DIXWELL AVENUE is the heart of New Haven's African-American community, as well as one of the city's most important historical centers.

Some of the neighborhood's history has to do with the important buildings located on Dixwell Avenue. The Dixwell Avenue Community House -- known by people as the Q House -- was founded in 1924 for black children. THe Q House kept these children out of trouble. It ran alot of after-school activities for students from elementary through high school. The Q House is now closed -- though neighborhood residents are working hard to reopen it.

Some of the neighborhood's history comes from its residents, past and present. Polly McCabe, daughter of a Baptist minister, worked at the Q House. She did a great deal of volunteering at the Q House and was particularly concerned about young African-Americans who would drop out of school when they became pregnant. He goal was to provide an education for girls who would have dropped out of school. After her death, city residents started programs at St. Lupe Episcopal schurch and the Hill Health Center, and eventually founded a school for pregnant girls named after McCabe.

Since the 1950s, Dixwell has seen many efforts to improve the neighborhood. Some, like the Florence Virtue Housing Projects, have lasted. Others, like the Elm Haven Projects, were quickly run down and had to be replaced. The most recent project is Monterey Place, which is low-income housing for families in the Dixwell neighborhood. Monterey Place is located on the site of the former Elm Haven projects.