DESK Blog
News , Updates, and Insights
WNPR: Addressing misconceptions around food insecurity: ‘It’s about more than food’
WNPR's Where We Live this morning dove into the importance of addressing food insecurity, or hunger, as a broader symptom of poverty and in a more holistic manner. The situation is worsening each year; as Connecticut Foodshare's CEO, Jason Jakubowski, says, "This is...
New Haven County Medical Association Foundation partners up with DESK!
Photo Caption: DESK’s DRC Program Manager, Evan Serio (center), accepting the donation from the NHCMA Foundation’s President, Dr. Matthew Ellman (left), and Director, Meghan Leubner (right). People experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable in our...
In the News: SNAP/WIC, Narcan, & Student Homelessness
NPR's Morning Edition hit on three topics this morning that cover much of what we do at DESK: hunger, homelessness, and the opioid crisis. Stay informed! Take a few minutes to listen to these short pieces: Agriculture secretary says government shutdown would...
Impactful Philanthropy Unites DESK, Saltzman, and Jewish Foundation
We are excited to share the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven’s press release announcing the establishment of a new endowment fund to benefit DESK, which went out today: Impactful Philanthropy Unites DESK, Saltzman, and Jewish Foundation [New Haven,...
In Memoriam: Keith Petrulis
Last night, we said goodbye to Keith Petrulis. His friends, family, and community gathered at Trinity Church on the Green for a two-hour memorial service organized by U-ACT, the Unhoused Activists Community Team. More than a dozen people who knew and loved Keith got...
Remembering those we’ve lost…
Opioid overdoses are now the leading cause of death for people under 40; and in the US last year, more people died from opioid overdoses than from car accidents. At DESK we've lost several people over the years, as recently as this past weekend. Below are a few poems...
WNPR: New solutions to assisting unhoused people
This morning, our Board Secretary, Dr. Caitlin Ryus, joined Mayor Justin Elicker and Amistad Catholic Worker House's Mark Coville and Suki Godek on WNPR's Where We Live to discuss new models for providing temporary shelter, as well as the health challenges faced by...
Congratulations Gianna and Shannon!
BSW interns at DESK join staff and our volunteer corps in the operations of the weekly Olive Street Pantry program, the Evening Meals program, and the 266 State Street Drop-in & Resource Center. Interns undergo numerous iterative trainings, including:...