A snapshot from the Pride Center's annual Pride Month Block Party earlier this year. Lucy Gellman File Photo.
Just over a week after the announcement of its next executive director, the New Haven Pride Center has walked back that news, in a statement that Dr. Edward Summers will not be continuing on with the organization.
The Pride Center made that announcement via social media on Friday morning, just two weeks after Summers officially began his role at the New Haven Pride Center on Nov. 10. Friday morning, Board Vice Chair Nick Bussett said that Summers resigned last weekend, adding that he could not share many more details at the time.
Summers did not reply to a request for comment at the time of publication of this article.
"It is a bit of a gut punch," Bussett said. "We did what we thought was a really thoughtful search. It took us almost nine months to find what we thought was the right person. However, there are always silver linings, and we will find the right person for this community. If it wasn't a good fit for him [Summers], we have to move forward and find the right person."
In the next weeks, Bussett said that the board plans to formally reopen a search for the position, and to "lean a little bit more on the staff when it comes to the logistics." After the search has begun, board members plan to hold a multi-step review process that includes reading through resumes, discussing candidates, holding Zoom interviews with board and staff members, and hosting community conversations with finalists.
"With everything going on, we are not sure if the search announcement will go out in December or after the New Year," Bussett said.
The Pride Center has been without a permanent executive director since April of this year, when Juancarlos Soto stepped down after steering the organization through a tumultuous leadership transition and move to a larger, above-ground space down Orange Street. Interim Director Lou Perno, a nonprofit consultant in New Haven, ended his tenure in September.
In the meantime, the Pride Center's operations and programming will continue as scheduled, including a "Hella Queer" holiday arts and crafts bazaar on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Its food pantry, clothing and hygiene closets, affinity and support groups and case management services will remain open.
Laura Boccadoro (right) and her wife, Ashley Buhrer.
In a phone call Friday morning, Operations Director Laura Boccadoro said that supporters of the Center can keep showing up in a number of ways, including donations to the space's food pantry and hygiene and clothing closets. The organization is especially in need of winter coats, as well as cold-weather items like hats and gloves.
To donate, people can drop off items of food or clothing to the Pride Center during its weekly hours of operation (people may want to call or email beforehand to confirm that someone is there to receive the donation) or can provide direct financial assistance here.
In addition, she said, the Center also has a need for 10-ride bus passes, which can support both clients and interns and volunteers who do not have access to a car, and cannot always afford public transit.
"Seeing people come into the space, engaging in the programs, engaging in the services, the pantry and stuff, that's what keeps us going," Boccadoro said. "That's what keeps the passion alive to do this necessary work."
Bussett added that and Chàvez are is actively soliciting recommendations for a potential interim executive director and asked that people contact them at nbussett@gmail.com or chavez.hope@gmail.com.