New Haven is a city rich in history and culture, and its strength lies in the dedication of its residents and organizations committed to fostering community growth and resilience. Several initiatives are making significant impacts across the city, addressing various aspects of community well-being.
Gather New Haven: Promoting Health and Environmental Justice
Gather New Haven is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health, equity, and justice by connecting people with local lands and waters. Managing five farms and over 45 community gardens, they offer programs like the Farm-Based Wellness program, which engages individuals with diet-related chronic disease risk factors in gardening and nutrition education. Their efforts extend to maintaining accessible natural environments through land conservation and educational programming, aiming to create a community where neighbors and nature thrive together. Learn more about Gather New Haven.
ConnCAT Place at Dixwell Plaza: Revitalizing the Dixwell Neighborhood
The Connecticut Center for Arts & Technology (ConnCAT) is spearheading the redevelopment of the former Dixwell Plaza shopping center into ConnCAT Place on Dixwell. This transformative project aims to restore a vibrant civic and commercial hub in the heart of a historically Black community. The development includes a new ConnCAT headquarters, a job training center, residential apartments, a grocery store, and spaces for small businesses. A large public plaza will serve as a space for performances and community gatherings, fostering a sense of belonging and economic growth. Read more about ConnCAT Place.
New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3): Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
The New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3) is an initiative designed to support historically marginalized entrepreneurs, including those who identify as Black, Latinx, and women. By providing grants, business advisory services, and technical assistance, NHE3 aims to create jobs, build generational wealth, and support structural change to remove barriers of structural racism. Their mission is to build a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem and a resilient small business landscape in Greater New Haven. Discover more about NHE3.
Love Fed New Haven: Cultivating Food Sovereignty
Love Fed New Haven empowers residents by reconnecting them with food, land, and self-resiliency through Black-led, community-run food systems and agricultural initiatives. Their mission is to help neighbors grow their own food at home and cultivate a community that actively works towards food sovereignty, personal wellness, and environmental health. They envision equitable and localized food systems that include and are led by the populations most affected by food apartheid and environmental issues. Learn more about Love Fed New Haven.
Breast/Chestfeed New Haven: Supporting Breastfeeding Families
The New Haven Breast/Chestfeeding Task Force is a city-level initiative working to build partnerships that support breastfeeding and chestfeeding in New Haven. They address racial, ethnic, and income disparities in breastfeeding services and rates by advocating for policies and creating initiatives that empower individuals to breastfeed. Their efforts focus on dismantling structural barriers and addressing institutional racism to support families in their breastfeeding journeys. Find out more about Breast/Chestfeed New Haven.
These initiatives exemplify the spirit of community and resilience in New Haven. By addressing various aspects of community well-being, they contribute to building a stronger, more equitable city for all residents.