Important update from Solar Youth’s Board of Directors
This past summer marked the end of an era for Solar Youth. Multiple events, including the closure of Brennan Rogers school, Solar Youth’s home base for after-school programming, prompted a profound re-evaluation of Solar Youth’s role in the community. This fall, based on community outreach, and input from a variety of stakeholders, we realized we needed to make some difficult decisions.
The Next Phase: Legacy Through Collaboration and Strategic Closure
To best serve the youth of Westville Manor and the surrounding neighborhoods, we have made the decision to wind down Solar Youth as an independent organization after the winter season and integrate our programs with established community partners.
With this move, the spirit of Solar Youth’s mission to provide empowering nature-based programming will be carried forward through collaboration, as will our goal of ensuring youth and families receive free/affordable after-school, holiday and summer camp experiences.
We will be integrating what’s best from Solar Youth’s programs and values into the structures of these strong organizations. This decision has also been guided by Solar Youth’s core values of interdependence and stewardship.
What This Means for Solar Youth:
- Programs: As of December 31, 2025 Solar Youth will no longer officially provide its own programming. All future service delivery will be through our partner organizations.
- Management: Solar Youth’s dedicated board and volunteers will be overseeing this transition. Without operating programs, Solar Youth no longer has full-time staff. We are very grateful to Interim COO Greg Brunson for his adept service since July.
- Site Closure: The site at 53 Wayfarer St. will officially close as of December 31, 2025, a significant moment marking the end of a long chapter. For over two decades, 53 Wayfarer St., located in Westville Manor, has been a place of growth, leadership, and community—a legacy that we are determined to see carried on through collaborations.
- Timeline: We are planning for Solar Youth to officially close later in 2026, once this new collaborative model is fully in place. In March we will provide an update with more details.
A commitment to positive outcomes for youth in Westville Manor has been the driving force behind this path forward. Solar Youth has made a difference in countless lives over 25 years. We are deeply grateful to Elm City Communities, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven, Common Ground, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and all of Solar Youth’s community partners and stakeholders, as well as you for your support of Solar Youth, and your care for its mission to empower youth to lifelong success through environmental exploration.
