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 The Shore Line Trolley Museum 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 East 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.
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 olea or visit East Haven Green Historic District, 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 East 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 East 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 East 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.
Get ready for a gripping night of suspense as Stephen King’s MISERY takes the stage at Cabaret on Main Theater in East Haven. This immersive psychological thriller brings King’s chilling story to lifeSTEP INTO THE STORY... If You Dare.Tickets for Stephen King’s MISERY at Cabaret on Main are ON SALE NOW!Get ready for a theatrical experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.Step into the chilling world of Stephen King’s MISERY — live, up-close, and completely immersive at Cabaret on Ma...
Get ready for a gripping night of suspense as Stephen King’s MISERY takes the stage at Cabaret on Main Theater in East Haven. This immersive psychological thriller brings King’s chilling story to lifeSTEP INTO THE STORY... If You Dare.
Tickets for Stephen King’s MISERY at Cabaret on Main are ON SALE NOW!
Get ready for a theatrical experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Step into the chilling world of Stephen King’s MISERY — live, up-close, and completely immersive at Cabaret on Main Theater.
This psychological thriller explodes to life in our intimate black box space, where the audience becomes part of the story, thanks to our breathtaking 280-degree projection system.
Surrounding visuals
Eerie sound design
Cinematic lighting
All drawing you deep into that snowy Colorado cabin… where obsession becomes deadly.
Starring:
Debi Freund as the terrifying Annie Wilkes
Andrew Rosenstein as author Paul Sheldon
Brian Cunningham as Sheriff Buster
Show Dates:
Fridays – September 26 & October 3 at 7PM
Saturdays – September 27 & October 4 at 7PM
Sundays – September 28 & October 5 at 1PM & 6PM
Choose Your Seat:
• Premium Cabaret Seating – BYOB & BYOF
• Standard Theatre Seating – Classic and close to the action
Tickets are ON SALE NOW — and going fast!
With limited seating and high demand, now’s the time to reserve your spot.
Get Tickets Now: https://www.cabaret-on-main.co...
This fall, experience the thriller that will leave your heart racing and your mind reeling...
Only at Cabaret on Main.
#MiseryOnMain #StephenKingLive #CabaretOnMain #CTTheatre #ImmersiveTheatre #FallThriller #BYOBTheatre #SpookySeason #EastHavenEvents #EastHavenCT #easthavenstheater
The City of New Haven was awarded over $50 million from the state’s Innovation Cluster Grant program.The Innovation Cluster Grant Program was created by the state in 2024 to support the continued growth of critical sectors of the state’s economy, including biotechnology, financial technology, insurance technology, and advanced manufacturing."We're really focused, that's what this Innovation Cluster is about, focusing on the strengths Connecticut has," Gov. Ned Lamont said.The program is administered...
The City of New Haven was awarded over $50 million from the state’s Innovation Cluster Grant program.
The Innovation Cluster Grant Program was created by the state in 2024 to support the continued growth of critical sectors of the state’s economy, including biotechnology, financial technology, insurance technology, and advanced manufacturing.
"We're really focused, that's what this Innovation Cluster is about, focusing on the strengths Connecticut has," Gov. Ned Lamont said.
The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
"It's all about laying the infrastructure for its continued growth and we expect Quantum to have broad implications in the growth of the biotech cluster,” said DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe.
On Friday, Matt Pugliese, deputy commissioner with the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development announced New Haven would be the first to receive $50.5 to fund multiple projects in the science fields including Quantum and BioTech, public infrastructure and building developments.
“This award is being matched by municipal, federal, and private dollars more than one to one,” Pugliese said.
The grant application was led by the City of New Haven in partnership with Quantum CT, Yale University, UConn, L&G, Winstanley Enterprises, and BioCT, according to Pugliese.
One of the projects includes building the New Haven Innovation Center, a 4,500 square foot space at the BioTech headquarters located at 101 College Street.
Mayor Justin Elicker said it will provide an opportunity for New Haven Public School students to be able to learn from and work alongside scientists in the field.
Additional investments include:
"The sector was destroyed decades ago and the Hill neighborhood was split from Downtown and slowly we're knitting the city back together,” Mayor Elicker said.
Quantum CT will receive $10,000,000 to provide support to the quantum computing infrastructure necessary to support the Parcel B development and BioCT will receive $3,000,000 to help activate the innovation cluster.
"We have to support the next generation of talent, we have to be able to bring talent here, train them and we have to make sure we give companies everything they need to grow and stay here,” CEO of BioCT Jody Gillon said.
This industry cluster award will reinforce and complement several other state investments in the area. These include:
Transilvania, a restaurant in East Haven owned by a husband and wife from Romania, is thriving now, those owners say it's been a long journey.Ioana and Chris Caldarariu met in Bermuda about 15 years ago before coming to the U.S."My dream was Transilvania," Ioana said. "My dream was to open Transilvania restaurant to introduce our culture, our food, and our traditions to Americans."Business is booming now, but it has been a challenging journey for the restaurant.They opened in 2020 in Fairfield,...
Transilvania, a restaurant in East Haven owned by a husband and wife from Romania, is thriving now, those owners say it's been a long journey.
Ioana and Chris Caldarariu met in Bermuda about 15 years ago before coming to the U.S.
"My dream was Transilvania," Ioana said. "My dream was to open Transilvania restaurant to introduce our culture, our food, and our traditions to Americans."
Business is booming now, but it has been a challenging journey for the restaurant.
They opened in 2020 in Fairfield, offering takeout only during the pandemic.
In 2022, they moved to the historic Old Mill Building in East Haven.
"We had some time when it was kind of rough," Ioana said. "And after that, I invested a lot of time in social media."
Over 26,000 followers later, Caldarariu said about 90% of their customers come from social media.
She shared the secret recipe of how they grew their following.
"I like to joke around, and I think people like humor in general. You know, life is tough," Ioana said. "We have to make fun of ourselves."
Her husband created the menu, that features some traditional Romanian dishes such as sausage, kabobs, and fish -- plus, a side of scares to go with your meal.
“Some girls want Gucci, Prada, and Dior. I just want more skeletons," Ioana said. "The more, the better.”
Chris Torres, from East Haven, was at the restaurant for the first time on Friday.
“I love it. I love horror movies," said Torres. "It’s one of my favorite genres.”
Jamie Solak, of Meriden, likes the dark ambiance but had to go for the food.
“I saw trout on the menu, and I said 'we are so going.'"
Others said it's the perfect time to check it out as we move closer to Halloween.
"It’s the perfect time of year," said Kylie Anpania. "Not only is it beautiful, but it’s New England. It’s spooky."
NEW HAVEN — The state plans to invest $50.5 million to create public infrastructure and facilities in downtown New Haven to boost the state's life sciences industry and the emerging sector of quantum technologies.These investments will be supported by the first grant award in the state’s Innovation Clusters program, a $100 million initiative that aims to support research, innovation and business growth in industries and technologies that state officials expect to be long-term economic engines.“We’ve alwa...
NEW HAVEN — The state plans to invest $50.5 million to create public infrastructure and facilities in downtown New Haven to boost the state's life sciences industry and the emerging sector of quantum technologies.
These investments will be supported by the first grant award in the state’s Innovation Clusters program, a $100 million initiative that aims to support research, innovation and business growth in industries and technologies that state officials expect to be long-term economic engines.
“We’ve always been one of the most innovative states in the country. And now the competition is on us,” Gov. Ned Lamont said at a press conference Friday afternoon at the life-sciences building at 101 College St., in New Haven. “We’re competing against other states, we’re competing against other countries. And we’ve got to believe in the future.”
The projects that will be supported by the new funding include:
“At a time when so many states seem to be moving way from science and technology, Connecticut has chosen instead to increase its investment in the future, to invest in the places, partners and existing industries to create transformative growth and impacts for the people in the state of Connecticut,” said Carter Winstanley, principal of Winstanley Enterprises, the developer of properties including Parcel B and 101 College St. Completed in 2023, the 525,000-square-foot, 10-story building at 101 College St., is anchored by Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Yale University, and also includes a BioLabs incubator.
“What makes Connecticut is unique is not just the science — though Yale and UConn are global leaders in quantum research — it’s the way those strengths connect with the entire higher education system,” said QuantumCT CEO Albert Green. “Together, they are preparing a diverse and skilled workforce that will drive this innovation.”
“By building shared infrastructure and training the next generation of innovators, we can ensure that quantum technologies take root and grow here in New Haven and Connecticut,” said Michael Crair, vice provost for research at Yale University. “These are incredibly promising areas of innovation, and this is a very exciting time for our city and state.”
“When you look at quantum technologies… it touches upon every sector of the state. That includes our defense sector, the national security sector, the insurance sector, the fintech sector, the pharmaceutical sector,” said Pamir Alpay, vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Connecticut. “By putting together this comprehensive program, you are going to make sure our companies are ready for the future.”
“We are the voice of 300 member organizations, and that means countless individuals that need more from us each and every day,” said BioCT CEO Jodie Gillon. “It is time to put a shovel in the ground. We need to expand Connecticut’s capacity to train, develop, network and maintain our incredible talent pool.”
The timeline for the Parcel B and Science at Square 10 developments has not been announced, in part because the design plans for those projects have not been finalized.
Citing another life-sciences hub, at 100 College St., New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker argued that the impact of the new developments would reverberate throughout the city.
“100 College (St.) pays over $5.6 million in taxes every year. That’s one building paying more than our entire library budget in taxes in a year,” Elicker said. “At a time when New Haven is working very hard to address our historical financial challenges, and also there’s a lot of pressure for us to invest more in our community, these types of developments are hugely important to helping ensure that taxes remain somewhat moderate and level, and that we’re able to invest in our community — in our schools, streets, police and all those things.”
While the speakers at Friday’s event were all bullish about Innovation Clusters’ potential, the life sciences represent a nascent industry in Connecticut, based on employment. There were about 25,500 bioscience positions in Connecticut in 2023, compared with around 25,800 in 2022, according to data from the state Department of Labor. (Data for 2024 was not immediately available.) The dip in the head count reflected layoffs and fundraising challenges at a number of companies.
State officials were hesitant to estimate how many jobs could be created by Innovation Clusters' investments.
“Your question about how many jobs this might create is a little bit of an imponderable because we are literally talking about what the economy is going to look like in 25 years,” Daniel O’Keefe, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Development, said in response to a question from CT Insider. “But I can say if we’re 3.6 million people (in Connecticut), we’re trying to prepare ourselves for what that future is going to look like for our children and our grandchildren.”
In addition to the life sciences and quantum technology cluster in New Haven, artificial intelligence-focused teams in Hartford and Stamford are also finalists for Innovation Clusters funding. Funding for the Hartford and Stamford groups will be announced at later dates, according to officials in the state Department of Economic and Community Development, which is administering Innovation Clusters.
Each submission to Innovation Clusters was required to have at least a dollar-for-dollar match of non-state funding.
Union members joined community members from across the city, marching from the New Haven Green to the Yale School of Medicine on Thursday.NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Approximately 2,000 people marched in New Haven on Thursday, imploring Yale University to pay its workers better wages and make more contributions to the city.According to the union UNITE HERE Local 34 Federation of University Employees, the march began at the New Haven Green and ended at the Yale School of Medicine on Cedar Street.Those who marched included me...
Union members joined community members from across the city, marching from the New Haven Green to the Yale School of Medicine on Thursday.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Approximately 2,000 people marched in New Haven on Thursday, imploring Yale University to pay its workers better wages and make more contributions to the city.
According to the union UNITE HERE Local 34 Federation of University Employees, the march began at the New Haven Green and ended at the Yale School of Medicine on Cedar Street.
Those who marched included members of UNITE HERE Locals 33, 34 and 35; New Haven Rising; and their community allies. They represented New Haven residents who are struggling due to the post-pandemic cost of living crisis.
The union reports that Yale is currently in contract negotiations with UNITE HERE Locals 34 and 35. Those who participated in the rally called on Yale to settle good contracts and give more to the city after its current voluntary contribution agreement ends in 2026.
Lisa Stevens, president of UNITE HERE Local 34, said in a release that they’ve long been fighting to make their jobs “good middle class jobs.”
“But what was enough before is not enough anymore,” she continued. “Since the pandemic, skyrocketing cost of living caused our members to lose their housing, fall into debt and even cut back on heat and food.”
Stevens pointed out that Yale has a $40 billion endowment, while its workers are forced to rely on food pantries for their meals.
UNITE HERE Local 35 President Bob Proto said that the union members are “committed to settling a fair contract, supporting post-docs as they form their union and standing with New Haven urging Yale to pay their fair share.”
UNITE HERE Local 35 member Elidia Lezama spoke on how a union job altered her life. Before being employed by Yale, she worked multiple jobs and couldn’t count on regular hours.
“I’m not alone. Our members are getting priced out of New Haven because their rents have gone up by $300, $500, $800, and our wages haven’t caught up,” Lezama said. “I should be able to continue to do the work that I have done for 19 years to uphold Yale’s mission, a mission that I believe in, and buy a home here.”
UNITE HERE Local 217 Vice President Nick McDonald is a food service worker at Southern Connecticut State University and talked about the contract negotiations at state universities.
“We, the Local 217 members who work at SCU, CCSU and WCSU, are in the struggle just like our brothers and sisters at Yale,” McDonald said. “We aren’t going to give up until we get what we need.”
He said that the union members don’t want to escalate tensions, but they’re “sending a clear message to Sodexo and the Connecticut state universities: if we don’t get it, shut it down.”
Community members of all ages are joining the effort. Metropolitan Business Academy junior Brandon Daley addressed youths organizing in New Haven.
“We’re fighting for all of us. For classrooms with the resources we deserve. For jobs that let our families thrive, not just survive. For a city where no student has to live in fear. For a future where young people have the opportunities to lead and succeed,” Daley said.
Tonya Ricks, a UNITE HERE Local 34 member, summarized the situation by emphasizing that her salary is not keeping up.
“The price of everything is going up, but my check is not making ends meet. We need better pay and we need more union members,” Ricks said.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at .
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