Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the
first-in-the-nation Free Teacher Housing Village.
October 14-16, 2026
Join us October 14–16 as we get OUT OF THE BOX for the inaugural First Home, First Teacher National Convening and the grand opening of the nation’s first Rent-Free Teacher Housing Village, developed in partnership with Yale School of Architecture’s Jim Vlock First Year Building Project.
This milestone opens a national conversation about how communities can better support the early childhood workforce. The convening will bring together educators, policymakers, architects, advocates and community partners to explore rent-free teacher housing as part of a broader approach to workforce support, housing access and equity, and learn from communities adapting Friends Center’s model.
Schedule of Events
For more information on the convening as well as special guests and speakers, click here.
Wednesday, October 14
Welcome Dinner – 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven Parking and arrival: You may park in Lot 22 after 5:00 p.m. Please enter through the museum’s main entrance
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Thursday, October 15
Convening Sessions – 8:30-3:30 p.m.
Hotel Marcel, 500 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Parking and arrival: Please use the hotel’s on-site self-parking area and use the main entrance. Breakfast and arrival begin at 8:30 a.m.; the program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Thursday, October 15
Teacher Housing Village Grand Opening – 5:30–7:30 p.m.
75 Howard Street, New Haven
Parking and arrival: Street parking only. Please be considerate of our neighbors and keep all driveways clear.
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Friday, October 16
Closing Sessions & Bon Voyage Breakfast – 8:00 a.m.–Noon
Hotel Marcel, 500 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Parking and arrival: Please use the hotel’s on-site self-parking area and use the main entrance.
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