Meet Caroline

I first came to New Haven when I was 17 years old. Since then, I have built a community of friendships I know will last a lifetime, filled community meetings with my neighbors, and have been inspired by many heroes throughout our city. I am proud to call New Haven my home.

For the last thirteen years, I have worked alongside many of my neighbors and others to advocate for issues that impact us in New Haven. In 2016, I co-founded an organization called Collab that provides resources and reduces barriers for New Haven residents to start a business and create local jobs — with a specific focus on those that have barriers to entrepreneurship like women, people with lower-incomes, people of color, and immigrants. And now, Collab supports hundreds of entrepreneurs annually in neighborhoods across the city.

I have also been on the founding teams of volunteer initiatives like New Haven Bike Month, which has brought neighbors across the city together to advocate for safe streets and sidewalks for all, and AAPI New Haven, a local group that supports the growing Asian community in New Haven. In addition, I have loved working alongside friends and neighbors to design participatory budgeting projects, organize a community pitch night, and shovel sidewalks during snowstorms.

I ran for Alder for two main reasons:

  1. To advocate for neighbors in our Ward: I love Ward 9. It is a Ward that bridges two neighborhoods — East Rock and Fair Haven — with a bustling business spine of Upper State Street and neighbors that sincerely care about each other. I am excited to bring us together around our vision for Upper State Street and be a fierce advocate for my neighbors’ quality of life.

  2. And to work on challenges that impact us citywide: We can and must work towards a future where every individual and family in every neighborhood in New Haven can live healthy, stable, and full lives. Right now, there are real challenges the city faces that stand in the way of that future. I feel fired up to bring experience and voice to the Board around economic opportunity, climate justice, and LGBTQ+ issues. I deeply believe we can move towards a future where New Haven is a model of a local resilient economy, a leader in reducing emissions and creating green jobs for residents, and a beacon for being a welcoming city for everyone.

New Haven is the greatest small city in America because of the people who work hard every day to make it even greater. I am so excited to knock doors, sit down with you, and work all together for the city we love.

Warmly,
Caroline