Dear Friends and Families of Solar Youth,
For more than two decades, Solar Youth has been a place where young people found their voice, explored the natural world, and developed the skills to become leaders in their own lives and communities. As this chapter comes to a close, it is important to pause and honor the incredible legacy of growth, environmental stewardship, and "Mindful Presence" that every program participant, family member, and staff person helped create.
Built on a foundation where Kids Explore! Kids Do! Kids Teach! Solar Youth brought urban environmental education to youth right in their own neighborhoods—marked by forest exploration, snowy winter-time adventures and connections to peers and to the natural surroundings. Success and leadership were seen in every youth-led community service action project, green job program and summer camp experience.
As we officially close operations, we are grateful to founder Joanne Sciulli and the founding youth board who dreamed this inspiring dream.
We are grateful to the staff members who poured their heart and intention into providing top notch adventures and meaningful connections with youth, and to the board members who have volunteered their time and supported our mission.
We extend our deep gratitude to the community foundation, elm city communities, and each of our donors, partners, and every FOSY (Friend of Solar Youth) who stood behind this dream and made this work possible.
Lastly, we are, of course, grateful for the youth and their families who explored with Solar Youth, often returning to our programs throughout their childhood and into adulthood, leading the next generation of youth on their path of discovery.
While the Solar Youth organization is sunsetting, the mission to empower New Haven’s youth remains as vital and vibrant as ever. We are pleased to share that we are distributing our remaining assets to continue the mission through powerful collaborations with Common Ground and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven. These organizations have already welcomed families and begun to carry forward the commitment to youth development and community strength Solar Youth represented.
The Next Chapter
To ensure every Solar Youth family remains connected to high-quality programming and support, please reach out to our partner organizations directly:
Common Ground: We are grateful to Common Ground for working with us to welcome and transition Solar Youth families with financial aid and special programs. Located just down the road from Solar Youth’s former site, Common Ground is a wonderful asset to Westville Manor and the West Rock community. They have a dynamic plan to build on Solar Youth’s mission in the years to come, including an expansion of in-school nature-based programming, financial aid and other special programs. Many of you know Common Ground’s origin story and Solar Youth’s origins were intertwined, so we are deeply grateful to Common Ground’s staff and board for extending their amazing programs in line with Solar Youth’s mission and aligned with the original purpose of the New Haven Ecology Project.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven: For many summers, Solar Youth and Boys & Girls Clubs have collaborated. We have co-managed summer camp at Barnard School, working closely on field trips and daily activities. This summer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven has offered financial aid to Solar Youth families and helped us to ensure that every Solar Youth family in need has an opportunity to attend their summer camp. They have been outstanding collaborators deeply committed to creating opportunities for every Solar Youth family, and we are extremely grateful.
Important Note
Please be advised that the Solar Youth website will officially go offline on June 30. To find out more, you can visit the Common Ground and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven websites. To reach us directly, please email info@solaryouth.org or by mail at PO Box 8583, New Haven CT 06531 before September 30, 2026.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. The seeds planted through Solar Youth will continue to bloom in the leadership of our youth and the strength of our city.
In deepest appreciation,
Solar Youth Board of Directors
