2024 INITIATIVE MILESTONES

EARLY CHILDHOOD EFFORTS

Back in November, the Parent Ambassadors participated as a Community Outreach Partner with Filling in The Blanks Mobile Food Pantry at Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School in Bridgeport. We understand that food insecurity is a barrier for a lot of families, and each month this wonderful organization provides bags of food for any family in need. We were honored to be a part of this event to connect with families while they waited in line and build relationships to better understand their children’s educational needs. Families left with books, and bags full of goodies and resources to consider using with their kids at home.  

Back in June, the Parent Ambassadors hosted their first annual Early Childhood Fair in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubhouse on Madison Ave. This fun-filled event was geared towards families to connect them with local Bridgeport providers and agencies with useful resources such as WIC, Dental Services, Health Centers, high-quality early learning experiences, Bridgeport Public School support, and much more! This was the start of many collaborations, and we were grateful families left with some cool prizes and goodies. Stay tuned as we are gearing up to plan for this year's Early Childhood Fair coming this summer! 

YOUTH PROGRAMS

We were so excited to kick off the Youth Civic Data Program in Partnership with CT Data Collaborative this past July. This collaborative effort allowed for Youth Civic Leaders to immerse themselves in a 2 Day Program, that is designed to increase essential data literacy skills for students using data that they collected since 2023! The ability to read, work, analyze, and tell a story with data are necessary skills to be productive in the workforce and are also critical for building a strong democracy. Workforce and civic participation can contribute to a person’s sense of belonging and social connectedness to their community, and we work hard to foster these skills and learning opportunities with youth.

Additionally, the Youth Civic Influencers Session series kicked off in October starting with Civic Engagement Training led by Talyn Cook & Kathleen Callahan (Cradle to Career Coalition's, Policy Director). This series lasted 4 months with our training and mentorship, and students learned skills in leadership, how to identify healthy relationships, and most importantly they had opportunities to explore careers and advocacy (on the local and state level). Building collective organizing power is one of the best ways to move the needle with change. Youth civic engagement can create stronger and more vibrant communities. When young people get involved, they have a say in the decisions that impact their lives.   

Parent ambassadors & community messengers

This past summer, the dedicated Community Messengers and enthusiastic Parent Ambassadors came together for a delightful evening filled with laughter, fellowship, and an array of delicious food as a meaningful part of our ongoing Rest & Renewal efforts. We truly recognize all the hard work and commitment our Advocates put in day after day within the community and wanted to express our sincere appreciation over a wonderful dinner at the Boca Mediterranean Oyster Bar & Restaurant, which is a beloved go-to destination that offers stunning water views, all nestled in the vibrant heart of downtown Bridgeport. This memorable gathering and celebration of our Advocates was the perfect way to recognize their dedication to transforming systems and driving more equitable results for their Bridgeport neighbors.

Back in November, the Community Messengers came together to talk about our Impact. Since the middle of the pandemic back in 2021, the Community Messengers have been connecting with Bridgeport residents to listen to their needs and concerns around issues affecting them locally. This led to the creation of our Community Messenger field report survey. After a couple of years of documenting their encounters, we felt it was time to analyze our findings and find ways to make a greater impact in the Bridgeport community. We ended our session reflecting on what makes us thankful for the work we do in our community by writing on our gratitude cards. Stay tuned, as our Community Messengers continue to lead in our neighborhoods and connect community to resources in order to thrive!  

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

We are thrilled to share that, together, we worked to build the capacity of community members to provide peer-to-peer support in the City of Bridgeport. Through collective action, the new NAMI Greater Bridgeport CT affiliate has been established. This effort was comprised of multiple community representatives, health workers, nonprofits, civic leaders, and volunteers to address a serious need for mental health programs and supports in the city. This evidence-based solution will help to provide greater access to mental health resources and services that will lead to healthier neighborhoods, better educational outcomes and student well-being, and opportunities for workforce participation for families. These factors are crucial to creating conditions that boost upward mobility, and narrow racial, ethnic, and income inequities in the Bridgeport community.

In addition, we need a Board of Directors! Do you know anyone who would be a good fit to lead these efforts in Greater Bridgeport? Mental health advocates, experts, and neighbors with lived experience are encouraged to become a member of the board! View the roles and responsibilities outlined here, as well as the leadership training course description. Share your interest with us today!