by Stefano Mancini | Aug 6, 2026 | Advocacy, Leadership, Supporters
Over the past 11 weeks, interns have worked alongside DESK’s development director, Luis Olmo-Rivera, to create DESK’s annual report. The work included designing the publication’s graphics, interviewing clients and stakeholders, and compiling data and success stories to share with funders and the broader community. Luis explained, “It’s been an honor and privilege to have worked with this group of future leaders this past summer.”
They also worked alongside DESK’s community engagement specialist, Stefano Mancini, to deploy DESK’s new volunteer management system CERVIS, which included back-end testing, beta testing with current volunteers, and overall platform testing to ensure it was user-friendly from day one. “DESK is proud to be a place where students across the world can put their skills to service for our guests,” explained Stefano.
Shujin Zhang, a Master of Divinity student at Yale Divinity School, excelled in the client-facing work that will inform her future career in chaplaincy. Shujin noted about her experience that ”I have witnessed struggles and moments of despair, but I have also been continually inspired by the compassion, dedication, and hope demonstrated through my colleagues’ frontline service.”
Anthony Arcangelo, a rising sophomore at Yale studying Economics, came to DESK as a President’s Public Service Fellow through Yale’s Office of New Haven Affairs. While DESK has hosted several outstanding PPSF fellows in the past, we were particularly excited this year to have a fellow who is local, from East Haven! Reflecting on his work, Anthony stated that “Working at DESK has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. A key theme that stood out to me during my time at DESK was the genuine care and compassion shared across the organization. Everyone—administrators, staff, volunteers, and donors—truly cares about the well-being of the community, which is hard to find in any other environment.”
Ashvin van Bladel, a rising senior at Hopkins School, thrived helping with DESK’s annual report! Ashvin said about his time at DESK that “Having worked here, I can say with certainty that homelessness is not something that anyone should go through alone, and I believe that DESK is making sure that our clients feel seen, heard, and part of a community.”
Elyssa Power, a rising junior at Hopkins School, was one of DESK’s youngest-ever interns, but rose to the occasion with excellent work. Elyssa shared that “One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was interacting with clients and seeing firsthand the positive impact that kindness and consistency can have on someone’s life.”
DESK is very grateful for our cohort of four Development interns this summer who helped DESK make crucial connections with the New Haven community and communicate our mission to our team of supporters.
Are you interested in joining Shujin, Anthony, Ashvin, and Elyssa in serving over 5,000 community members across all our programs each year? Sign up at deskct.org/signup.
by Stefano Mancini | Jul 30, 2026 | Staff & Board
Nelly Birmingham and Marta Velez are graduating from Southern Connecticut State University with their Bachelors of Social Work. They assisted both with backend and frontend operations of our 266 State Street Drop-in and Resource Center and Olive Street Pantry, engaging with our guests and collecting data to help us better serve our community. Marta helped us create a first draft of our Drop-in and Resource Center’s Community Guidelines. Nelly developed written volunteer training elements and client documentation for pantry procedures. She will be continuing her education at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work to receive her Master of Social Work.
Pravalika Kaminenei will be graduating from the University of New Haven with a Master in Data Analytics. She assisted with the creation of data collection tools, performance analysis, and quality automation.
Kamal Mohamed will complete the requirements for an Associate of Computer Engineering in Applied Science from Gateway Community College. His work building and coding a small computer is the foundation for automating an emergency and service monitor for the Drop- In Resource Center. He said “When I first started, I thought I was going to work on a project that was already going on. But when I talked with Wendy [DESK’s Data Administrator] I realized I had the chance to design the project, which gave me the motivation to be more creative and flexible. And while we were working I realized how big the project is and how important the service that DESK provides for their clients is.”
Janet Fan served as an intern in Summer 2025 but has continued to regularly volunteer with DESK’s data team and with cooking and serving food. She is graduating from Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, CT, and will be continuing her education pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Policy Analysis and Public Health at Rice University. Janet says that “My favorite part of working at DESK is definitely meeting all the wonderful people who have inspired me with their heart and their stories. Working at DESK has inspired me to study public policy and solidified my desire to pursue a career dedicated to public service and public interest work.”
Dozens of interns have learned the tools of making the world a better place right here at DESK over the last decade and have shared their talents with colleges and employers around New Haven and around the country. We’re excited to keep in touch with Nelly, Marta, Pravalika, Kamal, and Janet going forward!
by Stefano Mancini | Jun 30, 2026 | Events, Supporters, Volunteering
To help build connections between members of our community who share our values, and to thank all of our supporters, DESK hosted our first-ever Supporter Appreciation Family Day at the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven. Almost 80 members of DESK’s community, from donors to recurring volunteers, came together for a scenic ride on a historic trolley, a lunch generously donated by Aramark, and lawn games – not to mention the great company! The beautiful weather helped us reflect on our work over the past year and create connections across volunteers, donors, interns, and staff across the organization. We were especially proud to invite the whole family to engage with us and share our mission with our youngest supporters!
DESK is grateful to the Shore Line Trolley Museum, which graciously donated its space and trolley rides, and looks forward to continuing to appreciate our supporters who contribute annually so that we may fulfill our mission of serving people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty!
See amazing pictures from the event here.
by Stefano Mancini | Jun 8, 2026 | Drop-in Center, Supporters
DESK’s Drop-in and Resource Center serves New Haven neighbors experiencing homelessness with vital support in the afternoon and evening, six days a week, so DESK staff are often the first to respond before first responders arrive. In situations where seconds matter – like sudden cardiac arrest – having the proper equipment can truly be the difference between life and death.
View Press Conference here.
Media Coverage:
New Haven Independent
News8 WTNH
by Stefano Mancini | May 27, 2026 | Uncategorized
Claudette works within DESK’s Drop-in & Resource Center and conducts street outreach to connect people living outside with basic needs support. She is also a tireless advocate at the municipal and state levels, calling for legislation to prevent and respond to homelessness, and she spoke at the State Capitol in February with the End Homelessness Caucus.
Claudette emphasized the impact the program had on her professional development, especially through meeting other practitioners in her cohort and at workshops at UConn Stamford and UConn Hartford.
“Most importantly, this experience is helping me better understand how to tell the story of DESK through data — demonstrating not only the need for our services, but also the impact we make within the community every day. Learning how to combine compassion, lived experience, and measurable outcomes has been one of the most valuable takeaways for me,” Claudette noted.
“I would like to sincerely thank Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen for encouraging staff to apply and invest in professional growth. I would also like to thank The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for creating such a meaningful and much-needed program and for giving me the opportunity to learn a great deal about nonprofit leadership and service. I am truly looking forward to continuing this journey of growth, learning, and leadership.”
Programs like these help DESK’s staff grow into leaders who are better equipped to stand with and advocate for the people we serve. Learn more about the impact our staff is having on the community at deskct.org/blog.
