaccine Information for all Connecticut Residents
Please check state website for further information on eligibility: Get Vaccinated.
To schedule an appointment, go to: ct.gov/covidvaccine or call:877-918-2224
For more information on the state appointment system, please click here: VAMS
Mental Health Resources for New Haveners and their children from New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker
If you’d like resources on how to talk with your children about Ulveda,TX, Buffalo, NY, or other traumatic incidents , the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has compiled a list of resources for parents and children dealing with traumatic stress. In addition, SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365. For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Melissa Brymer at mbrymer@mednet.ucla.edu.
If you need to talk directly with someone locally you can call the Clifford Beers support line 1-844-TALK-4CT. If you or someone are in crisis, please call 211.
United Church on the Green
Meeting House: 270 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06511
Parish House: 323 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06511
office@unitednewhaven.org | 203-787-4195
Services every Sunday, 10am
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