Sai Rayala
Staff Reporter
@sairayala20 | sai.rayala@yale.edu
Sai Rayala reports on Yale-New Haven relations. She previously covered climate and environmental efforts in New Haven. Originally from Powell, Ohio, she is a sophomore in Timothy Dwight College majoring in History.
Author Archive
SAI RAYALA
New Asian market opens its doors in New Haven

New Haven’s Zakka Yale has a variety of Asian products for young buyers.

September 7, 2022

SAI RAYALA
Local refugee organizations resettle a historic number of Afghan refugees

New Haven’s refugee resettlement agency, IRIS, has resettled 475 Afghan refugees since October — the most in the agency’s history.

April 29, 2022

SAI RAYALA
Local organizations come together to honor park designer and writer Donald Grant Mitchell

Eight different organizations are hosting events to honor the Yalie, who remained in New Haven and designed prolific parks such as Edgewood and East Rock.

April 22, 2022

YASH ROY & SAI RAYALA
New Haven celebrates National Read Across America Day with book donations and community partnerships

New Haven Reads and The Study at Yale partner to promote reading among the city’s youth for National Read Across America Day

March 3, 2022

SAI RAYALA
Yale’s tax-exempt property value surges by nearly $700 million

Over the last six years, the value of New Haven’s tax-exempt property has risen — but the value of Yale’s has risen faster.

March 1, 2022

SAI RAYALA
Thirst for Education: Fereshteh Ganjavi, founder of Elena’s Light and refugee advocate

As an Afghan refugee, Fereshteh Ganjavi had to overcome many hurdles to receive an education. Now, she’s making education opportunities more accessible for others like her in New Haven.

February 21, 2022

SAI RAYALA
A new COVID-19 clinic aims to provide free testing to Afghan evacuees in New Haven

The newly launched “New Home, New Haven” testing program provides free weekly COVID-19 testing to Afghan evacuees, along with other refugees and immigrants.

February 4, 2022

SAI RAYALA
Yale increases its financial contribution to New Haven Promise by $1 million annually

Yale moderately increases its annual contribution to New Haven Promise, a college scholarship program that helps fund tuition for New Haven public school students.

January 28, 2022

SOPHIE WANG, SAI RAYALA & MICHAEL NDUBISI
Disparities in COVID-19 testing accessibility create tale of two pandemics

While students, faculty and staff at Yale enjoy a convenient COVID-19 test scheduling system and next-day results, New Haven residents struggle to find tests, especially amid testing shortages.

January 25, 2022

SAI RAYALA
University pressed for time to fulfill New Haven hiring agreement

In 2015, the University committed to hiring 500 New Haven residents from disadvantaged neighborhoods by 2019. Two years later, the University has reached that goal.

December 2, 2021

SAI RAYALA & SYLVAN LEBRUN
City and University officials announce six-year commitment, increases to Yale’s voluntary contribution

On Wednesday, Yale and City officials gathered at City Hall to announce a $52 million increase in the school’s voluntary contribution over six years and other new initiatives that would channel Yale resources to the city.

November 17, 2021