Meet Our New Executive Director!

For Immediate Release

Date: 2/29/2024

Jonathón Savage appointed Executive Director of Gather New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT –  

Gather New Haven is excited to announce the appointment of Jonathón Savage as Executive Director starting March 11, 2024. Board President Kyle Pedersen spoke for Gather’s board of directors, “When I think of neighbors and nature thriving together, Jonathón immediately comes to mind. We are thrilled to work with him and the dynamic staff team at Gather New Haven and look forward to an exciting season of growth and community connections.”

A native of New Haven’s Newhallville neighborhood, Jonathón has spent his lifetime connecting to the roots of his community through the agricultural spaces within the city and its surrounding neighborhoods. Cultivating the land was a way of life, rather than a hobby, that was passed on to him by his grandparents.  This connection between food and land is one Jonathon has nurtured throughout his life and intentionally works to pass on to others.

 Jonathón’s background and passion for land and people encompass the spirit and breadth of Gather.  As Nadine Horton, long-time community activist and founder and coordinator of the Armory Garden, states, “It is so important to have someone running the organization that is from New Haven, knows the city well, and understands the communities Gather serves. Since Jonathón has been a part of Gather, he has worked to build strong relationships with his coworkers, volunteers, and groups and it is that hard work which will make him a good leader.” 

Jonathóns leadership is felt near and far. According to Amy Blaymore Paterson, Executive Director of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, “Jonathon’s passion, dedication, and innovative thinking make him a true rising star in land conservation statewide and beyond. Under Jonathon’s leadership, Gather New Haven is sure to reach new heights in its mission to promote social and environmental justice in New Haven while fostering a stronger, healthier, more connected community. We at CLCC look forward to continuing our work with him and the exciting initiatives that lie ahead under his guidance.”

 In 2021 Jonathón started with Gather New Haven as the Farm Manager, overseeing four farm sites, providing food to Farm Based Wellness Programs and to the New Haven community through donations and a small farm stand.  Jonathón was asked to serve as Acting Executive Director beginning December 2023.  Since then he has been guiding Gather toward its future by strengthening community relationships, supporting staff, and establishing new organizational partners.

Prior to joining Gather, Jonathón cultivated an impressive 17-year career in social services, working for St. Francis Home for Children’s Alternative to Detention (ADP), the Respite Program, and the private alternative education program Passages. He also held roles in public services as a case aide for Connecticut’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). Jonathón completed an Associate’s Degree from Gateway Community College and pursued Accounting at Southern Connecticut State University. 

Gather New Haven promotes health, equity, and justice for people and the environment by cultivating connections with each other and our local lands and waters, and by inspiring us to care for ourselves, our community, and the natural world. Gather operates three urban farms where it hosts its nationally-recognized Farm-Based Wellness Program; supports 45 Community Gardens and their 800 gardeners; manages and programs six urban nature preserves; engages high school students and young adults through the Growing Entrepreneurs and Climate Eco-Lab Environmental Entrepreneurship programs; and operates Schooner Camp for 400 children from New Haven and beyond.

More Information and Contact:

Felicia Moore, Administrative Coordinator: felicia@gathernewhaven.org, (475) 331-3722