It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort Nathan Hale gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Haven, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting East Rock Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local ZINC New Haven or visit James Dwight Dana House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Haven, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Haven, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Haven, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy certainly loves a good pizza.In 2024, Portnoy went all over the state and reviewed the pizzas of 22 Connecti...
Bar Stool Sports founder Dave Portnoy certainly loves a good pizza.
In 2024, Portnoy went all over the state and reviewed the pizzas of 22 Connecticut establishments as part of his online show: One Bite Pizza Reviews.
Portnoy grades a pizza shop off his personal criteria: the store-owners' vibes and the attitude of the patrons eating there, the ambience and atmosphere of the place and, arguably the most important part: the quality of the pie.
Lower ratings on Portnoy's scale tend to be in 6's and low 7's, with the highest ratings being in the 8's and 9's.
Here are 2024's best pizza restaurants in the state, according to Portnoy's pizza reviews.
Portnoy came to E&D Pizza Company at 200 W Main St. and was wowed by the firmness of the pizza, saying that Connecticut's epithet should be changed to "The Home of No Flop."
"It's thin, it's crispy, it's well-cooked, it's tasty," Portnoy said.
"El Presidente" gave the E&D Pizza Company a 7.9.
As part of his review tour of the Constitution State, Portnoy visited Oakland Pizza Co. at 289 Oakland Rd. He commented on what he called the "New Haven cut" of the pizza and its thin crust, later saying that he was "flabbergasted" at the multitudes that the pizza contained.
"I do like it," Portnoy said. "I could eat 300 of these larges."
Portnoy gave Oakland Pizza Co. a 7.9.
Stopping at Sapore Pizzeria & Bar at 163 Boston Post Rd. in Old Lyme, Portnoy said that the pizza looked excellent right out of the box with a sufficient crust.
"This is really good," Portnoy said. "The best pizza I've had so far on the trip."
He also said that he prefers pizzas that are tighter and less sloppy, specifically pies that can hold their integrity and materials while being thrown around. Despite that, he said he liked the pizza and even conceded that he may have rated it a little low.
He gave Sapore Pizzeria & Bar's pizza a 7.9.
Portnoy said that the pizza at the family-run New Haven Pizza Place in Milford was in his favorite style of pizza: New Haven pizza. He said that the pizza does the New Haven style justice.
"Now, this is a light New Haven, which I like," he said. "I really like it."
New Haven Pizza Place is located at 1377 New Haven Ave.
Portnoy rated New Haven Pizza Place's pizza a 7.9.
Despite the lack of firmness on the undercarriage, Portnoy gave Sasso's Coal Fired Pizza at 52 Main St. a 8.1 out of 10 for its superb flavor in the sauce and the cheese.
Portnoy visited Naugatuck's Luna Woodfired Pizza at 384 N Main St. in June of last year, commending the pizza for having the New Haven style's signature eight slices and perfectly browned undercarriage.
"Luna has the New Haven vibes, New Haven everything," Portnoy said. "I love this style of pizza, so really good."
As a fan predicted at the beginning of the review, Portnoy gave Luna Woodfired Pizza an 8.1 out of 10.
With an emotional and passionate owner hitting Portnoy in the feelings with his story, Zephyr's Street Pizza had a lot to prove. The Barstool Sports head said that pizza place delivered with a lovable crunch.
"This is a morph of a New Haven, it is," Portnoy said. "But he's using the same style undercarriage, super crispy, wow."
He gave Zephyr's Street Pizza an 8.1.
Portnoy said he loved the "Mom and Pop" small-business approach Amato’s Pizza & Pasta has toward running a pizza shop.
Amato’s Pizza & Pasta is located at 391 Durham Rd.
"Superb taste," Portnoy said, giving Amato’s Pizza & Pasta an 8.1.
Reviewing in the rain, Portnoy arrived at Mondo, located at 10 Main St. He commended Mondo's pizza for a great undercarriage with very little flop.
"Burnt tongue, burnt mouth, don't give a *expletive*," Portnoy said, giving the place an 8.1, adding that it had an "apizza vibe."
The champion of Connecticut One Bite Pizza Reviews, Carpanzano's Pizzeria got an 8.2 from Portnoy for their pizza's long slices, an excellent first bite, calling it his favorite pizza he's had on the trip.
Carpanzano's Pizzeria is located at 1200 Boston Post Rd.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
Christina Lee, Head Photography EditorThis September, a national pro-housing development conference will be coming to New Haven.DesegregateCT will host advocates, academics, policymakers and stakeholders from across the country at the annual housing-focused YIMBYtown conference, which will feature tours in New Haven. The conference, named after the pro-housing YIMBY — or “Yes In My Backyard” — movement, tends to focus on increasing affordable housing and transit and has a history of ...
Christina Lee, Head Photography Editor
This September, a national pro-housing development conference will be coming to New Haven.
DesegregateCT will host advocates, academics, policymakers and stakeholders from across the country at the annual housing-focused YIMBYtown conference, which will feature tours in New Haven. The conference, named after the pro-housing YIMBY — or “Yes In My Backyard” — movement, tends to focus on increasing affordable housing and transit and has a history of noticeable bipartisanship.
“The YIMBYtown conference is really a way to get everybody together and trade ideas, trade stories and strategies, and think about really big philosophical challenges and tensions,” said Pete Harrison, the director of DesegregateCT. “We think really practically about what messaging works and what bill language works, with the purpose of growing the movement and keeping it as big of a tent as possible.”
Harrison is expecting this year’s conference to draw leaders and thinkers from across the political spectrum, both from Connecticut and from the rest of the country.
The national housing shortage has been a hot issue in New Haven, having led to protests by local advocacy groups and action by municipal government, including increasingly inclusionary zoning and recognition of tenants unions.
“We’re making progress, but we’ve got a lot more work to do,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker wrote to the News. “I look forward to our city staff participating in the conference to share what’s working in New Haven and to learn about what’s working in other cities across the country.”
Most recently, DesegregateCT has been promoting its “Work Live Ride” plan, a bill passed by the Connecticut House last session that incentivizes the creation of new housing near public transit hubs, and advocating for more funding for rental assistance and homelessness services.
DesegregateCT was selected to host YIMBYtown over groups in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and North Carolina, according to Harrison.
“??We’re trying to leverage that this huge national conference is coming [to Connecticut], and we really want to have some immediate success stories this year,” Harrison said. Although the 2025 legislative session adjourns on June 4, he hopes the announcement of the YIMBYtown conference will put additional pressure on legislators to pass policies addressing climate change, transportation and land use reform.
Connecticut has yet to pass significant zoning reforms at the state level, and each municipality in Connecticut can set its own zoning ordinances. Although the state may seem “relatively progressively governed,” Harrison believes many are still resistant to the sort of housing and transportation changes DesegregateCT promotes.
YIMBYtown is also looking to highlight initiatives New Haven and local organizations have taken to alleviate the housing crisis and bolster public transportation. Elm City Communities, for example, is a “leading” public housing authority in mixed developments, Harrison said, and Park New Haven, the public parking authority, has invested in bike shares.
“I hope that one thing it highlights is just how great of an environment this is for the development of housing and homes because we have great public transit,” Alexandra Daum, a member of the YIMBYtown advisory committee and Yale’s associate vice president of New Haven Affairs, said. She noted that New Haven’s train station and airport can connect people to a multitude of destinations and that the city is extremely walkable.
Several Yale faculty members who focus on housing policy or urban planning also plan to participate in the conference, and several already serve on YIMBYtown’s advisory committee.
David Kooris, one such member of the advisory committee, is looking forward to the knowledge that guests from out of state will bring to Connecticut.
“It’s one thing to hear about it, but it’s another to hear from the people that worked on it, to hear directly from folks who got a challenging rezoning through committee or got a policy through their state legislature or their local legislative body,” Kooris said. “To hear exactly what they learned from that I always find of great value.”
YIMBYtown 2025 will take place from Sept. 14 through Sept. 16.
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LILY BELLE POLING
Lily Belle Poling covers housing and homelessness and climate and the environment. She is also a production and design editor and lays out the weekly print. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, she is a sophomore in Branford College majoring in Global Affairs and English.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.New Haven|Local EventB Lip, NeighborFeb22Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 10:30 AMHigh Lane Club, 40 High Ln, North Haven, CT, 06473...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
New Haven|Local Event
Feb22
Join us for Hop Into Spring 2025: A Lindy Hop & Balboa Workshop with Jennifer Barnett and Dominic Hanna! This weekend will be jam packed with swing lessons for dancers of all levels and includes an incredible evening of social dancing to the Wes Lewis Quartet, featuring vocals by Teddy Horangic.
Don’t wait- early bird pricing ends in January: https://ko-fi.com/yaleswingbluesfusion
Sign up for one lesson or the whole weekend!
Rideshares from New Haven will be set up for those who need transportation to the High Lane Club. We will also try to connect anyone who needs overnight housing with a local host. Contact us for details!
What is Lindy Hop?
Often considered the “original” swing dance, Lindy Hop emerged from African American communities in the ‘20s and ‘30s as a partner dance known for its energetic and playful style.
What is Balboa?
Balboa is a style of swing dance that developed in Southern California and distinctively relies on closed position. Often danced in close proximity to one’s partner, it is built around the feeling of rhythmic movement between dancers, rather than performed movements and step patterns.
Instructors
Jen Barnett
Known for bringing a little math and science into the ballroom (don’t worry, just a little), Jen teaches and competes in Balboa on the international stage, having won the All Balboa Weekend J&J five times. She has also won or placed in strictly competitions at the All Balboa Weekend, California Balboa Classic, Camp Hollywood, and Bal-ast Off in addition to performing at the Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center. When she isn’t competing, performing or teaching classes around the world, Jen calls New York City home and enjoys teaching locally at You Should Be Dancing!
As a teacher, Jen is known for being able to teach truly multi-level classes where everyone is challenged to push their best a little farther. Never forgetting to address both follows and leads, Jen blends a clear, technical presentation with the creativity and improvisational spirit that make swing dancing so enjoyable.
Dominic Hanna
Dominic is a dancer and dance enthusiast based in the Triangle region of North Carolina. He has been dancing balboa for about 8 years, and is deeply fascinated by the elements that compose the feel and aesthetics of the dance. His dancing has been described as musical, smooth, playful, and connection centered. As a local and regional instructor, Dominic is known for his open communication style, and his ability to tangibly share concepts in various forms.
The Lamont administration has launched a $25 million effort to try to build out ?"strategic supply chains" closer to home.New Haven Independent, News PartnerBy Thomas Breen, New Haven IndependentNEW HAVEN, CT — Bracing for Trump II tariffs and protectionism, the Lamont adminis...
New Haven Independent, News Partner
By Thomas Breen, New Haven Independent
NEW HAVEN, CT — Bracing for Trump II tariffs and protectionism, the Lamont administration has launched a $25 million effort to try to build out “strategic supply chains” closer to home — in an effort to get ahead of potentially higher prices for imported goods.
Gov. Ned Lamont and state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe announced that new business-baiting grant program Thursday morning during a press conference at the 470 James St. DISTRICT office of AdvanceCT, a nonprofit that contracts with state government to try to convince businesses to move to and invest in Connecticut.
The state Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA)-funded program will make available grants worth between $500,000 and $5 million “to help supply chain companies in Connecticut’s core industries expand and increase production capacity and encourage the establishment of new operations in the state,” according to a press release sent out Thursday. The money can be spent on infrastructure and workforce.
Companies that receive these state funds will have to provide a 50 percent match, unless if they are located in a state-designated distressed municipality, in which case the match is 10 percent.
O’Keefe said during Thursday’s press conference that the actual “supply,” or product, that companies targeted for this program make is less relevant for this new initiative than is the companies and industries they serve.
He and Lamont stressed that this program is not just about giving out public cash to try to attract any business to move to Connecticut. Instead, it’s about figuring out what exact businesses and industries already exist in the state, what supply chains are critical for their operations, and how to bring those supply chains “closer to the honeypot,” as Lamont put it.
That means trying to grow or attract businesses that serve existing Connecticut economic sectors like advanced manufacturing, national defense, healthcare, and insurance, O’Keefe said. That means seeking out aerospace providers and making sure that existing large Connecticut companies like, say, Electric Boat, are able to source and afford the materials they need to keep their businesses thriving.
A key reason for launching this program now, O’Keefe said, is the coming start of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration in Washington. Connecticut does expect to see a “rise in protectionism and isolationism,” O’Keefe said, given Trump’s campaign promises to implement a wide array of tariffs on imported goods in a bid to boost manufacturing and other industry domestically.
Ultimately, O’Keefe said, “I don’t think that is good for our long-term” economic health, as protectionism and isolationism could lead to supply chain restrictions and higher prices as necessary materials — from Canada or anywhere else — become harder and more expensive to get in the U.S.
And so, he said, Connecticut is preparing for such a shift by trying to boost existing state businesses and attracting out-of-state businesses that already play an important role in the state economy’s supply chain.
Essentially, Lamont said, this program asks important state companies: “Who is there in your supply chain that could be at risk” in a more protectionist environment, and how can they be brought closer to home?
The New Haven Independent is a not-for-profit public-interest daily news site founded in 2005.
NEW HAVEN — You know, Quasimodo did not predict all this.Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana staff were surprised when Steve Schirripa visited the Wooster Street location last week, the eatery poste...
NEW HAVEN — You know, Quasimodo did not predict all this.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana staff were surprised when Steve Schirripa visited the Wooster Street location last week, the eatery posted on Instagram.
"Got to say hello to a good friend of ours @steveschirripaofficial today!" the restaurant said. "Thank you Steve and family for visiting us on Wooster Street."
Schirripa, best known for his roles as Bobby Baccalieri in "The Sopranos" and Detective Anthony Abetemarco on "Blue Bloods," stopped by to get New Haven-style apizza, just as the restaurant celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
"Hey, we're at Frank Pepes, one of our favorite places in New Haven, Connecticut," Schirripa said in a video posted to his Instagram. "I'm having this wonderful tomato pie."
In the video, Schirripa held his dog, Willie, in one arm as he picked up a slice of pizza to enjoy while sitting at a booth inside the shop. Schirripa even gave Willie a cucumber from a bowl of salad sitting at the table to enjoy.
"Willie is eating healthy, it was his New Year's resolution," Schirripa joked to the camera. "Me, I had no New Year's resolution."
In 2023, Schirripa visited New Haven's College Street Music Hall for a live discussion panel with his "The Sopranos" co-stars.
Schirripa is not alone in dining at Pepe's; several other famous celebrities have visited Frank Pepe in the past year alone, including celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey and TikToker Nara Smith.
Actor Paul Giamatti, who grew up in the Elm City and is a Yale University alum, hailed Frank Pepe as his favorite local pizzeria while being interviewed on Marc Maron's “WTF” podcast last year.
New Haven pizza has even gained national notoriety in the past few, especially in May 2024 when U.S. representatives declared New Haven as the pizza capital of America.
Frank Pepe's website says that there are eight different locations within Connecticut along with three in Massachusetts, two in Florida, and then one in Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia. The shop is most famous for its original and White Clam Pizza pie, and the restaurants carry CT-based Foxon Park sodas.
860-261-4405
