Boost! Pilot Program has Started in School

As the days of August draw to a close, the energy that accompanies the beginning of a new school year feels palpable.  Here at United Way, we’ve spent all summer “in school,” working hard on the Boost! partnership, one of the components of the School Change Initiative in New Haven. 

We have identified the five schools that will be part of the pilot in the upcoming school year: Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School; Clinton Avenue School; Troup Magnet Academy of Science; Wexler-Grant Community School, and Metropolitan Business Academy.  These schools have been identified by the District as having strong leadership as well as student populations needing additional support services, making them ideal candidates for our pilot.  We are also delighted to welcome our new Boost! Program Manager, Michelle Mitchell.  In addition to her strong background in youth development and policy, Michelle brings deep knowledge of the New Haven community and schools, having grown up here and graduated from Hillhouse High School.  Michelle later went on to obtain her undergraduate degree from Southern Connecticut State University and graduate studies at The New School.

As part of our effort to organize community resources to support student success, we are collaborating with The Harwood Institute.  The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that seeks nothing less than to spark fundamental change and authentic hope in American public life.  The Harwood Institute is United Way Worldwide's signature partner for both the Education Mobilization Cohort and The Campaign for the Common Good. 



Founded by Richard C. Harwood twenty years ago in reaction to the cynicism and distrust that permeates much of politics and public life, the Harwood Institute is a leading change organization, recognized nationally for a unique approach to breaking down barriers and empowering people to make progress in improving their communities.  The Harwood principles have been successfully applied in the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors, including, public libraries and school systems, newspapers and public broadcasting, United Ways and other community-based organizations. 

In June, United Way Board Members Diane Young Turner and Linda Masci, along with a team of United Way of Greater New Haven staff, attended the Harwood Public Innovators Lab with other United Ways from across the country that are part of the Education Mobilization Cohort.

We are so fortunate to have the Harwood Institute as a partner in our education reform efforts.  Their long history of success and their hands on approach to community involvement is both inspiring and practical.  I can state without hesitation that I benefited greatly from attending their seminar this past June. 

-Linda Masci, United Way of Greater New Haven Board member

We are especially pleased to be partnering with Yale University to bring Rich Harwood to New Haven on October 20 and 21 to assist us in identifying shared community aspirations and mobilizing to advance them.  These two days will offer a fantastic opportunity to work with our Board and other key community partners and leaders to engage with the wider community around the challenges and opportunities facing New Haven, particularly as they relate to education. 

I am extremely excited that the Harwood Institute will present this valuable seminar in October for New Haven community leaders and members of the Yale community.  It is an exciting approach to building stronger communities through involvement as well as an opportunity to gain excellent engagement and mobilization skills.  I hope that all who are invited will participate in this valuable training. It is clear, concise and applicable.

-Diane Young Turner, United Way of Greater New Haven Board member

Based on the experience we had in June at the Harwood Lab, we are confident that this will be a truly inspiring experience for all who participate.  I look forward to sharing with you next month the results of this exciting partnership.

Jack Healy

President and CEO