New Haven Independent

“Emma Jones, (pictured alongside Jackie Harris at the top of this story) thanked Sen. Harp and explained the details of the Kinship and Respite programs, which allow grandparents and “relative guardians” to apply for grants from the Children’s Trust Fund.

Grandparents and relatives who are caring for children in New Haven can apply for between $50-$250 per child for “enriching endeavors,” Jones said, such as a trip to Disneyland or a new pair of eyeglasses. Additionally, grandparents can apply to the probate court for up to $2,000 per family to pay for housing, transportation, clothing, and other costs associated with raising children.

“I heard some of the grandparents just say ‘Wow’,” Jones said.

Mary Williams said she is putting four grandchildren through college, and is raising another two in her Shelton Avenue home. Williams passed out flyers for free school supplies available to grandparents on Sunday at a Dixwell Avenue church.

“It used to be that everybody in the community took care of everybody’s child,” Williams said. “Not to sound prejudicial, but just to be frank with you, black people have lost the connection with our own people. We stopped taking care of each other, like a family, as it used to be. Print that, because that’s what we need to get back to.”

As she waited under an umbrella for the rain to pass, Toni Harp said she’s also had the rising cost of oil on her mind. Harp said she hopes money from the budget surplus can be redirected towards expanding access to energy assistance to include “families who are not currently eligible, but who are struggling.” The General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Aug. 21.

Regarding West Rock in particular, Harp said she is happy to see groups like the West Rock Concerned Citizens engaging the community in the political process.

“West Rock is an isolated area and it can feel cut off from the city and the state—and it’s really important that the community feel connected to what some would call the body politic,” Harp said.

Honda Smith, who hosted the party along with fellow West Rock Concerned Citizens Virlinda Billups and Cassandra Lang, heaped praise upon Harp.

“She’s a people person, you know? She cares about her constituents,” Smith said. “I don’t think I’d support anybody else until she decides to step down out of her seat. So you could say she has my lifetime of support.”