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New Haven alder caucus approves donations to local groups, schedules outreach events
Summary
The New Haven alder caucus voted to approve donation requests and standing $1,000 awards for scholarships and senior centers, and discussed a series of community events and outreach programs scheduled for March and April.
The New Haven alder caucus voted to support all donation and advertising requests presented at its meeting and approved standing $1,000 contributions to the New Haven scholarship fund, a Hispanic firefighters scholarship and local senior centers.
The motion to approve the requests was made and seconded during the meeting and carried on a voice vote. "I make a motion. We support all the requests that came in," said Alder Rodriguez, Carmen, who moved the motion; a member seconded and the chair called for aye votes. The chair announced the motion passed with no opposed or abstentions recorded.
Why it matters: The caucus' decision directs modest but recurring discretionary funds to neighborhood organizations that run youth programs, cultural events and senior services. Several requests sought small donations or program ads; others were for event sponsorships that organizers said support outreach and direct services.
Most of the requests were described by caucus staff and included: - Infinite Illusions drill team: annual request to help with new recruits' uniforms and parade participation. - Hill Legendary Basketball Committee: a $300 request to support an annual community basketball event. - Elm City Club (City Club of the National Association of Business and Professional Women): sponsorship/advertising for its 49th annual Sojourner Truth Founders Day event on April 12. - Newhallville Neighborhood Corporation: an ad/sponsorship for its black-tie affair honoring community leaders; one honoree is a caucus board member. - Black Maternal Health Project (in collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University nursing, public health and social work departments): a summit on April 12 with multiple sponsorship levels and ad opportunities. - Living United CT: a youth suicide-prevention event called Ignite (described at the meeting as March 15 at Q House) seeking additional food and support after attendance grew. A Living United representative told the caucus, "the number was supposed to be 62, but the number has gone up to more than a hundred families."
Caucus members also confirmed standing donations. The chair said the caucus' customary $1,000 recipients — the New Haven scholarship fund, the Hispanic firefighters scholarship and local senior centers — should be addressed and forwarded for payment.
Discussion and next steps: Committee members praised the local groups and urged timely follow-up. The chair said staff will send emails summarizing decisions and next steps, and asked presenters to forward any missing flyers or formal requests. The caucus noted a preference for having written requests on file for groups the caucus has not previously funded.
Other community announcements discussed during the meeting (for outreach, publicity or member attention) included: - Youth & Recreation Department book-award scholarships: applications available March 3–March 28 (as announced), awards up to $1,000 for New Haven residents who are high school seniors or first-year college students. - Wooster Square Farmers Market: opening day April 5 at Conte West School, 511 Chapel Street. - Empowering First-Time Homebuyers seminar: March 27, 5:30–8:00 p.m., at the LEED New Haven Community Center, 100 Crown Street; free and open to New Haven residents. - A Newhallville Corporation gala on April 17; tickets were announced at $85.
The caucus adjourned after confirming staff will follow up by email with sponsors' contact information, donation-processing details and posting information for the community events noted above.
