See below for highlights from some of our past community projects.
New Haven Home Recovery Partnership
Established in 1990 as a provider of emergency shelter for families, New Haven Home Recovery works to address the housing and support service needs of women with children. Junior League provisional members created the Reading Room at the Martha’s Place housing unit. Additionally, League members have created a garden at Martha’s Place and have given the residents a much appreciated spa night. In 2009 the League held a "Homeless Awareness" Happy Hour to benefit the residents of New Haven Home Recovery. The League collected over $1000 in items to support the purchase of new women's robes and slippers.
Clifford Beers Clinic Partnership
In 1991, after much hard work, the league's signature project for the next six years was born: Elm City Kids, an evening child care program for the children of men and women in substance abuse treatment programs. The project was developed in conjunction with the Hospital of St. Raphael and, in the mid- 90s, it also gave rise to the related Parenting Workshops, a speaker's series that taught parents about child care, health and nutrition. Following the tradition of turning projects over to the community, in 1997 Clifford T. Beers Guidance Clinic took over the Elm City Kids program.
Police Family Room
In 2001, the League teamed up with the Yale University Child Study Center and the New Haven Police Department to develop the New Haven Police Family Room, a safe haven for children and families requiring immediate need. Located at police headquarters, the room provides a quiet retreat for both children and adults. It was a three-year JL community project from 2001 – 2004 that was funded in part through a luncheon featuring Dr. Henry Lee.
Ronald McDonald House Partnership
In May of 1982, the League was approached with the idea of putting together a designer Show House to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The project was a collaboration with the Pediatric Family Center and finally came to fruition in May of 1984. In preparation for the Show House '84, the League sponsored many fund raisers, including a wine booth at Oktoberfest, a “Khaki or Tacky Party,” and a Preview Party held at the Show House site. When all was said and done, the League donated $15,000 to the Ronald McDonald House. In 1995, another $1,000 was raised at a “Barbecue by the Sea” and donated to the Ronald McDonald House. In 1986, Pat Burelle chaired the Dream Auction '86, which raised $25,000.
