Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project (YHHAP)

Our Mission:

The Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project is a student-run not-for-profit organization that works on behalf of New Haven's homeless and near-homeless communities. Through direct service, fundraising, education, and advocacy, we aim to alleviate the immediate effects of homelessness while working to address its root causes and pursue long-term solutions.

Our Activities:

No Closed Doors Direct Service No Closed Doors plays a crucial role in the New Haven area, serving as one of the only places where un- and underemployed residents can walk in and receive case-management help on a regular basis. Kitchen to Kitchen Direct Service The main purpose of Kitchen to Kitchen (K2K) is to reduce the amount of waste generated in Yale Dining Halls by delivering extra food from the dining halls to the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (called DESK). Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Direct Service We provide free tax services for low income New Haven residents Clothing Closet Direct Service Clothing Closet Project aims to provide new and gently used clothing to those who need it most by collecting donations for seasonal clothing from the Yale community and taking them to Loaves and Fishes of New Haven. Dwight Community Fridge Direct Service The YMCA community fridge provides food and other everyday items to the community in the Dwight neighborhood. The fridge operates on a donation basis with local partners. Big Sibs Direct Service Through this weekly program, YHHAP volunteers visit local community centers and shelters to offer homework help and, more importantly, to provide an environment where kids can be kids again. Yale Community Kitchen Direct Service ne of YHHAP's most popular projects, Yale Community Kitchen (YCK) is Yale's student-run soup kitchen on campus. We serve food donated by Yale Dining on Friday on Saturday evenings in the United Parish House across from TD, the satellite location of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK). Common Closet Direct Service Common Closet works on collecting clothing donations from the Yale community and pop-up thrifting events on cross campus, generally low commitment. Our work provides affordable shopping option and profits go to non-profit orgs in New Haven. Community Healthcare Van Direct Service In collaboration with the Community Healthcare Van (CHCV), we are one of YHHAP's newest projects intersecting social and healthcare. Our volunteers serve at the CHCV office each day of the week, helping to package medical kits/supplies and traveling on the healthcare van for distribution to New Haven's neighborhoods. With a focus on harm reduction, we also partner with adjacent programs such as Sex Workers and Allies Network. Elm City Echo Direct Service The Elm City Echo aims to promote awareness of homelessness and displacement by giving contributors a community-oriented platform to amplify their voices and experiences. YHHAP Advocacy Team Advocacy or Activism The YHHAP Advocacy Team is YHHAP's only initiative that doesn't focus on direct service and volunteering. Instead, it does work organizing and advocating for changes in housing and food policy on a local, state, and national level, as well as creating educational materials to raise awareness around issues relevant to YHHAP work. YHHAP Fast Fundraising he Yale Hunger and Homeless Action Project Fast is YHHAP's largest fundraiser of the year, and the largest student-run fundraiser on Yale's campus. It works to raise awareness and funds for food and housing insecurity organizations in New Haven. Once every semester, over 50% of the Yale student body donates the monetary value of their Yale Dining meal swipes for the day of the YHHAP Fast ahead of time.

Student Leaders:

Megan Blackwell - Co-Coordinator/Co-President Arjun Warrior - Co-Coordinator/Co-President

How others get involved:

Join mailing list (https://yhhap.org/newsletter), email yhhap@dwighthall.org, see website (https://yhhap.org/)