The Q-House in the Tribe

The Dixwell neighborhood is the Harlem of New Haven. Dixwell, also known as the Tribe, has a lot of powerful African American history. The first black church was founded on Temple Street in 1820. Then in 1887 it moved to Dixwell and was renamed the Dixwell Congregational Church. The first black alderwoman, Laurabelle McCoy, also lived in Dixwell. She was born in Collowal , New York on January 6, 1980 . She also started the first black girls scout troop. The tradition started by the Dixwell Congregational Church and Laurabelle McCoy still exists today. Most of the people who live in the Tribe care about religion and have a sense of unity with one another.

In 1924, the Dixwell Community House was founded because black children were forbidden to use the YMCA in those days. The Dixwell Community House, also known as the Q-House, was a place for children to play, and kept them out of trouble. Dixwell Community House also ran a lot of afterschool activities for students from elementary through high school. One of the activities was the Simba program, which was based on African American rituals. It was started in 1988 when a group of twelve-year old-boys began coming each afternoon to the Q-House. Roger Vann, a young activist, helped the children with their homework and taught them African American history. Other programs the Q-House had were the basketball and baseball teams that played with other neighborhoods and dancing and weight room program.

The Q-House has seen many changes. The Q-House building is now located on 197 Dixwell Avenue . It was previously located on upper Dixwell, but the city residents moved it. They moved the Q-House because the old one was too small and they needed a bigger place so they could accommodate more New Haven residents.

Other changes were for the worse. Miss Miriam Sheffield, who worked at the Q-House for about nine years, said the Q-House has been closed for a year because of financial difficulties and lack of funding. People are very sad the Q-House has closed. Many people loved the Q-House because they said it kept them out of trouble, and when it was cold they went to the Q-House to play basketball, instead of playing outside. Many teens also liked going on field trips with the Q-House and playing ball with other neighborhoods.

Ever since the Q-House closed, things have not been the same. Miss Sheffield also said that she didn't want to quit because she liked working with local residents and helping families with their immediate needs such as home, court, and personal matters. Miss Sheffield also enjoyed seeing families go from welfare to work. If the Q-House were to open again Miss Sheffield said she would love to go back.

Now the community has started to think about how it can reopen the Q-House. The Community Action Agency of New Haven is thinking about moving to the Q-House and reopening it so they can help the Q-House with its financial problems. Dr. Twyman is an old-time Tribe resident, who knew the Q-House “back in the day.” He is working with a committee to try to reopen the Q-House, and they are trying to make more schedules to organize the programs. Dr. Twyman is also trying to get money so his committee can reopen the Q-House. If the Dixwell Community House reopens many people will be happy and it will solve a lot of problems because teens will stay off the street and not get into drugs, gangs, and violence.

Note: This essay was written in 2003. The Q-House is still not open, and the residents of the Dixwell Community are still seeking funding to re-open and maintain the building.

- by Amanda Vega, edited by Adam Goldberg