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ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS DESIGNATING THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF DAVENPORT AVENUE AND WARD STREET AS “REVEREND BONITA D. GRUBBS” IN PERPETUITY, FOR HER COMMITMENT, GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN NEW HAVEN AND BEYOND.
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WHEREAS, Reverend Bonita D. Grubbs received her Master of Arts in Religion from Yale University Divinity School in 1984, and her Master of Public Health from the Yale University School of Medicine in 1985;
WHEREAS, Reverend Bonita D. Grubbs has been ordained to the Christian Ministry within the American Baptist Church since November 1987;
WHEREAS, previous experience was with the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hamden, Community Health Services in Hartford, and the American Heart Association, a Connecticut affiliate;
WHEREAS, in 1988 she was appointed as Christian Community Action’s Executive Director, overseeing its growth as both a lifeline for emergency help for families;
WHEREAS, a starting point for policy advocacy advanced by people directly affected;
WHEREAS, she has seen CCA’s housing complex grow by seventeen (17) units from its original home,
while also serving as a food bank and energy assistance provider;
WHEREAS, in 2018 the Stepping Stone Transitional Program closed after cuts in federal funding ceased, for
25 years this program provided a safe environment for families;
WHEREAS, in 2020 CCA partnered with the Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven to renovate 660 Winchester Avenue and revive its transitional housing and training and support programs for homeless New Haven families, reviving the facility when no funds were available and has been approved for 18 Section 8 federal rental vouchers tied to renovating apartments;
WHEREAS, revival of the new program will require residents to commit to a plan of training and services to help transition from the program;
WHEREAS, counseling sessions and case management will be provided by CCA staff and HANH will provide subsidies for eighteen units up to 2028;
WHEREAS, in 2014 it has developed a skill building and employment training center on Winchester Avenue called ARISE (Assessing Resources for Independence, Skill Building, and Employment);
WHEREAS, a second transitional housing facility on Winchester Avenue, New HOPE, gives families up to thirty-six (36) months to prepare for independence with training help;
WHEREAS, under her leadership, CCA has established numerous new programs;
WHEREAS, including Advocacy and Education Project (AEP) seeks to fulfill CCA’s commitment to change systems that perpetuate poverty and injustice;
WHEREAS, a component of AEP, Mothers and Others for Justice (MOFJ) was formed in 1993 by women seeking to reform and influence welfare reform efforts;
WHEREAS, a children’s summer program that brings together children from all CCA housing program sites for a six week “camp” focused on the development of socialization skills;
WHEREAS, in 2005 CCA launched its Health Advocacy Voices Emerging Network (HAVEN) providing people of color, who are poor, with an opportunity to share their experiences and have their voices heard as policy makers worked to improve the nation’s health care system;
WHEREAS, Reverend Grubbs has served on various boards including the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, a member of the Judicial Review Council for the State of Connecticut, Interim Pastor of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hamden, Connecticut, President of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and co-chair, Steering Committee of New Haven’s Fighting Back Project;
WHEREAS, her present board and voluntary involvements, include a member of Workforce Alliance, columnist at New Haven Register, Coordinator of Faith Matters column, member of the Board of Trustees at Hospital of St. Raphael, board member at CT voices for Children and CT Center for School Change, and Deputy Chaplain of the
Connecticut State Senate;
WHEREAS, special recognitions received include the Public Citizen Award in 2000, CT Chapter National Association of Social Workers Prevention Award, the Consultation Center (New Haven) Women to Make a Difference Award, CT Women’s Education and Legal Fund, and New Haven Community Fund; and
WHEREAS, honors received include in 2013 Person of the Year award, from the New Haven Register, 2012 Distinguished Citizen Award-West Haven Black Coalition, 2011 Notable Woman of Influence-CT Women’s Hall of Fame, 2007 Community Service Award Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut, 2005 Community Service Award Hill Development Corporation, and 2001 Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters-Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, Connecticut.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the New Haven Board of Alders that in honor of the many contributions and great service to the New Haven community, the corner of Davenport Avenue and Ward Street is designated as “Reverend Bonita D. Grubbs” in perpetuity, making her legacy in New Haven stand as an official and permanent reminder of her integrity, generosity, and dignity.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Department of Transportation, Traffic, and Parking is hereby directed and authorized to implement this order.