United Way of Greater New Haven moved to 370 James St. in April. We're thrilled with our new office on many levels: It's a great space, with room for community meetings that cultivate new relationships and collaborations; a work environment that inspires internal brainstorming and innovation; and we're right in the midst of one of the many communities we serve.

Last Thursday we invited our friends, neighbors, partners and donors to tour the space and see what all of our enthusiasm is about. We brought in local hip-hop poet and playwright Aaron Jafferis to perform excerpts of his neighborhood-centered work, with help from some of his students from Educational Center for the Arts, and we heard a few words from 2012 Hillhouse valedictorian Shaylah McQueen,  who earned the prestigious honor of being among 1,000 students in the country to be awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship.

And we indulged in some of our favorite locally-sourced food and drink: wine from The Wine Thief, micro-brews from New England Brewing Co.,  cheese from Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro, noshes from Claire's Corner Copia and Allegra's of Branford, bread from our neighbor at Chabaso Bakery, and soda from Foxon Park.

We enjoyed celebrating our space with all of our partners and supporters. So many of those who came (and some who couldn't make it) are doing hard work to strengthen our community. So thanks for coming, and thanks for Living United.

View photos from event here.