LEAP trains and employs college and high school students to provide academic and social enrichment and mentoring after school and during the summer for children and teens in New Haven neighborhoods. Kids access swimming, gardening, camping, computer science, dance, music, and so much more. Save the Date: LEAP Year Event 2026 - Thursday, February 26 Become a Sponsor Today SIGN UP Tickets Are Now Available - Click Below GET YOUR TICKETS HERE L eadership E ducation & A thletics in P artnership CREATING A NEW HAVEN FOR OUR CHILDREN We teach children how to learn and young adults how to lead. LEAP was founded in 1992 by educators, students, and community activists to address the historic disinvestment in young people of color in our city. In our two community centers and seven neighborhood-based sites, we provide children with a welcoming place to learn, explore and grow, while offering teens and young adults a platform to find their voice and become leaders and role models. College and high school student counselors teach younger students in literacy, the arts, and athletics. Check Out Our Programs! After-School Program LEARN MORE Summer Program LEARN MORE Leaders in Training LEARN MORE Swimming Program LEARN MORE LEAP Bulletin Board Sign up for FREE Classes at the Q House! Enhance your creativity, physical health, and skill development at the Q House! They offer a range of FREE classes and workshops, from ceramics and art to music production and yoga; there's something for everyone! Unleash your artistic side, harmonize your tunes, or find your zen – all without any cost. Explore, learn, and thrive at the Dixwell Q House’s inclusive and enriching environment. Click here to sign up today! Join Us As a Sponsor For the 2026 LEAP Year Event! Join us for LEAP Year Event on Thursday, February 26, 2026! This annual fundraiser brings together 500+ donors, business professionals, and community leaders for an evening of connection and impact. Last year, we raised over $500,000 to support LEAP's free after-school and summer programs. The evening features a lively reception at the Dixwell Community Center (Q House) with complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and live music, followed by intimate dinners with renowned guest speakers. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Your support makes LEAP's programs possible for youth from underserved New Haven neighborhoods. Email Alison Bonds at abonds@leapforkids.org to learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits, or to register for the event. Registration for our Spring Component is now Open! Give your child an incredible spring at LEAP! Our free after-school program provides elementary and middle school students with a safe, supportive space to learn, play, and grow. Through near-peer mentorship from local high school and college counselors, kids enjoy homework help, athletics, creative activities, and leadership development—all in their own neighborhood. Our spring component runs 1/26/26 - 5/7/26. Spots are filling up fast at our seven New Haven sites! Register your child today by clicking here! Sign up for FREE Classes at the Q House! Enhance your creativity, physical health, and skill development at the Q House! They offer a range of FREE classes and workshops, from ceramics and art to music production and yoga; there's something for everyone! Unleash your artistic side, harmonize your tunes, or find your zen – all without any cost. Explore, learn, and thrive at the Dixwell Q House’s inclusive and enriching environment. Click here to sign up today! Featured Videos All About LEAP Support our programs! We are thankful for all of the support that help us keep LEAP running and serve New Haven's youth. SUPPORT

Learn about LEAP's swimming programs and complete an application for a child or adult lesson. L eadership, E ducation & A thletics in P artnership Decemebr 23, 2025 the leap pool is closed tody Decemebr 23, 2025 the leap pool is closed tody Decemebr 23, 2025 the leap pool is closed tody Decemebr 23, 2025 the leap pool is closed tody Next Registration Period: June 16th, 2025 Next Session START Date: June 30th, 2025 Next Session END Date: August 1st, 2025 Today, Monday, February 16, 2026 The LEAP Pool is Closed ! No Swim Classes Today! Today’s Pool Temperature is 85°F "Parking is limited on Jefferson Street. Please use the parking spaces on the opposite side of Jefferson Street or on Grand Avenue. " Community Swim Pool Closures & Make-Up Classes Pool Closed February 9, 2026 → Make-Up Class March 16, 2026 Pool Closed February 16, 2026 → Make-Up Class March 18, 2026 Swimming Lessons Community Swim Schedule (2026) Community Swim Winter Session 2: Session Dates: February 9 – March 16, 2026 Registration Period: January 26, 2026 - February 6, 2026 Orientation: February 5, 2026 Community Swim Spring Session 1: Session Dates: March 30 – May 1, 2026 Registration Period: March 16, 2026 - March 27, 2026 Orientation: March 26, 2026 Community Swim Spring Session 2: Session Dates: May 18 – June 22, 2026 Registration Period: May 4, 2026 - May 15, 2026 Orientation: May 14, 2026 Community Swim Summer Session 1: Session Dates: August 3 – September 4, 2026 Registration Period: July 13, 2026 - July 31, 2026 Orientation: July 30, 2026 Community Swim Fall Session 1: Session Dates: September 21 – October 26, 2026 Registration Period: September 7, 2026 - September 18, 2026 Orientation: September 17, 2026 Community Swim Fall Session 2: Session Dates: November 9 – December 18, 2026 Registration Period: October 26, 2026 - November 6, 2026 Orientation: November 5, 2026 *Orientations are held at 31 Jefferson Street, New Haven, CT 06511, at 6 PM *Please follow the registration instructions carefully; incorrect entries may not register. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER LEAP offers swim lessons for children, teens, and adults at all skill levels—whether you’re just starting out or already know the basics and want to build confidence, refine technique, and improve your swimming skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. what Classes run in 5-week sessions, twice weekly for 45 mins. Youth L1 & L3 Mon/Wed; L2 & L4 Tue/Thu (5–5:45 & 6–6:45 pm). Teens/adults L1–2 Mon/Wed; L3+ Tue/Thu (7–7:45 pm). Seniors Fri 5 pm; Toddlers 6 pm; Family Swim (3 max) 7 pm at LEAP, 31 Jefferson St., New Haven. when & where who LEAP Aquatics is an inclusive, community swim program offering classes for families, youth, teens, and adults. Rooted in equity, we provide safe, welcoming access to water skills, confidence, and belonging for all. Cost The 5-week program (10 classes) costs $45 for toddlers/seniors, $80 for youth, $100 for adults/teens, paid online in advance. No refunds; credit can be applied to future lessons. If LEAP closes, make-up classes will be scheduled. Thank you to our Aquatics Program Grantors! LEAP is a proud grantee of USA Swimming Foundation's Learn to Swim program. C lick on their logo to learn more.

LEAP Year Event 31 Years & Counting See You At This Year's LEAP Year Event! Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026 With Additional Dates: February 28th and March 5th Tickets Are On Sale Click The Button Below To Get Tickets To The Dinner Of Your Choice and The Reception GET YOUR TICKETS HERE LEAP Year Event is our annual fundraiser bringing together the Greater New Haven community to support LEAP's free after-school and summer programs for youth from underserved neighborhoods. Join us on Thursday, February 26, 2026 , with additional dates on February 28th and March 5th. The evening begins with a vibrant reception at the Dixwell Community Center (Q House), featuring complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres, live music, and an opportunity to connect with fellow community members . You'll hear welcoming remarks from Henry Fernandez, LEAP's Executive Director, and inspiring stories directly from LEAP counselors. Following the reception, guests will attend an intimate dinner of their choice, each featuring a renowned guest speaker and meaningful conversation. LEAP Year Event is our most important fundraiser, drawing over 600 philanthropic donors, business professionals, and community leaders. In 2025, you helped us raise over $500,000 to make LEAP's free programs possible. We hope you'll join us again for an evening of community, connection, and shared commitment to creating opportunities for young people. Interested in supporting the event as a sponsor or have questions about registering? Please email Alison Bonds at abonds@leapforkids.org . With your partnership, we will continue to Create a New Haven for Our Children. LEAP Year Event '25 Photos Thank you to our 2026 LEAP Year Event Sponsors Superhero Champions with David Moulton Roger Ibbotson Heroes Roz & Jerry Meyer Julie Wilson Joann Thompson & Robert Alvine Leader The Scillia Family Stacey & Hap Perkins with Mentors Jacqueline Koral Dr. Marcus McFerren Henry Lord Educator Cynthia Mann, MD Marna Borgstrom & Eric Borgstrom Diane Ariker Athlete Jody Ellant with Dorothy Robinson Beverly Hodgson & John Leventhal Ruby Melton & Gail McAvay Ellen Shuman & Doug Rae Beverly & John Hodgson Celeste Suggs & Joel Zackin Elizabeth & Miles Lasater Kaaren Janssen & Robert Jaeger Partners Alison Bonds & Larry Levine John S. Nussbaum Allie Perry & Charles Pillsbury Friends With... Waterbury Building Trades Council Lisa Stanger & Greg Colodner Kathryn Hill & Gerald Kahn Ellen & Robert Scalettar Lynne & Mark Schpero Marian Chertow & Matthew Nemerson Neighbors Apex Security Systems, LLC Wayne Card JOIN US AS A SPONSOR! To Learn More About What Sponsorships We Offer Click Here Thank you to our LEAP Year Event Planning Committee Eliana Arroyo Ann Baker Pepe Alison L. Bonds Rachel Kline Brown Ruofan Chen Jack Ciccolo Judy Clark Susan Kerley Jacqueline Koral Melissa Liriano Cynthia Mann Zehra Patwa Fallon Thomas

Buy Your LEAP Year Event Tickets Thank you for joining us at the 2023 LEAP Year Event! We hope you enjoyed your dinners and conversations. With your help, we raised over $350,000 and welcomed over 500 guests in the Greater New Haven area, New York, and beyond to gather in support of Creating a New Haven for Our Children. Please email rsvp@leapforkids.org if you are interested in supporting the event next year as a Host, Sponsor, or Guest of Honor. The following information refers to the 2023 LEAP Year Event. Please check this page for information about next year's event in January 2024. --- Click here to download a pdf of the invitation . Please reference this page for the most up-to-date information. --- Join us on Thursday, February 23rd for our twenty-eighth annual LEAP Year Event (with additional conversations on Saturday, February 18th and Saturday, February 25th)! LEAP Year Event Virtual Reception - LEAP Year Event virtual reception beginning at 5:30pm. We encourage all to join us at the reception as we recognize this year's honorees, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, State Representative Toni Walker, and Bonnie Scarborough, and hear from LEAP supporters, staff, and counselors. Registration for LEAP Year Event is now closed. Please email rsvp@leapforkids.org with any inquiries regarding registration. Thank you! Option 1: In-Person Dinner Parties A traditional LEAP Year Event dinner located at the homes of LEAP supporters in the Greater New Haven area. Dinner-Included Tickets are required for in-person events, during which the host will provide meals. Each dinner is limited to approximately 20 attendees. Participants may be required to take an at-home COVID test before in-person dinner parties. It is possible that some in-person dinner parties may shift to virtual events if circumstances require. Check here and in your email inbox for changes. Schedule of Events (Thursday, 2/23) *There is a virtual reception with a 5:30pm start time to view in your own home. Please arrive at your hosts' home at 7:00pm. 5:30-6:15pm – Join the virtual reception online from your own home (link will be provided in email before the event) 7:00pm – Guests arrive at hosts' homes or restaurants for in-person conversations and dinner (unless otherwise noted) 9:00/9:30 – Conversations end Note - if your conversation is on a Saturday, you are still welcome to join the virtual reception on Thursday 2/23. Option 2: Conversations on Zoom Join a lively conversation with the Guest of Honor and an open audience Q&A from the comfort of your own home. You may choose a First-Time Attendee Ticket for newcomers (without dinner), a Non-Dinner Ticket to attend the conversation without dinner, or a Dinner-Included Ticket, which includes a three-course meal from a local restaurant for pickup. Click here to view the restaurant menus from the list of local restaurants we are supporting! Conversation sizes vary - some have limited seats, and others are open to all. Book your ticket early to secure your seat at your conversation of choice! Schedule of Events *There is a virtual reception with a 5:30pm start time and Zoom conversations with a start time of 6:30pm . 4:00 - 6:00 pm – Guests with Dinner-Included Tickets pick up meals from local restaurants 5:30 - 6:15pm – Join the virtual reception online from your own home (link will be provided in email before the event) 6:30 pm – Virtual Zoom conversations begin 8:00/8:30 pm – Conversations end Conversation Options Option 1: In-Person Dinner Parties 1. Advocate for Alternatives Did you know the U.S. leads the world in rates of incarceration? Be inspired as you learn about The Vera Institute of Justice, founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to the bail system in NYC. Meet President and Director Nick Turner , who leads Vera's work to end mass incarceration, reduce the use of prisons and detention centers, safeguard the dignity of those behind bars, and support safe and thriving communities. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Listen to a December 2022 podcast episode from the Great Battlefield podcast titled, "Ending Mass Incarceration with Nick Turner of Vera." Hosted by Celeste & Stephen Myers at the Harvard Club, New York City 2. [SOLD OUT] Hometown Heartbreak Explore The Other Side of Prospect with writer Nicholas Dawidoff , as he reflects on his childhood home of New Haven and how the injustices of racism and inequality reverberate through generations. His beautifully written portrait of life in the Elm City is told through unforgettable people and their intertwined experiences. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Listen to an episode of Roxanne Coady’s podcast, "Just the Right Book," in which she interviews Dawidoff about his recent book and how inequality impacts multiple generations. Hosted by Christine Kim & Doug Kysar, New Haven 3. [SOLD OUT] Understanding Ukraine Dig into the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people against the Russian invasion with Marci Shore , Associate Professor of European Cultural & Intellectual History at Yale. Her research focuses on the intellectual history of twentieth and twenty-first-century Central and Eastern Europe, including writings on Ukraine, Russia, and Friendships and Why Ukrainians are Prepared to Fight . Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Watch Marci Shore discuss her 2018 book, The Ukrainian Night: An Intimate History of Revolution , with Marilyn Wilkes, host of the MacMillan Report at Yale University. Hosted by Patricia Rossi & Robert King, New Haven 4. A Delicious Partnership Enjoy the tastes of the Caribbean at this special dinner, a collaboration between Kismet Douglass of Momma Kiss Kitchen Cuisine and Maxine Harris of Je T'aime Cupcakes and Cocktails, who are part of the movement to diversify business ownership in New Haven. Joined by CitySeed Executive Director, Cortney Renton , hear about their experiences as food entrepreneurs based at the commercial kitchen in the newly opened Dixwell Community Q House. Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read this article from the New Haven Arts Paper which features both Douglass and Harris at the CitySeed Farmer's Market at the Dixwell Q House this past fall. Hosted by Susan Kerley at the Q House, New Haven 5. Talk of the Town Be part of a meaningful conversation with, Michelle Wilde Anderson , former LEAP Grant Writer, Larry Kramer Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, Professor at Stanford School of Sustainability, and author of The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining America . Her work documents how leaders and residents in four blue-collar communities are facing down some of the hardest challenges in American poverty today. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Listen to an August 2022 episode of "The Bridge," a podcast from OR36 in which Anderson talks about poverty in southern Oregon. Hosted by Kasia Lipska & Jake Halpern, New Haven *Note: In-person dinner with the Guest of Honor on Zoom & option for 10 guests to join on Zoom 6. [SOLD OUT] Medical Mysteries Prepare for a puzzling evening with stories of medical mysteries presented by Dr. Lisa Sanders who writes Diagnosis for The New York Times Magazine . As Associate Professor and Director of the Writers Workshop at Yale School of Medicine, she leads a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and treating the mystifying symptoms caused by long-COVID. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read Dr. Sanders's collection of columns in her 2019 book, Diagnosis: Solving the Most Baffling Medical Mysteries . Hosted by Shelley & Gordon Geballe, Branford 7. [SOLD OUT] Showtime! - 6:45pm start followed by 8:00pm performance Begin a dazzling evening at the Shubert Theatre in conversation with Executive Director Anthony McDonald and Shubert historian Anthony Lupinacci over festive cocktails and gourmet hors d'oeuvres followed by the Shubert performance by Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo , an internationally beloved troupe of male dancers performing a brilliant combination of skillful pointe work and hilarious parodies of classical ballet favorites. Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read more about McDonald’s history in theater management. Hosted by Ruby Melton & Bill Aseltyne at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven 8. [CANCELED] Take Heart! Your heart will soar when you meet Dr. Erica Spatz , cardiologist and clinical investigator at Yale's Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), and learn about the factors contributing to cardiovascular disease and how to work with your medical team to protect and improve your healthy heart. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Listen to Dr. Erica Spatz discuss the benefits of shared-decision making regarding patient treatment in this 2021 podcast episode from Health & Veritas . Hosted by Debra & Ron Nudel, Woodbridge 9. [SOLD OUT] Secrets in the Stacks - 5:30pm start at the Beinecke Library, tour to start at 6:15pm Book a special evening when Michael Morand , Director of Community Engagement of Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, guides a private viewing of original W.E.B. Du Bois manuscripts and first editions in the Beinecke Library. Guests will learn of DuBois's impact on civil rights in America and his many ties to New Haven. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read this article Morand wrote to promote the Black History Month Pop-Up Exhibit at the Beinecke Library in 2020. Hosted by Andrea & Jeremy Asnes, with dinner to follow at Mory's Association, New Haven 10. [SOLD OUT] I'll Take New Haven Learn new reasons to enjoy New Haven as Lary Bloom discusses his latest book, I'll Take New Haven: Tales of Discovery and Rejuvenation . Travel with the author as he moves from the Connecticut countryside to the city and rediscovers his love of New Haven and its residents. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Watch Lary Bloom talk about his book on WNHH FM's "Dateline New Haven." Recently, The New York Times selected New Haven as one of the top 52 places in the world to visit in 2023. Hosted by Meg & George Knight, New Haven 11. [SOLD OUT] Picture Perfect Evening - 6 :30pm tour start with dinner to follow Enjoy a private tour with Stephanie Wiles , Henry J. Heinz II Director of the Yale Art Gallery, and Jessie Park , Assistant Curator of European Art, who will guide you through the multidisciplinary exhibit, Crafting Worldviews: Art and Science in Europe, 1500-1800 , examining the relationships among art, science, and colonialism in shaping Europeans' understanding of the world and their place in it. Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read this 2021 article about Stephanie Wiles's vision for the Yale University Art Gallery. Hosted by Gisela & Richard Goldstein, followed by dinner at Union League Café, New Haven 12. [SOLD OUT] Cosmic Conversation Orbit with Dr. Priyamvada Natarajan , Chair of Astronomy at Yale, to delve into her book, Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas That Reveal the Cosmos , exploring ever-expanding theories and tools to probe and understand the universe over time. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read this 2021 interview from The New York Review with Dr. Natarajan about new understandings of matter. Hosted by Lely & David Evans at Berkeley College, New Haven 13. A Champion for Children Learn about how early life experiences shape our thinking and passions with Allyx Schiavone , Executive Director of Friends Center for Children. Her commitment to quality child care is having a direct impact on the future of our New Haven community and economy. Light piano music will be provided by Andy Rubenoff . Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read Schiavone's December 2022 op-ed in CTPost advocating for increased state funding for early childhood education centers and strengthening childcare infrastructure. Hosted by Francine Farkas Sears at Taste of China, New Haven 14. Gospel Musicology Rejoice with Reverend Doctor Braxton Shelley , Associate Professor of Music, of Sacred Music, and of Divinity at Yale Divinity School, a musicologist, active performer, and ordained minister who specializes in African American gospel performance. He will share music theory insights from his book, Healing for the Soul: Richard Smallwood, the Vamp, and the Gospel Imagination , and will perform along with Lindsay Wright , Assistant Professor of Music at Yale. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read Shelley’s 2021 book, Healing for the Soul: Richard Smallwood, the Vamp, and the Gospel Imagination , which received 4 awards including the Lewis Lockwood Award from the American Musicological Society, the Emerging Scholar Award-Book from the Society for Music Theory, the Ruth Stone Prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology, and the inaugural Portia Maultsby Prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology. Hosted by Patricia & Davis Gammon, Hamden Saturday Dinners The following dinners and conversations are on Saturday, February 18th or Saturday, February 25th at 7pm. If your conversation is on a Saturday, you are still welcome to join the virtual reception on Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30-6:15pm. 15. [SOLD OUT] Give Me Liberty - In-person Saturday, February 18th at 7pm EST Share in the fight for civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice with Deborah Archer , the first person of color to be President of the ACLU and New York University Professor of Clinical Law, Co-Faculty Director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law, and Co-Director of the Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Program, who will discuss the power and persistence of racial inequality. Archer began her leadership at a pivotal moment for the ACLU, as the U.S. grapples with white supremacy and a long history of racism. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read about Archer's presentation of the 64th Annual John R. Coen Lecture at the University of Colorado Law School on The Power and Persistence of Racism in April 2022. Hosted by Miriam Gohara & Marcus McFerren, Woodbridg e 16. Freedom Reads - In-person Saturday, February 25th at 7pm EST Break bread with 2021 MacArthur Fellow Reginald Dwayne Betts , poet, lawyer, and prison reform advocate. Betts is the Executive Director of Freedom Reads , a not-for-profit organization radically transforming access to literature in prisons through the installation of Freedom Libraries in prisons across the country. Betts and Titus Kaphar have just released a book entitled, Redaction . Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Watch Reginald Dwyane Betts speak at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work's 2021 Maconda Brown O'Connor Distinguished Lecture series, Eyes on Abolition: Speaking of Social Justice. In the lecture, Betts discusses his 2019 book, Felon: Poems . Hosted by Roxanne & Kevin Coady and Alva Greenberg, New Haven 17. [SOLD OUT] Crime Time - In-person Saturday, February 25th at 7pm EST History comes to life when Beverly Gage , Professor of History and American Studies at Yale, reflects on the impact of J. Edgar Hoover, FBI Director for 50 years, in her new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century . It was named one of the top ten books of 2022 by The Washington Post and a New York Times Notable Book of 2022. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read this November 2022 article Gage penned for Smithsonian Magazine , "How World War II Helped Forge the Modern FBI." Hosted by Cynthia Farrar & Paul Kennedy, New Haven 18. Prescription for Equality - In-person Saturday, February 25th at 7pm EST Join an important discussion about the disparities in healthcare access with Doctors Emily Wang , 2022 MacArthur Fellow and Director of the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, a collaboration between the Yale Medical and Law Schools, and Dowin Boatright , an emergency medicine physician at NYU Langone. Learn about factors that can improve the health of those impacted by mass incarceration. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Read about Dr. Wang's Health Justice Lab research program in which she investigates how incarceration impacts chronic health conditions. Most recently in May 2022, Dr. Wang was featured on the podcast, Health & Veritas . Read this interview with Dr. Boatright with the Josiah Macy Foundation about his article, A Roadmap for Diversity in Medicine During the Age of COVID-19 and George Floyd . Hosted by Renu & Dowin Boatright at the Elm City Club, New Haven 19. [SOLD OUT] Music in the Night - In-person Saturday, February 25th at 7pm EST A concert exploring song: The Elm City Quintet journeys from Renaissance madrigals, through Italian opera, the ground-breaking Porgy and Bess, and the Great American Songbook. For over 15 years, the Quintet has been delighting local audiences with music by artists from a range of other occupations who come together in the name of music and the social good. Get to Know our Guest of Honor: Listen to these one-to-two-minute samples of pieces in The Elm City Quintet's repertoire. Hosted by Mona Endicott & Petra Frisell, New Haven Option 2: Group Convers ations on Zo om Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30pm E ST 20. Comfort Food We've got all the right ingredients for a terrific evening with Jennifer Clair , chef and owner of Home Cooking, New York. Cook in community and prepare subtly spiced tomato-cream sauced chicken tikka masala (vegetarian option available), savory homemade garlic naan, and refreshing raita right in your own kitchen. With two decades of teaching in-person and virtual cooking classes, Jennifer will guide you as you prepare your own dinner, with all the ingredients delivered to you. *Note: Dinner-included ticket required. Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read a list of Jennifer Clair's tasty, beginner-friendly dinner recipes. Hosted by Maureen Weaver & Rob Leighton on Zoom 21. Warming Up...For the Fight Leading the fight to save our planet, passionate environmentalists Bill McKibben and Mary Evelyn Tucker will speak of possible and more affordable solutions to the growing damage from global warming. Recipient of the Gandhi Peace Award, McKibben is an award-winning author, activist, and educator as the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College. Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Researcher at Yale School of the Environment and Co-Director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read McKibben's December 2022 article "From Climate Exhortation to Climate Execution" in The New York Times. Listen to this October 2022 podcast published by The Great Simplification in which host Nate Hagens talks about "Religion, Ecology, and the Future" with Mary Evelyn Tucker. Hosted by Sue McDonald & Corey Stone on Zoom • Optional dinner from participating restaurants. 22. A Matter of Civility Enjoy that rarest of conversations, one characterized by civility and interest in diverse and divergent opinions with Emily Bazelon , staff writer at The New York Times Magazine , and Ross Douthat , New York Times Op-ED Columnist Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read about the Prison Letters Project, an initiative started by Bazelon that seeks to highlight the voices of people currently incarcerated. This project is run in collaboration with Reginald Dwayne Betts, who is also a LEAP Year Event Guest of Honor. Read Douthat's December 2022 op-ed in The New York Times , "The Americanization of Religion." Hosted by Allie Perry & Charlie Pillsbury on Zoom • Optional dinner from participating restaurants. 23. The Big Picture Join a conversation with LEAP alumna Shana C. Waterman , Head of Film & Television at Royal Ties Productions, and New Haven native Frank Chi , director of social justice short films, including the recently acclaimed documentary 38 At The Garden about Jeremy Lin's 2012 Linsanity season with the New York Knicks. They will share the challenges and joys of developing commercial entertainment for multicultural audiences. Get to Know our Guests of Honor: Read about Shana Waterman’s involvement in Hollywood in this 2021 article from the Yale in Hollywood Black Filmmakers Speaker Series. Listen to this October 2022 podcast episode from Dear Asian Americans in which Frank Chi discusses his film 38 at the Garden with host Jerry Won Hosted by Clifton Watson on Zoom • Choose dinner from the list of participating restaurants. Zoom Conversations Guest of Honor Books for Purchase This year, a few LEAP Guests of Honor have made a limited number of signed books available for purchase, with proceeds going to LEAP. You will be able to indicate your book selections on the Ticket Purchase Form. A $5 shipping charge will be added for the purchase as books will be mailed to your mailing address. [SOLD OUT] Conversation 2 - The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City by Nicholas Dawidoff ($17.00) Conversation 5 - The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining America by Michelle Wilde Anderson ($20.00) Conversation 10 - I'll Take New Haven: Tales of Discovery and Rejuvenation by Lary Bloom ($18.00) Conversation 12 - Mapping the Heavens: The Radical Scientific Ideas That Reveal the Cosmos by Dr. Priyamvada Natarajan ($17.00) Conversation 14 - Healing for the Soul: Richard Smallwood, the Vamp, and the Gospel Imagination by Reverend Doctor Braxton Shelley ($55.00) Conversation 16 - Redaction by Reginald Dwyane Betts and Titus Kaphar ($100.00) Conversation 17 - G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century by Beverly Gage ($35.00) Conversation 20 - Six Basic Cooking Techniques: Culinary Essentials for the Home Cook by Jennifer Clair ($20.00) Books for Purchase Restaurant Options LEAP Year Event Restaurants LEAP is delighted to partner with these local restaurants! Dinner-Included Tickets to Zoom Conversations (except Conversation #20, a virtual cooking class) include a three-course meal from one of the following eateries. Each restaurant will offer at least two three-course dinner choices, including appetizer or salad, entr ée , and dessert. To view the full list of menu options, click here. You will be able to select your meal from a limited menu on the ticket reservation form below. Please plan to pick up your meal on the day of the event between 4-6 pm . Caffé Bravo 794 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511 Established in 1994, Caffé Bravo offers quality Italian cuisine and other European specialties. September in Bangkok 754 State St, New Haven, CT 06511 Named the best Thai food in New Haven. Sandra's Next Generation 636 Congress Ave, New Haven, CT 06519 Flavorful dishes infused with love and a blend of seasonings to create soul food. [FULL] Union League Café 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510 Named New Haven’s best French Brasserie. Ticket Reservation Instructions Ticket Reservation Instructions Choose your type of ticket. First-Time Attendee Ticket ($75) - does not include dinner Non-Dinner Ticket ($95) - available for Zoom conversations, does not include dinner Dinner-Included Ticket ($150) - available for In-person and Zoom conversations, does include dinner Choose your desired conversation from the conversation options: In-Person Dinner Parties These are limited to Dinner-Included tickets, as dinner will be provided by the evening's host. Group Conversations on Zoom You can purchase a First-Time Attendee ticket, a Non-Dinner ticket, or a Dinner-Included ticket. Dinner-Included tickets include a three-course meal from a local restaurant. Enter the number of guests you are registering for. You can reserve up to 6 tickets to the same conversation and restaurant with each registration form, but you can fill out the form as many times as you want, for as many conversations as you want. (For Dinner-Included Tickets to Zoom Conversations) Follow the instructions to choose a meal for each guest from the fixed menu options. Continue to the next section to have the option of purchasing Guest of Honor books. Continue to the next section to fill out each guest's name and contact information . You will also have the option to make a donation to LEAP. Continue to the payment screen . Guests will receive a confirmation email and a payment confirmation email . Thank you for your wonderful support of LEAP - we can't wait to see you there! Ticket Form FAQ How do I reserve tickets for two different conversations? To reserve tickets for two different conversations, or to choose different restaurants for your party's virtual conversation, you will have to fill out a new reservation form. If you are reserving multiple tickets to the same conversation and restaurant, you will not need to do this - just fill out one form and select the number of tickets you need (up to 6 guests). Be sure to fill out the full contact information for each guest. Can I buy tickets for a friend? You can buy up to 6 tickets in one order. You will need the following information for all guests in your party: their mailing address, email address, phone number, any book purchases, and/or their meal preferences (if Dinner-Included Ticket to a Zoom dinner). How will I know if my spot in a dinner party/virtual conversation is confirmed? Once you submit the form and make the payment, you will receive two confirmation emails to the email address(es) you entered on the form: one confirming your conversation selection and one confirming payment. If there is an issue with your reservation, you will be contacted by a LEAP team member. Tickets to conversations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we suggest you reserve your spots as soon as you can! What should I do if I reserve a ticket and I can no longer attend the event? Please contact us at rsvp@leapforkids.org if you can no longer attend, at your earliest convenience. This is especially important for attendees of in-person dinners as hosts plan to provide meals for each attendee. Unfortunately, LEAP is unable to provide refunds for purchased LEAP Year Event tickets - all proceeds will go to support LEAP programs for youth. How can I receive assistance purchasing my tickets? If you require assistance purchasing tickets, please call us at 203-773-0770 or 203-767-7413, and we can complete your reservation with you over the phone. General LEAP Year Event inquiries can be directed to rsvp@leapforkids.org . Ticket Form Ticket Reservation Form Top of Page Conversation Options Zoom Conversations Books for Purchase Restaurant Options Ticket Reservation Instructions Ticket Form

Learn about and complete an application for LEAP's Leaders In Training Program for 13 to 15 year olds. Leaders in Training (LITs) Leaders In Training (LITs) support senior and junior counselors by volunteering with younger children. They also get their own unique age-appropriate programming which includes academic support, health education, community service, and job exploration. what who LEAP's LIT program (afterschool and summer) program is available for teens ages 13 to 15. Unlike the children's program, LITs can come from any New Haven neighborhood. LITs receive a small stipend and many advance into other positions at LEAP, including Junior Counselors and Swim Instructors. The after-school program operates Monday-Thursday from 3 pm - 6:30pm and Fridays 3-5 pm. The summer program is Monday-Friday. when The LIT Program will re-start again during the Spring Component! Application Go to Application Spring Program 2026 To apply for the LIT program, you must be between the ages of 13 and 15. The hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 3 p m to 6:30 pm and Fridays 3-5 pm. We operate out of one location: LEAP COMMUNITY CENTER: 31 Jefferson Street, New Haven CT 06511 Dates Progra mming: February 2nd to May 9th 2026 Parent Meeting: Parent meeting will be held on (TBD) and is held for ACCEPTED LITs only. We will communicate the dates and location when your child is formally accepted into our spring programming. We will let you know then what documentation will be needed from you. Required Documents: Full completed application including essay Physical Health Documentation & Action plan - signed by a doctor and a legal guardian (action plan is only needed if LIT had asthma with inhaler or allergies with Epipen) Disclaimer Notice : Submission of your application does not mean your child has been fully accepted. Acceptance will be confirmed via phone call by our Youth Development Leadership Team within 72hrs of submission. Please note that you will not be fully enrolled into the program until you submit the physical and Insurance ID documents. If you would like to complete an application for the program, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will be contacted by a member of our staff once we have received your application. Thank you! Watch this video to learn more about LEAP's LIT program! Leaders in Training: Where You Discover What Makes You Powerful PURPOSE: Own Your Path: This is your space. A place where you figure out who you are, what you're good at, how to use your voice, and the way to turn your ideas into reality. Whether you're into sports, arts, music, or just figuring things out. This program gives you the freedom to explore what matters to YOU while building the skills to lead your own path forward.  What makes us different?  Real talk, real support: Daily small groups with counselors who actually listen and have your back  Your choice matters: Fridays are 100% yours, pick your vibe from cooking to crafts to open gym to outdoor adventures  Level up your future: Get ready for high school, explore careers, visit colleges, and snag real internships  Create & be heard: Use podcasting, art, social media, and performance to tell your story and make change  Move your body, clear your mind: Daily athletics and wellness to keep you strong inside and out  Discover your strengths. Use your voice. Lead your way. 

Líderes en Entrenamiento (LITs) Regreso a clases 2025 quÉ Líderes en formación (LIT) apoyan a los consejeros senior y junior ofreciéndose como voluntarios con niños más pequeños. También obtienen su propia programación única apropiada para su edad, que incluye apoyo académico, educación para la salud, servicio comunitario y exploración laboral. qui É n El programa LIT de LEAP (después de la escuela y durante el verano) está disponible para adolescentes de 13 a 15 años. A diferencia del programa para niños, los LIT pueden provenir de cualquier vecindario de New Haven. Los LIT reciben un pequeño estipendio y muchos avanzan a otros puestos en LEAP, incluyendo los consejeros juveniles y los instructores de natación. cuándo y dónde El programa después de la escuela funciona de lunes a jueves de 3 pm a 6 pm. El programa de verano es de lunes a viernes de 8 am a 1 pm. Durante el año escolar y el verano, el programa LIT se lleva a cabo en el centro comunitario de LEAP (31 Jefferson St., New Haven CT 06511) Formulario de Aplicación * La aplicación no se guarda automáticamente; Si actualiza o abandona esta página, se perderá cualquier información ingresada. * Para completar la aplicación en español, cambie el botón de traducción a español en la parte superior derecha del formulario a continuación.

LEAP is committed to sharing the information that helps our community be strong, just, and supportive of one another. Learn more here. Community Resources COVID-19 Important information for kids, parents & families regarding COVID-19, as well as online educational materials and activities for children. COVID-19 MORE Important information for kids, parents & families regarding COVID-19, as well as online educational materials and activities for children. Racial Justice & Social Change Educational materials, tips, and healing resources meant to support Black youth and their non-Black peers who are trying to learn how to navigate the culture of racial injustice and police brutality in our nation. Racial Justice & Social Change MORE Educational materials, tips, and healing resources meant to support Black youth and their non-Black peers who are trying to learn how to navigate the culture of racial injustice and police brutality in our nation. College Lifesavers Scholarship opportunities, financial aid information, guides on college essay writing, and other resources to help high school and college aged counselors. College Lifesavers Scholarship opportunities, financial aid information, guides on college essay writing, and other resources to help high school and college aged counselors. MORE

LEAP staff members are committed to children, experienced in youth programming, and diverse. Meet our Staff Executive Leadership Henry Fernandez Executive Director hfernandez@leapforkids.org Children's & Youth Development Programs Team Yakeita Robinson VP & Chief of Staff yrobinson@leapforkids.org Stefanie Vargas Director of Programs svargas@leapforkids.org Tina Sapiente Director of Operations tsapiente@leapforkids.org Chantalle Martin Clinical Programs Manager cmartin@leapforkids.org Tamia Scott Dwight-Kensington Site Coordinator tscott@leapforkids.org Jahvon Soto Fair Haven South Site Coordinator jsoto@leapforkids.org Alyssa Parrott Quinnipiac Meadows Site Coordinator aparrott@leapforkids.org Kenneth Jeffery Newhallville Site Coordinator knotarino-jeffrey@leapforkids.org Nikilia Reid VP of Programs nreid@leapforkids.org Darcus Henry Dixwell Site Coordinator dhenry@leapforkids.org Emiya Pearse Hill South Site Coordinator epearse@leapforkids.org Elvert Eden Aquatics Manager eeden@leapforkids.org Leadership & Learning Team Summer Choate-Lewis VP of Leadership & Learning schoate@leapforkids.org Kayla Penza Learning Manager kpenza@leapforkids.org Counselor Leadership Team Maithé Ulloa Counselor Leadership Manager mulloa@leapforkids.org Jadah Smith Counselor Leadership Coordinator jsmith@leapforkids.org Alexis Christy Academic Success Coordinator achristy@leapforkids.org Development & Communications Team Rachel Kline Brown VP of Development & Communications rklinebrown@leapforkids.org Jubetsy Minaya-Pérez Director of Development & Communications jminaya@leapforkids.org Ruofan Chen Donor Database Analyst & Prospect Researcher rchen@leapforkids.org Eliana Arroyo Donor Relations & Events Manager earroyo@leapforkids.org Tristin Reeder Communications Coordinator Treeder@leapforkids.org Finance & Business Affairs Team Shadine Alveranga VP of Finance & Business Affairs salveranga@leapforkids.org Juan Boone Finance Assistant jboone@leapforkids.org DJenny Pope Payroll Coordinator dpope@leapforkids.org Q House Team Yakeita Robinson VP & Chief of Staff yrobinson@leapforkids.org Crystal Fernández Manager of the Dixwell Community Q House cfernandez@leapforkids.org Kaussar Rahman Executive Advisor and Assistant for the Dixwell Community Q House Advisory Board and LEAP Grants Manager krahman@leapforkids.org Office Operations Team Marvin Parker Building Management Coordinator mparker@leapforkids.org Robin Williams Reception Coordinator rwilliams@leapforkids.org

Terms of Use LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS IN PARTNERSHIP INC 1. When you opt-in to receive messages from LEAP, you will receive messages related to the LEAP after-school and summer camp programs, as well as messages related to activities at the Dixwell Q House, fundraising events and all other related events and news related to the organization. 2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time. Just text "STOP" to the short code. After you send the SMS message "STOP" to us, we will send you an SMS message to confirm that you have unsubscribed. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us. If you want to join again, just sign up as you did the first time, and we will start sending SMS messages to you again. 3. If you are experiencing issues with the messaging program you can reply with the keyword HELP for more assistance, or you can get help directly at application@leapforkids.org 4. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages 5. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. Message frequency varies. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. 6. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read our privacy policy . We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Learn about and complete an application for LEAP's summer program for children ages 7 to 12. Summer Children's Program Please note that this page reflects information from our 2025 Summer Program. Check back for updates on our 2026 Summer Program! LEAP's summer program includes literacy, athletics, arts, computer science, cooking, and gardening. Children also go on field trips around New Haven and camping trips. All programs are overseen by an experienced Site Coordinator with trained counselor pairs drawn from local colleges and high schools. LEAP's summer program is free for participants. what who LEAP's summer children's program is available for children ages 7 to 12 who live in one of our five neighborhoods (what matters is where the child lives, not where he or she goes to school): Dixwell Newhallville Fair Haven The Hill Dwight-Kensington (including West River) Quinnipiac Meadows The program operates Monday-Thursday from 8 AM-4 PM, Friday from 8 AM-1 PM. LEAP operates in seven neighborhoods at these locations: Bishop Woods School Augusta Lewis Troup School Clemente Leadership Academy Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration Clinton Avenue School King-Robinson Inter-District Magnet School Celentano Magnet School & Q House when & where Summer Program 2025 Mandatory parent meeting dates will occur in June for accepted families only. The time and location will be disclosed to accepted parents. Required summer documents for full acceptance into LEAP's Program: 1. Completed Child Application (you can now add more than one child to one application) 2. Copy of child's physical (not older than 36 months) 3. Copy of child's insurance card or copy of insurance letter confirming child is covered by insurance. Dates of Summer Programming: June 23rd - August 1st, 2025 Mondays - Thursdays: 8 AM- 4 PM; Fridays; 8 AM - 1 PM Submitting an application through the portal does not mean that your child has been accepted into the program. Pre-acceptance into the program will be confirmed via phone call by one of our Site Coordinators within seventy-two hours of portal submission. Please note that you will not be enrolled in the program until you submit a fully signed physical examination document. If your child has asthma and needs an inhaler or allergies that require the use of an EpiPen, you will need to request for your doctor to fill up and sign an action plan. *Application does not automatically save. When you complete the form, you must press SUBMIT FORM at the end. If you refresh or leave this page, any entered information will be lost.* Ver en español/Read in Spanish

Check out photos of LEAP activities for young people. Activities Gallery Gardening Cultivates responsibility, patience, and environmental awareness IMG_0053 IMG_9242 conte garden2BEST Swimming Teaches discipline, safety, and resilience 1/1 Literacy Builds foundational reading and communication skills Sculpting Encourages creativity and fine motor skills To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. LITs Go to Philadelphia Expands horizons and fosters civic engagement LIT Camping Builds teamwork, independence, and problem-solving 1/1 Adam Krieger Adventure Ropes Course Develops trust, communication, and courage Outdoor Corps & Peabody Museum Combines environmental stewardship with scientific curiosity

LEAP provides academic and social development programming to young children and teens using a unique model where college and high school students are trained and employed to be mentors and tutors to younger New Haveners. About Us Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP) was founded in 1992 by educators, students, and community activists to address the historic disinvestment in young people of color in our city. Then and now LEAP believes that young people have the intellect, enthusiasm, courage, and leadership potential to make real change. LEAP creates the space and marshals the resources so that young leaders can mentor, educate and care for the children of New Haven. Our mission is to develop the strengths and talents of young leaders who create and implement year-round, neighborhood-based programs designed to achieve positive outcomes for children living in neighborhoods that have historically experienced systemic disinvestment. Who We Are Our Vision In our two community centers and seven neighborhood-based sites, we provide children with a welcoming place to learn, explore and grow, while offering teens and young adults a platform to find their voice and become leaders and role models. Since our founding, LEAP has grown to become a trusted community institution serving and empowering over 1,500 local young people annually. Our Challenge College and high school student counselors provide LEAP’s direct services to younger children. Their work is not easy as the systemic challenges faced by LEAP families are significant: The neighborhoods served by LEAP have child poverty rates ranging from 35% to 58%, more than three times the Connecticut average of 15%. This is why LEAP prides itself on employing over 200 young people and supporting their efforts to graduate high school and get into and graduate from college. We count among our alumni school teachers and principals, nonprofit executives, elected officials, business leaders, and community organizers. Age Groups See our Programs! Multi-Tier Mentorship Model LEAP values the opportunity for young people to grow within our organization, progressively taking on increased responsibility and leadership. Youth are organized into four age groups: Children (ages 7-12), Leaders in Training (ages 13-15), Junior Counselors (high school students), and Senior Counselors (college students). LEAP programming is tailored toward each child’s stage in development. For example, Leaders-in-Training start to take on new responsibilities by interning under counselors. Junior Counselors participate in extensive college prep and career advising to prepare them for high school graduation. Our success is reflected in our high retention rate. Fully one third of our counselors participated in LEAP themselves as children. Work for LEAP! Community and School Centric We serve children who live in five low-income and historically African American and Latino neighborhoods in New Haven: Dixwell, Dwight-Kensington, Fair Haven, the Hill, and Newhallville. LEAP runs our free afterschool and summer programming at New Haven Public Schools located in these communities, as well as at our community center in Wooster Square. In our programs, LEAP seeks to make the entire city available to young people, from library cards and free bus passes to long-term partnerships with the city’s cultural institutions and recreational organizations. Young people at LEAP learn in neighborhood community gardens, hear from guest speakers born and raised in New Haven, read on the New Haven Green, and apply critical thinking and creativity to reimagine a future for their communities. Read our Impact! Year-Round Programming LEAP runs year-round and is split into three components: fall after-school, spring after-school, and summer camp. Our after-school program is three hours a day, Monday-Thursday. Our summer camp is eight hours a day, Monday-Friday. Some stay for several years, moving up through our age groups. LEAP kids love spending time at LEAP's Roslyn Milstein Meyer Community Center, home to our library, swimming pool, computer lab, teaching kitchen, gym, dance studio, and community garden. Join a Program! City's Largest Youth Employer LEAP counselors are trained and paid to do the important and often hard work of mentoring, supervising, and guiding children. LEAP is the largest employer of youth in New Haven: we train and hire over 200 young adults each year. A job at LEAP includes professional development for the future with sessions on resume writing, financial literacy, applying to college, SAT preparation and much more. Employing youth after school and over the summer is proven by research to be highly effective in creating bridges to academic success while making neighborhoods safer for children and teens. Read Testimonials! Make LEAP Children a Part of your Legacy! DONATE