2020 IN REVIEW
C-U Online! Virtual Audience • November 2020
Message from Pam Lewis, Executive Director
When I was a young woman, I decided that I was going to take the anger I felt about racism and economic injustice and use it to build new kinds of multiracial communities. I have spent 36 years of my life building organizations and youth programs that bring together diverse groupings of people. I’ve learned that when people from different backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences come together, new possibilities emerge––even in the midst of a global pandemic, and even in the midst of the economic disparity and racial tension that still exists in our country today.
2020 has been a year of loss and sadness, and so many challenges. As the world continues to change and evolve, new performances will be required for all of us to successfully navigate our lives. Connect-Us provides young people in Bridgeport with afterschool development opportunities and life skills that help them see new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Our mission is as critical as ever.
Bridgeport Has a Dream: MLK Day Celebration at The Klein • January 2020
Like many organizations, we have had to reimagine how we deliver our programming. Our board of directors, business leaders, and professional mentors came to the table to help us pivot this year and I can’t thank them enough for their partnership and support.
The virtual format inspired us to see new possibilities in our own work. We engaged young people and workshop leaders who would not otherwise have been able to join us; we helped our young people get set up to participate fully in the suddenly virtual world; and we invested in infrastructure and training to ensure that our team at Connect-Us can continue to effectively deliver programming to any young person who wants to be involved. We will forge ahead with these investments and discoveries as we stretch and grow into the future.
Let’s embrace the new performances in our lives and build bridges to create a better world.
With gratitude,
Pam
THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 PARTNERS!
We are grateful for our partnership with dozens of businesses and organizations throughout Fairfield County. This year we were able to find creative ways to work with many existing partners and forge new relationships as well. Thank you to all of the businesses and organizations who worked with us in 2020!
BRIDGEPORT HAS A DREAM
Bridgeport Has a Dream: MLK Day Celebration at The Klein • January 2020
We kicked off 2020 with our annual MLK Day Celebration on January 20 at The Klein Memorial Auditorium. It was one of our most successful shows yet, involving over 500 people! Congratulations to the hundreds of young people who performed, ushered, greeted the audience, stage managed, ran the microphones on and off stage – who showed up early to set up and stayed late to strike. We are proud to be a part of Dr. King’s legacy and to continue his work every day.
CONNECT-US ACADEMY
Connect-Us Academy Class of 2020 at Orientation at Peoples United Bank • February 2020
On February 20, People's United Bank hosted the 2020 Connect-Us Academy Student and Parent Orientation. We had two special guest speakers: Jill Bicks, member, Pullman & Comley LLC, and Will Haskell, Connecticut State Senator for the 26th District. We were welcomed by Connect-Us champion Karen Galbo, Executive Director, VP, Foundations and Community Relations, People’s United Bank.
Connect-Us Academy Orientation • February 2020
During the spring semester, the Connect-Us Academy (CUA) hosted fourteen weeks of professional development workshops. In March, we pivoted our programs from in-person to entirely virtual. The workshop topics included How to Write a Resume, How to Interview, Public Speaking, a Stock Trading Simulation, Interpersonal Performance Skills, Building a Professional Mentorship Relationship, and the Economic, Social, and Cultural Impact of COVID-19.
Bus Trip to Workshop in Fairfield County • February 2020
Workshop at Barnum Financial with Mindee and Paul Blanco • February 2020
Workshop with Professional Mentors • February 2020
Workshop with Walter Hlawitschka, Fairfield University Business School
On May 14, over 80 people gathered over Zoom to celebrate the Connect-Us Academy Class of 2020 at our virtual graduation ceremony. Our keynote speaker, Melody Rollins, Senior Fellow on the Client Advisory Team at Bridgewater Associates, delivered a moving and inspiring address. She reminded our graduates––and all of us––of three big opportunities we have in this moment: to be empathetic, to grow, and to innovate. The attendees sent in words of support that we showed in a video to the graduates and the graduates spoke passionately about their personal and collective growth over the course of the program.
CUA Graduation Keynote Speaker Melody Rollins
Connect-Us Academy Class of 2020 with Professional Mentors • Virtual Graduation • May 2020
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM CUA GRADUATION:
CONNECT-US ACADEMY SUMMER INSTITUTE
In the summer of 2020, the CUA transitioned its traditional summer internship program into a paid, virtual leadership and professional skills development program called the Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute. The Institute provided training to drill down on the critical professional workplace skills that the graduates of the CUA would have developed during the course of their summer internships.
The curriculum design was led by Rich Eldh, Dean of the Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute and Founder (Emeritus), SiriusDecisions, Inc. In addition to completing four rigorous weeks of virtual training sessions, each student completed a capstone project that they presented during a culminating event at the end of the program.
CUA Summer Institute Workshop with Pullman & Comley, LLC • July 2020
The theme of the Summer Institute was “Building Your Personal Brand.” The program was designed to give students the skills and confidence they need to develop a strong personal voice that is persuasive, compassionate, and relevant. The curriculum was constructed to foster self-awareness, develop skills, and cultivate each person’s leadership potential by setting the foundation to build their personal brand.
Building Your Personal Brand and Selling Your Ideas with Julie Thomas • July 2020
CUA Summer Institute Capstone Presentation • July 2020
What is Your Personal Brand? with Melody Rollins • July 2020
FACULTY
• Rich Eldh, Dean of the Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute, Founder (Emeritus), SiriusDecisions, Inc.
• Wendy Agnew, Senior Equity Analyst, State Street Global Advisors
• Jill Bicks, Member, Pullman & Comley
• Dr. Rock Ferrigno, M.D., Chair of Emergency Medicine
• Michelle Hite, VP, Human Resources, Barnum Financial Group
• Dr. Charles Morgan, M.D., Chair of Bridgeport Hospital’s Psychiatry Dept.
• David Nackman, Creative Director, Performance of a Lifetime
• Melissa Poli, HR Consultant, Barnum Financial Group
• Melody Rollins, Senior Client Advisor, Bridgewater Associates
• Pullman and Comley, team of attorneys
• Deb Sawch, Ed.D., Education Consultant and Instructor
• Jenn Steliga, Financial Coach
• Julie Thomas, President & CEO, ValueSelling Associates
• Karen Wackerman, Counsel, Pullman & Comley
• Steve Wakeen, CEO & Leadership Coach; Founder, Playbook Coaching
“My school doesn’t do video meetings so Connect-Us has really been my only way of seeing other people and extending my social circle during this quarantine… I am truly grateful FOR Connect-Us.”
– GREG B.
“We had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful peoplE… now I have the motivation and inspiration to work on my priorities to achieve my goals. ”
– Christian V.
“Before Connect-Us, I was always scared to do any presentations or talk in class. but I’m not scared anymore. I participate in class discussionS more often and I don’t worry about saying the wrong thing anymore. That’s powerful. Thank you!”
– DARLA R.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM
Gault Family Companies Workshop • January 2020
The Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is a cornerstone of our work and it was the first program that Connect-Us launched in Bridgeport in 2017. The program is both a training ground for young community organizers and leaders, and it serves as a gateway for involvement in the other Connect-Us programs.
We had over 25 young people involved in the Youth Leadership Team this year. The students meet weekly, and workshops and conversation topics this year included Democracy and Fair Elections, Poverty and Inequality, the Black Lives Matter Movement, Climate Change, Technology, Information and Media Literacy, and more.
Some workshop highlights include:
Racial Justice Conversation with high school students from Weston, CT
Future of Fairfield County with CT State Senator Senator Will Haskell
History of Hip-Hop and its International Impact with Artist and Music Producer Mr. L.
Navigating Life In A World of Uncertainty and Not Knowing with Dr. Rafael Mendez
Developing Your Personal Brand with community activist Emerald Knox, New York University
In addition, prior to the pandemic, Gault Family Companies led a workshop where Chief Learning Officer Clay Bassett and Controller Debbie Finan spoke about the HVAC field and career possibilities in energy.
The YLT also produces all of the Connect-Us events, including this year’s MLK Day Celebration, Connect-Us Academy Orientation and Graduation, the High School Seniors Celebration, and C-U Online!. They serve as organizers and area leads, and they teach improv games and lead exercises with students from the other Connect-Us programs.
YLT Members rehearsing for the MLK Day Show • January 2020
YLT Meeting • January 2020
YLT Workshop: Navigating Life In A World of Uncertainty and Not Knowing with Dr. Rafael Mendez • March 2020
C-U Onstage!
On November 13 and 14, over 1,100 people tuned in support the young people of Bridgeport in our first-ever virtual community talent show, C-U Online! The Youth Leadership Team invited the young people in their communities to get involved; the performers submitted audition videos and attended a pre-show meeting to work on their pieces and support one another; some performers came into the Connect-Us office for a socially distanced video shoot while some recorded their performances at home; and over 90 people submitted videos to be featured in our "virtual audience" during the show. It was a true community effort!
C-U Online! Performer Meeting • October 2020
WATCH THE SHOW:
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
In June, Executive Director Pam Lewis was invited to speak at the Black Lives Matter rally in Weston, CT, organized by a group of high school students. Pam gave remarks along with State Senator Will Haskell; Josiah Lindsay, President of 100 Black Men of Stamford; and others. She invited the young people from Weston to meet with the Connect-Us Youth Leadership Team in Bridgeport and they had a rich discussion about racial injustice and the youth-led movement to interrogate systemic racism and oppression.
In July, Pam was invited to speak about Youth Organizing at INTEMPO, an organization that offers children the opportunity to express themselves artistically through traditional and classical music and instrumentation. Pam was also an invited speaker at a parents’ meeting for KEYS, an organization that brings free one-to-one instrument lessons and group music instruction to children in Bridgeport. In addition, Pam was an invited guest speaker at the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Sunrise Rotary Club––two organizations that support Connect-Us.
Hear Pam’s remarks from the Black Lives Matter rally in Weston, CT:
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS Celebration
Amidst the uncertainty about whether or not high school graduations would take place this year, our Youth Leadership Team decided to produce a celebration for the graduating seniors of Connect-Us in June. Wearing the caps and gowns that we sent to them, each student had the opportunity to share a graduation speech. Dozens of people tuned in, and artist and music producer Lenny Moore delivered a moving and motivating keynote address.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Program Production Assistants Karl Gregory and Emmanuel Vereen rose to the unique challenges presented this year to help lead the way in reimagining how we connect with the community. In addition to increasing our digital outreach efforts, we were able to create opportunities to safely get out into the community and invite young people to get involved.
