We have been so fortunate to build relationships with our students, and help them connect with their broader community across Bridgeport.
Check out our ‘Meet Our Youth’ page to see our wonderful program participants and alumni!
Service-Learning Program
primary program times
Monday/Wednesday OR Tuesday/Thursday
3:30 PM - 6 PM
primary Meeting Location
1001 Main Street, Suite 18
Bridgeport, CT 06604Second Floor of the Arcade Mall
BENEFITS
Participants are eligible for a $500+ stipend dependent on participation and completion.
Participants are eligible for the Outdoor Experiences Program, which takes participants on experiential learning trips to National Park sites! Learn more below.
Our Service-Learning Program caters to high-school youth who reside in our program cities. The program takes place year-round during 4 different sessions. Youth can participate in one of our four sessions starting in January (Winter), April (Spring), July (Summer), or October (Fall) each year depending on available space. Over the course of eight weeks, the program combines classroom instruction and stewardship projects to develop youth skills in leadership, community engagement, and placemaking with a focus on physical and social interventions that can revitalize a community.
During class time, participants learn skills related to project management, design, and public speaking, as well as topics related to civic engagement and placemaking including landscape design and architecture, storytelling, and other subjects. Classroom instruction is supplemented with community service projects that tie back to what was taught and are driven by student ideas.
Space for this program is limited for each session. To apply, or be notified when the next round of applications is out, sign up here or using the button above.
If you’d like more information, please contact our Youth Programs Coordinator Jessica at jrosario@groundworkbridgeport.org or call the office at (203) 335-6126.
Stewardship Program
primary program times
Afterschool Fridays and/or Saturdays
Times may vary
Location
Various locations throughout Bridgeport, CT, such as community gardens, public greenspaces, and park properties.
Benefits
This volunteer work can be used for community service hours requirements.
Participants are eligible for the Outdoor Experiences Program, which takes participants on experiential learning trips to National Park sites! Learn more below.
Youth Urban Rangers is our year-round Stewardship Program for youth aged 14 to 18 that promotes stewardship of the city’s physical spaces and of social connections through community events. This program is especially suited for those youth would like to be involved with Groundwork’s mission but who are unable to participate in the Service-Learning Program due to space limitations or other time commitments such as work, sports, or other activities.
Similar to the Service-Learning Program, youth participate in meaningful community projects throughout the program city that aim to improve the city’s physical landscape and engage residents in activities the build a sense of social connection.
If you are ready to join this program, sign up here or use the button below!
If you’d like more information, please contact our Youth Programs Coordinator Jessica at jrosario@groundworkbridgeport.org or call the office at (203) 335-6126.
Experiences Program
primary program times
We host various trips throughout the year!
Location
Various National Parks throughout the United States, such as: Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming; Acadia National Park in Maine; Gateway National Recreation Area on Staten Island, New York; and more!
Benefits
Compensation may be offered dependent on funding
Our Experiences program takes high-school youth on trips to National Park sites locally and throughout the country where they gain work experience and are given the time to enjoy recreational activities and to get to know each other and form new connections. Whether helping to renovate a building, improve a trail, or set up for a centennial celebration, participants work with National Park staff on a variety of projects where they learn practical stewardship skills that they will bring back with them to implement environmental projects in their home communities.
Eligibility
The Experiences Program is open only to those youth who are present or past participants of our Service-Learning or Stewardship Programs. To become a part of one of those programs and be eligible for the Experiences Program, please apply above. If you’d like more information, please contact our Youth Programs Coordinator Jessica at jrosario@groundworkbridgeport.org or call the office at (203) 335-6126.