MAYOR JUSTIN ELICKER AND LOCAL NON-PROFITS CELEBRATE OPENING OF THE CITY’S FIRST NEW YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTER AT THE TROWBRIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER IN EAST ROCK PARK
Exploring Nature program and Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective are first non-profits to be awarded free space at city facilities in exchange for providing youth, family, and community programming for residents. Open House and new programs kickoff today.
NEW HAVEN, CT – On Saturday, November 5th at The Trowbridge Environmental Center in East Rock Park, Mayor Justin Elicker joined local non-profit and community organization leaders and New Haven residents to celebrate the opening of the city’s first new Youth & Community Center, which will provide youth, family, and community programming seven days a week. The center is located at the corner of Orange Street and Cold Spring Street in the College Woods section of East Rock Park.
“We are so excited to open the first of our eight new Youth and Community Centers in the City of New Haven and to begin to partner with so many wonderful local non-profits to provide free and low-cost activities for our residents. The Trowbridge Environmental Center at East Rock Park and other previously underutilized city buildings are being transformed into hubs of neighborhood activity where children, youth, adults, and families can enjoy high-quality educational and recreational programs,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “I want to thank the Urban Resources Initiative, Friends of East Rock Park, Fair Haven Community Health Care, and the Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective for their thoughtful proposals and for working collaboratively on this innovative partnership in service of New Haven residents.”
In August, the City of New Haven announced a new citywide initiative to open eight new Youth and Community Centers in neighborhoods across the Elm City, and issued a Request for Proposals offering free space at underutilized city buildings to New Haven-based non-profit organizations in exchange for them offering high-quality youth, family, and community programming for residents.
The complete list of new city Youth and Community Center sites that will be activated by non-profits include: The Trowbridge Environmental Center in East Rock Park, Coogan Pavilion at Edgewood Park, Barnard Nature Center at West River Memorial Park, Atwater Senior Center at 26 Atwater Street, Trowbridge Recreation Center at 160 Carlisle Street, Goffe Street Park Community Building at DeGale Field, Salperto at East Shore Park, and West Rock Nature Center at 1080 Wintergreen Avenue. Based on the current state and needed repairs of the buildings, the first three sites activated will be at Coogan Pavilion, Barnard Nature Center, and Trowbridge Environmental Center, with the other locations to follow.
Among the first round of applicants were Exploring Nature and Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective, who were both awarded space at The Trowbridge Environmental Center at East Rock Park. The Exploring Nature program launched its programming with an Open House on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective will officially launch its programming on November 20th, but also participated in the Open House, providing musical accompaniment alongside the day’s activities.
At the Open House, residents were able to tour the newly renovated facility, enjoy a community lunch along with mulled cider and donuts, watch a magic show with Cyril the Sorcerer, and participate in a Hike for Health. In addition, there was also a short welcoming program with remarks from Mayor Elicker; Gwendolyn B. Williams from the City of New Haven’s Youth and Recreation Department; Anna Ruth Pickett from Urban Resources Initiative; David Shimchick from Friends of East Rock Park, Amanda DeCew from Fair Haven Community Health Care, and Marcella Monk Flake from the Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective, among others.
About EXPLORING NATURE
Exploring Nature a new program led by Urban Resources Initiative (URI) in collaboration with the Friends of East Rock Park (FERP), Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC) volunteers, and Yale School of the Environment students. Exploring Nature will activate The Trowbridge Environmental Center three times a week: on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (and occasionally to 2 p.m.). It will provide youth and family programming that focuses on the development of youth of all ages and enrichment of New Haven families. FERP leadership team members will host an Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturdays of the month. FHCHC and URI volunteers will lead health and nature programming with a junior explorer’s walk from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. for youth and their families on Tuesdays. URI staff and Yale students will lead environmental educational programming and service activities on Thursdays and Saturdays. Cyril the Sorcerer will lead environmental, empowerment, and family-based magic shows with themes such as water, recycling, wilderness, and climate on some Saturdays. The program is free and open to the public. To learn more about the Exploring Nature program, go to exploringnatureERP.
About MONK YOUTH JAZZ & STEAM COLLECTIVE
Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective, Inc. is a music and STEAM-driven college and career readiness program. Founded by family members and enthusiasts of jazz musician Thelonious Sphere Monk, Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective seeks to inspire, educate, enlighten, uplift, unite, and cultivate a beloved multicultural community. Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective will be activating The Trowbridge Environmental Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with its exact hourly schedule to be determined. On weekdays, it will serve as a gathering place for New Haven’s artistic youth where music, drama, and visual arts students can meet, take lessons, learn, and collaborate with other youth on performance and visual art pieces. In addition, in an effort to preserve New Haven’s rich gospel and jazz history, Monk will also begin jazz band and gospel choir offerings for both youth and adults. On Sunday afternoons the space will be used for a New Orleans-styled jam/learning session where youth and “seasoned” practicing musicians will come together to perform and create. Programs are free or low-cost and open to the public. To learn more about the programs, go to www.monkyouthjazz.org, email monkyouthjazz@gmail.com or call (860) 849-9890.
###
Press Contacts:
Lenny H. Speiller (he/him)
Director of Communications
Mayor Justin Elicker | City of New Haven
165 Church Street | New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: 203-725-4249
Email: Lspeiller@newhavenct.gov
Non-Profit Organizations:
