New Haven Independent

Hannah Gray Comes Home

by Adzua Agyapon | June 10, 2009 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Corene Browne was first in line Wednesday morning at a reborn community home in Dixwell to reserve a spot for her 92 year-old aunt.

“It’s just beautiful” Browne said of the renovated and rescued Hannah Gray Home for low-income elderly women. “She’s just going to love it.”

Browne (in bottom photo) joined city officials and community members celebrating the reopening of the home, which took ten years of community fund-raising and then building, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dixwell Avenue.

Since 1861 the Hannah Gray Home has been a Dixwell anchor, a true home for the community’s elders.

It was the will of the home’s namesake, an abolitionist, seamstress and entrepreneur who bequeathed her home to the community upon her death.

Saved by the Women’s 20th Century Club in 1904 and incorporated in 1977, the Hannah Gray Home faced mounting financial difficulties. In 1996 it was forced to close. The community took action, with volunteers raising money to reopen it.

Anthony Davis, a member of the Board of Trustees, led the efforts to reopen the home. He promised his aunt on her deathbed that he would do everything in his power to reopen the home and grant others “the privilege of retaining their cultural ties and growing old in their own community.”

Twelve years later Davis kept his promise along with a committed group of trustees.

According to the home’s website, its mission is to “…foster an environment in which residents,” like Corene Browne’s aunt, “not only feel a sense of belonging but also feel connected to the cultural and spiritual roots of their community.”

The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund (GNHCLF) has loaned the organization close to $2.5 million for the project.

“I got into the developing side of it,” said Raquel Santiago-Martinez (at left in photo), CLFGNH’s director lending. “For me the impetus was Hannah. Her story is amazing! Women did not own property back then. She owned a business! If she could do it then, why couldn’t we?”

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Comments

Posted by: Carman | June 10, 2009 8:51 PM

What an amazing and well-written story. Bravo.

Posted by: Anica Bonner | June 11, 2009 1:54 PM

This is a very interesting story. It is very rare that a community gets the opportunity to have a major "dream" fulfilled. Everyone should be proud of themselves and their accomplishments!!

Posted by: Rev. Dr. El Gin Watkins, YDS '87 | June 12, 2009 1:47 AM

Hats off to all who helped in renovating the Hannah Gray Home for women. Ms. Hannah Gray was a seamstress and laundress African American business woman who gave money to Yale Divinity School for the education of ministers, at a time when YDS did not accept Black students. Her legacy lives on in many hearts as a testament to the contributions Black Women have made and continue to make to the building of America. Both Yale and New Haven are enriched. A note to President Barack Obama might be in order.

Posted by: HELENC.POWELL-KING | June 16, 2009 4:23 PM

HANNAH GRAY HOME IN DIXWELL NEIGHBORHOOD NEED'S
TO EDCATED THE YOUTH IN NEW HAVEN AREA,HOW DO YOU GET APPLICATION FOR LIVING THERE,AND IF WANT
TO GIVE SOMETHING IN THE HOME .

Posted by: Tom Cruess, Administrator | June 17, 2009 7:44 PM

Ms. Powell-King,
If you or anyone else reading this is interested in becoming a resident of Hannah Gray Home, please contact me at 203-704-0728. There has already been a great deal of interest from the community. I can also answer any questions that you may have regarding making a contribution.
Thank you.

Posted by: Melanie Fowler | November 18, 2009 8:34 AM

I had a interview for The Hannah Gray Residential Care Home. During the interview I was showed around the new building. The building is beautiful inside and out. I would request any resident to choose this bulding to call home. I know Hannah Gray Home is going to be a successful for many years to come!!

Hannah Gray Comes Home

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