City Initiatives

City of New Haven Department of Arts and Culture | New Haven Festivals

The Department of Arts and Culture assists, promotes, and encourages artists, arts and cultural organizations and events in New Haven while also serving as the steward for the municipal collection of globally inspired public art.  By celebrating arts and culture, it becomes a catalyst for economic development, equitable civic engagement, and spiritual uplift.

The Fellow will assist the Department with the curation and management of partnerships in presenting localized Summer/Fall events.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Agency website: newhavenct.gov/arts

The Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking (TT&P) addresses the safety and mobility needs of the City while ensuring the quality of life of its residents. This includes planning and implementing projects and operations by prioritizing equity, public health and resilience from a systems perspective. The City is home to approximately 135,000 residents with almost a third of residents (primarily low-income, people of color) who do not own automobiles and who primarily rely on transit and other non-motorized modes to commute. Keeping in view the historical inequities and issues, this department is committed to working collaboratively with the residents, policy makers and other important stakeholders to provide innovative solutions to improve safety, mobility and accessibility within the transportation system.  

The Fellow will primarily support the implementation of the action items identified in the recently adopted City-wide Active Transportation Plan, also known as the Safe Routes For All (SRFA) plan. The work will include collecting data; performing data analysis and research; creating databases; developing materials and graphics for communication with city staff and the public; and coordinating and communicating with the public.

CitySeed is a community-based nonprofit with a mission to engage the community in growing an equitable, local food system that promotes economic development, community development and sustainable agriculture.  Cityseed has three programs: Sanctuary Kitchen, Incubates, and Farmers Markets. Its food entrepreneurship programs, Sanctuary Kitchen and Incubates, focus on supporting under-resourced chefs through affordable kitchen rentals, a Food Business Accelerator, and hands-on resources. CitySeed’s farmers markets host over 30 local farmers each year across the city at 3 locations. These  markets serve as one of the leading redemption sites in the state for nutrition benefits. CitySeed’s markets team also works to advance policies related to sustainable agriculture and farm viability.

The Fellow will assist the farmers market team with administering its SNAP and FMNP doubling programs, as well as leading market programming like children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, and community activities. The Fellow will also assist with CitySeed’s food entrepreneurship programs, assisting its storytelling campaign by documenting the journey of their diverse food entrepreneurs, creating engaging social media content, and coordinating feedback sessions.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Learn more: cityseed.org

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK)

DESK serves people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty by providing food assistance and services that promote health, community, and equity. 

The Fellow will work with DESK’s program staff to coordinate the weekly food pantry program; assist with coordination of the distribution of meals as part of DESK’s nightly dinner program; and oversee the Friday and Saturday evening Yale Community Kitchen program in coordination with DESK staff; and gain an in-depth understanding of how frontline social services for people experiencing homelessness.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Learn more: deskct.org

The Greater Dwight Development Corporation (GDDC) is a grassroots community organization founded in 1994 by seven women to address the neighborhood’s concerns about drugs, gangs, and crime. GDDC’s mission is to enhance the socio-economic well-being of Dwight neighborhood residents through a variety of initiatives. These initiatives include implementing the Neighborhood Plan, which focuses on increasing access to education and child development activities, job training, and affordable housing. The plan also promotes community beautification and encourages economic development by expanding existing businesses and attracting new ones. GDDC also revitalizes housing by developing affordable options and providing home repair assistance through programs like the Homeowner Assistance Program.

The Fellow will play a crucial role in the next phase of a 30-year community development initiative. In collaboration with GDDC and the Dwight Central Management Team, the Fellow will organize and document community conversations. These conversations will focus on preserving the community-driven nature of development work in Dwight and inform the next round of the neighborhood plan. By engaging residents in discussions about the history of past plans, accomplishments, and current challenges, the Fellow will help shape the future of the neighborhood.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Learn more: gddcnh.org

Greater New Haven Chamber

The Greater New Haven Chamber advocates for businesses and promotes economic growth in the region. . The Chamber’s vision is to be a leading voice in creating a thriving and inclusive business environment, and its goal is to make the Greater New Haven region a desirable place to work, live, and conduct business.  

The Fellow will work with the Vice President on economic development and workforce initiatives.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Learn more: gnhcc.com

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven

The New Haven Urban Resources Initiative (URI) is a nonprofit Yale School of the Environment partnership that empowers and supports communities in the restoration, stewardship and enjoyment of the urban forest and nature in New Haven. URI hires community forestry interns for its Community Greenspace program each summer.  Through this program, URI community foresters work with about forty community groups in middle- and low-income neighborhoods to reclaim, restore, and replant parks, vacant lots, and streetscapes while revitalizing New Haven communities. URI community foresters receive training in urban forestry, project planning, site assessment, social forestry, and research techniques, and gain experience working with community groups, city officials, and nonprofit agencies. 

The Community Greenspace program’s goals are to conduct resident-led environmental restoration, to build community, and to foster stewardship and civic empowerment. Each community forestry intern provides technical and material support to six or seven community groups engaged in environmental rehabilitation projects, such as tree planting, vacant lot restoration, or invasive species removal.

Please note that this placement begins on May 13, 2025.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Sanctuary Kitchen

Sanctuary Kitchen is a non-profit organization that partners with refugee and immigrant chefs to create economic opportunities and foster intercultural understanding through food. Since its inception in 2017, Sanctuary Kitchen has developed a multifaceted approach to supporting these chefs. Its Culinary Training Program provides professional development and job search assistance. The organization also runs a successful catering business featuring a diverse range of global cuisines. In addition, Sanctuary Kitchen hosts community-based culinary events and programs led by refugee and immigrant chefs. These programs are designed to include individuals from various backgrounds and levels of experience. Ultimately, Sanctuary Kitchen strives to combat the challenges faced by many new immigrants and refugees, including social isolation, financial instability, unemployment, and discrimination.

The Fellow will participate in food preparation, develop social media content, conduct outreach, engage in administrative and research tasks, and support food sales at CitySeed farmers markets. Specific tasks vary based on the fellow’s interest and expertise, as well as program needs.

Read the organization’s placement proposal

Learn more: cityseed.org/sanctuary-kitchen

Yale Urban Design Workshop