This Citizen Contribution was submitted by Andre Botero and Myah Salazar Salvador, two Yale University Dwight Hall Urban Fellows at the Q House, as well as Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, the executive director of Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs. On October 22, 2026, the Dixwell Community Q House Youth Council partnered for a 5th year with Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. and the James Hillhouse Cheerleaders to host its Annual College and Career Fair, welcoming students from all across Greater New Haven for a transformative day of exploration about college access and career readiness. The impactful event brought together over 450 students from every New Haven public high school, as well as students from Hamden High School, Common Ground High School, Highville Change Academy and New Haven Adult Continuing Education Center. Higher Heights brought admission representatives and community leaders from over 50 colleges, universities, and post-secondary careers to the fair. For the second year, representatives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, and Virginia State University attended.  The James Hillhouse Cheerleaders opened the event with an electrifying performance, Both the cheerleaders and Q House Youth Council members distributed  hundreds of student swag bags and folders containing scholarship information, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) guidance, and college dormitory preparation checklists. Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negron expressed her gratitude as she welcomed representatives and community leaders to the fair, and Mayor Justin Elicker conversed with high schoolers in attendance about their post-secondary plans. “It was a college fair like this that helped me in my senior year to go to college,” said Dixwell Alder Jeanette Morrison. “I am very excited for our youth and our community to have such an event to support all students.”  Felder-McEntire said that over 20 youth received on-the-spot acceptances and over $60,000 in scholarships. “Our mission is to empower, encourage, and equip our communities. We are happy to continue to lead this partnership to support students in their postsecondary goals.” Students and families are invited to come back to the Q House on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a series of events focused on resources available to help pay for college. Higher Heights will host a FAFSA workshop at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30, open to all students. Then from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Higher Heights, Department of Banking, Cornell Scott Health Center, and CHESLA will host an event geared toward current high school juniors and seniors on affording college. The post 450 Attend Q House College Fair appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less