In 1976, the Mayor and staff of the City of New
Haven met with leaders of youth-serving programs in New Haven to address concerns
about how youth would fare during the idle summer months and increasing the availability
summer programming. After the initial meeting,
leaders reached out to additional community-based organizations and weekly
meetings were organized to plan summer activities, expand playgrounds, run
summer camp programs and urge for more funding for youth development.
In the 1970s, a free breakfast program was started as well as a summer feeding program for youth, and the
funds for youth-serving programs to hire school buses for summer field trips. Securing funds for summer jobs for youth was
a huge accomplishment in New Haven.
Throughout the 1980s, CWYC disseminated funds to
youth-serving organizations to community-based organizations to employ
youth.
In the 1990s, CWYC focused on coalition-building activities. In March 1992, Citywide Youth Coalition
incorporated to secure youth services funds and support coalition-building
within the community around the needs of youth.
In September 1994, CWYC was designated as a 501(c)3 private nonprofit
corporation.
Since 2000, CWYC has worked to build the capacity of
youth-serving organizations with training opportunities, networking and
advocacy. For information on staff and board members, please click here.
