Norwalk Public Schools & Human Services Council: A partnership for student success

Norwalk Public Schools & Human Services Council:  A partnership for student success

For 75 years the Human Services Council (HSC) has been empowering the Greater Norwalk community with five life-changing programs.  HSC is home to the Norwalk Mentor Program, Children's Connection, Dr. Robert E. Appleby School-Based Health Centers, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Supportive Housing programs.  With a primary focus on helping children and families, we strive to create community partnerships, provide a range of high-quality services, foster diversity and ensure the immediate delivery of critical services in an efficient and effective manner.  Our mission is to create and foster programs that educate, safeguard and empower the people of our communities.  Our vision is for everyone to reach their full potential.

The first school-based mentoring program in the country, the Norwalk Mentor Program matches adult mentors to students in the Norwalk Public Schools.  The pair meets for one hour a week, at school, to share fun activities and conversation.  The mentor teaches the student social skills, encourages positive choices, promotes high self-esteem, supports academic achievement and introduces the mentee to new ideas. The mentor serves as a role model and becomes a special, supportive adult in that young person’s life; sometimes the only stable adult role model for the child. 

The Norwalk Public Schools has been a strong partner to HSC for many years and recognizes the importance of the Norwalk Mentor Program and its impact on Norwalk’s students.  Dr. Steven Adamowski, Superintendent of the Norwalk Public Schools added, “We are working with the Human Services Council to increase the number of students who are matched with a mentor adding another 100 mentors for students in the upcoming school year.  We would like to see all students thrive and believe that mentoring is a fundamental support to students that need a little extra help and motivation”. 

Anthony DiLauro, Executive Director of the Human Services Council exclaimed, “We are so excited to continue partnering with the Norwalk Public Schools and look forward to expanding the mentor program by utilizing an innovative mentoring approach to address chronic absenteeism and problem behaviors.  We are looking forward to serving more students and contributing to student success in Norwalk.  It is our passion to help others and empower these children in such a positive way.”

In order to increase the number of students who will have mentors, HSC has hired Hannah Knox as the Program Coordinator and support to Program Director Nancy Pratt.  Hannah comes to HSC with 10 years of diverse experience in non-profit organizations. She most recently worked in development and community outreach for the New Canaan Community Foundation.

She previously served two terms as an AmeriCorps member, recruiting volunteers and managing a literacy program in a low income elementary school in Dallas, Texas.  Hannah is a Queens, New York native and a long-time Norwalk resident. After spending several years in New York and Dallas, Hannah and her husband are happy to have finally put down roots in Norwalk.

This return home prompted her to want to volunteer locally, which is how she found the opportunity to volunteer with the Norwalk Mentor Program. She mentors a first grader and is honored to be a part of the expansion of a great program that she is passionate about.

To learn more about the Human Services Council and all of our programs, please call us at 203.849.1111, visit our website www.hscct.org and follow us @humanservicesCT on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.