Here's what happened at Groundwork Bridgeport in 2016
Groundwork Bridgeport had a great 2016 working to beautify the city and give Bridgeport youth opportunities to learn, travel to local and national parks, and participate in community service. Below we share some reflections from students who participated in our programs and provide a small glimpse of what we managed to achieve. Without support from parents, the students that work with us, and the funders and community that support us, Groundwork Bridgeport would not be able to accomplish this much. Thanks to all of you and all the best for 2017!
Student Reflections
Express any thoughts about the experience/program/projects worked on/ideas for the future
"Groundwork Bridgeport is a very innovative program that enriches youth to step outside of what they know and take a different perspective on the beauty around them" - Isaiah Oden, 11th grade, Bullard Havens
In response to a question about the student's favorite part of the program...
"I love the part when we had to create an idea for the love your city project I had a great time doing that and for once I felt that I could be useful in this world" - Ruth Ortiz, 10th grade, Bullard Havens
Our Impact
👦👧- 123 youth program participants
💯🎓-100% of our seniors graduated from high school and went on to college
🕧📝- 6,430 hours spent working with youth
💰💲- 81 paid experiences provided for youth
🌲🌳- 21 sites in Bridgeport beautified
🌸🌲- 675+ perennials, annuals, and trees planted
📚🏫- 12 schools that had students in our program
🔨🌹- 800+ community service hours performed
🚹🚺- 17+ partners engaged
🌲🌲- 14 local and national parks visited by youth
About Groundwork Bridgeport
For almost two decades, Groundwork Bridgeport has worked towards its mission of improving Bridgeport's physical environment. Through initiatives that aim to beautify and revitalize the city, we have built community gardens, organized community cleanups, and planted hundreds of trees and flowers while at the same time providing numerous opportunities for local high-school youth to learn and engage with their community.
Beyond Bridgeport, we have given local high school youth the opportunity to travel to and work in national parks throughout the U.S., from the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone to Weir Farm and Cape Cod National Seashore.
We have the know-how and the passion to do our work but it is only accomplished through support from those that believe in our mission, our staff, and the impact we have on the youth we serve. Together with those who believe that we can make a difference, Groundwork Bridgeport will continue to work to improve the image and perception of Bridgeport while striving to make a positive impact on the youth that participate in our programs.
Thank you again and Happy New Year from Groundwork Bridgeport!