Founder's Story
AI-generated audio / Founder Story
- FOUNDER STORY
Dear friends and partners,
Years ago I decided to get involved helping the students that have the greatest obstacles to overcome, particularly those who are at risk of not completing high school and being unemployed.
I started at a high school, Briggs in Norwalk, for students let down by the traditional system. The young people I got to know were very smart, with passions that lit them up, and with much potential to succeed but grew up with very difficult circumstances that caused their lives to be very hard. Many had experienced poverty and trauma. Because of the host of challenges they faced, they needed extra support to get through high school and become productive members of our society. This was their last chance.
The years when a child is in preschool and elementary school are an important time for shaping a child’s life. Middle school is also very important. But I couldn’t stop thinking about what happens to the young people who reach high school and are not on track to graduate, because their lives have been harder, and because society has failed them?
To listen, to learn, and to better understand what young people in Connecticut were experiencing, and how I might be helpful.
I couldn’t think of anything better that I could do with my family’s resources than to help those students during those high school years, when there is this critical window of opportunity. Through my experience I learned that providing them with the extra support they need we greatly improve the course of their lives.
I got to know the educators while I was volunteering at the high school, too. I saw close up just how passionate they are, how much responsibility they feel for their students who are struggling, and how they really would do anything for them. My respect and admiration for educators continued to deepen, as did my commitment to supporting them as well — through recognizing their efforts which are too often underappreciated and providing opportunities for professional learning aligned to their interests and desires.
As we have expanded our efforts over the years to reach educators and students who are off-track and disconnected in communities across the state, our approach has remained informed by our ongoing engagement and collaboration with young students, teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, superintendents, youth development professionals, community leaders, and other experts whose insights can best inform our work.
We continue to learn and stay nimble. I find that the more I know, the more I realize I don’t know but can continue to learn by keeping an open mind. I believe that if we all work together, we can build a Connecticut that supports every educator and young person to reach their greatest potential.
With gratitude and hope,