by Stefano Mancini | Apr 23, 2026 | Volunteering
We hosted volunteer groups from the United States Coast Guard, Athletic Brewing Company, University of New Haven Women’s Rugby, along with individual volunteers from New Haven Public Schools, Yale School of Public Health, Yale School of Nursing, and several other local schools, faith-based organizations, and companies. We hosted a Ninth Square Neighborhood Cleanup in partnership with Athletic Brewing Company, in addition to all of our regular volunteer opportunities. Grace Hodges of the Coast Guard stated that “I’m proud to serve my community and see the impact I can make every day, whether as a volunteer at DESK or in my role as an active-duty member of the Coast Guard here in New Haven.”
During our weekly Olive Street Pantry, we served sandwiches for 30 volunteers as a token of our gratitude. Additionally, all volunteers this week received a bag of treats from DESK, and we spotlighted superstar volunteers right here on our blog. DESK could not serve thousands of our neighbors every year without the dedicated efforts of 2,700 annual volunteers, from folks who have seen us grow over years and built connections with our guests and staff to those who just recently started helping us fulfill our mission.
Over the next year, we promise even more events and spotlights for our volunteers! Join in on the fun by volunteering with DESK.
by Stefano Mancini | Apr 22, 2026 | Uncategorized
We hosted over 30 volunteers, including volunteers from Athletic Brewing Company and the United States Coast Guard, in addition to star volunteers from the Olive Street Pantry and DESK’s other programs. “Between policy shifts and an affordability crisis, we’re seeing challenges compound for our guests,” said Stefano Mancini, DESK’s Community Outreach Specialist. “But the New Haven community has rallied in response, breaking over 6,000 volunteer hours in total already in 2026.”
Volunteer appreciation doesn’t only take place during Volunteer Appreciation Week at DESK – every day, we are grateful for everyone, from high school students to families to corporate and faith-based groups, who take the time to support our guests and our community. Maybe we’ll see you during Volunteer Appreciation Week next year – you can donate, host a drive, and volunteer to make a difference.
by Stefano Mancini | Apr 21, 2026 | Uncategorized, Volunteering
When asked about why he loves DESK, Anthony shared a powerful statement:
“At a time when homelessness and need of any kind are being cast as moral failures and drains on society, DESK stands in the breach to reaffirm the humanity and worthiness of those in our New Haven community who are asking for the loving support of their neighbors. I am humbled to work alongside the thousands of other volunteers who help the team at DESK do their critical work. There are countless ways to get involved, so I’d encourage anyone who’s looked around at the spreading hopelessness and coldheartedness made manifest in recent (or longstanding) policies and asked themselves “what can I do?” to start by looking into volunteering at DESK!”
Anthony’s pretty busy already thanks to the generosity of donors, but let’s put a little more work on his plate – he won’t mind! – by hosting your own drive to benefit DESK. There are many other ways to support DESK, like volunteering – maybe on Sunday afternoons with Anthony – or donating.
by Stefano Mancini | Apr 20, 2026 | Drop-in Center, Volunteering
The students’ teacher, Maura Galante, offered to get her students involved in DESK, and after working with DESK’s Development team, identified a need for more art in DESK’s 266 State Street Drop-in and Resource Center to help guests feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed. Galante’s students learned about DESK’s mission and food insecurity in New Haven, and then created art showcasing different foods in each student’s individual style. “They embraced the project – it was a social-emotional learning lesson where they brainstormed appropriate imagery and considered what they’d want to see in a community center. They wanted to make positive and uplifting messages for the diners,” said Galante.
Young volunteers help support DESK through food and clothing drives, school events, and volunteer opportunities that include families, and we are always looking for new partnerships that can help us meet our mission and to spread awareness through education about homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty in New Haven, including through donations, drives, and volunteer opportunities.
by Stefano Mancini | Apr 1, 2026 | Advocacy, Homelessness, Leadership, Warming Center
As a member of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, DESK helps lead statewide conversations with policymakers about how we can best serve our guests. In fact, our Client Engagement Specialist, Claudette Kidd, spoke at the Capitol this February with CCEH! This year, we have budget and non-budget requests for the session that will end on May 6.
We are making several policy requests so that the state has a more robust response, including:
SB 364: A mandate for the state to establish stable, year-round extreme weather protocols (so we don’t keep getting caught off-guard every time it snows or is hot!) taking effect in October 2026 in preparation for next winter.
HB 5260: Anti-criminalization legislation, requiring municipalities to prioritize a services-based response to people in crisis, as opposed to a law enforcement response, also taking effect by October 2026.
Budget requests go in front of the state’s Appropriations Committee. This year, we are asking for:
$10 million annually to provide services that prevent people from slipping into homelessness in the first place — Prevention.
$12.3 million annually for emergency shelter and warming/cooling centers during extreme weather conditions — Response.
$15.8 million annually to pay for the people who are staffing outreach, drop-in centers, diversion, intake, and shelter — Response.
$32.3 million to fund case management for people who have been housed through the state Rental Assistance Program — House.
Interested in getting involved?
Find out who your state representative and your state senator are. Go here and enter your address.
Figure out if your state representative or senator serves on the Appropriations Committee by going here: click on the “Committee Membership” bar at the top, and look at the list of names.
If your state representative or senator is on the committee, that means they’re powerful! They decide what goes into the budget. So you should call them up. Find their phone number by navigating to their webpage from the list of House members or Senate members. Here’s a phone script you can use. (You’ll probably just get a staffer or an answering machine — but that’s OK! Leave your message regardless.)
If they are not on the Appropriations Committee, they still hold some influence over their colleagues who are on the committee. You should feel free to call them (using the same details above), or you can send them an email. Find their email address by navigating to their webpage from the list of House members or Senate members. Here’s an email template you can use.
Spread the word to colleagues, friends, family, or anyone else who (a) lives in Connecticut, (b) wants to do more for their community, and (c) thinks we don’t do enough to end homelessness in our state. April showers are going to bring May flowers sooner than we think – don’t wait to raise your voice for our neighbors.
Our policy work amplifies the work that we – and our 3,000 yearly volunteers – do on the ground, every day. Join in the solution on the ground by volunteering, hosting a drive, or donating.
