Boys & Girls Village Fundraiser Raises Nearly $180K

Bridgeport, CT - On Thursday June 6, Boys & Girls Village hosted its only fundraiser of the year, its annual “Compass To Success” event at Black Rock Yacht Club in Bridgeport. The spectacular evening raised nearly $180,000 to benefit Connecticut’s most vulnerable children and families, who often have histories of abuse, neglect, or live in poverty and are in need of behavioral health, educational, or family reunification services that the organization provides.

Over 200 residents and business leaders from throughout the state gathered together to enjoy a lively evening of festive cocktails, inspiring speakers, and spectacular waterfront views. Taylor Kinsler, host of CT Live! on NBC Connecticut was emcee, and Bridgeport’s Source Coffeehouse provided delicious coffee drinks to end the evening.

Special guest Bridget Oei, Miss Connecticut 2018, made the event her last official stop during her reign, and shared her experiences providing international medical service work. “When I went back to the Dominican Republic I made a commitment to having the right tools to help children and give patients the treatment they needed. That’s what Boys & Girls Village does, they provide targeted care to meet the exact needs of the clients they serve.”

“This is an agency that’s not afraid to change,” said past Board Chair, Carol Smith Harker, who served for 15 years. “In that time I’ve seen responsiveness to the changing needs of children and families across Connecticut in the programs and services the organization provides.”

To that end, the agency unveiled a rendering of their new Life Skills Vocational Training Center, which will serve at-risk youth entering early adulthood, preparing the adolescents and young adults to meet the demands of adulthood. Made possible by a grant from the State of Connecticut, the center will provide instruction in the areas of employment readiness, financial literacy, nutrition, health and wellness, and housing, and is an extension of the organization’s Work to Learn program. The center will be located on the organization’s Milford campus, and construction will begin this fall.

Proceeds from the evening will support the essential services provided by Boys & Girls Village, including behavioral health, educational and permanency planning services, and funds raised included matching funds provided by The Village Foundation, Inc.

Boys & Girls Village would like to thank its dedicated event committee headed by Matt Thurston and Joe Enright. The organization is deeply grateful to the generous sponsors who made the evening possible, including Captain Sponsor: L.H. Brenner Inc., Officer Sponsors: Bismark Construction, Blanchard Wealth Management and NSI - IT Support & Cyber Security, Deck Chief Sponsors: Advanced Security Technologies, Inc.; Aetna; A-1 Toyota; Artistic Design LLC; Bearingstar Insurance; Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger; Beirne Wealth Consulting Services, CBP; Cigna; Delta Dental CT; Domack Restoration; Eastern Glass & Shower Door; Ferraro Custom Woodwork; G. Pic and Sons Construction Co.; Guardian; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Highway Animal Hospital; Lincoln Financial Group; Murtha Cullina; Newtown Savings Bank; Subway; Superior Comfort; Thurston Foods; United Healthcare; UNUM Insurance Company; Vaz Quality Works, LLC; and WB Mason, as well as media sponsor: Fairfield Living Magazine/Moffly Media. Special thanks to the Village Foundation for their support.

Since its founding 77 years ago, Boys & Girls Village has touched the lives of approximately 30,000 children and families from 50 Connecticut communities. To learn more about the organization, or to make a donation, please visit www.BGVillage.org or call 203-877-0300.

Photos to accompany release:  Photo credit: Capitol Photo Interactive

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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