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Our mission is to build Humanist community in New Haven, and we think that means engaging with the issues that impact the entire community.
This includes political engagement, as we discussed at a recent Humanist Haven -- described in a piece by community member Tom Krattenmaker that appeared in yesterday's New Haven Register -- and it also includes directly responding to the needs of our community and caring for our neighbors.
With this in mind, and as we get closer and closer to winter, we're mindful of the challenges that New Havenites struggling with homelessness face. There are several opportunities coming up where you can learn more and get engaged:
1. On Sunday, November 1, learn about the costs of homelessness in a Humanist Haven talk from award-winning journalist Susan Campbell.
2. On Monday, November 2, volunteer with our new science, technology, engineering, art, math, and medicine mentoring service program for at risk youth.
3. Also on Monday, November 2, learn from a representative of Columbus House, an organization addressing homelessness in New Haven, at our second Needs of New Haven meeting.
Next week we're also hosting another student dinner at the Happiness Lab, offering ongoing programs like SMART Recovery and lunch at the Divinity School, and we're gearing up for our big Carl Sagan Day celebration on November 9, which includes a new special guest. Read on for more information about these events and other upcoming programs. We hope to see you soon!
Best,
Chris Stedman, Executive Director
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Sunday: The Horrible Expense of Homelessness
Humanist Haven welcomes Susan Campbell on 11/1.
 There are many moral arguments for helping those struggling with homelessness,but there's another approach that is often forgotten: People who are homeless are expensive. Consider just public health costs: If a person who is homeless cuts their finger and waits until it's infected before seeking medical care-usually at his local emergency department-that costs a lot. And this person often rides to the hospital in an ambulance. We pay for that. While moral arguments to help people in need are important, it's also vital to recognize that housing a person who is homeless is cheaper than ignoring that person. This Sunday, award-winning author and journalist Susan Campbell will lead a discussion about why a financial consideration of homelessness could have a major impact on how many people think about -- and act on -- this issue.
Humanist Haven is YHC's community gathering where people from all across Yale and New Haven come together to ask big questions, explore what gives our lives meaning and purpose, and act to make the world a better place. Join us at The Grove -- 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT -- on the first Sunday of November (11/1) at 1 PM for Humanist Haven with Susan Campbell.
Humanist Haven meets on the first and third Sunday of each month; meetings are free and open to the public, with child activities offered on the first Sunday of the month. Want to join a group walking over from campus? A group of students will leave Phelps Gate at 12:45 PM to walk to The Grove.
 Susan Campbell is a columnist for the Connecticut Health Investigative Team, and an award-winning author of Dating Jesus: Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl and the biography Tempest-Tossed: The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker. She was born in Kentucky and raised in southwest Missouri. For more than a quarter-century, she was a staff columnist at the Hartford Courant, where her work has been recognized by the National Women's Political Caucus, New England Associated Press News Executives, the Society for Professional Journalists, the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and the Sunday Magazine Editors Association. She returned as a freelance columnist in March. Her column about the shootings at lottery headquarters in March 1998 was part of The Courant's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage. She is currently the Robert C. Vance Endowed Chair in Journalism and Mass Communication at Central Connecticut State University The mother of two adult sons, and the grandmother of seven, she has a bachelor's degree from University of Maryland, and a master's degree from Hartford Seminary.
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Continue the conversation about homelessness in Connecticut at Needs of New Haven on 11/2
Needs of New Haven, a new YHC monthly discussion series, continues on Monday, November 2. We will be hosting our second Needs of New Haven meeting with a representative from Columbus House, a nonprofit that responds to and prevents homelessness. Bring your questions and join us at the same time and place, at 7:30 PM at the Happiness Lab at The Grove. If you have a suggestion for a local nonprofit or community activist whose work you would like to see elevated through the Needs of New Haven program, we are still looking to book some of our remaining meetings and encourage you to email ideas to yalehumanists@gmail.com.
Needs of New Haven is just one of our discussion groups, which meet on the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of each month. Visit the Discussion Groups page on our website to learn more about each group and how you can get involved.
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Join us on Sagan Day for an event in LC 102
Announcing a new special guest: Dr. Debra Fischer!
Our Carl Sagan Day celebration is coming soon -- and we're thrilled to announce that Dr. Debra Fischer will be offering a special introduction! Dr. Fischer is a Professor of Astronomy at Yale University who began hunting for exoplanets in 1997 by measuring Doppler shifts in the spectra of stars. She has discovered hundreds of extrasolar planets with this technique, including the first known multiple planet system in 1999, and she was awarded the Carl Sagan Award for communication in science from the American Aeronautical Society (shared with her planet-hunting colleagues).
After Dr. Fischer's introduction, Nick Sagan will talk about his father's impact, the connection between his father's work and Humanism, and his memories of growing up with Carl Sagan -- including what it was like to record a greeting for potential extraterrestrials at six years old for the Voyager Golden Record.
We invite you to join us at 7 PM in Linsly-Chittenden Hall, Room 102 -- 63 High Street, New Haven, CT -- on November 9 for a conversation with Nick Sagan, and a celebration of the life and legacy of his father Carl Sagan.
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STEAMMM volunteering starts Monday, 11/2!
Beginning this Monday, November 2, YHC is partnering with Clemente Leadership Academy to provide a monthly after school STEAMMM (science, technology, engineering, art, math, and medicine mentoring) activity for their middle school-aged students. The program is designed to foster an interest in STEAMM fields and an understanding of how important and useful STEAMM is for society in these young students.
YHC volunteers have an opportunity to share their unique expertise in a STEAMM field with local at-risk students and provide a valuable service for the larger New Haven community. The activities will take place from 3-5 PM on the first Monday of every month beginning in November. For Yale students who would like to travel to the service site together from campus, a group will be meeting at Phelps Gate at 2:30 PM to take the Red shuttle route. Others can meet at Roberto Clemente School or email yalehumanists@gmail.com to coordinate ride sharing and other info. Sign up here to volunteer; you are still welcome to serve if you don't sign up in advance, but you will be serving in an assistant capacity. For more information please contact yalehumanists@gmail.com and include "STEAMMM volunteering" in the subject line.
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Second undergraduate dinner at Happiness Lab!
Students: Join us for free dinner on November 4 at 6 PM.
Weekly undergraduate student dinners, hosted by our affiliated
undergraduate student group, occur Wednesdays at 6 PM.
 While most of the undergraduate dinners take place on campus, on the first Wednesday of each month they happen off campus at the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. At these off campus dinners, which started last month, dinner is provided. Want to join but not sure how to get there? A group of students will walk over from Phelps Gate at 5:45 PM. To contact the student directors and join the official list serv to get updates, email them at HumanistYalies@gmail.com.
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Save the date for our big solstice celebration and Green Light Project kick off event: 12/20
We want your ideas and input for this public art initiative!
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| | Image courtesy of Creative Commons |
As many of you heard at our last Humanist Haven gathering, we are so excited to announce the Green Light Project, which will officially launch at our solstice celebration on Sunday, December 20 at 4 PM on the New Haven Green. This solstice event has a two-fold purpose: to celebrate the season from a nonreligious perspective in a spirit of interfaith respect, and to kick off the Green Light Project -- an initiative that seeks to create a light-based art installation celebrating human values, with the goal of having it installed on the Green during the 2016 holidays.
This year's winter solstice event will be an opportunity for members of the community to come together, reflect, and create light and warmth during the coldest and darkest time of the year. It will feature members of Connecticut's Humanist community and special guest Mary Johnson, a Humanist Celebrant and acclaimed author. A former nun, Johnson is highly experienced at officiating meaningful ceremonies-the New Hampshire A-List named Johnson as the top wedding officiant in their state. A reception at The Grove will follow. The full event will be moved to YHC offices at The Grove on Chapel Street in the event of bad weather.
Be sure to save the date for our December 20 solstice event, which will kick off a year of community events leading up to the unveiling of the art installation. If you would like to be part of this community-wide artistic project, please contact Nancy Kelly at nancykelly.yhc@gmail.com.
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Support YHC: Become one of our 20 for 50!
As you can see from our schedule of recurring events, YHC makes a meaningful contribution to Yale and the Greater New Haven community, and especially to those who participate in our many activities and programs.
Most of these events take place at The Grove. The 20 for 50 campaign will ensure that YHC's work can continue. We're seeking 20 individuals who will pledge to donate $50 per month and help us cover the most basic cost of our space -- the rent. That's just $1.67 a day, or less than a cup of coffee at many coffee shops.
Will you be one of the 20 for 50?
As a 501(c)(3), YHC relies entirely on your donations, with no financial support from Yale University. Your donation is fully deductible. Click here to make a one time gift or set up a recurring donation.
"During my time as a Master of Divinity student, I often found myself feeling quite isolated from the other students because I identify as agnostic and Humanist. Yale Humanist Community provided a space where I could be myself without being judged. I was shown love, kindness, and, most importantly, that being nonreligious in no way diminishes one's ability to do good for others." -Mesha Arant, 2015 Yale Divinity School graduate
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Stay Connected
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See below for our lineup of recurring programs and visit yalehumanists.com to learn more!
Sundays
1 PM: Humanist Haven
First and third Sundays of each month
Location: The Grove
Who: Open to the public
6 PM: Grad Students, Professionals, and Young Adults Board Game Night
Second Sunday of each month
Location: Email for details
Who: Open to the public
Mondays
3-5 PM: STEAMMM (science, technology, engineering, art, math, and medicine mentoring) service program First Monday of each month (beginning in November) Location: Clemente Middle School
Who: Email for details 7:30 PM: Discussion Groups -Needs of New Haven (first Monday of each month starting in October) -Practical Humanism (second Monday of each month) -Unsacred Sacred Texts (third Monday of each month) -WTF (fourth Monday of each month) Location: The Grove
Who: Open to the public Tuesdays Existential counseling office hours (also available other days by appointment) Location: YHC Office at The Grove or Davenport College Who: Open to the public 2-3 PM: Chat with Maytal (from the Yale Chaplain's Office) and Chris Location: Breathing Space (Old Campus) Who: Undergraduate and graduate students only Wednesdays
6 PM: Undergraduate dinner
Location: First Wednesday of the month at The Grove, all other Wednesdays on campus
Who: Undergraduate students only
7 PM: SMART Recovery Location: The Grove Who: Open to the public Thursdays Existential counseling office hours (also available other days by appointment) Location: YHC Office at The Grove or Davenport College Who: Open to the public 12:30 PM: None/Others lunch
Location: Yale Divinity School
Who: Yale Divinity School students only
Fridays 8 PM: Grad Students, Professionals, and Young Adults Pub Night Fourth Friday of each month Location: Firehouse 12 (unless otherwise stated) Who: Open to the public
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Get YHC Gear!
Want to wear your Humanism on your sleeve? (Or your laptop, or your...?) Check out our YHC tees, buttons, and stickers -- and let us know if you want to learn more about how to get your own by donating to YHC!
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Drink YHC coffee!
Have you enjoyed the coffee at Humanist Haven? Want to make it at home?
Get your caffeine fix with our locally-roasted, small batch, ethical coffee. Proceeds support YHC!
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Volunteers needed for
Humanist Haven
From the thoughtful reflections offered at every Humanist Haven, to the dedicated set up and clean up support we rely on in order to make the space comfortable and welcoming, our Humanist Haven gatherings are driven by the generous service of our volunteers. This year, we're doubling the number of Humanist Havens, which means we'll need your help more than ever.
Have you enjoyed a Moment of Reflection, or participated in a Moment of Connection, and thought: "I could do that!" Do you want to help us with our new children's story time initiative? Well now's your chance to get involved. Click here to submit your interest and availability to volunteer.
P.S. We're looking for books -- especially ones with Humanist themes -- to use for our children's programs. If you'd like to lend us one, or donate one to our library, please let us know!
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Divinity School students weekly lunch
The None/Others (formerly known as the Open Party) at the Divinity School host round-table lunches on Thursdays at 12:30 PM. To find out more about joining, volunteering, speaking opportunities, or for general inquiries please contact the None/Others at YDSNoneOthers@gmail.com.
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Monthly young adult pub night & board game night
The first is a board game night, every second Sunday of the month at 6 PM. For location details, email yalehumanists@gmail.com. The other is a pub night, every fourth Friday of the month at 8 PM at Firehouse 12. We hope to see you there!
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Struggling with addiction? Join us for SMART Recovery
Are you struggling with addictive behaviors? Our weekly SMART Recovery support group mees every Wednesday at 7 PM in the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT.
The goal of SMART, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is to provide quality, science-based educational tools and community for individuals struggling with addictive behaviors-and a nontheistic alternative to twelve-step programs, which rely heavily on God and Christian theology. People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome to attend. Please click here for updates regarding weather-related or other cancellations of our meetings.
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