INNER-CITY NEWS

NEWS- July THE INNER-CITY INNER-CITY NEWS April27, 06,2016 2022- August - April02, 12, 2016 2022

Winfield & Family Safe After Outsideat Home; State SenatorConvention Was Not Target Financial Justice aShooting Key Focus 2016 NAACP New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS

Volume 29 . No. 24534 Volume 21 No. 2194

Malloy Malloy To To Dems: Dems:

“DMC” Mother Atkinson Joyner

Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime”

Mother Joyner, at right, with her cousin Paula Darden Turner.

Motown Legend Smokey Robinson

Color Struck?

Snow in July?

FOLLOW USWhat ON Is Autism?

1

1

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

2

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Sisters’ Journey April Survivor of the Month- Lola Hailey-Kendricks “I Am Saved By Grace” At the age of 54, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2013. It happened so suddenly. While I was taking a shower on a Saturday morning, I felt a lump that I had never noticed on my right breast. As I pushed it to feel the size of the lump, an indescribable pain shot through my body and I screamed loudly. This brought my husband into the bathroom to ask what happened. I asked him to feel the lump.

To his surprise, it was too big to ignore.

We made the decision to go to the emergency room at Bridgeport Hospital. I was seen by an emergency room doctor who decided it wasn’t any type of cyst and he felt as we did – that it was a lump that should not be ignored and required further examination. There were no breast cancer specialists on weekend duty in the emergency room. The doctor discharged me with pain medication and an early Monday appointment at the Norma Phriem Breast Cancer Clinic for a mammogram and any other tests that would be needed.

I went to my appointment and had both a mammogram and ultrasound. My results showed I had two lumps in the right

breast. I was asked to stay for a biopsy.

The biopsy was completed and I went home to await the results. We were told it may take a few days. Unfortunately, a few days turned into a week, and a week turned into 10 days as we awaited the phone call about the results. The oncologist assigned to my case gave us a courtesy call after five days to explain that the tests were being closely looked at due to the aggressive multiplication of the lumps.

When the test results were finally in, my husband and I arrived at the hospital early to meet with the oncologist and the patient care coordinator to discuss my diagnosis and course of treatment. I was introduced to the surgeon assigned to my case (Dr. Steve Garvey) and a diagnostician that read the test results. They each explained their roles regarding my case.

The oncologist explained that the masses were cancerous, Stage 2 (borderline Stage 3) in the HER2 category – very aggressive. The diagnostician explained that the delay in my diagnosis was due to the need to look at the lab results multiple times so as not to miss what they suspected – that the type of breast cancer I had was invasive and the cancer cells in my body

were multiplying at an extremely rapid rate (days). My treatment needed to begin that day!

Before treatment could begin, we all needed to agree with the treatment team’s advice about surgery, chemotherapy, and all the pretesting. A decision about ra-

diation was to be made afterwards. The team advised me to have a mastectomy.

I could opt to remove both breasts; or only the right cancerous breast, at which time I could choose to have a breast implant placed in immediately following the surgery. I was steady and calm initially.

Then, increasingly, my world began caving in on me. I became overwhelmed with fear that crept in like a flood (we were talking about my LIFE here). I began to sob. I tried to hold back the tears to not seem weak, but the tears kept falling. My husband grabbed one hand and the patient care coordinator held the other. Dr. Persico said: “Keep the faith, Lola. You have one of the best treatment teams in this hospital.” The Peace of God came over me and I heard a clear voice say, ”You will live and not die and it will be a rough road.” I composed myself, looked at everyone and repeated what God spoke to my heart. Fear left me and courage came in. The Holy Spirit comforted me. Sadness and loneliness slowly left me with God’s promise: To Never Leave Me Nor Forsake Me, God’s Grace is Sufficient; By his Stripes I am Healed. I was lead to read Psalm 91, recite Jeremiah 29:11. At that moment I knew in my heart that I was

not only embarking on a physical healing, but also a spiritual journey!

With God, faith, and an experienced medical team, I had a successful surgery – except for the implant procedure that did not happen due to unexpected circumstances. Moving forward, the doctors decided to resume my chemotherapy, which was disrupted many times during my treatment because of the infections and unplanned surgeries. In conclusion, “I knew the fruits of the spirit and etched them in my heart as I held on to the word of God.” Finally, Jesus walked with me when he gave me a support system that was beyond anything I could ask for, think of, or imagine! My husband was my rock; my sisters, my son, my church, the cards, phone calls were all uplifting; and more than anything, the presence of the Holy Spirit provided strength in my weakness.

I was humbled with the support I was given to let me know daily that truly, I Am Saved by Grace. I am a nine-year survivor as of April 2022. I must tell the world and shout to the mountaintops wherever God leads me, that it is not about me, but about our God the Healer who lives in me and so much more!

Black History of Health: Venus Williams

by Jasmine Browley, BlackDoctor.com

Venus Willams is incomparable.

One of the most decorated tennis players in its history, she has managed to come out as the victor of most challenges she faced on the court. One obstacle she didn’t foresee was her battle with her own body while in the prime of her career.

For the past decade, she has struggled with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects about 4 million people in the U.S. She first began noticing symptoms in 2004, experiencing fatigue and breathing difficulty.

“No matter how hard I worked, I was exhausted, short of breath, and never felt in shape. It was really frustrating,” Williams told Prevention.com in an interview. “My symptoms got progressively worse, to the point where I couldn’t play professional tennis anymore.”

It took seven years to get an official diagnosis. Sjogren’s syndrome is most commonly spotted by doctors based on two of its most common symptoms: dry eye and dry mouth. But unfortunately with most autoimmune diseases, the symptoms are easily disguised by revolving causes.

So, what is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

According to Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation, it is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. Along

• Eye Tests • Schirmer test: Measures tear production.

• Rose Bengal and Lissamine Green: Uses dyes to examine the surface of the eyes for dry spots.

• Dental Tests • Salivary Flow: Measures the amount of saliva produced over a certain period of time.

• Salivary Gland Biopsy (usually in the lower lip): Confirms lymphocytic infiltration of the minor salivary glands.

with symptoms of extensive dryness, other serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies, and lymphomas.

How is it diagnosed?

The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation reports that there is no single test that will confirm the diagnosis of Sjögren’s and thus physicians must How is it diagnosed?

The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation reports that there is no single test that will confirm the diagnosis of Sjögren’s and thus physicians must conduct a series of tests and ask about symptoms the patient is experiencing.

Rheumatologists are mostly responsible for identifying, diagnosing, and managing Sjögren’s and typically conduct a series of tests based on what patients have shared about symptoms. Additionally, eye or oral specialists might run tests if Sjögren’s is suspected.

Physicians will use a number of tests and questions to determine a Sjögren’s diagnosis. These tests may include some of the following: • Blood Tests • SS-A (or Ro) and SS-B (or La): Marker antibodies for Sjögren’s. 70% of Sjögren’s patients are positive for SS-A and 40% are positive for SS-B. Also found in lupus patients.

What treatments are available?

Fortunately, the illness can be managed.

In some situations, lifestyle changes can help certain symptoms such as fatigue and gastro-intestinal reflux, and over-thecounter products can help manage symptoms such as dryness.

Sjögren’s patients are often advised on a combination of management strategies, over-the-counter products and prescription drugs. Most patients will need prescription medications at some point in their disease course to help control their disease and reduce the potential for complications.

A number of different medications are available that can be used to manage symptoms. Currently, no single medication has been conclusively proven to slow the progression of Sjögren’s or treat all aspects of the disease.

Venus Williams

3

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Blatteau, Brackeen Push “Fully Funded” Schools

by THOMAS BREEN and PAUL BASS New Haven Independent

“We are in a serious crisis when it comes to fully staffing our public schools in New Haven.”

Teachers union President Leslie Blatteau issued that warning and a pitch for more support twice Wednesday evening as New Haven confronts a choice over how much to pay for public education.

First Blatteau joined 150 other public education advocates at a downtown march and set of rallies, during which Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen Jr. vowed to support “full funding” for the New Haven Public Schools during upcoming budget deliberations.

Then Blatteau testified at the Board of Alders Finance Committee’s latest public hearing about Mayor Justin Elicker’s proposed $633 million general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2022 – 23 (FY23).

The latter in-person hearing took place in the Career High School auditorium on Legion Avenue, as part of an annual local legislative effort to solicit public input on the budget by hosting hearings outside of the alders’ typical meeting place in City Hall.

Blatteau was one of only three people to speak up about the proposed budget during the public hearing section of Wednesday night’s meeting.

The teacher’s union president offered her testimony at roughly the same time that, a few blocks away downtown, several dozen teachers, students, school staffers, and public education advocates rallied outside of the New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) headquarters at 54 Meadow St. in support of “fair funding for all public schools.” She also spoke up two days after top NHPS admins braced during the latest Board of Education meeting for an anticipated second spike in teacher resignations, and concerns were raised about a lack of money for teacher recruitment and retention.

That was exactly the topic Blatteau focused on during her three minutes at the mic before the Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Because of tech problems with the auditorium’s lighting and microphones, the alders set up their table towards the better-lit back of the stage — while the members of the public who spoke up offered their testimony 15 feet away where the seating area began.)

She told the alders that she is concerned about the “education budget,” and, in particular, about the “teacher shortage issue.”

The mayor’s proposed general fund budget includes $195.7 million for the city school system, an increase of $5 million from the current fiscal year’s budget. The Board of Education has requested $200 million, so alders will now consider a final number.

Blatteau said that New Haven has not been immune to the statewide and nationwide teacher shortages.

Currently, she said, NHPS has 139 vacan-

Penfield Communications Inc

John P. Thomas Publisher / CEO

Babz Rawls Ivy

Editor-in-Chief Liaison, Corporate Affairs Babz@penfieldcomm.com

Advertising/Sales Team Keith Jackson 10 Delores Alleyne John Thomas, III

Editorial Team

Staff Writers Christian Lewis/Current Affairs Anthony Scott/Sports Arlene Davis-Rudd/Politics PAUL BASS PHOTO Brackeen at rally: "It should not take a pandemic to do the right thing!” cies among certified teaching positions.

“Other districts are seeking us out,” she said.

Blatteau is a social studies teacher at Metropolitan Business Academy. In comparison to math, science, special ed, and bilingual teachers, she said, she is “a dime a dozen.”

And yet, she said, she recently received her first “poaching email” from the school district in Stamford.

Blatteau said she’s not leaving New Haven anytime soon. But she did take a look at the Stamford school teacher contract.

“I would probably make $20,000 more if I took the job in Stamford,” she said.

“This is the reality we’re facing.”

She said that many of her colleagues are leaving the district — not always because of better money elsewhere. But often beTeachers, parents, labor activists rally outside City Hall for full state and local school funding. cause of better money elsewhere. Many Right before that, Blatteau made the and our young people and our teachers,” of them have realized that they can make $10,000 — $15,000 more per year if they same pitch to a like-minded assemblage: Brackeen declared, standing on the City 150 teachers, students, and labor activists Hall steps beside one of his daughters, work elsewhere in the state.

“We want to do the jobs that we were from around the state gathered outside Chelsea, who attends Davis Street School. hired to do,” she said. “But we are doing the 54 Meadow St. New Haven Public Brackeen, a Hillhouse High grad, spoke the work of multiple people because of Schools HQ for an education-full-funding of his previous experience teaching at rally organized by a 58-member coalition Lincoln-Bassett School: “We had to raise these vacancies.” our own money to raise our supplies.

Blatteau said that, in past conversations called Recovery for All. The group then marched to City Hall for Let’s refund our teachers for the supplies with alders about this teacher shortage issue, local legislators have pointed out a second set of speeches. At a time when that they buy.”

To that end, he said, “It’s budget time that the district has “plenty of money” the state has a surplus, when hundreds right now, what with the flood of federal of millions of dollars in pandemic relief here at City Hall. We can no longer flatmoney is pouring into government coffers fund this budget. We have to fully fund pandemic-relief funds.

But, she said, “our salaries are paid for by (and when the state is offering a gas tax the budget.”

“Fully fund the budget! Fully fund the cut), schools should not be shortchanged, general funds.” budget!” the crowd chanted in response.

New Haven is lucky to receive “many speakers argued.

Upper Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen “When the time comes,” Brackeen addgrants,” she said. But those don’t pay the salaries for chemistry teachers, bilingual (who’s also exploring a run for secretary ed. “you have my vote and support. It educators, paraprofessionals, instruction- of the state) brought the message back should not have to take a pandemic and al coaches, and special educators who are home by promising the crowd he will a rally for us to do the right thing. Do the push for fully funding the Board of Edu- right thing!” being lured away to other districts.

“Do the right thing!” the crowd chanted.

“We need the budget fully funded,” Blat- cation’s $200 million budget request at “Do the right thing,” Brackeen repeatupcoming deliberations. teau pleaded. “I can’t imagine what fall is “If we’re not fully funding the budget, ed — as did the crowd. going to be like if it’s not.” we’re doing a disservice to my daughter Teachers March

4

Contributing Writers David Asbery / Tanisha Asbery Jerry Craft / Cartoons / Barbara Fair Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur Michelle Turner / Smita Shrestha William Spivey / Kam Williams Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

Contributors At-Large Christine Stuart

www.CTNewsJunkie.com

Paul Bass www.newhavenindependent.org

Memberships National Association of Black Journalist National Newspapers Publishers Association Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Greater New Haven Business & Professional Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. The Inner-City Newspaper is published weekly

by Penfield Communications, Inc. from offices located at 50 Fitch Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06515. 203-387-0354 phone; 203-3872684 fax. Subscriptions:$260 per year (does not include sales tax for the in State subscriptions). Send name, address, zip code with payment. Postmaster, send address changes to 50 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515. Display ad deadline Friday prior to insertion date at 5:00pm Advertisers are responsible for checking ads for error in publication. Penfield Communications, Inc d.b.a., “The Inner-City Newspaper” , shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad or for typographical errors or errors in publication, except to the extent of the cost of the space in which actual error appeared in the first insertion. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The entire contents of The Inner-City Newspaper are copyright 2012, Penfield Communications, Inc. and no portion may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Meet Me At Mother Atkinson Joyner Corner

you did behind the scenes, but I know them and I know you have a heart of gold,” said Doreen Corbett, Joyner’s cousin, in her remarks.

“Feeding the community, clothing the community,” she said. “If someone was short on rent, if they couldn’t keep the lights on, the gas on, she’d get involved, even out of her own pocket.”

“The only thing that’s missing is your broom,” her niece, Patricia Atkinson Reynolds, said, referring to Joyner famously sweeping the street and picking up trash to keep the neighborhood tidy.

“You brought up four children, and then you buried one, and you raised five more,” she went on, of Joyner raising five of her grandchildren when her daughter died in an automobile accident.

“You have always been there for us and we hope we have always been there for you.”

Standing near the back of the crowd, Jesse Hameen II, a jazz drummer who has performed with Ruth Brown, Etta James, and Bonnie Raitt and toured worldwide, said his father and Joyner’s mother were first cousins.

“I’ve known her my entire life,” said Ha-

by LISA REISMAN

New Haven Independent

“We’re all related,” a voice in the crowd remarked Saturday in the moments before the corner of Newhall and Huntington Streets officially became “Mother Mary E. Atkinson Joyner Corner.”

The spirited crowd of 125 turned out on a crisp, sun-lit day to honor Joyner, the “well-respected church mother, community leader, and longtime gospel promoter,” as the official city citation described her.

Joyner was clad at the event in a black pillbox hat, a finely embroidered black coat, and dark sunglasses. She turned 100 in September.

“Her brother is here, her cousin, her daughter is here, her great grandchildren, her great-great grandchildren, her nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, great nephews, cousins,” noted ceremony emcee Sean Hardy, himself a second cousin of Mother Mary Etta, as she’s known.

“You name it, we’re here,” In December, the Board of Alders approved the unanimous recommendation of the board’s City Services & Environmental Policy Committee to designate the corner in her name.

“Not many people will know the things

Mother Joyner at Saturday's event.

Emcee Sean Hardy with Mother Mary Etta Atkinson.

5

Con’t on page 17

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Students Offered Head Start On Manufacturing

by LAURA GLESBY

New Haven Independent

Sxth-graders Tyler and Troy took turns peering at the instruction manual illustrating how the walls and gears on the table in front of them fit together — and imagining the claw robot (“clawbot”) that would soon be roving around by their own design.

The team shared their work with New Haven legislators and leaders in the entrance of the Hillhouse High School athletic center on Monday morning, as Board of Ed officials announced a new program geared toward technology-curious students like Tyler and Troy.

The announcement: Next year, 45 ninth graders and five to 10 adult education students will be able to pursue an associate’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology at Gateway Community College alongside their high school degrees.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who represents New Haven in Congress, secured $2 million for the program as part of a federal “community project” (aka revived Congressional earmarks) funding package.

That money will go toward building laboratories in Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross High Schools, which will serve students in the program from those high schools as well as Career High and adult education.

The program is still accepting applications.

As officials discussed the details of the manufacturing program, about a dozen sixth-grade robotics students from Barnard Environmental Science and Technol-

LAURA GLESBY PHOTO Troy and Tyler piece their robot together "like a puzzle.”

Barnard students pose with their robots, teacher Peter Greco, Principal Bob McCain, and city leaders.

ogy Interdistrict Magnet School worked diligently on their robots and showed off their work to the politicians. They demonstrated the potential impact that school leaders hope a manufacturing track will have on high school students.

That impact includes not only a technical knowledge of how robots and other devices work, but the resilience, focus, teamwork, and determination it takes to construct a complicated device as part of a team.

Hours before the robot exhibit and press conference event, Troy and Tyler’s robot had crashed to pieces on the bus ride to Hillhouse. But the team wasn’t fazed by the setback. They dove into their work, furrowing their brows and conferring with one another about which part was supposed to go where.

“It’s like a puzzle,” said Tyler, who said he wants to one day become an engineer.

“You have to find all the pieces.”

Troy said he’s looking to develop expertise in hands-on technology projects like this one. “Maybe in the future, I want to build a robot myself.”

Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey said the high school trade program is meant to serve both students interested in manufacturing as a career and students like Tyler who want to become engineers and scientists.

“Many students will choose our manufacturing program because they want to find work that pays a living wage and graduate from high school with extra credits,” she said. “Others will find that

studying manufacturing awakens an interest in science, technology, or engineering and they will pursue that interest through future college study.”

The program comes at a time when New Haven students, along with kids across the country, are struggling to weather the mental health consequences of the pandemic.

Mayor Justin Elicker recalled Keiron Jones, a beloved Hillhouse junior who died by gun violence in March. “We need to do so much more to keep our young people on track,” he said. Some students are not planning to go to college, he added, and the manufacturing program will give those students a pathway to success.

City officials and industry advocates also noted that the program fits into a broader agenda of supporting manufacturing businesses in Connecticut, as the sector faces job vacancies and recruitment difficulties.

Elicker connected the program to the war in Ukraine, noting that sanctions on Russia have illuminated “the importance of us relying on our own economy.”

“Who says manufacturing is not alive and well in New Haven?” DeLauro asked rhetorically.

Students and families interested in the program should attend an information session, according to Assistant Superintendent Ivelise Velazquez. The sessions will take place on April 5, April 14, and April 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3627….

Winfield & Family Safe After Shooting Outside Home; State Senator Was Not Target

by PAUL BASS

New Haven Independent

New Haven’s gun violence came to Gary Winfield’s front door Monday night — and left him as resolved as ever to find alternative solutions to “lock-emup” policies.

Winfield, a 48-year-old state senator who co-chairs the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, was with his three kids inside his home at Winchester Avenue and Division Street in New Haven’s Newhallville neighborhood around 7 p.m. when they heard gunshots.

“I immediately went to the ground and took the kids with me,” he said.

“I hear somebody. It sounds like he’s out in our yard, saying, ‘He got shot,’” Winfield’s 16-year-old son said.

After ensuring the kids were OK, and that his older son was watching the 4‑year-old twins, Winfield went outside to look. He found a 33-year-old man on the front porch. He’d been shot.

Neighbors were already there, including State Rep. Robyn Porter, who lives across the street.

The victim was alert, able to talk. At least one bullet had passed through

his body.

“I was so grateful [Winfield’s] kids didn’t get hurt, and the man was able to walk to the stretcher,” Porter later said.

Porter had been on her way to Winfield’s house to pick up a memorial frame at the time for local activist Arthur Perlo, who recently died.

Cops arrived almost immediately.

“From the beginning of the investigation, it was clear the senator obviously wasn’t targeted. Somebody was walking down the street. A [driver] opened fire.

[The victim] ran toward the house,” said Assistant Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

Jacobson said police collected “multiple shell casings” at the scene and are pursuing leads about a suspect’s vehicle.

Winfield’s focus shifted to a third stage: From the immediate concern for his family, his subsequent concern for the victim, to … “Let me see if the house was hit.”

It was. One bullet went through a window above the front door and took out the framing. There was debris in the house.

One bullet entered the garage.

Winfield called his wife, who wasn’t home at the time. She’d already seen the news online. Winfield was the legisla-

Winfield: "Not new.” ture’s original social-media maven, building a thousands-strong following back in the day before other lawmakers learned how to tweet and post on Facebook.

6

Most of the hundreds of messages Winfield received in subsequent hours expressed love and support. Some critics of his political positions offered “how does it feel now?” type of responses: Winfield (along with colleagues like his neighbor Porter) has been among the state’s leading opponents of mass incarceration and proponents of police reform. He led the successful effort to ban the death penalty, for instance, and pass a police accountability law.

The morning after the shooting, Winfield remained as resolute as ever to pursue policies addressing the roots of crime over the long-term locking-up of large groups of people.

Winfield said he has grown accustomed to hearing gunfire on his street. This time it happened to come to his doorstep.

“I grew up in a housing project in the South Bronx. I’ve lived in these kinds of neighborhoods all my life. I’m not new to crime,” Winfield said. “It doesn’t change mind about mass incarceration. When I was a kid I slept with a knife under my blanket. If crime was going to make me conservative, more lock-em-up, I would never have been the person any of you

have known. It is the fact that I know crime and where it tends to be — that makes me who I am.

“This just further convinces me. This is part of a panoply of traumatic issues that young people have to live with. When they happen over and over again, it does something to the human psyche. We can put in place all the laws we want to punish people. If we’re not dealing with the trauma, all the other stuff we talk about in terms of economics, you’re going to have people walking around who are damaged, who are more likely to succumb to the negative things around them.”

“If I had arrived two or three minutes earlier I could have been the one on the stretcher,” Porter said. “If that doesn’t drive me to demand the things that need to be done to end this gun violence, then what else does? Being in the trenches is the fuel in my belly.” She said that policymakers who return home at the end of the day to “lilywhite suburbs” with closer connections between police and neighbors don’t understand the violence issue the same way.

Asst. Chief Jacobson said the shooting victim is in stable condition.

City-Yale Deal Wins Final OK THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

The Board of Alders unanimously approved a deal for Yale to increase its voluntary payments to the city by $52 million over six years — and design and control a city-owned pedestrian plaza on High Street.

Local legislators took that vote Monday night during the latest regular bimonthly meeting of the Board of Alders. The inperson meeting took place in the Aldermanic Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.

All 25 alders in the room voted in support of an order accepting $52 million in voluntary payments from Yale University over the next six years.

The now-approved deal also authorizes the mayor to work with the university to implement a handful of initiatives detailed in a November 2021 letter written

by Yale President Peter Salovey, including the conversion of a section of High Street from Chapel to Elm Streets into a car-free walkway and the creation of a new Center for Inclusive Growth, to be housed at Yale’s business school.

Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison said that, since her childhood growing up in New Haven, “there’s always been the unsaid rule that Yale individuals and city individuals should not involve themselves

with one another. That rule was always dumb to me.

“To see something like this happen, to see that the university sees the importance of the city, sees the importance of its residents, and to come to an agreement to have this money be handed to the city in order for our city to grow, is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Downtown/Yale Alder Alex Guzhnay who grew up in Fair Haven and is currently an undergraduate at Yale — agreed.

“I think at the end of it all, we’ve all seen firsthand how the inclusion and the work of New Haven residents makes Yale a better university, because our city and its residents are extremely talented and gifted,” he said. “I think it would be a disservice not only to our city but to the university as well to fail to include our city residents the most they can” and to work towards bringing town and gown closer together.

Monday’s vote marked the culmination of over a year’s worth of negotiations between the university and the Elicker Administration focused on increasing the university’s voluntary payments to the city’s bottom line.

Several of the alders who spoke up Monday night also stressed how the aldermanic vote was a tribute to the many years’ worth of community organizing

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison: This deal brings town, gown closer

together.

that has put pressure on Yale to contribute more to the city it calls home.

Fair Haven Alder Sarah Miller thanked “all of the organizers who have been working for years to make this possible.”

Referring to the money included in this

deal as a “downpayment,” she said that “we need more money from the university in order for the city to function.” And she pledged to continue working with other city organizers to “keep pushing until we get what we need.”

East Rock Alder Anna Festa was the sole alder to criticize the deal Monday night, even though she wound up voting for it.

She cautioned that the agreement expires after six years, and that the city does not have a plan in place to ensure that the increased voluntary payments continue. She lamented that High Street between Chapel and Elm will lose its 30 metered parking spaces after the street’s conversion to a pedestrian plaza. And she pointed out that the alders “didn’t even receive a rough draft of what” the proposed Center for Inclusive Growth will look like or do.

“The city can use the money, so I’m glad for the cash,” Festa said in explaining why she ultimately voted in support.

But, she said, “I feel like our hands get tied when dealing with these types of negotiations, and it’s a ‘take it or leave it’ situation, and I hope that changes.”

Deal Details The Yale-city deal approved on Monday night has four key components: • An increase in Yale’s voluntary payment to the city by $10 million for each of the next five years, and by $2 million in the final year of the deal, which would be Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 (FY27). That means that Yale’s annual voluntary payCon’t on page 13

KinD tO mY mInd Our brains are boss…directing how we think, feel, and act.

Changes in our brain can affect how we think, feel, and act. Find out how to be kind to your mind, and what things can cause these changes.

APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK! Meet individually with graduate faculty in more than 40 areas of study as well as student support services, such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Career and Professional Development.

Visit CTStronger.org or call the Action Line 1-800-467-3135 for resources, tips, and information.

REGISTER AT SOUTHERNCT.EDU/GRADOPENHOUSE THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022 (In-person) FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 (Virtual)

THINK. ACT. FEEL.

STRONGER 7

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

At Shubert Night Out, Jazz Torch Passes

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven Independent

My dad leaned over from the left and pointed to the stage, where Jamaican Jazz pianist Monty Alexander was holding down his piano keys on particular notes and chords to emphasize them.

“Jazz is made up of accents,” my dad informed me.

To my right side my I heard my stepmother hum the words to a Bob Marley tune.

It was my first jazz experience, and besides enjoying the tunes, I was receiving an education while seated at the Shubert Theatre.

Monty Alexander was performing, while my dad, Albert McFadden Jr,. and stepmother, Griselle McFadden, schooled me in all things jazz and Caribbean music.

The Saturday concert drew in jazz lovers like my dad and some wide-eyed newbies like me, someone who more typically listens to R&B and hip-hop.

Our night began by circling around the downtown area, passing one full-garage sign after another and double-parkers galore. After a lap or two we found a spot at the corner of George and York streets at 7:30 p.m.

After the brief walk over to the theater, we presented the security with our vaccination cards and picked up our tickets at the box office. Dozens entered the theatre along with us, dressed far more “jazz sophisticated” than I was.

By 7:40 p.m we were seated and settled with the essentials: peanut M&Ms, Twizzlers, waters and a 7 and 7 cocktail for my dad.

Before the show started, I talked with my dad about his experience with jazz music and how he defines it.

“What immediately comes to mind is creativity and improvisation,” he said.

My dad grew up on Dewitt and Ann Streets in the Hill listening to his father’s Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong recordings. He fell in love with the musicians’ abilities, while in a group, to each play their own song.

As he grew older and he gravitated to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Dave Brubeck.

When he was 13, his parents bought him his first drum set for Christmas, and that was the first instrument he learned to play.

Recently he has taught himself the bass guitar and next wants to learn to the keyboard.

On two separate occasions he has performed at the Shubert as a drummer in a local band, a side gig he always had on top of his day job. For the past 15 years Albert has attended the Capital Jazz Fest in Maryland. Griselle was introduced to jazz from Albert. She most often listens to gospel music and enjoys Caribbean music.

On Saturday evening, the three of us looked forward to hearing how exactly

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTOS Monty Alexander performs alongside T.K Blue.

Arriving at the show with my folks.

Alexander was going to marry Caribbean and jazz music.

“I’ve never heard of Jamaican and jazz in the same sentence,” my dad said.

At 8 p.m. the theater lights dimmed, and the trio of musicians stepped on stage.

Alexander started the concert by dedicating his performance to comedian/ actor Chris Rock. He performed alongside drummer Jason Brown and bassist Luke Sellick.

As Sellick played the stand-up bass, my dad pointed out one technique called the “walking bass.”

“He’s keeping the rhythm with the same three beats over and over,” he said.

As I watched I immediately could understand what my dad meant when he said each musician practically played their own song. When honing into the drummer, I could tune out the others and hear one part of the song, then the bass, then the piano; then eventually hear them all synchronize.

Song after song, Alexander not only played the piano but directed the group to pause for solos or get quieter or louder.

Alexander dedicated his second song to

8

the late Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey.

He also told the crowd about his theory behind merging of Caribbean music with jazz.

“I merge music together because that’s what music is about — different worlds together,” he said.

For one number Alexander merged Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey” with “someone that I think he would appreciate, Miles Davis,” he said.

Before playing a jazz rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Alexander called out the crowd: “Wagwan!” —

which means “What’s going on,” in Jamaican slang.

His head bobbing, my dad leaned over, recalling the dozens of times he played that Gaye number on the drums.

Alexander also played jazz-infused versions of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and “No Woman No Cry,” both pointed out by Griselle, a big Marley fan.

During the latter song, Griselle led the crowd in a rhythmic clap along with the musicians while also softly singing along.

“Now I’m going to go home and listen to all my Bob Marley,” she said.

In between songs, Alexander told the crowd stories about migrating to Miami from Kingston, Jamaica. He described playing piano in clubs all over Miami until he was discovered by Frank Sinatra, who invited him to begin playing in New York. “I like your keys,” he recalled Sinatra telling him.

Alexander told a story about seeing a James Bond bond movie for the first time after moving to New York and being inspired to write the song “Regulator aka Reggae Later,” which incorporated the Bond theme song softly in the background of a upbeat Caribbean flow.

This was my personal favorite.

“It’s crazy how there’s only three instruments up there,” Griselle remarked throughout the performance.

During the two-hour show Alexander brought on more performers, including saxophonists Wayne Escoffery and T.K Blue, Jamaican vocalist Maddie Lou, drummer Carl Wright, and electric bassist Joshua Thomas.

By the end Alexander and the musicians brought the theater’s full house to their feet until they returned for an encore. Alexander and Lou sang “Day‑O” by Harry Belafonte to end out the night.

We were invited to the after-show reception, but my dad and Griselle instead decided to end the night early. They wanted to make sure they would wake up on time Sunday morning for church.

But first, for a final debriefing of the concert, we stopped at Midpoint Coffee Brewers at 248 Crown St. The spot serves freshly brewed coffee and tea and homemade pastries.

While waiting for owner Mahoud Ali and his daughter Noroor Ali to brew my dad a regular black coffee and a hot chocolate for me and pack up a cheese danish for Griselle, we reflected on the night.

And the coffee.

“I’m a coffee professional, and this is a great coffee,” my dad said.

“I’m very impressed,” my dad said of the concert this time, rather than the coffee. “I didn’t think you could marry a island beat with jazz.”

“He created a whole new sound,” he added, “while also keeping the tradition there.”

30-Year Deal OK’d For Dixwell Apt. Plan THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

by THOMAS BREEN

New Haven Independent

A local affordable housing developer’s bid to build 69 new apartments atop “Joe Grate’s lot” on Dixwell Avenue moved forward yet again, after alders unanimously voted to amend a tax-abatement and land-sale agreement with terms more generous to the builder.

Local legislators took that vote Monday night during the latest regular bimonthly meeting of the full Board of Alders. The in-person meeting took place in the Aldermanic Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.

The alders voted unanimously in support of a resolution approving a second amended and restated Development and Land Disposition Agreement (DLDA) between the city and Beulah Land Development Corporation for the development of 316 Dixwell Ave., 340 Dixwell Ave., and 783 Orchard St. The newly amended agreement includes a 30-year tax break that caps the local property taxes for the project’s planned 55 affordable apartments at $400 per year, with a 3 percent annual increase over the course of the deal.

That new 30-year term is twice as long as the 15-year tax-break agreement that alders first approved for this project in November 2020. (The developer would

Alder Steve Winter with Beulah's Darrell Brooks after vote.

still pay full local property taxes on the 14 remaining market-rate units to be included in the project.)

The newly amended DLDA also requires the developer to pay the city $200,000 in exchange for taking over the city-owned property at 316 Dixwell Ave. That’s $80,000 less than the $280,000 city-land sale price included in the November 2020 deal.

And the new DLDA authorizes the city to accept a $1 million state Department of Housing (DOH) Urban Act grant to help subsidize the costs of the development’s below-market-rate apartments.

“This is a strategic investment,” Prospect Hill/Newhallville/Dixwell Alder Steve Winter said in support of the amended DLDA. He said it will lead to the development of a 69-unit housing complex that

9

will “revitalize one of the most prominent intersections on Dixwell Avenue.”

Beulah, in partnership with the New York City-based nonprofit HELP USA, plans to build the 69 new apartments atop a lot at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue, Munson Street, and Orchard Street that used to house a gas station, a parking lot, and Joe Grate’s popular barbecue stand.

Winter also lauded the deep affordability of the 55 below-market-rate apartments to be included in this project.

Per the terms of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s (CHFA) award of $1,582,761 in tax credits for this project, 14 of the development’s apartments will be reserved for households earning no more than 25 percent of the area median income (AMI). Since the federally defined AMI for the New Haven-Meriden region is currently $93,000, that means those 14 apartments will be reserved for households earning up to $23,250 per year.

CHFA’s award also states that four units in this proposed apartment complex will be reserved for households earning no more than 30 percent AMI ($27,900 per year), 28 units for households earning no more than 50 percent AMI ($46,500), and nine units for households earning up to 60 percent AMI ($55,800). The remaining 14 units will be rented out at market rates.

“The greatest need in our is for deeply af-

fordable units,” East Rock Alder Charles Decker said on Monday night in supported of the amended DLDA. That’s what this project will provide. “I feel like these are exactly the sorts of investments that we as a board need to be making for our legislative agenda. It seems like an absolute no brainer for me.”

Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison agreed.

She said that this area of Dixwell-Munson-Orchard is the part of the city in which she grew up. For too long, Joe Grate’s former lot has just say there “with nothing happening.”

With the affordable housing and construction jobs that will come from from this project, she said, “this is exactly the thing that we need to have in our community.”

Winter and Decker also singled out for praise the environmentally friendly “mass timber” construction method.

So. Why the delay in construction, and why the need to update the November 2020 DLDA at all?

Winter said that this proposed 69-unit development has been in the works for four years. After the alders signed off on the DLDA in November 2020, Beulah and HELP secured over $1.5 million in 9 percent low income tax credits from CHFA. “But with increases in construction costs

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Josh vs. Josh: Democratic Face-Off Looms

by NORA GRACE-FLOOD New Haven Independent

The director of New Haven’s Community Soup Kitchen is challenging the owner of two natural foods stores in a race to represent Hamden in the state legislature — setting up the latest potential faceoff between the two wings of the town’s Democratic Party.

That contest shaped up Wednesday as Joshua Watkins became the second foodie — and the second Josh — to announce plans to fight for the Democratic nomination for the 88th District seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

His opponent is incumbent Josh Elliott, who has held the office since 2017. Elliott is currently eyeing a campaign for Secretary of the State while keeping open the option to run again as a representative as well.

Elliott first won the state spot six years ago by competing with then-House speaker Brendan Sharkey for the Democratic nomination. Sharkey ultimately decided not to run for reelection, and the endorsement instead went to Jim Pascarella, whom Elliott easily defeated in a primary with the backing of fellow veterans of Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential primary campaign.

Now Elliott is the incumbent whom Watkins is looking to beat — or see take a new career turn.

The Democratic Town Committee will endorse a candidate on May 24. Depend-

ing on the outcomes of that DTC meeting, the Secretary of the State nominating convention, and either candidate’s desire to petition for places on a primary ballot, there could be three Hamden Joshes in August’s primary — two Josh Elliotts and one Watkins.

“What would you do if you couldn’t fail?” Watkins asked his audience at his campaign kick-off Wednesday night at Eli’s On Whitney.

“Failure is a word that is not in my vocabulary. I was not allowed to fail. My entire life, I have only had one shot to get it right … coming from a family where my father was a garbage truck driver and my mom was a line cook… My family lived paycheck to paycheck, as many families in Hamden do,” Watkins stated.

Elliott, a Guilford native who attended Hamden High, graduated from Quinnipiac Law School, and began two businesses — Hamden’s Thyme & Season and Shelton’s Common Bond Market natural food stores — with his family, is currently preparing to take his secretary of the state bid from exploratory to official, pushing for incarcerated individuals’ right to vote, “vote at home” rules and rankedchoice voting.

As a state representative, he has helped successful quests to give people in prisons access to free phone calls and advocated for equitable legalization of recreational cannabis.

He is currently working on pathways to

Josh Watkins: "Help is on the way!”

fund free period products in public spaces; require that doctors ask for consent before performing pelvic exams; abolish

solitary confinement; establish aid-indying measures; and legalize psilocybin.

While Elliott has more political experience, Watkins, who moved to town roughly two years ago, is pitching himself as a true representative of Hamdenites — from the homeless to homeowners — by highlighting his dedication to community service.

Watkins said his top priorities if elected would include combating food insecurity, bolstering programming for homeless people, investing in trade school training, expanding elderly services, and lowering local taxes by securing state funds to low expenses and bolster revenue in Hamden.

Watkins became the new director of CSK roughly over a year ago following an earlier career running senior citizen programming in New York City. Since he took over CSK, Watkins has expanded the number of meals served to New Haven from 74,000 a year to 340,000, while further upping the total area around New Haven, and now Hamden, that CSK reaches.

Over the summer of 2021, Watkins got involved in local politics by managing former Mayor Curt Leng’s reelection campaign and running for the Board of Education. He and his team lost to Lauren Garrett’s “change slate,” whom Josh Elliott endorsed and supported.

On Wednesday, Watkins was back on the political path, surrounded by old slatemates and supporters, like Melinda Saller and Elliott’s past rival Jim Pascarella, as

well as CSK employees and family members.

“He’s a hardworking, honest person who’s already built something that serves the community,” said Saller, who served for years on the Board of Education.

“I’m not one of those politically inclined type people,” shared Winston Sutherland, the kitchen manager at CSK. “But I’m always going to support his endeavors. He wants to affect change right here in Hamden.”

“I can see his drive,” added CSK employee Cameron Random. “He seriously cares about people,” he said, pointing out how Watkins gave salaries to long-standing volunteers, increased the quality and quantity of CSK’s meals, and invested in upgrading 30-year-old, failing equipment upon taking on the new job.

In other words, his staff said while they munched on bruschetta, Watkins is loyal, listens and is accountable.

Watkins sold himself in those same terms during his first campaign event, promising to create a community advisory board with district representation if elected to ensure he engages with and listens to the views of individuals all across town.

“A state representative. Everyone used to laugh if I would proclaim a dream as grand as that,” Watkins stated during his speech. “But I stand here today, proud and ready to represent the unheard, ready to move us into a new direction, ready to even the playing ground.”

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE

Non-profit 501 (C) (3)

APRIL 10

AT

4:30 PM & 7:30 PM

AN EVENING WITH

CHAKA KHAN

MARIANO RIVERA

JUNE 11

MLB LEGEND

& BRANDON STEINER

SUMMER GALA

Sports icons in conversation live on stage!

10-time Grammy Winner!

“I’m Every Woman,” “Tell Me Something Good” and more

CORINNE BAILEY RAE

THE MAVERICKS

Opening Act: Melanie Charles

JUNE 24 & 25

MARCH 31

JUNE 22

Grammy Award-winner known for hits “Put Your Records On” and “Like A Star”

EN ESPAÑOL WORLD TOUR A night of Mavs favorites and new tunes from their upcoming album

203.438.5795 · RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG

10

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

MAR 31-APR 23

JOIN THE URBAN PROFESSIONALS NETWORK AT CHOIR BOY AND CONNECT AT JAZZY’S CABARET (4 ORANGE STREET).

SAT, APR 9 AT 8PM SAT, APR 16 AT 2PM SAT, APR 23 AT 8PM Visit upnevents.com for more information.

UNIVERSITY THEATRE 222 York St

YALEREP.ORG

All ticket holders must provide proof of vaccination, booster, and photo ID. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the theater.

2022 S EASO N

Yale Repertory Theatre is supported in part by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Art, Design, and Retouching by Paul Evan Jeffrey | Photograph of Israel Erron Ford © Sub/Urban Photography Hair and makeup by Carly Hughes | Styling by Stephen Marks, costume designer; Kiyoshi Shaw, assistant costume designer

11

2 03 . 4 3 2 .1 2 3 4 YALEREP @YALE.EDU

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Top five books written by Black women Report for America corps member. She is a multimedia journalist and has reported on social, cultural, lifestyle, and community news for 7 years and counting.

By Laura Onyeneho for the Houston Defender

This is a new year and what better way to kick it off than to find things to do that stimulate the mind. Many of us need an escape from what’s happening in the world and pour into yourselves intellectually, emotionally, and mentally. So why not pick a good book?

Here are our top 5 books published by Black women that you should consider adding to your list:

3. Yvonne Orji- Bamboozled By Jesus Actress and Comedian Yvonne Orji— best known as Issa Rae’s BFF on the HBO series, Insecure, published her first book “Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dream. She gives her readers the secrets they need with a modern-day biblical twist to live the life of their dreams. Each chapter talks about God’s presence through the unforeseen twists and turns and blessings on her way to her journey to success.

5. Tarana Burke- Unbound: My story of liberation and the birth of the #MeToo Movement Tarana Burke is the activist behind one of the largest movements of our generation: the #MeToo movement. Burke debuts a powerful memoir about her experience with sexual assault at a young age, her fight with guilt, the process of healing, and her pursuit of justice and finding a community. Unbound is a story of her inner strength and perseverance.

Laura Onyeneho covers Houston’s education system as it relates to the Black community for the Houston Defender as a

4. Stacey Abrams- While Justice Sleeps Veteran author, voting-rights activist and politician Stacey Abrams has published her new legal thriller “While Justice Sleeps.” The work of fiction is set against the backdrop of the U.S. Supreme Court and gives readers a glimpse into the legal system, while examining greed and power. Follow Avery Keene, a law clerk for Justice Howard Wynn, as she navigates the drama of her career and a troubled family.

12

1. Gabrielle Union- You got Anything Stronger?

Award-winning actress Gabrielle Union is back with a new book “You Got Anything Stronger?” a sequel to Union’s 2017 New York Times best-selling essay collection “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” She sparks a powerful conversation about feminism, fame, gender, color, and power through her personal experiences. She continues to push the envelope as she guides her readers into her married life, surrogacy journey, and reflecting on the entertainment community’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests.

2. Luvvie Ajayi- Professional Trouble Maker What is a professional troublemaker?

Nigerian-born Chicago-raised author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones has the answers to that question in her latest book “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual.” The New York Times best-selling author, known for her color vocabulary, sharp wit, and humor, introduces you to a powerful and hysterical way to tackle your fears, speak truth to power, and live fully.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022 Con’t from page 07

City-Yale

ment to the city would increase from the current amount of $13 million to over $23 million for each of the next five fiscal years.

That increased contribution comes a year after Yale saw its endowment skyrocket in value by $12.1 billion. After the latest citywide revaluation, Yale’s taxexempt properties have also increased in value by $700 million over the past five years, to a new tax-exempt total of around $4.2 billion.

• The conversion of High Street between Chapel and Elm Streets downtown into a new publicly owned plaza open to pedestrians and bicycles, but closed to automobiles. Yale is responsible for designing, converting, maintaining, and controlling the pedestrian- and bicycleonly plaza, even though the city will still legally own the land. Top city and Yale officials have previously framed the street conversion as similar to what the university has already done on nearby stretches of Wall Street and High Street, but, with the city rather than the university actually owning the land.

• The establishment of a new 12-year sliding scale for local property taxes on properties newly acquired and converted to tax-exempt status by the university.

That will see Yale pay 100 percent of a property’s local property tax amount for three years after acquisition. The university will then have to pay the city a sliding scale of payments that reduces steadily from the fourth year to the 12th year after acquisition, resulting in no property taxes paid on that property from the 13th year on.

• Yale’s creation of a new Center for Inclusive Growth to which the university will contribute $5 million in the first six years. That center will be run by Yale School of Management Dean Kerwin Charles.

Con’t from page 09

Dixwell Apt. Plan

due to the pandemic, Beulah had to secure financing from Freddie Mac” as well.

Winter said that Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, typical requires 40-year tax abatements for projects it funds. He said that Beulah and HELP were able to get an exception from Freddie Mac to permit a 30-year tax abatement, pending approval by the alders.

Winter also pointed out the recent awarding of $1 million in Urban Act funding from the state.

After the alders’ unanimous vote of support, Beulah Chief of Operations Darrell Brooks said that the development plans to close on the last of its remaining financing in May, and should have shovels in the ground for this project by May or June.

New Haven Public Schools

Early Childhood Programs FREE and Sliding Scale 6-hour Programs for 3 and 4 Year Olds of low-income New Haven families Available in the following New Haven Public Schools:

• Benjamin Jepson Multi-Age School • Dr. Mayo Early Childhood School • Fair Haven School • John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School • Lincoln-Bassett Community School • Truman School • Additional community locations also participate in the program.

Contact: Esther Pearson-Pinckney, Head Start Social Service Coordinator at 475-220-1462/1463 or email: esther.pearson-pinckney@nhboe.net

NEW HAVEN

HeadStartNewHaven.com 475-220-1462 / 475-220-1463 13

We are Accepting Applications!

How to Apply

Parents of 3 and 4 year olds are encouraged to apply.

Application begins with a phone call

Contact the Head Start Program or School Readiness Program at 475-220-1462/1463.

What you will submit with your Application 1) Proof of Age Child’s Birth Certificate OR Legal Custody/Guardianship Papers 2) Proof of Address Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Phone, Cable) in your name 3) Proof of Income • 2 months of Current & Consecutive pay stubs OR W-2 or 1040 Tax Return • Budget Statement from the CT Department of Social Services or Social Security Office or Child Enforcement Bureau • Notarized Statement indicating Parent is unemployed • Additional forms may be requested 4) Proof of a Physical (within one year-to-date) • CT Department of Education Early Childhood Health Assessment Record • Anemia and lead level test results • TB assessment • Immunizations records • Seasonal flu vaccination • Health insurance card 5) Proof of a Dental Exam (within 6-months-to-date) Dental Exam record

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

The Black Press of America Celebrates 195 Years of Pleading the Cause of African Descendants Everywhere

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

On March 16, 1827, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm founded the first Black-owned newspaper in the U.S. They did so because there were no Black voices in the debate over the abolition of slavery.

In their first editorial, Cornish and Russwurm wrote: “in short, whatever concerns us as a people, will ever find a ready admission into the Freedom’s Journal.”

“One hundred and ninety-five years later, the mission of the Black Press has not changed,” Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes wrote in an editorial.

“No matter whether Black Press journalists are invited to a seat at ‘their’ table, the voices of those the Black Press represents will always have a seat at ours,” Rolark Barnes wrote.

From Freedom’s Journal to the North Star to John Abbott’s Chicago Defender, African American-owned newspapers have sparked fires for truth and equality that have burned with the passion of fighting for freedom throughout history.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022, marked the 195th anniversary of the Black Press of America, whose global impact remains undeniable. It all began with Freedom’s Journal.

On March 16, 1827, they announced its presence with a front page that contained these words: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”

The 4-page edition included stories about

the struggle to end the horrors of slavery, lynching, and social injustice.

It also informed the African American community of international news of particular interest like Haiti and Sierra Leone events.

Freedom’s Journal featured African American men and women biographies, schools, jobs, and housing opportunities.

For nearly two centuries, the 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies, represented by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), have proudly carried that legacy.

The bond between Black America and the Black Press remains strong.

“Relationships, which have been the cornerstone of the Black community and the Black Press for 195 years, have always been its messenger in cementing that bond,” remarked Westside Gazette Publisher Bobby Henry.

Dr. Toni Draper, the publisher of the 130-year-old AFRO in Baltimore and Washington, also noted the enduring value of the Black Press.

“The contribution of the Black Press is invaluable. If not for the Black Press, there would be a lot of things we would not have documented in terms of the African American experience,” Dr. Draper said.

“The Black Press was founded in 1827, and African Americans were not in any of

the pages of the white-owned press unless there was an advertisement of our sale, of our resale, or us having run away from slave owners or plantations.”

Dr. Draper continued: “The Black Press is one of the only places where you can find news and information and commentary about, by, and for African Americans across the spectrum.

You don’t have to do anything wrong to make the pages of the Black Press; you don’t have to do anything famous. The Black Press covers the totality of the Black experience in the United States and beyond.”

The anniversary of the Black Press is a

reminder of the contributions that remain indelibly associated with the fearlessness, determination, and success of the Black Press.

Those contributions include the works of Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, Ida B. Wells, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, and former NNPA Chairman Dr. Carlton Goodlett.

Douglass, who helped enslaved people escape to the North while working with the Underground Railroad, established the abolitionist paper, The North Star, in Rochester, New York. He developed it into the most influential Black antislavery newspaper published during the Antebellum era.

The North Star denounced slavery and fought for the emancipation of women and other oppressed groups with a motto of “Right is of no Sex – Truth is of no Color; God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren.”

Today, the Black Press continues to reach across the ocean where possible to forge coalitions with the growing number of websites and special publications that cover Africa daily from on the continent.

“The spirit of Black journalism, which Russwurm and Cornish inspired, found its way to Houston 128 years later through a vision given to a local Black businessman to birth a newspaper that positively reflected the Black community, while also reporting the hard truths happening in our communities on the local, state, and national level,” Houston Forward Times Associate Editor Jeffrey Boney declared.

The evolution of the Black Press, the oldest Black business in America, had Con’t on page 17

Yale Institute of Sacred Music presents An evening with

KURT CARR and the Kurt Carr Singers In the Sanctuary PART OF THE PROGRAM IN MUSIC AND THE BLACK CHURCH

Friday, April 22 • 7:45 pm Yale Divinity School: Old Refectory 409 Prospect

• 14

In person (registration required) and via livestream Information and free registration at ism.yale.edu/KurtCarr

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

First Black-Owned Brand Approved By The National Eczema Association

by Jasmine Smith, BlackDoctor.org

The first and only Black-owned brand has officially been approved by The National Eczema Association.

The idea of being an entrepreneur was something that was embedded into Jocelyne Firmin’s mind from an early age.

She grew up in Haiti with a single mother and despite being faced with poverty, her mother made it clear that education and entrepreneurship would be her only way out. To get an idea of what entrepreneurship looked like, she would often accompany her mom and work in Haiti’s open markets.

The launch of Kiyamel It is this exposure that prepared her for her skincare line, Kiyamel. Kiyamel is a skincare brand for people who suffer from eczema. It is based in Millsboro, Delaware and is easily accessible online and in stores without a prescription. Firmin, who migrated to the United States via a full scholarship, founded the company in 2019, but it didn’t officially become functional until January 2021.

Currently, 31.6 people in America suffer from some form of eczema, according to the National Eczema Association.

Black children are 1.7 times more likely to develop eczema than white children, however, they often go undiagnosed because doctors are primarily trained to diagnose eczema on white skin. Additionally, Black children are thirty percent less likely to see a doctor for their eczema than white children, and those who see a

have long-term growth potential).

Despite this, she was able to land approval from The National Eczema Association, which is no small feat. Four of her products had to endure a very extensive and rigorous process. They all passed.

Now she has her eyes set on achieving a 2% market penetration by partnering with retail stores. She also wants to give back to the community through a mentorship program.

RELATED: 6 Eczema Triggers To AvoidSeeing a doctor

doctor have more visits and prescriptions than white children.

Most descriptions of eczema refer to how it appears on lighter skin, but for people with darker skin, it may cause darker brown, purple, or gray patches with the affected areas being swollen, warm, itchy, and dry or scaly.

After several years of research and development in preparation of Kiyamel, Firmin discovered these disparities and the fact that 50 percent of people suffering with eczema have trouble finding an adequate solution. She knew the goal of her skincare line would be to close that gap because many eczema products aren’t

created with Blacks in mind. Despite its focus on serving the African American market, Kiyamel works for all ethniticites.

“I’ve always suffered from severe acne and dry skin so I set out to find a solution for myself since nothing under the sun could work. Being a native of Haiti and a lover of nature, I knew I wanted a clean formula. However, when my daughter was born and developed eczema at only six weeks old, the premise of the formula was immediately switched, from acne to eczema. With the help of a chemist, the eczema product line was born,” Firmin says.

In addition to closing the gap, these products can potentially bring back the self-esteem that many skin conditions can harm.

Plans for the future Launching Kiyamel didn’t come without its share of challenges, however. For starters, Kiyamel’s products are 100% natural and clinically tested. Sourcing and packaging clean ingredients can be costly.

Another obstacle she faced was gaining access to venture capital (a form of private equity and a type of financing that investors provide to startup companies and small businesses that are believed to

If you believe you have eczema, it is important to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist that specializes in skin conditions can officially diagnose you with eczema by examining your skin and taking your family history of eczema or associated conditions, such as asthma into account.

Some signs to look for are patches of skin that: • appear darker than the rest of your skin (hyperpigmented), which can include looking purple, ashen grey, or dark brown • are very dry or scaly • feel warm to the touch • have an intense itch • may be thickened (lichenification) Eczema is often more severe in people of color and can lead to potentially permanent pigmentation changes or skin thickening so it is important to take the necessary steps to manage and treat it.

Motown Legend Smokey Robinson Causes Social Media Stir Saying He Resents Being Called African American

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson has come under fire – at least on social media – because the icon said, “Black is a race,” and that “I resent being called African American.”

“I resent being called African American because Black people have contributed so much to the development of the United States of America,” Robinson, 82, stated during a virtual appearance on The View, which has since gone viral.

“I think that when you do that, you’re disclaiming all the things, the contributions that Black people have made to America,” he said.

The icon’s comments reflected those he made nearly two decades ago during an appearance on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry when he recited a poem that he hoped would educate individuals about the Black experience.

While some backed the entertainer, others trolled him.

“The facts that ‘Black is a race’ and ‘African American is an ethnicity’ really whoops y’all’s asses,” Twitter user

larly to their white peers.

@_Elle_Spencer_ wrote in response to Robinson, calling him an “idiot.”

Twitter user @LifeDutchee, a self-described retired drug dealer, also went in on Robinson.

“A man born in the 1940s is on the internet telling people to drop the African and just call him Black American. Cause he had never been to Africa. What’s the stages of Dementia?” the social media user replied.

“And so, it spilled over into the Black community and to the Black people. And even Black people back in the day calling each other Black was a sign for a fight.”

He concluded: “I resent being called African American because Black people have contributed so much to the development of the United States of America. The wonderful Black American, who served in the armed forces and gave their lives in all the wars.

“They did not do that for Timbuktu or Capetown, or Kenya. They did that for Louisiana and Mississippi and Texas and Virginia. Okay? So that’s how I feel about it.”

Once identified by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” legendary recording artist, lyricist and composer Smokey Robinson, is a Rock’ n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame inductee. Photo: Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden greets Smokey Robinson at the Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Ceremony at the Library of Congress, December 4, 2021. Photo by Shawn Miller/ Library of Congress.

Others objected to the icon’s detractors.

“I understand what Smokey Robinson is explaining,” Twitter user @gracefully_Tori wrote. “I love being called Black American as well. I thought I was the only one who didn’t like to be called African American.”

Once identified by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” Robinson, a Rock’ n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame inductee, still stuck to his guns.

“I consider myself to be a Black American, and I enjoy being called Black, and Black has been so negativized as a color down throughout history by those who wanted to negativize it,” Robinson explained, adding that contributions by Black people should be recognized simi-

15

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Excitement Builds for Shocking Tiger Woods Return at The Masters

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Professional golf’s most storied event could have the game’s most electrifying player tee off.

Just one year removed from a horrific car accident that left him worried about losing a leg, Tiger Woods is preparing a comeback for the ages at this year’s Masters, which opens Thursday, April 7, at Augusta National.

The recently minted Hall of Famer completed a practice round, and, while he hasn’t confirmed, multiple golf writers said they expect Woods to play.

“Sources confirmed. Tiger Woods is playing in The Masters,” Mad Dog Radio and Fox Sports commentator George Wrighster III tweeted to his 67,000 followers.

Former golfer Shooter McGavin claimed Augusta National would allow Woods to ride a cart if he chooses to play.

“This is a pure opinion; I don’t know anything more than the rest of you. But I have reached the point where I would be surprised if Tiger Woods does not play in the Masters,” Golf Digest Writer Dan Rapaport said.

Golf Magazine’s Michael Bamberger said Woods could easily wait until Monday, April 4, before the tournament, before the groups for the first two rounds

(Photo: Tiger Woods at the Quicken Loans National, June 2018 / KA Sports Photos from Hanover, MD, USA / Wikimedia Commons)

are announced, before announcing his intentions.

“What we know with certainty is this, not because of anything Woods has said, but because we’ve been watching him for more than 25 years: If he can play, he will.

That’s in his DNA,” Bamberger wrote.

On February 23, 2021, having already come back from multiple back surgeries, Woods lost control of his vehicle near a

hillside outside Los Angeles.

The frightening photos published in the wreck’s aftermath left many wondering if Woods would survive the accident. He later revealed that he feared amputation.

“It’s been tough, but I’ve gotten here, I’ve gotten this far, and I still have a long way to go,” Woods said in February.

And at an emotional ceremony to induct Woods into the World Golf Hall of Fame

at the PGA Tour headquarters in Florida in March, the usually guarded and composed legend was reduced to tears.

His daughter, Sam, issued a heart-warming induction speech.

“Dad, I inducted you into the ‘Dad Hall of Fame’ a long time ago,” the 14-yearold remarked.

Sam also provided insight into the state of the Woods family in the immediate aftermath of the accident.

“We didn’t know if you’d come home with two legs or not,” she said. “Now, not only are you about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but you’re standing here on your own two feet. This is why you deserve this because you’re a fighter.”

That fight again faces a significant test if Woods, the owner of 15 major championship victories, does appear at The Masters.

His former swing coach, Hank Haney, believes Woods could win his 16th major if he plays.

Haney elaborated further on the latest episode of “The Hank Haney Podcast.”

“So, he’s saying I can walk no problem on a treadmill, but it’s not the same as walking on the golf course,” Haney said during his “The Hank Haney Podcast.

“No, it’s not, but you can tilt your treadmill on an incline, and I promise you he has it on an incline … He’s doing beach walks … walking in the sand … that was a month ago, two months ago? Plenty of time to make some more progress … it sounds like he’s made a lot of progress.”

Earlier, Haney proved more definitive in his assessment of Woods.

“I’ve been saying this for a year. If Tiger can walk again, he can win again.”

What is Gaslighting? And is it Happening to You?

by Shanika Carter, BlackDoctor.com

The term “gaslighting” is one that has been heard more often when it comes to our relationships, but do we really know what it means and its dangers?

What is gaslighting?

Gaslighting is considered a form of manipulation connected to abusive relationships. The term “gaslighting” comes from an old play and movie with similar themes about manipulation.

Gaslighting is considered a secret or covert type of emotional abuse, which usually takes place in romantic relationships but can be seen in our relationships with family and friends.

How Gaslighting Works When gaslighting occurs, the abuser or bully in the relationship misleads their target with false narratives, leading the target to question reality and their own judgment.

The target, or victim, begins to feel they are losing touch with their sanity and becomes unsure about their perceptions of the world.

Gaslighting Examples Examples of gaslighting include, but are not limited to: • You second-guess yourself because your

significant other left you wondering if something is wrong with you.

• A controlling friend who makes you question your memories or recent events, causing you to feel guilty or dazed about said memories and events.

• A sibling blaming you for something that occurred, making you question your

actions and perceptions.

To many of us, these examples may sound familiar; maybe we have been in the position of being the abuser or bully.

Whatever role we have played in such scenarios, we may still question if these situations are serious.

Gaslighting is serious because of the

16

confusion and effect it has on one’s overall mental health and self-worth. Gaslighting can lead one to experience depression and anxiety, leading to addictions and thoughts of suicide.

Warning Signs of Gaslighting

There are many warning signs of gaslighting, including: • Apologizing often for something you feel you did or for who you are as a person.

• Confusion – Your abuser and their behavior become more confusing to you.

• Disappointment in oneself – You feel passive and weak; you assume others are disappointed in you too.

• Doubting reality and your feelings – You may question if something happening is real or if you are being too sensitive.

• Feeling alone – You feel isolated because your abuser convinces you that you are different (unstable, weird, etc.).

• Feeling insecure or vulnerable – You lack self-esteem and feel on edge around the abuser in the relationship.

• Impending doom – You always feel like something will go wrong when your abuser is in your presence.

• Questioning your judgment – You begin to stay silent because openly sharing makes you feel afraid or bad.

• Questioning your sensitivity – Your abuser minimizes hurtful comments to you, which you question yourself about.

• Second-guessing yourself and your decision-making.

• You begin believing the accusations Con’t on page 19

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

Con’t from page 14

Meet Me At

meen, a founding member of Jazz Haven who’s the jazz & rock studies coordinator at Neighborhood Music School. “She’s always been the kind of person that people gravitate to.”

He talked about the influence of her father, Bishop Austin Atkinson, a founding member of Pitts Chapel Unified Free Will Baptist Church in 1934 who served as pastor there from 1942 – 1974. (He has his own corner named for him, at Brewster Street and Dixwell Avenue, as does Joyner’s sister, Mattie Atkinson Darden, on the corner of Goffe and Sperry Streets.)

“Her father allowed her, allowed all his children to express themselves,” Hameen said. “Some people suppress their gift, but she knows she’s here to help people and she did, regardless of obstacles. She’s always shared her gift not just with her family, but with the neighborhood and the community, and I’ve been a beneficiary.”

Having come out of Pitts Chapel of the 1940s and 1950s, Hameen recalled the groups Joyner brought in as “a big inspiration.”

Those included Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Staples Sisters, and the Soul Stirrers, which featured the young Sam Cooke. “She also inspired and encouraged many of us young people to perform,” he said.

Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber of the New Haven Clergy Association recalled those gospel shows, and the welcoming spirit of the Atkinsons when he first arrived in New Haven.

“You and your family have been stellar citizens of this city,” he told her.

Cheryl Atkinson, Joyner’s niece, praised her resilience.

“You done survived this Covid, you done survived all this craziness going around, and you still here,” she said. “Cory Booker told that justice [Ketanji Brown], ‘God has got you,’ and we all know ‘God has got you,” she told Joyner.

A passing driver beeped a car horn.

By then, the ceremony was winding down.

The focus shifted to the ladder leaning on the telephone pole.

“Is there anybody from the city here?”

Hardy, the emcee, asked. “Anybody from public works?”

“She outlived them all,” someone called out. “Or they all got fired,” someone else joked.

With that, a brave soul scaled the ladder.

The sign unveiled, the crowd cheered.

Then, led by Joyner’s niece, Bishop Willa Darden Moody, they broke out into an exuberant rendition of the gospel standard “We’ve Come This Far By Faith.”

“We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the lord, trusting in his words,” they sang as the sign glistened in the morning sun.

“He’s never failed me yet.”

Joyner joined in.

“I’m just highly honored,” she said, as most of the crowd headed over to Pitts Chapel for plates of food. “I always try to do what I can for people. I just do the best I can.”

TRAIN LIVE at Job Corps

at home

Non-residential Job Corps students have the flexibility to live at home while receiving the same career training and education as those who live on campus.

All the benefits, more flexibility

NON-RES STUDENTS

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS

CONSIDERING ENROLLING AS A NON-RES STUDENT?

Tuition-free career training and education Earn your high school diploma or the equivalent

Non-res might be for you if you are:

Train in high-growth industries

– 16–24 years old

Gain hands-on work experience

– enrolling at a Job Corps center in your hometown

Take community college classes

– responsible for taking care of

Participate in clubs and sports

children or other family members

Get involved with community projects

– motivated to train for a career

Develop friendships and connections Receive nutritious meals and basic medical care

during the day, Monday through Friday

Contact your Job Corps admissions representative for more information about non-residential opportunities at a center near you.

jobcorps.gov | (800) 733-JOBS [5627]

CAREERS BEGIN HERE

Job Corps is a U.S. Department of Labor Equal Opportunity Employer Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY telephone number is (877) 889-5627.

17

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

New research suggests delays in autism diagnosis for Black children may reflect providers’ racial biases

By Katie Hyson, NPR/WUFT.org

This story was reported through conversations with autism resources specialists, service providers, pediatricians, researchers and caretakers. Click here to jump to resources for caretakers of children with autism.

Yvonne Westerman’s grandson had been doing well at 15 months. He ate everything. He responded to his name, Chance.

He said words. Until the day he didn’t.

She took him to the doctor, who she said told her nothing was wrong; Chance was just developmentally delayed.

But Westerman thought it was something more. She did her own research. She learned that with the label “developmentally delayed” instead of an autism diagnosis, it would be harder to get services like behavior therapy. No one had told her that, she said.

Westerman, who lives in Boynton Beach, said she “pushed and pushed” until she finally found a doctor in Miami who screened Chance and gave him a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder when he was close to two years old.

“Nobody was willing to say it. I had to demand it,” Westerman said.

Westerman beat the averages. Black children usually obtain a diagnosis for autism one and a half years later than white children, after many more provider visits.

They are also more likely to get misdiagnosed first with intellectual disabilities and emotional and behavioral disorders, creating an even longer delay.

Torica Exume leads a team of researchers at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University who have dedicated the last year to answering the question: Why? The stakes are high. An accurate diagnosis is the key to unlocking the right services, and for children with autism spectrum disorder, early intervention is critical.

Social skills and language are more easily taught young, before habits have been formed, while children are still naturally learning and can better tolerate long hours of behavior therapy. Every year counts.

Black children with autism have been disadvantaged from the beginning. The first systematic description of early infantile autism, published in 1943, was based on studies of white children, mostly male.

White males have continued to be overrepresented in scientific studies on autism since.

Autism doesn’t discriminate between race or gender, but how it presents might.

Typical screenings are more likely to capture autism in white male children in part because those are most of the children being studied.

In contrast, the participant pool in Exume’s study included 160 Black parents and caretakers. This is what her team has found: Black children diagnosed with autism tend to have more severe clinical presentation than white children, suggesting that Black children with less impairing symp-

toms may be missed altogether. These diagnostic disparities may reflect providers’ racial biases.

Exume said when Black caretakers report their concerns, their providers often disagree on the presence of autism spectrum disorder symptoms. Many Black families in her study said their provider expressed doubts about their knowledge of autism or made incorrect assumptions about their family structure or income.

All of this contributes to delays in diagnosis, and appropriate treatment — something Westerman is still seeking six years later.

There are more TV shows featuring characters on the autism spectrum than ever — The Good Doctor, Atypical, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, to name a few — and Westerman is frustrated. The people they depict are almost exclusively high-functioning (and white): brilliant surgeons or scientific illustrators or pianists.

She wonders if people know what it’s like to care for children like Chance, who turns 8 this weekend but remains non-verbal and in diapers.

This is what it’s like for every minute of your day to be an all-out battle to meet basic needs.

It’s harder for Chance to sleep. She can’t get him into bed until 3 a.m., and she still hears noises for the next hour. They’ve had to tie off the fridge so he won’t pour things out in the middle of the night.

He might fall asleep an hour or two later, but he’s up again by late morning.

The minute Chance is up, Westerman has to be up, keeping him out of trouble, which is everywhere — in the street where he’s apt to run, thinking the chase is a game, and in the bottle of rubbing alcohol he wants to sample. He is always on the move.

Teeth brushing is a half-hour fight. Her own teeth come second.

Heightened sensitivities and the inability to say what he wants makes food tricky.

Chance likes Domino’s pan pizza, cheese only, a little extra sauce, but it has to be just right. Getting him to try a new food — the bread slices he now carries around, the shredded cheese to which he has finally ceded atop a salad he hasn’t yet tried — is an enormous victory. She is always worried he’s not eating enough.

Then it’s out the door and into the car, both plastered with warnings a child with autism is present, who may not respond to verbal commands, who may resist help.

The stickers are a desperate attempt to avoid the statistics; Chance is much more likely to encounter police than a neurotypical person, and three times more likely than a white person to be killed by them.

His bi-weekly therapy is a half-hour away, about the maximum time that Chance can tolerate a confining car ride.

It’s a common barrier for people trying to access services who don’t live in major cities.

On the nights and weekends when other family members take care of Chance, Westerman works. Pull-Ups are at least

$60 every week, in addition to his other needs like the bottles he still uses to drink.

Five minutes to sit down during the day is a small miracle. When is she supposed to Google how to get funding for the car harness Chance needs? What time does she have for Zoom meetings with autism resource specialists?

She said she has been through several therapists already; bureaucracy and insurance hoops have made good therapists hard to find and harder to maintain.

Westerman doesn’t want just anyone to work with Chance.

She wants someone who will be patient and won’t use restraints on him.

Chance is not being difficult. Chance is a child, senses overloaded, no way to communicate the pain or the problem, powerless over the environment around him.

Because he does not have words, sometimes he flings himself against the hard floor or hits himself with his own fists.

“We cry a lot,” Westerman said. “I don’t know what to do. I want him to be OK. And I know if it’s like this with us — somebody who doesn’t love him, they’re not going to have any patience for that.”

Black families are more likely than white families to be enrolled in Medicaid, as Chance is. There are limited service providers that will accept Medicaid, with waiting lists often six months to a year long. Affordable alternatives to Medicaid don’t usually provide the kind of coverage children like Chance need.

She’s noticed what some caretakers around her have. How did they get that tablet that allows non-verbal children to communicate? How did they obtain quality, consistent therapy so many years before she did? She’s watched their children learn to speak, use the potty, enroll in school.

Yvonne Westerman needs help. And she doesn’t have time to get it.

The first step to easing access to services for all Black families, regardless of income or insurance coverage, is quicker diagnosis. Exume’s team is developing recommendations to close the gap.

Screenings should be frequently available, throughout urban and rural areas, and in multiple languages, including Creole. They should use checklists that dem-

onstrate diagnostic efficacy across racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Educational material and resource packages specific to early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, both text and video, in English and Creole, should be easily available, free of difficult jargon, and include photos of Black families.

Her team’s outreach specialist has been walking the sidewalks of communities in Broward, Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, raising awareness and inviting caretakers to their support group for caretakers of Black children with autism, which Westerman attends.

They are in the final stages of renewing the grant to expand their project’s efforts across the state.

Meanwhile, Westerman grabs what sleep she can before another day of chasing Chance.

Her dreams for him are simple but profound: that he learns how to understand people and to make himself understood.

That one day he can go to school with other children again. That he can have a life.

ders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with

autism. * In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.

Until then, she will keep him safe.

Katie Hyson is a Report for America Corps Member at WUFT News covering racial and rural inequities in East Gainesville and north central Florida. She can be reached by calling Note: Torica Exume leads the team of Florida Atlantic University researchers looking into why diagnosis delays exist for Black children. (Courtesy of Exume)

What Is Autism?

There is no one type of autism, but many. autismspeaks.org Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disor-

18

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022 Con’t from page 14

195 Years

proprietors take on issues of chattel slavery in the 19th century, Jim Crow segregation and lynching, the great northern migration, the Civil Rights Movement, the transformation from the printing press to the digital age and computerized communication.

With the Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court ruling that said no Black man has any rights that a white man must honor, there came a flood of Black publications to advocate for Black rights and protest the wrongs done to Blacks.

Today, the Black Press continues to tackle domestic and global issues, including the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on all citizens – particularly African Americans.

“This is an important story about the history of the Black Press of America that has consistently been the freedom fighting voice of African people in America and throughout the world for 195 years without waiver or distortion of the truth,” stated NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. “Today, in 2022, the Black Press remains the vital source of news and information for 50 million African Americans,” he added.

Chavis continued: “On this momentous anniversary, the NNPA salutes all the African Americanowned newspapers and media companies that are affiliated with the NNPA’s expanding network of over 230 media properties and channels.

Con’t from page 16

Gaslighting? against you – You start repeating statements made to you by your abuser accusing you of being inadequate or unintelligent.

• You wonder what is wrong with you.

How To Respond to Gaslighting If you see these signs in your relationships, particularly with your family members and close friendships, address them with the individuals and let them know you will remove yourself from the relationship(s).

Taking yourself out of the scenario of being manipulated, lied to, or treated harshly is the best first step for you and your wellbeing.

This is especially true in friendships and relationships in which you have chosen to be a part of.

With family, because of the blood relationship, it may seem more difficult to pull yourself away from being in a gaslighting scenario, which is why it is important to try to address it with them first.

If nothing appears to change after that point, you have the right to step away for your own protection and sanity.

Now Hiring Part-Time Assistant Teachers Location(s): Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School & other City-Wide NHPS-Head Start sites Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ● High school completion or a GED DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS ● Child Development Associate Credential (CDA); OR ● One-year experience in an early learning setting Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment: ● Pay rate is $14.00 per hour. This position is not eligible for benefits.

Conditions of Employment: If hired, you will be required to provide proof that you are either: ● A United States citizen; or ● An immigrant whose status permits you to lawfully work in this country Prior to appointment, the successful candidate must: ● Pass a criminal background check & Sex Registry check ● Submit documentation of an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases; and must show proof of a TB test & COVID Vaccination

Duties and Responsibilities: Working under the direction of the Lead Teacher: ● Assist with set-up, clean-up, and presentation of classroom and outdoor activities. ● Organize materials needed for classroom activities. ● Store and maintain educational materials and equipment. ● Assist in serving and cleaning up after snacks and lunches. ● Assist with child guidance during mealtimes. ● Assist with maintaining enrollment and nutrition records. ● Monitor children during free time, field trips, and transition periods. ● Model appropriate behavior for children. ● Use developmentally appropriate communication skills. ● Contribute to maintaining a healthy and safe classroom environment; Assist with Active Supervision of children. ● Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Head Start Policies and Procedures. ● Attend mandated Head Start trainings.

Scan QR code to apply online or visit www.applitrack.com/nhps/OnlineApp 19

THE INNER-CITY NEWS NEWS July - April , 2022 - April 2022 INNER-CITY 27, 06 2016 - August 02,12, 2016

Request for Proposal (RFP) NOTICE Small Business Energy Advantage Eversource EnergyMACRI ServiceRENTAL Company (“Eversource”) and United Illuminating (“UI”), VALENTINA HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Connecticut Natural Gas (“CNG”), and Southern Connecticut Gas (“SCG”) subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc., referred to as the Companies, as administrators of the ConHOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, necticut Energy Efficiency Fund, are soliciting proposals from qualified contractors is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this develto install energy-effi cient equipment measures for existing small business customers opment at 108 Frank Street, New Haven.

Maximum income limitations apthrough thelocated Small Business Energy Advantage Program (SBEA).

ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending whensubmit sufficient (approximately 100) have Interested contractors should yourpre-applications intent to bid to SBEACT@eversource.com received at the offices HOME INC. Applications will number be mailied andbeen include your company name,ofprimary contact name, phone andupon emailreno quest callingApril HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during thosedetails hours.below.

Completed prelater thanby Friday, 8, 2022 after reviewing the program Bid invitaapplications must be returned INC’s Procurement offices at 171Department.

Orange Street, Third tions will be coordinated through to theHOME Eversource Interested contractors willHaven, need to Floor, New CTregister 06510. in Eversource’s sourcing platform, ARIBA, in order to participate in the RFP. Instructions will be provided once you indicate your intent to bid.

ANIMAL CONTROL

The Town of Wallingford is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant to the Animal Control Officer to perform highly responsible work in the enforcement of local and State ordinances, regulations and statutes pertaining to municipal animal control activities. The position requires a H.S. diploma or equivalency plus 2 years of experience as an animal care worker in a kennel, animal control facility, veterinary hospital or boarding facility or State of Connecticut certification as an Animal Control Officer and 6 months of experience as an animal care worker. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and must be able to be “on site” within a 30-minute period when responding to all calls from the Wallingford Police Department. $22.48 to $26.66 hourly plus an excellent benefits package. Apply to: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Application forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone # 203-294-2080 Fax #: (203) 294-2084. The closing date for applications is April 18, 2022. EOE.

MECHANIC

NOTICIA

Awarded contractors will be required to submit self-generated, qualified leads. They MACRIsite VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES must VALENTINA conduct customer assessments to evaluate the electrical, natural gas, oil and propane saving opportunities. Contractors shall have the ability to provide detail and coordinate installation fordeall measures including, butestá not HOME INC, en nombre la potential Columbus Energy House y effi de laciency New Haven Housing Authority, limited to, weatherization improvements, high-efficiency lighting with controls, adaceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo vanced thermostats, equipment with controls, frequency drives ubicado en la callerefrigeration 109 Frank Street, New Haven.

Se aplicanvariable limitaciones de ingresos for máximos. operatingLas equipment, HVACestarán equipment upgrades and energy management systems. pre-solicitudes disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 They must also be cuando capablesetohan engage with a customized, internet(aproximadamente based system provide julio, 2016 hasta recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes 100) by the Companies training provided to allserán awarded contractors. en las oficinas defollowing HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes enviadas por correo a petición

llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse Those contractors submitting a bid will be evaluated on their ability to support the a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . program through a dedicated sales staff plus an in-house team, audit and build projects.

In addition, contractors will be asked to submit examples of previous energy efficiency comprehensive projects.

The Companies offer customer incentives for qualified energy-efficient installation services to offset a portion of the project costs. Zero percent, on bill financing is also available for those customers who qualify. Not all utility customers qualify, and these offerings are limited to small businesses as defined by each utility within their program implementation manual. 242-258 Fairmont Ave

NEW HAVEN

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

A bidders conference call will be held on April 8, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to answer All newprospective apartments, appliances, new carpet,may close to I-91 I-95 any questions or new current program contractors have.

The &conference highways, near bus stop to & shopping center call will be open to qualifi ed contractors willing operate in Eversource and Avangrid/ UI CT service territories.

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 Energize ConnecticutSM – Programs funded by a charge on customer energy bills.

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for an

Executive andby a Secretary 1. Authority of the Town of Seymour Sealed bidsSecretary are invited the Housing Further information regardingAugust the duties, application until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, 2, eligibility 2016 at requirements its office at and 28 Smith Street, instructions are available at: Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/sup/bulpreview.

Smithfield Gardensasp?R1=220315&R2=3594SE&R3=001 Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. and

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/sup/bulpreview.

Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. asp?R1=220314&R2=6976CL&R3=001 The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer

anddocuments strongly encourages the applications of women,Housing minorities, and Bidding are available from the Seymour Authority Ofpersons with disabilities. fice, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

Mechanic III: Highly skilled mechanic needed in the repair and maintenance of all types of motor vehicles including heavy construction equipment. The position requires 6 years’ experience in the repair and maintenance of mechanical equipment with a minimum of 2 years repairing heavy construction equipment. Technical or trade school training may substitute for up to 3 years’ experience. Must have own tools. $31.85 to $38.28 per hour, plus an excellent fringe benefit package. Apply to: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone #: 203294-2080 Fax #: (203) 294-2084. Closing date will be April 25, 2022 or the date the 50th application is received, whichever occurs first. EOE.

Construction

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide.

Reliable personal transportation andtoa Bid: valid drivers license required.

Invitation nd To apply please call (860) 621-1720 or 2 Notice send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) QSR STEEL Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project CORPORATION

APPLY NOW!

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Electrical, Top pay for topMechanical, performers.

Health Plumbing and Fire Protection.

Benefi ts, 401K, Vacation Pay.set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

This contract is subject to state Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

TOWN PLANNER

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Full-time position Go to www.portlandct.org for details 20

DRIVER CDL CLASS A Full Time – All Shifts Top Pay-Full Benefits EOE Please apply in person: 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext. Stratford, CT 06615

QSR STEEL CORPORATION

APPLY NOW!

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Town of Bloomfield

Vehicle Mechanic Technician Salary $30.97 hourly (non-CDL) Salary $31.91 hourly (CDL) Pre-employment drug testing.

AA/EOE.

For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org

Town of Bloomfield Maintainer II Salary $28.58 hourly Pre-employment drug testing.

AA/EOE. For Details go to HYPERLINK "http://www.bloomfieldct.org/" www.bloomfieldct.org

INNER-CITY 27,062016 - August 02,12, 2016 THE INNER-CITY NEWS NEWS -July April , 2022 - April 2022

NOTICE Experienced Commercial Property/Facilities Manager VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Fusco Management Company is seeking a qualified Property/Facilities HOME INC, onabehalf of Columbus House and the Haven Housing Authority, Manager with minimum of 3 to 5 years of New experience managing comis accepting pre-applications for organizational studio and one-bedroom apartments at this develmercial properties.

Excellent and communication skills are opment located at 108 Frankinclude: Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations aprequired.

Responsibilities ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and and ending when of sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) prephave Budgeting forecasting expenses - timely approval of invoices, been received thepackages offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon rearation of clientatbill quest by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preOversight ofmust maintenance andINC’s subcontractors - prioritizing and applications be returned staff to HOME offices at 171 Orange Street, Third scheduling work, reviewing work order requests, oversight and Floor, New project Haven, CT 06510. coordination of subcontractors to minimize disruption to the property

NOTICIA

Oversight of janitorial, landscaping, and other vendors inspections - continual follow up with subcontractors to ensure optimum performance

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Assists in developing specifications for bidding work and purchasing within HOME guidelines.

INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo Maintaining and client relations - responding to de tenant reubicado en lapositive calle 109tenant Frank Street, New Haven.

Se aplican limitaciones ingresos quests, follow up to ensureestarán completion máximos.

Las pre-solicitudes disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25

julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) Excel, computer skills would helpful en lasWord oficinasand de Outlook HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes seránbe enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse Company will make best efforts to have the managed properties within a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . counties in reasonable proximity to candidates home. Medical and dental benefits, 401k. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Please submit resumes to openjobs.group@fusco.com. Phone calls will not be accepted.

Federal Program NEW Waiting List Opening Notice HAVEN

Starting April 7, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. through April 21, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. the Housing 242-258 Fairmont Ave Authority of the City of Bristol (BHA) will accept pre-applications for efficiency, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units at Bonnie Acres, JKF Apartments and Gaylord Tow2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA ers. These units are for Elderly (62 and over) and Disabled individuals only. We will All new apartments, new appliances, carpet, close & I-95 also be accepting pre-applications for 1-, 2-, 3- new and 4-bedroom unitstoatI-91 Cambridge highways, bus stop & shopping center Park, a family site. All propertiesnear are rent-subsidized, and rent is based on the tenant’s income.Pet To under get qualification information how to apply,Maria go to @ our860-985-8258 BHA website 40lb allowed.

Interestedon parties contact www.bristolhousing.org or the United Way 211 Website at www.cthcvp.org.

We are an equal housing provider and we do not discriminate based on race, color, CT. Unified Deacon’s Association pleasedor to offer a Deacon’s national origin, religion, sex,isactual perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates disability, marital or familial status. in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

Aviso de apertura de la lista de espera del Programa Federal

New Haven, CT A St. partir del 7 de abril de 2022 a las 8:30 a. m. hasta el 21 de abril de 2022 a las 4:30 p. m. la Autoridad de Vivienda de la Ciudad de Bristol (BHA) aceptará solicitudes para las unidades de 1 y 2 dormitorios en Bonnie Acres, JKF Apartments y Gaylord Towers. Esta lista es para personas mayores de 62 años o más y para personas discapacitadas. La renta es con subsidio y es basada en el ingreso del residente. También aceptaremos las lista de 1, 2, 3 y 4 Authority habitacionesofenthe Cambridge Esta Sealedsolicitudes bids are para invited by the Housing Town ofPark.

Seymour lista es para familias. Para obtener información de calificación sobre cómo presentar until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, una solicitud para estas listas, visite nuestra página web de BHA www.bristolhousing.

Seymour, CTweb 06483 for Concrete Repairs and Replacement at the org o la página de United Way 211 Sidewalk en www.cthcvp.org.

Somos un proveedor de Assisted vivienda equitativa y no discriminamos por motivos de raza, Smithfield Gardens Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, orientación sexual real o percibida, identidad de género, discapacidad, estado civil o familiar.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF NORWALK, CT IS REQUESTING PROPOSALS FROM CONSULTANTS OR ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR AN UPDATED PHYSICAL NEEDS Bidding documents areFINANCED availableHOUSING from the SeymourTOHousing OfASSESSMENT OF 12 FEDERAL PROPERTIES. OBTAIN AAuthority COMPLETE COPY OFfice, THE REQUEST FORStreet, PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS, CONTACT GUILLERMO BENDANA, PROCUREMENT 28 Smith Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

SPECIALIST AT GBENDA@NORWALKHA.OGR NORWALK HOUSING IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ADAM BOVILSKY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the

CITY OF MILFORD

Seeking qualified condidates to fill numerous vacancies to include, Deputy Assessor, Mechanic Sewer Line, Public Health Nurse and more. For information and detailed application instructions, visit www.ci.milford.ct.us Click on SERVICES, JOBS and JOB TITLE.

DELIVERY PERSON

NEEDED Must Have your Own Vehicle If Interested call

Part Time Delivery Needed One/Two Day a Week,

(203) 435-1387

DRIVER CDL CLASS A Full Time – All Shifts Top

Pay-Full Benefits

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR

THE ELM CITYCOMMUNITIES, HOUSING AUTHORITY OF NEWHAVEN

(ECC/HANH) MOVING TO WORK (MTW) FY2023 ANNUAL PLAN

Section II (C) of the Authority's Moving to Work Agreement {the "Agreement") requires that ECC/HANH hold at least one public hearing per Annual MTW submission and make the Annual MTW Plan available for public comment for at least thirty (30) days. The Agency agrees to take into account public comments on the program design, including comments from current tenants/participants to the extent such comments are provided are provided.

The thirty (30) days comment period begins on Sunday, April 17, 2022 and copies of the Moving to Work (MTW) FY2023 Plan, will be made available on the agency website www.elmcitycommunities.org or via Twitter, www.twitter.com/ECCommunities or via Facebook www.facebook.com/ElmCityCommunities.

You are invited to provide written comments addressed to: ECC/HANH, Moving to Work FY2023 Annual Plan, Attn: Evelise Ribeiro, 360 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06511 or via email to: eribeiro@elmcitycommunities.org.

Pursuant to said Section II (C), a public hearing where public comments will be accepted and recorded is scheduled for Monday, May 16, 2022 at 4:00pm via: RingCentral: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/975943490?pw=2e34ff6769797e68e96a95bb953d 0d81, Meeting ID: 975943490, Password: yozWY5m3ib.

Or dial 1 (650) 419-1505 Access Code / Meeting ID: 975943490 Dial-in password: 9699956342 Any individual requiring a Reasonable Accommodation to participate in the hearing may call the Reasonable Accommodation Manager (203) 498-8800, ext. 1507 or at the TDD Number (203) 497-8434.

EOE Please apply in person: 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext. Stratford, CT 06615Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice LAS COMUNIDADES DE LA CIUDAD DE ELM, AUTORIDAD SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE SENIOR ADMINITRATIVE DE VIVIENDA DE NEWHAVEN (ECC/HANH) MOVIMIENTO Old Saybrook, CT AL TRABAJO (MTW) ​​PLAN ANUAL FY2023 (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project La Sección II (C) del Acuerdo de Traslado al Trabajo de la Autoridad (el "Acuerdo")

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA PARA

ASSISTANT Full-time position

requiere que ECC/HANH celebre al menos una audiencia pública por presentación de

MTW anual Demolition, y que el Plan de MTWCastanual esté disponible para comentario público duNewto Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Site-work, Go www.portlandrante al menos treinta (30) días. días. La Agencia acepta tener en cuenta los comentarios in-place Concrete, Asphaltpúblicos Shingles,sobre VinylelSiding, diseño del programa, incluidos los comentarios de los inquilinos/ ct.org for details Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances,actuales Residential participantes en la Casework, medida en que se proporcionen dichos comentarios.

El período de comentarios Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection. de treinta (30) días comienza domingo 17 de abril de 2022 y QSR STEEL CORPORATION las copias del Plan Moving to Work (MTW) FY2023 estarán disponibles en el sitio web This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements. ​​

APPLY NOW!

de la agencia www.elmcitycommunities.org o a través de Twitter, www.twitter. com/ ECCommunities o a través de Facebook www.facebook.com/ElmCityCommunities.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5,a2016 Lo invitamos proporcionar comentarios por escrito dirigidos a: ECC/HANH, Moving Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Work15, FY2023 Anticipated Start: to August 2016 Annual Plan, Attn: Evelise Ribeiro, 360 Orange Street, New Haven, Top pay for top performers. Health CT 06511 o por correo electrónico a: eribeiro@elmcitycommunities.org. documents available via ftp link below: Benefits, 401K,Project Vacation Pay. De conformidad con dicha Sección II (C), una audiencia pública donde se aceptarán y http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage registrarán los comentarios públicos está programada para el lunes 16 de mayo de 2022 Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT a las 4:00 p. m. a través de: RingCentral: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/975943490 ?pw AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER =2e34ff6769797e68e96a95bb953d0d81, Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com ID de reunión: 975943490, Contraseña: yozHCC encourages the participation of all Veteran,WY5m3ib.

S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 O marque 1 (650) 419-1505 Código de acceso / ID de reunión: 975943490 AA/EEO EMPLOYER Contraseña de marcación: 9699956342

MECHANIC TRACTOR TRAILER

Full Time, Benefits, Top Pay Apply:Pace, 1425 Honeyspot

Rd. Ext., Stratford, CT EOE

21

Cualquier persona que requiera una Adaptación Razonable para participar en la audiencia puede llamar al Gerente de Adaptación Razonable (203) 498-8800, ext. 1507 o al Número TDD (203) 497-8434.

THEINNER-CITY INNER-CITY NEWS NEWS -July April , 2022 - April 12,2016 2022 27,06 2016 - August 02,

Construction

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valWe offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits id drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 621Contact: Tom Dunay VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE 1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

Phone: 860- 243-2300 HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom this develAffiatrmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to applyapartments Drug Free Workforce opment located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven.

Maximum income limitations apAffirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon reGarrity Asphalt Incduring seeks: CT Fence quest by calling HOMEReclaiming, INC at 203-562-4663 those hours.Large Completed pre- Company looking for an individual for our Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing PVCStreet, Fence Third Production Shop. Experience preferred but will applications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northtrain the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. east & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production poContact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300 sition. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and Email: rick.touMust have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain VALENTINAsignant@garrityasphalt.com MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDESmore.

DISPONIBLES a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com.

Affirmative Action/deEqual Opportunity HOME INC, en nombre la Columbus House y Employer de la New Haven Housing Authority, está AA/EOE-MF aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipjulio,Must 2016have hastaacuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes ment.

CDL License, clean driving record, capable of (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas porSeeking correo atopetición operating heavyde equipment; be willing to travel throughout the employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, llamando HOME INC alexcellent 203-562-4663 horas.Pre-solicitudes deberánand remitirse Northeast &aNY. We offer hourlydurante rate &esas excellent benefits operator teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT personal 06510 . transportation and a valid drivers license reReliable

NOTICE

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

THE GLENDOWER GROUP, INC. Request for Proposals Construction Monitor The Glendower Group, Inc. is currently seeking proposals for a construction monitor. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Glendower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/ gateway

beginning on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3:00PM.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals UCaaS

NOTICIA

Union Company seeks:

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

NEW HAVEN

Construction

quired. To apply please call (860) 621-1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for UCaas. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3:00PM.

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals Intelligent Document Management

Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for intelligent document management. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm Drug Free Workforce City Communities’ Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.

Invitation to Bid: cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on nd State of Connecticut 2 Notice Office of Policy Monday, March 21, 2022 at 3:00PM. and Management

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V

242-258 Fairmont Ave 2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings,The 17 Units) Norwalk Housing Authority and Heritage Housing, Inc. are seekThe State of Connecticut, Office of Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage RateedProject ing a qualifi Arch/CM/GC for a Multi-Family Housing Project. The Policy and Management is recruiting for a Policy Development Coordinator. project consists of the construction of 69 new mixed-income housing New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition,located Site-work, units on property inCastNorwalk, CT. The development may be Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application in-place Concrete, Asphaltfunded Shingles, Vinyl Siding, through the State of Connecticut Department of Housing and instructions are available at: Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, other sources.

Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity regulations https://www.jobapscloud.com/ apply.and A Fire fullProtection. copy of the RFQ Bid is available from Heritage HousMechanical, Electrical, Plumbing CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?

Inc. bycompliance emailing requirements. a request to Niall Farrell (nfarrell@heritagehousThis contract is subject to state set-asideing, and contract R1=220323&R2=1581MP&R3=001 inginc.com).

The State of Connecticut is an equal Bid Extended, opportunity/affirmative action employer Due Date: August 5, 2016 and strongly encourages theAnticipated applications Start: August 15, 2016 Economic Development Specialist of women, minorities, and persons Project documents available via ftpoflink below: is seeking a qualified individual to develop and implement the The Town Wallingford with disabilities. marketing, business recruitment and retention programs for the Town of Wallingford. http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university in economics, business, public administration, planning or related field, plus three (3) years’ experiFax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com ence in municipal economic development office or agency, or equivalent combination HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses of education and qualifying experience substituting on a year - for year basis. Wages: Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 Full Time –Haynes All Construction Shifts Top $65,000 to 80,000 annually. The closing date for applications is April 14, 2022. ApAA/EEO EMPLOYER ply to: Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Application materials can be emailed to wlfdhr@wallingEOE Please apply in person: fordct.gov. Application forms will be mailed upon request from the Department of 1425 Honeyspot Rd. Ext. Human Resources or may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page. Phone #: (203) 294-2080; Fax #: (203) 294-2084. EOE Stratford, CT 06615

DRIVER CDL CLASS A Pay-Full Benefits

22

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

HONOREE

SAHRAA KARIMI INDEPENDENT FILM DIRECTOR & SCREENWRITER

OMNI NEW HAVEN HOTEL AT YALE 155 TEMPLE ST. NEW HAVEN, CT IN PERSON AND ON OUR VIRTUAL STAGE 12:00PM–2:00PM LUNCHEON AND AWARD PRESENTATION

2:00PM–3:00PM POST–LUNCHEON RECEPTION

Tickets start at $175.

To purchase, visit ARTIDEA.ORG/VLA Virtual options available beginning at $75

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for in-person attendance.

Guests will be asked to wear a mask when not eating or drinking. Additional precautions may be required based on public health guidance and City of New Haven policy effective April 6, 2022.

23

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - April 06, 2022 - April 12, 2022

The secret’s out.

Introducing game-changing savings.

Xfinity is changing the Internet and wireless game. We’re talking the fastest in-home WiFi with speeds over a Gig and wireless on the most reliable 5G network with Xfinity Mobile. And NOW, introducing game-changing savings when you get both. Get Gig Internet and Unlimited data with Xfinity Mobile and you could save more than $800 on Internet your first year. Gig-speed Internet and reliable 5G? Now that’s a game-changer.

Join the millions who save by getting Xfinity Internet and Mobile together.* *Savings based on weighted average of optimized pricing for top 3 carriers. Xfinity Internet required. Reduced speeds after 20 GB of usage/line.

1-800-xfinity

xfinity.com

Visit a store today

Offer ends 4/3/22. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New customers only. Limited to Gigabit Internet and one line of Xfinity Mobile Unlimited data. Savings based on combination of promotional discount for Gigabit Internet and Xfinity Mobile Unlimited discount as compared to regular rate for Gigabit Internet. Internet: Gig-speed WiFi requires Gigabit Internet and compatible xFi Gateway. WiFi is shareable across all devices in your home. Actual speeds vary and not guaranteed. Many factors affect speed, including equipment performance, interference, congestion, and speeds of visited websites. WiFi speeds affected by additional factors, including distance from Gateway, home configuration, personal device capabilities, and others. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. All devices must be returned when service ends. Xfinity Mobile: Requires post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. Xfinity Mobile utilizes the network with the most RootMetrics 5G data reliability wins in 2H 2021. Results may vary. Award is not endorsement. Xfinity customers will auto-connect to Xfinity WiFi when available and not use the wireless network. RootMetrics did not test WiFi networks. Call for restrictions and complete details. NPA239608-0003 NED-AA-BMD-V5

142515_NPA239608-0003 N BMD launch 9.25x10.5 V5.indd 1

24

2/15/22 2:14 PM