The new year will usher in new leadership changes at West Haven Community House, the city’s cornerstone for social services for the past 80 years.
Amy Guay-Macfarlane, Assistant Executive Director for Programs, has been promoted to Executive Director for retiring Executive Director Patty Stevens who has been with the agency for more than 30 years.
“I look forward to the challenges ahead and will strive to keep the agency on a path that builds on its past success under Patty’s leadership,” Guay-Macfarlane said. “This is truly where a new adventure begins.”
The new director would like to see expanded services of its core programs of Head Start, Children and Youth Services and in the adult programs served by Community Connections.
“Over the next five years we will need to sharpen our mission and what we want to accomplish,” Guay-Macfarlane said. “One of the keys to our success will be to expand our relationships with our community partners to develop new programs.”
In addition to a new Executive Director at the helm, Marie Watson, who currently serves as director of the Community Connections program, has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director. In her new role, Watson will continue to oversee Community Connections and take on the role of oversight for Human Resources and Facilities & Operations.
Board President Katie Farrell said it has been an absolute please to work with Patty Stevens over the past several years.
“It is a testament to Patty’s leadership and direction that we have the opportunity to appoint the highly qualified and experienced staff from within,” Farrell said. “This will enable a smooth transition with uninterrupted care for our clients.
Executive Director Patty Stevens, whose last day will be December 23rd, echoed Farrell’s sentiments.
“In my time here, I have served under 16 board presidents and at least a hundred board members. This agency has had many great people come and go as youth, as clients, as staff and as board members,” Stevens said. “We have accomplished much over 80 years, and I know that there is much more to come. I am very honored to have been a part of this vital agency for so many years. It has been a pleasure working with a dedicated board of directors and staff who give so much to benefit our community. I leave knowing that with the support of our community and the dedication and quality of our staff, the Community House will thrive and continue to be an asset for West Haven.”
The West Haven Community House – a private, 501(c)3 not for profit organization – exists to facilitate healthy, productive, independent and meaningful lives for children, adolescents and families, and individuals with disabilities.
For 80 years, the Community House has been the cornerstone social service agency of West Haven valued for providing professional services and programs that include:
Head Start: Comprehensive school readiness program for children of income eligible families.
The Head Start program, established in 1983, facilitates school readiness for 144 preschool children ages 3 to 5.from income eligible families. The program is licensed by the CT Office of Early Childhood and currently employs two service delivery models. The part-day, part-year model is free of charge and is closely aligned with the public school calendar operating 190 days over 41 weeks.
The full-day, full-year model uses a state sliding scale for determining family fees. Priority is given to children of parents who are working or going to school. This program is open for 50 weeks and 235 days. The state’s child care assistance program, Care 4 Kids, is accepted.
Enrollment is open, as available, to families who: live in West Haven; have a child/children who will be three- or four-years-old by Jan. 1 of the coming year meet Federal Income Eligiblity Guidelines; or have a child of the required age with special needs.
Children & Youth Services: Before and after school program for school-aged children.
Children and Youth Services is a before and after school program for school age children that includes fun individual and group activities, free time, and meaningful learning experiences in a safe and creative atmosphere encouraging personal growth and social interaction.
The program is committed to providing quality care that facilitates the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth of children, stressing the importance of individuality, diversity, unity, choice, and autonomy.
All West Haven public elementary and intermediate school students are eligible to attend.
Community Connections: Residential and Day Service programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Community Connections provides individualized and meaningful enrichment opportunities that increase independence, enhance community integration, and improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities.