Inspiring change. 
Empowering people. Achieving results.

Summer 2015     
Transformation and Change
Announcing Our New Name and the Launch of Our New Website!

As many of you already know, after 166 years as FSW, we changed our name to LifeBridge Community Services to better communicate the essence of our mission, our holistic service approach, and our positive impact on the quality of life and the economic health of our region. Along with our new name, we launched our new website - check it out! www.LifeBridgeCT.org

Our first Digital Literacy graduation class celebrates their success. 
Youth Services - Preparing for 21st Century Careers
Digital Literacy Training Program Launches

This past fall our Youth Services Program launched an exciting new Digital Literacy and Customer Service Training program which graduated 26 students this May! This innovative program utilizes technology and remedial math and reading programming to help our youth build the academic, information technology, and work readiness skills they need to succeed in the classroom and 21st century jobs. The program was designed to promote meaningful and engaged learning by all participants, regardless of their abilities, to interact and work together in teams to make decisions and solve problems.
Over 80% of the students who started the program successfully completed the course. As a result, this year LifeBridge will offer our graduates a new advanced training course that will prepare them to take the exams necessary to obtain nationally recognized certifications in Internet and Computing Core (IC3) and Advanced Customer Services. These credentials are the first step in connecting our youth to entry-level jobs in IT and other customer service professions.

Entrepreneurs Wanted!
Workshop In Business Opportunities (WIBO)
Now Accepting Applications for Fall Program 

Our WIBO program, which provides 16 weeks of comprehensive business knowledge and training on all aspects of owning and running a small business. Since its inception, more than 600 participants have completed the program which provides aspiring entrepreneurs with comprehensive small business training and resources to start or grow a small business, that will contribute to the vibrancy of the Greater Bridgeport's small business community.   For More Information Click Here.

Youth Services alum,  Sixto Cancel.
LifeBridge Launches New Annual Event
Food for Thought

This June over 200 community and business leaders attended our new Food for Thought Luncheon. The purpose of the event was to spark conversation and collaboration around issues of poverty as diverse as workforce development, at-risk youth, and healthcare. Our goal was to provide fresh insights, new connections, and opportunities to maximize our collective impact on poverty. 

Our keynote speaker was Mayor Kevin Johnson, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 
but one of our own youth clients, Sixto Cancel, stole the show with his moving speech about 
his experiences. Sixto, who is 23 years old, had just received a Champion of Change Award 
from President Obama in May at the White House. He was given the award for his work as 
Co-Founder of  Think of Us, a non-profit organization that creates interactive online tools that supports positive development in youth.

400 Attend Our Community  Block Party!
It was a great day!

We hosted a free community block party this summer for the enjoyment of our clients and families from the surrounding community. Guests of all ages enjoyed crafts, games, prizes, music, dancing, free hot dogs and hamburgers and of course...lots of fun!  Click here to view our 1-minute video.

Save the Date for Brewfest!
October 24, 2015

Join us for an imaginative, yet sophisticated evening at the Discovery Museum and Planetarium for our 6th Annual Brewfest!  Discover your " inner scientist " as we mix science and fun to create the perfect formula for an entertaining evening!  You won't want to miss this randomized experiment featuring samples of liquids created in the labs of Connecticut ' s best microbreweries, enjoy stellar food, take a quantum leap around the dance floor, then cool your jets with a visit to our cigar and whiskey tent. Tickets will go on sale after Labor Day.
Contact:
LifeBridge Community Services
475 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06605 
203.368.4291