Major Milestones

When we think back over the years, there were many events that helped make us the organization we are today. However, there are specific events we recognize as important for marking the passage of time and indicating the beginning of a new phase. Some of these dates include:

1960's

1966-67: Living Room Dialogues.

1967: Rev. David Nehring, 1st CCA Director.

1968: Emergency Food Program Starts

1970's

1970: Move to 168 Davenport Avenue, adding five emergency apartments.

1976: Rev. Phil Grigsby, 2nd Director.

1977: Involved in development of New Haven Fuel Bank, Welfare Reform Project begins.

1979: 166 Davenport Avenue property purchased, adding three more emergency apartments.

1980's

1980: Thanksgiving Distribution started.

1981: Rev. Karl Hilgert, 3rd Director.

1985: Sylvan Avenue Shelter site opens, adding ten more emergency apartments.

1987: CCA increases social service and case management programs for emergency housing residents.

1988: Rev. Bonita Grubbs, 4th Director.

1990's

1992: CCA celebrates 25 years of service.

1993:"Mothers for Justice" organized.

1994: 1.1 M grant approved from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for transitional housing program.

First Children’s Summer Program at CCA’s shelter.

1996: Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act signed into law by President Clinton. The disappointment over this piece of legislation, purportedly designed to reform welfare program and policies, led to CCA’s Welfare Reform Project changing its name to the Welfare Justice Project.

1998: Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program opens.

1999: Fire at CCA Main office; devastating office and five emergency housing apartments.

2000's

2000: Opening of Stan Preisner Computer Learning Center at Stepping Stone. 166 Davenport and Sylvan Avenue shelter sites collectively renamed the Hillside Family Shelter.

HUD awarded three year renewal grant for Stepping Stone.

2001: New "Client Choice Program" starts as part of CCA’s Food Pantry in the spring.

Welfare Justice Project renamed Social Justice Project.

CCA partners with Life Haven Family Shelter to start "The Woman’s Wellness Project"

2002: CCA celebrates 35th anniversary.

Social Justice Project named changed to Advocacy and Education Project.

Project staff move to new offices at 85 Willow Street (Lifework's Center).

2003: Citizens Bank and News Channel 8 Name CCA a Community Champion; Agency Awarded a $25,000 Grant.

2004: CCA launches its Program for Internships, Vocational Opportunities and Training (PIVOT), to help people of low income to better prepare and obtain jobs that pay living wages and offer opportunities for advancement and growth.

CCA holds its first annual Forum programs, called “Laughing at Ourselves” and featuring the comedian Sinbad and TV personality Joy Behar.

2005: CCA launches its health care advocacy through the establishment of Health Advocacy Voices Emerging Network (HAVENetwork) to provide people of color who are poor with the opportunity to share their experiences and have their voices heard as policymakers work to improve our nation’s increasingly dysfunctional health care system.

Second Annual CCA Forum “Freedom! Not Just Another Word,” featuring writer Molly Ivins, attorney Anita Hill and public television’s Ray Suarez.

Annual Thanksgiving Food Basket collection / distribution services 1,200 families / 2,700 individuals. This effort, which CCA has been carrying out for 25 years, is possible thanks to the help of hundreds of volunteers from area schools, churches, businesses and civic groups.

2006: PIVOT reaches the 100th person mark, in terms of number of people it has helped with job preparation, paid internships and / or job placement since its inception in late 2004.

2007: CCA celebrates its 40th Anniversary at Peabody Museum.

CCA's annual fundraising event held featuring "The Capitol Steps."

2008: CCA's annual fundraising event held featuring "The Capitol Steps."

2009: First People Empowering People "PEP" Training.

First Parent Leadership Training Institute funded.

CCA's annual fundraising event held featuring "The Capitol Steps."

2010's

2010: The Power That Works Group begins within the Hillside Family Shelter.

Mothers for Justice Video Completed - "Living In a Broken system."

CCA's annual fundraising event held featuring "The Capitol Steps."

2011: CCA's annual fundraising event held featuring "An Evening with Garrison Keillor."

2012: CCA Celebrates 45 Years of Providing Service to the Greater New Haven Area.

First Financial Education Training Led by CCA Staff Members.

CCA received the Bill Liddell Award in recognition of exemplary service, ongoing dedication and significant support from the Connecticut Food Bank.