Blogs

New Haven | The New Haven Police Department (NHPD) has been working with other city departments and event organizers in planning for the August 10, 2019, New Haven Puerto Rican Festival. NHPD has learned of a recent social media comment which has created concerns about this weekend’s event.

Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said, “I am aware of the comment that was posted on social media referencing the Puerto Rican Festival on Saturday and have launched a full investigation.  We are working closely with our Federal, State and local partners, as we do for all major events, and have not identified any threat to the event.  I encourage everyone to come out with their families to enjoy Saturday’s festivities on the New Haven Green.  The NHPD looks forward to sharing in the celebration and will be working alongside our partners to ensure everyone at the event has a safe and enjoyable experience

CITY TO HOST INTERFAITH SERVICE DAY THURSDAY: CHRISTIANS, JEWS, MUSLIMS TO GATHER ON GREEN AFTER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

MAYOR HARP TO GREET TEENS, PROMOTE PEACE

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be among those greeting visiting teenagers participating in Thursday’s Interfaith Service Day in the city. Jewish, Muslim, and Christian young people from Israel, Palestine, and the U.S. will be together to celebrate mutual respect, tolerance, and a willingness to work together to the benefit of the New Haven community.

Mayor Harp will visit with these young people on the New Haven Green, across Elm Street from the Ives Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library, at 12:45 p.m.

Service projects to be tackled Thursday morning are in the following categories, should press outlets choose to attend any of these ahead-of-time:

• Sacred Cemetery: Care and Restoration
• Habitat for Humanity: Housing Construction
• Save the Sound: Beach Cleanup
• Meal preparation and distribution
• Peace Billboard Painting on New Haven Green
• Masjid Al Islam
• Christian Community Action

Local clergy members Rabbi Brian Immerman, from Congregation Mishkan Israel Hamden, Imam Omer Bajwa, a Yale Chaplin, Father Stephen Holton, from Christ Episcopal Church in New Haven; Reverend Bonita Grubbs, from New Haven’s Christian Community Action, Bruce A. Barrett, from IWagePeace.Org, and the Rev. Nicholas Porter, from JerusalemPeacebuilders.org will oversee tomorrow’s activities.

Financial support is provided by Barrett Outdoor Communications, Inc. and IWagePeace, Inc.

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THE City of New Haven,Ct and MICROSOFT,ZAMMO.AI TO HOST 5^THANNUAL DIGI-CAMP FOR STUDENTS, THIS YEAR FEATURING ‘AI’ WITH VOICE RECOGNITION

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp today announced the city’s 5^th annual digi-camp for young people, scheduled from Tuesday, August 13 through Thursday, August 15. The City of New Haven hosts the event; Microsoft and Zammo.ai are co-sponsors of the three-day coding and computer technology intensive, to be held inside the city’s Hall of Records at 200 Orange Street.

Each year the camp helps young people become familiar with many innovative computer experiences. This year, artificial intelligence (AI), featuring voice recognition will be featured.

New Haven’s partnerships with Microsoft and Zammo.ai, manifest in this year’s Digi Camp, advance Mayor Harp’s vision – and the work of her administration – toward digital inclusion, closing the computer science gap, and promoting the value of STEM careers among young people in the city.

“Microsoft hosts DigiCamps to help inspire tomorrow’s technology leaders and show them what careers in STEM can look like,” said Dana Barnes, Vice President, Microsoft State & Local Government. “We are grateful to partner with the City of New Haven to help advance their Digital Inclusion Plan and expose high school students participating in this year’s DigiCamp to essential digital skills.”

It’s been reported that fewer than 40% of public schools in the U.S. teach computer science or programming skills, yet there are said to be 500,000 high-paying tech jobs currently available in the U.S. for people with this skillset.

Enrollment for this year’s Microsoft Digi Camp is open to students in grades 8 – 12. Enrollment is free but capped; at this writing a few vacancies remain. The camp will run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; breakfast and lunch will be provided to those accepted.

“Zammo.ai is supporting Mayor Harp's Digital Inclusion Plan by training students how to build voice applications for Alexa, Google and Cortana using the Zammo Enterprise Platform," said CEO Alex Farr. "Who knows, after the camp, perhaps a few entrepreneurial students will launch a business creating voice apps to get other businesses on voice?"

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Gunfire Investigation & Arrest On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at about 9:18 p.m., New Haven Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area of Huntington Street and Shepard Street in the Newhallville neighborhood. Arriving officers and detectives found evidence of gunfire and developed information about a suspect vehicle. A short time later, NHPD patrol officers spotted the suspect vehicle being operated in a parking lot of a Quinnipiac Avenue apartment complex. Officers were able to stop the vehicle. When officers conducted a felony traffic stop and ordered the vehicle operator to step out of the vehicle, Mark Washington exited the vehicle with a handgun in his hand. As a small crowd of onlookers from the apartment complex gathered to watch, Washington handed the firearm to his family member Jerraya Prince who officers believe attempted to conceal the weapon. Officers were able to safely detain Washington and Prince. Officers seized the handgun without further incident. The weapon had been reported as stolen. As a result of the investigation, investigators impounded the suspect vehicle, seized evidence, and charged Washington and Prince for their involvement in the traffic stop incident. The Newhallville gunfire investigation is ongoing. New Haven Police Department Patrol Commander Lieutenant Mark O’Neil said, “The officers did a great job all around responding to the report of gunshots and providing the suspect vehicle information to other officers. The adjoining district officers who located the suspect vehicle showed great restraint and professionalism while dealing with a chaotic scene. An armed suspect was taken into police custody without injury.” NHPD Shift Commander Lieutenant Stephan Torquati added, “I want to commend officers Nicholas Pates, David Santiago, Monique Moore, and Jawan Haddock for speaking with members of the community and getting accurate information to their fellow officers. Additionally, Officers Brandon Way and Donald White took the lead on the safe apprehension of the suspect.” Mark Washington 18 year old New Haven resident and motor vehicle operator Washington is charged with the following: Carrying a pistol without a permit Weapon in a motor vehicle Theft of a firearm Interfering with a police officer Narcotics charges Jerraya Prince 38 year old New Haven resident Jerryaya Prince is charged with the following: Carrying a pistol without a permit Theft of a firearm Interfering with a police officer Washington and Prince were held overnight at the NHPD detention facility. Washington with a $200,000 bond and Prince with a $50,000 bond were due to be arraigned today in New Haven court. Anyone with information about the gunfire is asked to call the New Haven Police Department Detective Bureau at 203-946-6304.

MAYOR HARP TO PRESIDE AT GRAND OPENING OF HOPE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER MONDAY AT 1:00

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will preside Monday afternoon at the grand opening of the HOPE Family Justice Center, a one-stop, comprehensive clearinghouse for those affected by domestic violence.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned at 142 Temple Street in New Haven; the program is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.

Efforts by Mayor Harp, New Haven police officials, non-profit providers, and other partners to address domestic violence in the city complement community-based policing, ShotSpotter, body-worn police cameras, other technology, YouthStat, and other innovative programs to effectively combat violent crime in New Haven.

MAYOR HARP, CITY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEW DATE, LOCATION FOR PLANNED CB3B CONCERT

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp announced today new arrangements for the CB3B concert originally planned for August 3. Mayor Harp said officials from a half-dozen city departments have new details for the event now set to take place at 6:00 p.m. on August 15 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

The performers scheduled to entertain that evening remain the same: the event will honor New Haven’s own Troy Taylor and feature musical guests PnB Rock, Sammie, Avery Wilson, and some local New Haven talent as well.

This event is a free, ticketed, general admission event with limited seating. Free tickets for this event can be obtained via Eventbrite at the following link:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-haven-ysd-presents-free-concert-with-pnb-rock-sammie-and-avery-wilson-tickets-66958916923?aff=affiliate1. No one will be admitted without a ticket; those under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Concert goers are asked to arrive at the venue early with an electronic ticket ready to be scanned – doors will open at 4:30 p.m. All ticketed attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint upon entering the facility; no leaving and re-entry will be permitted. No hoodies or bags will be allowed into the facility and the security staff reserves the right to deny anyone access into the venue for any reason.

Pick up and drop off for those receiving rides to the show will be at the corner of Sherman and Henry streets. Those driving to the event are encouraged to carpool.

And as a reminder, Floyd Little Athletic Center policy prohibits outside food or beverages; none will be allowed into the facility.

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Thursday, July 25, 2019

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 7100 block of Barrington Drive in the North Tryon Division.  The call for service came in at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019. 

North Tryon Division Officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call for service.  Upon arrival, officers located a male with a gunshot wound in the parking lot of an apartment complex.   The victim was transported to Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.  An additional male victim later showed up at Atrium Health University City with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.  The deceased victim’s identity will be released pending family notification.  At this time, the relationship between the two victims is unknown.

Detectives with the Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are currently canvassing the area to determine whether there are any additional witnesses to this incident. 

Crime Scene Search has responded to the call for service to process the scene and collect physical evidence.  Representatives of the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team, Victim Services, RTCC, Medic, CFD and Operations Command responded to the scene. 

This is an ongoing, active investigation.  As further information develops it will be released by CMPD Public Affairs.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.  Detective Overman is the lead detective assigned to the case.  The public can also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit the Crime Stoppers website at http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.    For additional information about this incident please refer to report numbers 2019-0725-213001.

MAYOR HARP, CITY STAFF, OTHERS TO DESCRIBE MULTI-CITY, 3X3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AT

NEW HAVEN CITY HALL PRESS EVENT THURSDAY

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will be joined by other basketball promoters at City Hall Thursday morning for a joint announcement about this year’s ‘Connecticut Big 3 Ballout’ (CB3B)three-on-three basketball tournament the city will host again this year.

Thursday joint announcement will be at 11:00 a.m. on the steps of New Haven City Hall: 165 Church Street in New Haven. 

Three-person basketball teams from several other cities will travel and compete against New Haven teams; New Haven will host the tournament NEXT weekend, August 3 – 4. New Haven’s Department of Youth Services is organizing the event, meant to foster friendly, spirited competition among young people from all four cities.

The tournament is one more part of a strategy to help keep young people engaged and productive during the summer season. Complementing the CB3B tournament will be a festival of food, fun, and music on the New Haven Green on both Saturday and Sunday.

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MAYOR HARP, ALDER EDWARDS, CITY STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF ‘SAFE NEWHALLVILLE INITATIVE’ MATCH NEIGHBORS WITH NEW AIR CONDITIONERS

New Haven – Mayor Harp, Alder Kim Edwards, former Alder Alpharetta Edwards, a team of outreach workers from the city’s Community Services Administration (CSA), and members of the Safe Newhallville Initiative successfully worked yesterday and this morning to match residents at risk of overheating with new air conditioners to help them through the current heat wave.

Mayor Harp and her staff successfully secured donations for reduced-price air conditioning units and successfully had them installed for more than 20 families that didn’t previously have air conditioning.

“As we’ve been saying, and as we’re now experiencing, the heat and humidity forecast for these next few days cannot be overlooked or underestimated,” Mayor Harp said. “The conditions we expect in New Haven could be the worst we’ve experienced in many years.”

“With that in mind, and with an abundance of caution, we identified several generous private sector donors and suppliers willing to work with us to match new air conditioners with at-risk residents who needed one,” Mayor Harp added.

More than $2,000 was raised from Eclipse Development, Branford Builders, Giordano Construction, and from three other donors that preferred to remain anonymous. Mayor Harp and CSA staff offered special thanks to Gary Gates of Newhallville Neighborhood Corporation and Rodney Williams of Mr. Rock Drywall for their contributions to the collaborative effort.

“Everyone among this group worked with an urgency befitting the circumstance these past couple days, bringing out the best of New Haven, and demonstrating the sense of community we share in this city,” Mayor Harp said. “I’m so grateful and couldn’t be more proud of this collective effort to protect vulnerable residents from the potentially harmful effects of these extreme summer conditions.”

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CITY TO ISSUE EXCESSIVE HEAT ALERT; ACTIVATE HIGH HEAT PROTOCOL TO PROTECT RESIDENTS

New Haven – Anticipating weather forecast to include excessive heat and humidity for the next several days, Mayor Toni N. Harp today directed city staff to issue an excessive heat alert and activate its high heat protocol, effective at noon Wednesday.

City officials will activate “cooling centers” for the members of the public to provide relief from the heat. And since high temperatures and humidity are expected to continue through the weekend and into next week, the “cooling centers” will remain open until further notice.

Residents are encouraged to check broadcast news outlets and the City’s website (www.newhavenct.gov) for additional updates. Elderly residents are reminded that the city’s senior centers require 24-hour notice to make reservations for meals.

The following locations will serve as “cooling centers” for seniors in New Haven:

These Cooling Center Locations will be open until 4:00 PM:

• Atwater Senior Center at 26 Atwater Street, New Haven
• Dixwell / Newhallville Senior Center at 255 Goffe Street, New Haven (people with wheelchairs will need assistance)
• East Shore Senior Center at 411 Townsend Avenue, New Haven

The following locations will serve as a “cooling center” for the general public:

• New Haven Free Public Library Main Building is located at 133 Elm Street; Open Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Fair Haven Branch Library is located at 182 Grand Avenue; Open Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday noon – 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Mitchell Branch Library is located at 37 Harrison Street; Open Monday noon – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday noon – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Stetson Branch Library is located at 200 Dixwell Avenue in the Dixwell Plaza; Open Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday noon – 8:00 p.m., Thursday noon – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Courtland Seymour Wilson Branch Library is located at 303 Washington Avenue; open Monday noon – 6:00, Tuesday noon – 8:00, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The following are City Parks with Splash pads which can be used for cooling off daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Residents are advised to check each location as some splash pads are currently being repaired.

• South Genesee Park, located on South Genesee Street
• Cedar Hill Playground, located at View Street and Rock Streets
• Edgewood Park located, located on the corner of Chapel Street & Ella T. Grasso Blvd
• Kensington Street Park, located between Edgewood Ave & Chapel Street (Closed for repairs)
• Jocelyn Square Park, located on the corner of Humphrey & East Streets
• Ann Street Park, located between Kossuth & West Streets
• Trowbridge Square Park, located at Cedar & Portsea Streets
• Galvin Park, located at Greenwich Avenue & First Street
• Lighthouse Point Park, located at 2 Lighthouse Road
• Scantlebury Park, located at Ashmum Street & Bristol Street 
• Edgewood Park, located at Ella T. Grasso Blvd & Stanley Street
• Dover Beach, located on Front Street

The following homeless shelters will be open during the day:

• Liberty Safe Haven Drop-In Center- 210 State St
• The 180 Center Drop-In Center – 793 Grand Avenue
• Taking Initiative Center Drop-In Center 514 Whalley Avenue
• Fellowship Place Drop-In Center – 441 Elm Street
• Youth Continuum Drop-In Center (youth) – 924 Grand Avenue

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MAYOR HARP ISSUES STATEMENT AHEAD OF THREATENED ICE DEPORTATION RAIDS

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp today issued the following statement ahead of threatened ICE deportation raids this weekend in arbitrarily selected American cities:

“There is no indication that New Haven will be targeted by potential ICE raids; regardless, New Haven policies remain unchanged regarding immigration. This city is not trained, equipped, nor interested in helping enforce inconsistent federal immigration standards.”

“New Haven has a long, proud legacy as a welcoming, accepting community, embracing new residents no matter where they come from,” Mayor Harp continued. “Given the continuing dearth of a lucid federal immigration policy, and for as long as I’m mayor, New Haven will continue its open-arms tradition for those fleeing oppression in other countries and for those who seek a better life here.”

“What’s more, I suspect recent ICE threats are more about sowing fear, terrorizing certain residents, dividing communities, and distracting the American people from the Trump administration’s deplorable record on other issues than it is about immigration enforcement.”

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Hello, everybody, and welcome to this year’s CTBig3BallOut! On behalf of all New Haven residents, I hope the players, families, friends, and fans here for the tournament from Hartford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury have a sensational time!

New Haven is delighted to once again host this high-energy, fantastically fun, three-on-three basketball tournament. Now in its fourth year, this two-day, four-city basketball bonanza has become the very definition of friendly, spirited competition among young people of all ages. Our four cities come together to organize this unique programming; I’m so grateful to all who make these tournaments so successful year after year.

I can’t yet predict which team – or which city – will earn victory in each age group this year. But I can tell you there will be serious competition, spirited games, model sportsmanship, and great enthusiasm among everyone.

This tournament helps young people learn about working together and teamwork. Competing against teams from other cities also helps them learn they’re part of a bigger picture – that young people in other parts of Connecticut are very much like they are, with comparable talent, ambition, and challenges.

The CTBig3BallOut builds community within each delegation of basketball teams and builds community among young people from different cities as well. To give you an idea how much weight New Haven puts on this event, courts will be set up on Church Street – right across from the historic New Haven Green and right in front of City Hall.

It’s a prominent place for teams to play, and a great place for everyone else to watch. Officials from each city agree this’ll be great fun: so once again, welcome to New Haven for the CTBig3BallOut!

Sincerely,
Toni N. Harp, Mayor
City of New Haven

Dawson survives knockdown to beat Rankin by decision

Unbeaten featherweight Williams keeps perfect record intact in co-feature

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (June 29th, 2019) – Back in the ring for the first time in more than two years, former world champion and pound-for-pound king Chad Dawson shook off some early rust and survived a flash knockdown Saturday at Foxwoods Resort Casino to earn a hard-fought win over Quinton Rankinat the Fox Theater. 

The 36-year-old New Haven, Conn., southpaw won for the first time since April of 2016, beating Rankin (15-6-2) by unanimous decision, 80-68, 78-72, 78-72, despite getting dropped by an uppercut in the fifth round. 

In what turned out to be a bizarre, somewhat sloppy, finish, Rankin had two points deducted – one in the fifth for swinging at Dawson while he was down and again in the seventh for hitting his opponent on the break. Even with the knockdown, Dawson (35-5) still dominated the majority of the rounds, ripping Rankin to the body and using his height and reach advantage to keep the free-swinging southpaw from boxing on the inside. 

In the co-main event, co-promoted by CES Boxing and Roc Nation Sports, New Haven featherweight Tramaine Williams (18-0) remained unbeaten with a methodical, 99-91, 99-91, 98-92 unanimous decision win over tough Filipino Neil John Tabanao (17-6). Williams’ hand speed was the difference and he consistently landed two-punch combos while boxing effectively on the outside. There weren’t a lot of long, drawn-out exchanges as neither fighter seemed too eager to box on the inside, but Williams no doubt got the better of his opponent with superior speed and footwork. 

In another wildly entertaining bout, Manchester, Conn., junior middleweight Jose Rivera (8-4) won his Connecticut homecoming, defeating Italian slugger Luca Podda (7-4) by unanimous decision, 59-54 on all three scorecards. The two came out throwing haymakers with Podda landing a few solid shots, but once Rivera regained his footing and slowed the fight down, he consistently backed Podda against the ropes and pressed the action. Rivera closed strong and scored a knockdown in the fourth round to seal the fight. 

Bridgeport, Conn., lightweight Oscar Bonilla (6-3-2) remained hot, winning his third consecutive bout and second in a row at Foxwoods with a 59-55 unanimous decision across the board against Worcester, Mass., vet Julio Perez (4-4). Bonilla’s work to the body was just too much for Perez to overcome as he maintained a consistent pace from the opening bell. 

The female flyweights kicked off the pro card in style with an entertaining, back-and-forth battle as New Haven’s Marisa Belenchia (1-0) earned the win in her professional boxing debut, beating Clearwater, Fla., native Delaney Owen (0-3), by unanimous decision, 40-36, 39-37, 39-37.

An accomplished amateur boxer, Belenchia is also a professional in mixed martial arts, where she currently boasts a 3-0 record. Her win Saturday came less than one month after her third career MMA win, which highlighted the preliminary card of CES MMA 56 in Hartford on May 31. 

In what might’ve been his most performance to date, New Bedford, Mass., super lightweight Wilson Mascarenhas (2-1) dominated Philadelphia pro debut Anthony Ramirez (0-1) to earn a 40-36 unanimous decision on all three scorecards. Fighting for the second time since April, Mascarenhas weaved in and out of traffic effectively, using his footwork to baffle Ramirez. The 24-year-old right-hander has now won back-to-back fights since taking a loss in his pro debut.

New Britain, Conn., featherweight Nathan Martinez (4-0) remained undefeated with an impressive unanimous decision win over Minnesota’s Jose Homar Rios (2-7-1) in what turned out to be a fast-paced slugfest with Martinez earning the 40-36 score on all three cards. Rios held his own, even landing a few effective body blows, but Martinez was the aggressor the entire night and simply kept applying the pressure to pile up points on the scorecard. 

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, and follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING. 

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (Friday, June 28th) – Listed below are official weights for all the participants on Saturday’s CES Boxing pro-am boxing event at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Fox Theater. 

The official start time Saturday for the main card is 7 p.m. ET. The preliminary amateur card begins at 5:30. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.foxwoods.comor at the Fox Theater Box Office. All fights and fighters subject to change. The main card streams live on Facebook via FIGHTNIGHT LIVE beginning at 8.

Visit www.cesboxing.com, www.twitter.com/cesboxing or www.facebook.com/cesboxing for more information, or follow CES Boxing on Instagram at @CESBOXING. 

CHAD DAWSON

New Haven, Conn.

34-5, 19 KOs

178

QUINTON RANKIN

Charlotte, N.C.

15-5-2, 12 KOs

179

TRAMAINE WILLIAMS

New Haven, Conn.

17-0, 6 KOs

123

NEIL JOHN TABANAO

Mandaue City, Philippines

17-5, 11 KOs

123

JOSE RIVERA

Manchester, Conn.

7-4, 5 KOs

161

LUCA PODDA

Miami, Fla.

7-3, 3 KOs

153

NATHAN MARTINEZ

New Britain, Conn.

3-0, 1 KO

125

JOSE HOMAR RIOS

Hawley, Minn.

2-6-1, 1 KO

127

OSCAR BONILLA

Bridgeport, Conn.

5-3-2, 1 KO

135

JULIO PEREZ

Worcester, Mass.

4-3

132

WILSON MASCARENHAS

New Bedford, Mass.

1-1

139

ANTHONY RAMIREZ

Philadelphia, Pa.

Pro debut

138

MARISA BELENCHIA

New Haven, Conn.

Pro debut

110

DELANEY OWEN

Clearwater, Fla.

0-2

111

– CES

“IMATTER” CITYWIDE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT FILLS THE CITY HALL ATRIUM WITH LOVE AS 10 NEW PORTRAITS OF NEW HAVEN YOUTH DEBUT! AT A 3PM RECEPTION, MAYOR HARP WILL SPEAK AND WYBC 94.3 WILL BROADCAST LIVE. “IMATTER” VOICES WILL ALSO LAUNCH WITH TWO AUDIO-READY ALUMINUM PANELS THAT INTERACT WITH SMARTPHONES.

New Haven, Connecticut (June 25, 2019) - The City of New Haven has partnered with the “IMatter” Project to showcase teens and young adults in a citywide public celebration of self-worth, compassion and community. Large-scale banners have been going up throughout the city at locations such as the Goffe Street Armory, Dollar Tree Store (Chapel Street), LoRicco Towers (Crown Street) and Dixwell Fire Station. Rob Goldman, founder and director of the “IMatter” Project said, “It's thrilling to see the City of New Haven coming together in support of our mission. Big-hearted people from government, education, the arts, the media, business, real estate development, parents, students, the list goes on, all stepping up help us give New Haven’s youth the voice they deserve.”

On Tuesday, June 25, at 3pm, the “IMatter” Project, the Youth Services Department (YSD) of the City of New Haven and 94.3 WYBC Radio welcome all to a kickoff reception as “IMatter” comes to the City Hall Atrium. Ten positive portraits of New Haven youth photographed by Goldman will fill the lobby with love. Led by Mayor Toni N. Harp, a brief presentation will showcase the youth, some of whom will be present. Mayor Harp said, “As mayor, I’m so proud New Haven is hosting this initiative.” Juan Castillo from “The Juan Castillo Morning Show” will be on hand, doing interviews that will broadcast live on 94.3 WYBC. An “IMatter” photo booth will be set up where guests can get their picture taken, create their word bubble and have it posted on the “IMatter” Facebook and Instagram pages. Spoken word artists will be on hand and pizza will be served. Free “IMatter”/94.3 WYBC bracelets will be given out, along with other swag.

"IMatter" Voices will be launched at this event as the first two audio-enabled, 59" by 78" aluminum panels that interact with smartphones are shown. Statements from "IMatter" youth can be heard by either scanning a QR code from each panel or using a phone's "search" feature to find the youth’s name. A prototype of an "IMatter" Tower will also be displayed. This is a preview of what New Haven will see in September when a nearly 10-foot-high illuminated tower will be permanently installed in the Dixwell Neighborhood with 36 photos of New Haven youth. Those photos are being shot this summer by "IMatter" founder and director, Rob Goldman with the youth selected by the tower’s sponsor, the Livable City Initiative (LCI). The audio derives by ongoing interviews, hosted by “IMatter” partner, 94.3 WYBC radio.

Tuesday’s effort continues the citywide youth empowerment effort, which started with the display of the initial 12 banners of the project, which were funded entirely by New Haven’s Youth Services Department. Jason Bartlett, Director of the Youth Services Department (YSD), said, “As a City, we will continually invest and value our youth. Part of that investment is recognizing the importance of self-esteem and a positive identity Juan Castillo, General Manager of WYBC radio, an “IMatter” partner said, “’IMatter’ brings us together under one banner.” “There is nothing more joyful and powerful than seeing our youth bear witness to their fullest expression,” said Erik Clemons, CEO of ConnCAT, another project supporter.

The “IMatter” Project is a multimedia youth empowerment program that celebrates the sanctity and self-worth of teens and young adults. The comprehensive public media campaign cultivates civic empowerment, uplifting and uniting citizens of all ages while instilling a sense of communal pride and promise. Founder and director Rob Goldman said, “We are giving New Haven youth a face and a voice.

The public art program features Goldman’s compelling photographic portraits accompanied by “IMatter” statements, written and spoken by each subject. Irresistible, young faces broadcast reflective messages of optimism that drive community engagement through larger-than-life banners, billboards, audio recordings, radio broadcasts and interactive exhibits. Captivating works are designed to provoke intergenerational discourse about critical youth issues that include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, mental illness, gang violence and suicide.

The aesthetic uplift of the “IMatter” campaign inspires people to imagine and build a healthy community while promoting empathy, belonging and hope. We bring together the forces and faces of communities with an enticing platform that invites and unites governmental, civic, educational, corporate and philanthropic forces that bring about positive change. As a result, economic development and social/emotional health are positively impacted as people of all ages connect and celebrate within and across cultures.

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If you would like more information about the “IMatter” Project, please call Bo Sandine, Program Manager, at 720.470.8803 or email bo@imatterproject.org

Monday June 24 at 9:30AM at New Haven City Hall, Mayor Toni Harp of New Haven will be joined by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Mayor Curtis Leng of Hamden, Superintendent Carol Birks of New Haven, Superintendent Jody Goeler of Hamden, and Board of Education Member Joe Rodriguez at a press conference to officially kick off the Summer Meals Program in New Haven and Hamden.

Providing children with access to nutritious food beyond the school year and into the summer months has clear health, education, and economic benefits. Children obtain 50% of their calories from food eaten at school through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and the benefits of these programs have been demonstrated. The Summer Meals Program aims to address that significant gap in nutrition. Lack of access to meals beyond the school year exacerbates summer learning loss (also known as “summer slide”), health issues like obesity, and further increases the opportunity gap. In fact, food insecurity is significantly predictive of poor physical and cognitive development in children. In 2018, nearly 195,000 meals were served during the 8-week period that Summer Meals Program operated in New Haven and Hamden. The vast majority of meal sites, nearly 70, and all of the most utilized locations, were in New Haven.

The New Haven Food Policy Council (NHFPC), a commission of the City of New Haven, has been partnering with the New Haven Public Schools Food Service Department, the Food System Policy Division of the City of New Haven, and End Hunger CT! to reach more New Haven kids through the Summer Meals Program since 2014. In that time, we saw significant increases in the program utilization, especially in neighborhood-based supper meals. The Summer Meals Program has always relied on outstanding local community partnerships to plan and promote the Summer Meals Program. These vital planning and outreach efforts are possible because of the United Way of Greater New Haven, Witnesses to Hunger, CT Food Bank, Community Action Agency of New Haven, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, and CitySeed.

Monday, June 24 at 9:30AM at City Hall for the Summer Meals Mayoral Press Conference.