A world without housing insecurity. A realistic goal? Only if we better understand the inter-related array of steps that can lead to its elimination. Deepen your understanding and broaden your perspectives of this critical issue with the help of panelists Kellyann Day, CEO of New Reach, social worker Antwan Nedd, New Haven Housing Authority Director Karen DuBois-Walton, community organizer Billy Bromage, and New Reach's vice chair board member Aisha Bello.
Understanding Housing Insecurity
Social Equity & Activism Summit
Kellyann Day
Kellyann Day, LMSW, has served as our Chief Executive Officer since 1997. In her role as New Reach’s fearless leader, Kellyann oversees the strategic direction and health of the agency, ensuring fidelity to the mission, vision, and values of the organization. She partners with the Board of Directors and the leadership team to safeguard the health and effectiveness of the agency by pursuing its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner. Kellyann attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh where she earned a B.S. in psychology. She completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in administration in 2002 at the University of Connecticut.
In addition to her executive duties at New Reach, Kellyann currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Supportive Housing Works. She has served as Chair to the Board of Directors of the South Central Behavioral Health Network, the CT AIDS Residence Coalition and the Statewide Reaching Home Steering Committee and has sat on numerous boards throughout the state including: the United Way of Greater New Haven, City of New Haven’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, Regional Alliance to End Homelessness, CT Coalition to End Homelessness, Greater New Haven Opening Doors, New Haven Early Childhood Council, New Haven Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS.
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Antwan Nedd
Antwan is the Lead Victims Services Navigator at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he provides direct clinical support to patients victimized by violence. With over 15 years of experience, Antwan has a small private practice in Woodbridge, CT, offering outpatient and boutique psychotherapy. As a healer, Antwan specializes in trauma and attachment work.
In his down time, Antwan enjoys reading, experimenting with different cuisines, and traveling. His favorite Bible scripture is Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
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Karen DuBois-Walton
Karen DuBois-Walton was raised by parents who were public servants and who instilled in her the value of serving her community. She’s dedicated over 20 years toward public service in Connecticut. First serving the City of New Haven as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief of Staff to the Mayor. There she learned first-hand about public finance, bonding, debt management and pensions while managing large city departments. And for the past 15 years, Karen has led the Housing Authority in New Haven – a complex public sector organization of over 150 employees, union and non-union, a budget of over $140 million and assets in excess of $800 million.
Under Karen’s leadership, the housing authority portfolio has been rebuilt, using the bond authority of the agency. She is responsible for bond issuances, working with investors, bond counsel and financial analysts. She works with rating agencies and has consistently maintained a strong and stable bond rating. And most importantly, Karen has supported hard working families to keep a roof over their heads, find work, save and achieve goals for themselves and their children.
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Billy Bromage
Billy Bromage received his Master in Social Work degree, with a concentration in Community Organization, from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2012. He has been working in the fields of community mental health in New Haven, Connecticut for 20 years. He has been at the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health since 2011, and the Connecticut Mental Health Center since 2013. He works as a community organizer, developing projects with grassroots leaders, people with mental illnesses, nonprofit organizations, city and state government officials, and other civic leaders to promote mental health and inclusion in New Haven neighborhoods. He is a founding member of Focus Act Connect Every-day (FACE) and Witnesses to Hunger New Haven.
Aisha Bello
Aisha Bello was a former foster care child in DCF for 13 years. She has first hand experience of being shuffled around house to house and lacking stability and security during her teenage years. While she was aging out of DCF at 23, Aisha moved to Geller Commons in Hamden to start her life without DCF assistance for the first time in her adult life. She was one of the first residents and for the first time she found a comfortable and safe home. After 4 years, Aisha decided to leave to embark on a new journey, but joined the New Reach board of directors in 2021. She became the Governance Committee Chair and now is serving as the Vice Chair of the Board. Aisha is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelors of Science in Linguistic Anthropology and works as a Guest Service Agent at the Blake Hotel. She is also a wife and new mother of a beautiful baby girl, Amina, and enjoys nature, lofi music and watching historical documentaries.
