Greater New Haven Youth Network

Beginning in 2020, two groups met regularly (the New Haven Community Learning Hubs and the United Way’s Summer Youth Fund), and focused on building connections and relationships to serve local students and families. The Learning Hubs provided safe, neighborhood-based spaces for distance learning, social support, and enrichment, while the Summer Youth Fund agencies navigated returns to in-person summer activities.

Merging the spirit of these two groups, the Greater New Haven Youth Network was formed and invites other agencies that provide youth programming to help develop a citywide, community-based network of youth development professionals and programs. This brings an all-hands-on-deck approach to support out-of-school programs, their staff, and the children, youth, and families they serve.

Goals for the Network

• Cultivate a regional network of support and professional development for youth programs 
• Increase accessibility to high-quality before and after school, school vacation, and summer programs
• Build knowledge of support services to help programs address family needs  
• Support a system of ongoing improvement to ensure high quality programming for all children 
• Further the reach and impact of the network by promoting programs and fundraising opportunities 

Guiding Principles 

The Greater New Haven Youth Network is open to any agencies engaged in youth development in Greater New Haven. Our initiatives provide supportive programming that is high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and culturally affirming. We serve children and youth of all ages (Pre-K - 25 years old). Older youth are involved by taking on staff roles. The programs prioritize serving students who are low-income youth and part of our region's most vulnerable populations. We work to ensure equitable access to our resources (free or low cost). Our programs create a network of mutual support - working to facilitate neighborhood linkages, financial stability, interdependence, investment, job opportunities, and collaboration with school districts.

The Network programs operate independently, covering their own liability and ensuring that adults have background checks. We work towards designing a shared definition of success with input from children, youth, parents, teachers, providers, and partners by listening to the needs of the member agencies for opportunities to collaborate and continuously improve. Our network meetings are held monthly, with additional training opportunities throughout the year 

Network Meetings

We host monthly Network Meetings (on Zoom) which are open to any youth agency in Greater New Haven. The Planning Committee designs interactive, fun, and learning-filled meetings that intend to foster valuable connections across agencies. The meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month 10:30am-12:00pm and are intended for program and leadership staff. Topics include staff recruitment/training, parent engagement, social emotional learning, and more.

In May 2025, we held our first GNH Youth Network Summit – an in-person networking and skill building opportunity. We hope to plan an informal happy hour and other fun events for participating agencies.

Interested in joining meetings or events? Questions? contact Abigail Mariam, Ph.D., Director of Education Initiatives, amariam@uwgnh.org.

Are you a staff member or leader at an afterschool/out-of-school time organization working with young people in Greater New Haven? Want to learn more about this network or how to join? Please complete the contact form below.

We also have a Youth Programs Directory where you may be interested in being featured!