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.
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 | Feb 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
Miranda and Diego moved to New Haven from Virginia for her medical residency at Yale. As a doctor, Miranda’s practice includes seeing the impact of homelessness and food insecurity on health outcomes, exacerbating chronic and acute issues. DESK’s mission and vision include providing support to meet guests where they are at and to use food as an invitation to services to help move guests beyond homelessness and poverty and towards health and equity – including through our partnership with Cornell Scott Hill Medical Center on the third floor of our Drop-in and Resource Center.
Miranda says that DESK is an integral part of her New Haven experience and critical to supporting the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“My husband and I first became aware of DESK when we moved nearby three years ago. New to town, part of my work orientation included a session on the history and demographics of New Haven. During that session, we learned the sobering statistics on poverty and homelessness in the city—especially striking given Connecticut’s overall wealth. From that point on, my admiration for and support of DESK only continued to grow.
Over time, we came to know many DESK patrons as our neighbors and were glad to welcome them back after the renovations at 266 State Street were completed. While some people may hold negative assumptions about those who rely on DESK’s services, my experiences have shown the opposite. Everyone I’ve encountered has been polite, friendly… well, neighborly!
Unfortunately, since budget cuts across the federal government, we’ve noticed an increase in families with young children turning to DESK for meals and other resources – further underscoring the organization’s important work.
Despite the daily hardships DESK faces, volunteering there is filled with warmth—from seasonal decorations to familiar faces with a smile. The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen remains a place where those experiencing homelessness can still find community.”
We’re grateful for Miranda and Diego and encourage all of DESK’s supporters to follow their example and tell their loved ones, friends, and colleagues about the work that DESK does. Volunteer with your friends, challenge people you know to match your donation, and host drives with your school, company, or religious organization. Together, we can show our love for the New Haven community this Valentine’s Day.
by Stefano Mancini | Feb 5, 2026 | Uncategorized
Athletic also showcased their partnership with DESK in their annual Impact Report this year, highlighting us to their global community of employees and partners.
This month, Athletic stepped up even further. They donated 32 computers to DESK, which will help us add more technology to our programs and allow our staff to access vital information faster to connect clients with the support they need.
It would be easy to continue to say how crucial Athletic has been for DESK’s operations for several years and how grateful we are for Athletic employees for taking the initiative to partner with DESK and offer consistent and continued support our clients can rely on. But here are a few words from Athletic employees about why they choose to volunteer with DESK:
“Ever since my buddy and coworker Tim Budz introduced me to DESK, I knew I wouldn’t want to volunteer anywhere else. This partnership means so much to me – I feel closer to my community, closer to my coworkers and I feel like I’m making an active difference through direct action. That wouldn’t be possible without the amazing team DESK for working with us and welcoming us with open arms!” -Phil Rieth, Customer Experience Associate
“As a long time resident of New Haven and the Wooster Square neighborhood I have always taken pride in the strong sense of community in New Haven. In these difficult times, having the opportunity to give my time up for service to my community means everything. I have neighbors both in my building and nearby that are struggling, it means a lot to me to get to come to DESK and help those people out in a meaningful way. There is no great joy for me than getting to feed those who are hungry and in need. Overall I am so grateful that DESK exists for all of us in New Haven. Whether we are giving back or going for our own needs, DESK is there to help folks out without judgement. Thank you for everything you do for our community and for allowing members like me to come in and serve our neighbors.” – John Murray, QA Lab Technician I
“At Athletic, a huge part of our mission is to positively impact communities for the better, and I love that we are able to put this into practice in our local communities on a regular basis. Specifically, volunteering at DESK has been an amazing opportunity to work with a New Haven-based organization that similarly believes in the power of community to make real and lasting changes. It has been so rewarding to get involved through the Olive Street Pantry and food delivery and be able to feel like a part of the community near our brewery in Milford.” – Marla DiPoto, Graphic Designer
“I love to volunteer at DESK because it’s inspiring to be able to positively impact the lives of neighbors in the local area, where I grew up and work. Being able to perform this heartwarming work with coworkers from other departments and form bonds with them while positively helping the less fortunate of greater New Haven is an amazing opportunity that I look forward to.” – Rob Nilan, Brewery Supervisor
“We’re lucky to have a company that allows up the opportunity to volunteer once month. Setting up a structure to work with DESK each month allows us to build relationships. Doing so allows us to create better connections and connection is what makes a community. Our communities are all we have.” – Carla Lia, Site Administrator
Words can’t express how integral Athletic is to what DESK does – but volunteer, donate, or host a drive to feel the energy through serving at DESK and maybe meet some volunteers from Athletic along the way!
by Stefano Mancini | Jan 29, 2026 | Stories, Uncategorized, Volunteering
Choco has spent her life engaging with her community, and she continues to even inspire the next generation to serve. Her favorite DESK memory is bringing her nieces and nephews to serve dinner on Christmas Eve. She says that her nephew started out the night shy, but by the end of the night, “the best part was my nephew who was scared to talk to people was the one who was so engaged with the community that we had to wait for him to finish before we could leave.”
Beyond DESK, Choco continues to serve the New Haven community. She volunteers with other organizations that provide services to empower adults with disabilities.
Choco says, “once a community servant, always a community servant,” and that proves true in her life. Join Choco and meet even more of your New Haven neighbors by volunteering, donating, or hosting a drive to support DESK.
