The Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade

HISTORY OF THE FREDDY FIXER PARADE 

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Q: Who Is Freddy Fixer?

Answer: Dr. Fred Smith, A City Physician And Police Commissioner For Yale Police Department, Who Aggressively Fought Blight In The Dixwell-Newhallville Neighborhoods 






Q: What Is The Purpose Of The Freddie Fixer Parade?

Answer: The Purpose of The Freddy Fixer Parade Was For Citizens To Celebrate After Fixing Up The Neighborhoods And Promoting The Ideals Of Ecology Via Recycling, Neighborhood Beautification, And Assisting Seniors With Those Efforts.



Q: How Can I Help Support This Annual Event?

Answer: Anyone Can Help Support The Freddie Fixer Parade By Giving Donations, Volunteering, Or By Simply Recycling And Encouraging Everyone To Take Pride In Their Neighborhoods.




All Of These Questions Are Answered In The Following Passage.



On Or About September 15, 1962, A Cleanup Campaign Was Started In The Dixwell-Newhallville Community Initiated By The Late Dr. Fred Smith, A Physician, And The Dixwell Redevelopment Agency Based In The City Of New Haven, Connecticut. The Campaign Originated From A Desire To Help The Elderly In Fixing Up Their Homes And Yards. The Purpose Was To Get Residents To Take Pride In Their Community By Both Picking Up Trash, And By "Fixing Up" The Areas Around Their Homes. The "Fix-Up" Day Would Be Followed By A Parade Through The Neighborhood, Which Has Led To What Is Now Considered The Largest African-American Parade in New England. The “Freddie Fixer” Parade.





In Addition To His Passion For The Community To Which Dr. Smith Served, He Had A Strong Sense Of Involving All Of The Neighborhood Members In His Philosophy, Especially Children. In Fact, It Was Actually The Children Who Came Up With The Name Of The “Freddie Fixer.” A Contest Was Held Throughout The City Of New Haven Within The Public School System For The Children To Come Up With A Name For The Event And Initially, It Was Named “Freddie Fix-It,” Using Dr. Fred Smith’s First Name As A Metaphor. This Of Course Was Due To The Close Ties Dr. Smith Had Because Of His Status As A Pediatrician. Subsequent Contests Followed Which Eventually Led To The Unanimous Decision Of The Name: “Freddie Fixer.”





The First Organizers Of The Freddie Fixer Parade In Addition To The Late Dr. Fred Smith Were The Late Edward “Ed” Grant, The Late Edna Carnegie-Baker, And Dr. Charles Twyman. One Of The Fondest Memories That They Recall In Establishing The Parade Is That On Either The First Or Second Year Of The Celebration, “It Rained Like A Son Of A Gun!” Quoted The Late Ed Grant.





Fortunately, For The Many Years To Follow, The Month Of May Would Bring Much Better Weather That Churches, Marching Groups, Drill Teams, Police, Fire, Floats, Cars, Participants, Volunteers, And Parade Goers From All Across The Country, Would Come Out To The City Of New Haven, Connecticut And Celebrate In Record Numbers!





Unfortunately, The Tradition Of The Parade, Who Some Reluctantly Believe Has Shifted From Its True Purpose Of Neighborhood Beautification, Recycling, And Reducing Violence Throughout The City, Has Also Been Stereotyped To Be Associated With Violence Over The Last Few Years. A Tremendous Amount Of Support Has Been Lost Due To The Negative Incidents That Have Ocurred Which Were Totally Unrealted To The Mission Of The Freddie Fixer Parade And The Meaning That The Founding Members Worked So Hard To Establish. 





However, The Freddie Fixer Parade Organization Is Committed To Restore The True Meaning Of This Historic Event By Flooding The Community With Reminders Of The True History And Purpose Of Its Evolvement. All Donations Revceived By This Organization Will Go Directly To That Purpose.





Therefore, We Are Asking For The New Haven Community's Unconditional Financial, Moral, And Spiritual Support For This Event. Not Only During The Time That The Parade Comes Around, But On A Year-Round Basis. Together We Can March Back To The Future Of The Freddie Fixer Parade!



PLEASE MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TODAY!



AND REMEMBER:




OUR COMMUNITY IS ONLY IS SAFE AS WE "ALLOW" IT TO BE!

GROTON – As part of the 126^th Connecticut Library Association (CLA) Annual Conference:Uncharted Waters: Navigating the Changing Tides in Librarianship, taking place at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT, Diane Brown, Branch Manager of the Stetson Branch Library of the New Haven Free Public Library will receive the Connecticut Library Association 2017 Special Achievement Award!  Diane will be honored Friday morning, May 5 at the Annual Meeting of the CLA.

Diane Brown is employed by the New Haven Free Public Library where she has served as Manager of the Stetson Branch for the past 11 years.  In 2015 she received the, “I Love My Librarian” award from The American Librarian Association for her outstanding work in building lasting partnerships to provide services and programming to library patrons. Most notably she collaborated with several community-based organizations to develop a series of on-going programming for youth, entitled, “Teach Them While They Are Young”.  Diane’s commitment to the community she serves is remarkable and goes well beyond the walls of Stetson Branch Library and her profession as a librarian.

The Special Achievement Award honors an individual who has implemented a significant project or initiated an innovative program during the past year. Diane Brown was nominated for this award by individuals from four community partner organizations.

Hanan Hameen from Africa Is Me! Africa Is Me! is a structured, fun-filled, family-oriented program that uses the Artsucational™ curriculum method for all ages based on Black and African History and the connection between African traditions and current social issues and trends involving the global Black community.

Ed Tremble from SPORT Academy. SPORT Academy’s 20/20 Program is designed with the well-being and learning potential of each child in mind. SPORT Academy works with youth in a number of areas providing programs to help build life skills.

Darlitha Buzby from Dynamic University of Self Defense. The sensei and staff at Dynamic University of Self Defense partner with the Stetson Library to provide after school programming on bullying, safety, discipline and responsibility. 

Jahad Shabaz from Muck MuddProfessional Tutoring.  Muck MuddProfessional Tutoring is facilitated by professional educators who offer tutoring for ages 5-18 in math, English, science, reading and writing as well as special education.

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About the Connecticut Library Association

The Connecticut Library Association is Connecticut's professional organization of librarians, library staff, friends, and trustees working together: to improve library service to Connecticut, to advance the interests of librarians, library staff, and librarianship, and to increase public awareness of libraries and library services.

About the New Haven Free Public Library

The New Haven Free Public Library welcomes more than 550,000 library patrons through its doors each year. The library system includes the Ives Memorial Library on the historic New Haven Green, 24/7 online services, the ReadMobile bringing books to early childhood learning centers, and four neighborhood libraries: Fair Haven, Mitchell, Wilson and Stetson.

The New Haven Free Public Library’s mission is to ensure all New Haven’s citizens have full and unlimited access to information and knowledge so that they may meet the needs of daily living, have opportunities for self-education, and participate successfully in self-government.

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NEW HAVEN - Mayor Toni N. Harp will be joined by federal, state, community and union leaders to recognize and congratulate the students who are completing their specialized skills training at Hillhouse High School’s new Career Pathways Technology Training Corridor on Monday, May 8, 10:00 – 11:00  a.m. at 480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT which will begin in the atrium of the Hillhouse Field House.  (In addition to on-street parking, the adjacent parking lot located on the corner of Crescent and Munson Streets and the lot at Bowen Field also on Munson across from the school are available.)   

Press and guests will have opportunity to see students in action during concrete pours, scaffold building and other exciting, visual hands-on activities.  Hand crafted benches and flower boxes constructed by the students used to beautify the City of New Haven as part of their community service will also be on display. 

“I’m delighted we now have a dedicated technology corridor at Hillhouse High School established in collaboration with the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund and the Laborers’ International Union of America. (LiUNA). The commitment by the Laborers’ Union and Laborers’ Local 455 means we’re able to bring the Construction Craft Laborers’ (CCL) Program and its curriculum to neighborhood schools,” Mayor Harp said. “Students now have a direct link to the Laborers’ Apprenticehip Program and a promising, family-8sustaining career upon graduation – I look forward to the student tour of the Corridor, learning the details of the curriculum, and seeing samples of students’ work – particularly their efforts to benefit the city.” 

The Training Corridor provides 200 hours of vocational technical programming through a project of The Justice Education Center, Inc. Students focus on Construction Math, Mason Tending and Masonry, Scaffolding, Concrete, Demolition, Highway and Road Safety, and Pipework. 

In addition to skill-building and credentialing, Hillhouse students receive academic credit for the successful completion of all program components including the opportunity to perform community service work.

“For nearly two decades, the New England Laborers’ have been extremely successful in educating high school youth who have a strong interest in the construction technology industry,” said Michael Traficante, Director of Governmental Affairs for the New England Laborer’s Union. “Students who graduate from the Construction Craft Laborers’ program thanks to the Training Corridor and enter our Apprenticeship program can look forward to a life- long career in the construction technology trade with family supporting wages and benefits.  We are extremely pleased to have this partnership with the Career Pathways TECH Collaberative.  Together, we are taking a major step forward  in developing the essential link  between student training, high school graduation and a life long rewarding career.”

The Corridor is part of The Justice Education Center’s Career Pathways Technology Collaborative, a public/private partnership with the Office of the US Attorney-District of Connecticut and Department of Justice, the State Department of Education, City of New Haven and its YouthStat initiative.

“There are many pathways to success in the workplace and Career Pathways is a very important avenue for students who do not choose a 4 year college degree”, said Superintendent Dr. Reginald Mayo, Superintendent of New Haven Public Schools.

State Representative Toni Walker noted “I am proud of the General Assembly’s ongoing commitment to help students pursue their passions and develop strong skill sets that prepare them for promising careers  and long term employment”.  The Career Pathways Collaborative model serves as an excellent example of what can be accomplished when our commitment to Connecticut’s young people is a priority”, she said.

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The NAACP hosted progressive, civil and human rights thought leaders on May 2, 2017 at the Georgetown University Conference Center to discuss a plan for countering post-election implications on marginalized communities

    City Lights   

            Live Performances by

Dana Martin, Detective - Erika Bogan, Firefighter/EMT

Steven Teague, Sergeant - Reggie Blakey Firefighter/EMT  

             May 4, 2017

             6:00pm thru 12:00pm

            Club Vandome

                                                        102Hamilton St. New Haven, CT

                                Donation:  $20.00 includes:

             D.J. Diamond D.

            Appetizer  

              Raffle prizes; 50”smart TV

All donations will benefit our New Haven PAL Camp, Firebird Scholarship funds & Breast Cancer Research.

The NHPD’s PAL program was established in the early 1970s. It provides educational and athletic programs for children throughout the city after school, on weekends, and during the summer.

The New Haven Firebird , THE Firebird Society of New Haven Incorporated and organization of Black and Hispanic Firefighter organized on March 22, 1971.

New Haven – Students enrolled at the Fair Haven School, for whom English is a second language, earned a day in the park tomorrow. ESL students in David Weinreb’s class – many of whom are from other countries – won a nationwide ‘Kid’s To Parks’ grant award, and will deliver on their pledge to respect New Haven’s open space at Criscuolo Park in the morning.

Tomorrow’s field trip will be from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the park, along Chapel Street in the Fair Haven section of the city. , well-deserved display of environmental activism.

Students will spend that time helping to beautify the park, raise awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship, and they’ll spread a clean cities/anti littering messaging as well.

Some of their activities are to include planting trees and painting anti-littering messages on trash cans.

The New Haven Police Department and the City’s Office of Human Resources are happy to announce the 2017 Police Officer Recruitment Outreach Campaign. Applications will be available online at www.Policeapp.com beginning June 5, 2017. Applications must be completed and submitted online by June 23, 2017.

The application period will be followed by physical ability testing, scheduled on July 8-9, 2017. Those that have satisfied the ability testing component will be scheduled for the written examination on July 15, 2017. The oral boards will then follow as the last civil service testing component on July 22-23, 2017.

Current and valid CHIP cards will be accepted in lieu of physical ability testing. Those performing the ability test MUST bring their medical waiver with them to the testing site. The waiver is found in the application packet on www.Policeapp.com as well as in the Applicant Handbook that will be made available shortly.

The NHPD plans to distribute recruitment materials locally and recruit throughout the New Haven area. New Haven residents are encouraged to apply. Those living locally are our preferred candidates.

Additional points will be afforded to New Haven residents who apply. Information Sessions and Academy Open Houses will be announced in near future. To schedule a presentation or request information or campaign materials, please contact the Office of Professional Standards at 203-946-6249.

The New Haven Police Department (NHPD), a progressive, decentralized community-based police agency, takes great pride in the achievements of its sworn and civilian staff members, as well as in the department's pioneering role in developing ongoing police-community partnerships. We’re focused on solving problems in our many different neighborhoods before they escalate into senseless crime and violence. We are interested in attracting applicants who have demonstrated commitment to the community, want to help prevent crime, arrest those who violate the law, and reduce fear and disorder throughout the city.

Ideal Applicants Will Have:

• A history of community service.
• Excellent communication skills in Spanish; familiarity with or ability to learn more than one language highly desirable.
• Mature and innovative approaches to collaborating with citizens on neighborhood issues;
• New Haven residency.
• Community/technical College or University background and/or significant work experience.
• Computer proficiency.
• Respect for and ability to work well with colleagues and citizens regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, age, or personal beliefs.
• Enthusiasm for hard and rewarding work.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under stress.

Minimum Requirements Are:

• Twenty-one (21) years of age by October 1, 2017.

• Must have excellent English verbal and written communication skills.

• Must have at least a high school diploma or GED, although additional education and work experience are strongly preferred.
• Must be a born or naturalized U.S. citizen.
• No felony, Class A or B misdemeanor convictions, including convictions involving domestic violence situations.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a valid Connecticut license upon graduation from the academy.
• Residence within 20 miles of New Haven upon graduation from the academy.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical coverage for each officer and his/her family.
• Competitive starting salary.
• Generous retirement plan after twenty-five (25) years served.
• Paid life insurance policy.
• Twelve paid holidays.
• Paid vacation.
• Uniforms and equipment provided.
• University tuition reduction and competitive scholarships available.

About The Academy:

The New Haven Police Academy is located at 710 Sherman Parkway in New Haven. Its program and faculty are fully certified by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. New recruits attend the academy for approximately seven months, during which time they are paid the New Haven Police Department’s entry level pay for police officers.

Proficiency in a wide variety of subject areas is required, and 80% is the minimum passing grade. The academy training includes a broad range of academic instruction and preparation for a career in police service.  Physical agility and chain of command are also taught and monitored regularly.  Community field placements, and term projects are also part of the required curriculum.

Rigorous personal and ethical standards are upheld and the ethical, emotional and suitability standards of all students are routinely monitored and evaluated by academy staff.  Report cards are issued regularly.  Upon successful completion of the academy, graduates continue the probationary process in the Department's Field Training Officer (FTO) Program for approximately 12 weeks. Probationary officers are matched with a series of experienced FTO’s in a structured teaching and mentoring on-the-job evaluation program.

This recruitment campaign is evolving. Updates will be released as they become available.

Freddie FIXER parade 2014 

Girl Boxer from The New York Times - Video on Vimeo.

Jesselyn Silva is only 10 years old, but she's already in the ring. By Emily Sheskin. Read the story here: nyti.ms/2pWRBQ7

Days of rain are causing floods in several southeastern states including South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. Cars and other vehicles got stuck trying to navigate Charleston, South Carolina's flooded streets

At the London premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," Zoe Saldana reveals why she's glad that a new "Avatar" is finally on the horizon.

Each year, about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools, and most are protected from deportation under an Obama administration policy called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. But many DACA students are on edge, unsure about what the future holds for them or their families. Special correspondent Kavitha Cardoza of Education Week reports

NEW HAVEN ELM CITY INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE SELECTED AS INNOVATION PLACES FINALIST

New Haven, CT– April 25, 2017 – The Elm City Innovation Collaborative today announced its selection as a finalist in CTNext’s Innovation Places program. Along with six other applicants, Elm City Innovation Collaborative will vie for a federal Implementation Grant that will help establish New Haven as an Innovation Place.

“Today is a significant step forward in my administration’s ongoing effort to transform New Haven into a center of innovation and business growth,” said Mayor Toni N. Harp. “We’re delighted to know our application was received so favorably, and we’re honored to be a finalist in the process. We thank the CTNext Board of Directors and the city’s legislative delegation – led by Senator Martin Looney – for creating the program and look forward to sharing more details of our vision as we move forward in the process.”

Innovation Places is a CTNext-run program created to help the state’s communities become centers for entrepreneurism and innovation, magnets for talent, and launching points for growth-stage companies. The program will ultimately distribute $30 million over a period of five years to the winning cities and communities to support implementation of their strategic plans.

“With so many worthwhile applications, we congratulate New Haven on being named an Innovation Places finalist and we look forward to learning more about their vision, team and approach in the coming weeks,” said Glendowlyn Thames, executive director of CTNext.

A public presentation on the Elm City Innovation Collaborative and site visit will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017 at noon at 195 Church Street, New Haven. Grant winners will be announced in June.

About CTNext

CTNext is Connecticut’s go-to resource for entrepreneurial support. The goal of the program is to build a more robust community of entrepreneurs and to accelerate startup growth by providing access to talent, space, industry expertise, services, skill development and capital to foster innovation and create jobs for people in Connecticut. CTNext launched in 2012 and has more than 1,700 members in its network. Visit www.ctnext.com