New Haven trims Youth at Work hours, launches summer busing grants as ARPA funds wane
February 05, 2026 | New Haven County, Connecticut
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New Haven — The City of New Haven’s Youth and Recreation Department told the Youth Services Committee on Feb. 4 that reduced grant funding has forced program changes for summer 2026, including a shorter Youth at Work season and fewer weekly hours, even as the department launches a summer busing grant and prepares RFPs for sports and social-program support.
“Based on Connecticut state minimum wage, they will be paying $17 an hour,” said Dr. Gwendolyn B. Williams, director of the Youth and Recreation Department, describing the financial constraints that led staff to reduce Youth at Work from 25 to 20 hours per week and shorten the season from five weeks to four. Williams said the department’s aim for summer hiring is to serve about 400 students but that available Department of Labor funds plus an approximate $100,000 local match limit capacity.
The department also launched a summer busing application for nonprofit groups to apply for grants that pay bus companies directly for planned trips. Staff said the application is posted on the city website and closes March 20 at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Williams said the department has received 333 youth applications so far and 19 worksites have submitted requests to host placements.
“Because the dollars are shrinking, we have to make sure that the dollars that we have are specifically focused on serving residents,” Williams said, explaining a change that will limit program eligibility to New Haven residents rather than out-of-town students who attend New Haven public schools.
Staff said nonprofit expansion contracts are scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2026. The department plans to issue an RFP by March 1 for sports and social-program grants, with individual awards expected in the $3,000–$5,000 range. Williams cited a return to pre-ARPA operating levels and the need to prioritize employment programs over single-day concerts or one-off events.
Committee members asked detailed questions about fees, scholarship policies, outreach and recruitment. Alder Mary Renata asked whether an advertised $30 fee covered an entire multiweek session; Williams confirmed the fee is for the full session and outlined reduced or free pricing for additional children from the same family and scholarship options.
On outreach, Williams said staff conduct high-school tours coordinated with the superintendent’s office, distribute QR-code links for applications, and use a third-party vendor (VLC) to manage Youth at Work applications. The department also uses Constant Contact and media outreach and maintains an on-site point person — Kyle Williams — to verify volunteer hours and placements.
Upcoming department events include a family-fun series of six Wednesdays from July 8 to Aug. 18 and an Easter egg hunt on Good Friday at Blue Cross High School; staff invited Alders to attend and participate. The chair and members also noted that the April committee meeting date conflicts with Passover and agreed to reschedule.
The committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.
“Based on Connecticut state minimum wage, they will be paying $17 an hour,” said Dr. Gwendolyn B. Williams, director of the Youth and Recreation Department, describing the financial constraints that led staff to reduce Youth at Work from 25 to 20 hours per week and shorten the season from five weeks to four. Williams said the department’s aim for summer hiring is to serve about 400 students but that available Department of Labor funds plus an approximate $100,000 local match limit capacity.
The department also launched a summer busing application for nonprofit groups to apply for grants that pay bus companies directly for planned trips. Staff said the application is posted on the city website and closes March 20 at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Williams said the department has received 333 youth applications so far and 19 worksites have submitted requests to host placements.
“Because the dollars are shrinking, we have to make sure that the dollars that we have are specifically focused on serving residents,” Williams said, explaining a change that will limit program eligibility to New Haven residents rather than out-of-town students who attend New Haven public schools.
Staff said nonprofit expansion contracts are scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2026. The department plans to issue an RFP by March 1 for sports and social-program grants, with individual awards expected in the $3,000–$5,000 range. Williams cited a return to pre-ARPA operating levels and the need to prioritize employment programs over single-day concerts or one-off events.
Committee members asked detailed questions about fees, scholarship policies, outreach and recruitment. Alder Mary Renata asked whether an advertised $30 fee covered an entire multiweek session; Williams confirmed the fee is for the full session and outlined reduced or free pricing for additional children from the same family and scholarship options.
On outreach, Williams said staff conduct high-school tours coordinated with the superintendent’s office, distribute QR-code links for applications, and use a third-party vendor (VLC) to manage Youth at Work applications. The department also uses Constant Contact and media outreach and maintains an on-site point person — Kyle Williams — to verify volunteer hours and placements.
Upcoming department events include a family-fun series of six Wednesdays from July 8 to Aug. 18 and an Easter egg hunt on Good Friday at Blue Cross High School; staff invited Alders to attend and participate. The chair and members also noted that the April committee meeting date conflicts with Passover and agreed to reschedule.
The committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.
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