Witnessing the positive impact of helping someone find employment can be incredibly rewarding, and the team behind Yale’s New Haven Hiring Initiative (NHHI) has helped over 2,000 New Haven residents secure jobs with benefits at the university through community outreach, training, internships, and career counseling.
Today, the team continues to provide area residents with a pathway to Yale employment through enhanced communications, strong partnerships, and tailored programs.
Meet the Team
In 2012, the New Haven Board of Aldermen convened a working group consisting of the university, Labor Unions 34 and 35, the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and Yale New Haven Hospital to combat unemployment, focusing on neighborhoods with high rates of joblessness. As a result, the non-profit New Haven Works was launched, which is dedicated to helping residents obtain jobs. At the same time, NHHI was established at the university to facilitate hiring residents at Yale.
Chris Brown, NHHI’s director since 2015, oversees all programmatic goals to expand city-wide hiring, ensuring the initiative evolves to meet the needs of Yale and the New Haven community.
Fallon Thomas secured her first position at Yale through NHHI in 2015, and as the community outreach and engagement manager, she focuses on bridging the gap between the university and city residents through engagement and education. Program Manager Maya Polan is dedicated to implementing NHHI’s internal programming, candidate sourcing and training, and the strategic development of employment opportunities at Yale.
Strong partnerships
In partnering with groups like New Haven Works, NHHI offers free career counseling, professional development, and job placement services and collaborates with Yale departments to identify job and mentorship placements. The team also works closely with New Haven Promise to provide internships and career opportunities for high school and college students, helping them gain valuable work experience while developing a strong workforce. Since 2019, NHHI has coordinated 372 internships in 145 Yale departments.
Clearing a path
An important component of NHHI’s work is the creation of pathway programs that include training and development for candidates from the Dwight, Dixwell, Fair Haven, Hill, Newhallville, West River, and West Rock neighborhoods. Through these programs, NHHI refers qualified New Haven Works candidates for temporary or short-term assignments or regular positions to enhance their candidacy.
“We have developed and continue to nurture a comprehensive support system for individuals seeking employment at Yale. We can provide them support on their career journey, whether it’s developing certain technical skills or providing guidance on the application process,” said Brown.
NHHI’s outreach programs and information sessions demystify Yale’s job application process, enabling individuals to apply with confidence. Specific workshops include drafting resumes and fine-tuning cover letters, interview skills, and career counseling.
Recently, the team created an employment readiness program that is held twice a month at the Dixwell Community House (Q House). The program features presenters from Yale departments, local employers, and workforce development agencies. “We talk to job seekers about available positions and break down the job postings,” said Thomas. “They can speak directly with the hiring manager and ask about the necessary skills. NHHI also offers one-on-one exploratory conversations. We focus on providing tips on the hiring process and guiding them to apply for a position that aligns with their work experience.”
The team also works with Yale units to identify training opportunities or internship openings or who may have an impending reorganization. “We are always looking for opportunities when someone can teach specific components of a job or be a mentor. The applicant receives invaluable on-the-job training or a niche experience that can lead to full-time employment,” said Polan.
Lateisha Christian transitioned into a regular, benefit-level position at Yale after participating in a pathway program. “NHHI played a significant role in helping me obtain temporary positions that paved the way for permanent placement,” said Christian, an administrative assistant in Yale Temporary Staffing Services. “I would say to individuals looking for employment: don’t give up. Your first position may not be your ideal job, but you’ll gain valuable skills and be able to demonstrate your professionalism and dedication.”
Paying it forward
Brown, Thomas, and Polan are making a tangible difference in the lives of New Haven residents, and they aim to expand NHHI’s pathway programs by forging strong relationships and building upon the foundation created over the last decade.
“Our team is committed to making a positive impact on the community,” said Thomas. “We understand the transformative power of employment for individuals and their families. It feels good to help someone achieve economic stability and career success. For me, it’s an opportunity to pay it forward.”
NHHI supports local economic growth by connecting qualified, New Haven residents to open positions at the university. Meet some of the individuals who found employment at Yale through this program.
