West Haven Community House is a preschool and social service agency in West Haven, CT. The organization serves children, adolescents, families, and individuals with disabilities through specialized programs including Head Start Preschool, which provides comprehensive school readiness for income-eligible families, and Children & Youth Services, which offers before and after school programming for school-aged children. The agency also manages Community Connections, providing residential and day services for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Founded over 80 years ago, the organization has evolved from a community center established by visionary social worker Pauline Lang into a comprehensive 501(c)3 non-profit. The agency operates out of its renovated Victorian headquarters on Elm Street and maintains several other locations throughout the area, including programs at West Haven public schools and residential sites on Campbell Avenue. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and focuses on fostering individual development and community inclusion through professional standards and collaborative partnerships with local agencies and universities.
The headquarters is located on Elm Street, situated near the West Haven Public Library and the West Haven Post Office. The property is also a short distance from the Ward Heitmann House Museum and Old Field Creek.
The West Haven Community House is recognized for its professional services and exemplary leadership within the community. As a long-standing cornerstone of the area, the agency is known for its commitment to providing high-quality, impactful programming that supports the changing needs of local families and individuals.
Through dedicated service and community-focused programming, the West Haven Community House continues to facilitate meaningful and independent lives for the residents of West Haven.