Boys & Girls Village Receives Grant To Help Vulnerable Youth Transition Into Adulthood

Bridgeport, CT - Boys & Girls Village (BGV) received a $20,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to support its innovative Work to Learn program. The program aims to provide at-risk older youth with life and job readiness skills as they take steps toward independence and adulthood.

BGV is one of Connecticut’s leading providers of behavioral, educational, vocational and permanency planning services for the most vulnerable youth and their families. Their Work to Learn program helps youth aged 16-21 who are in the foster care system, or have been in the past, providing them with the skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

In addition to providing life-skills education, leadership opportunities and financial literacy training, the program prepares clients for the workforce through internships and volunteer opportunities within the community, and employment at BGV’s youth businesses. Each employed client opens a bank account and an Individual Development Account (IDA), and establishes a plan for ongoing savings.

“We’re providing critical training to young adults who lack confidence and skills to enter everyday life. With this program they become better equipped to successfully transition into adulthood. We are grateful to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation for this generous support,” said Kimberly Shaunesey, Ph.D., Boys & Girls Village President.

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Community Foundation is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards, and has awarded $180 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.

Boys & Girls Village operates three youth-run businesses to help clients gain real-world experience. Meatball Heaven (meatballheaven.net), Do Me a Favor (domeafavor.net) and Design IQ & Print (designiqandprint.net) are located in the arcade mall in Bridgeport.

A new Life Skills & Vocational Training Center is soon to open on BGV’s Milford campus. The center will offer introductory vocational classes in the areas of advanced manufacturing, automotive repair and the culinary arts. A partnership with Housatonic and Gateway Community Colleges will provide college credits for these classes in the future.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Village, or to get involved with Work to Learn, please visit www.BGVillage.org or call (203) 877-0300.