United Way of Eastern Fairfield County’s Community Conversation, which was held at the Catholic Center on Thursday, November 3, 2005, focused on closing the educational achievement gap in Bridgeport. Partners in this undertaking included RYASAP, the Bridgeport Public Education Fund, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, ABCD, Inc. and the League of Women Voters. The Community Conversation, which provided participants an opportunity to have their voices heard, was a call to action to improve the future of our children. The purpose of the Conversation was to weave together the important work that is being done to help Bridgeport students, to generate additional educational strategies, and to identify steps for a plan of action. This Community Conversation was the first in a series leading to the Spring 2006 Education Summit.


Community Conversation participants enjoy
a light repast before the opening program.

Bridgeport parent Cynthia Hayes-McGhee and
family take a moment to smile for the camera.

Community Conversation moderator Carla Micklos of FSW and United Way
Board member/Project Blueprint Chair Carolyn Vermont consult with Conversation
guru Sonja Ahuja from the League of Women Voters.


Bridgeport Public Schools' Superintendent Dr. John Ramos, Jr. welcomes the
crowd -- reminding them “to expect great things” for Bridgeport students.

BCAC Executive Director Marilyn Ondrasik, MACH Board Chair Harold Levine
and Operation Graduation Chair Adrienne Farrar Houel of ABCD contemplate
Superintendent Ramos’s message.

Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Yolanda Caldera-Durant and Community Advocate Alma Maya make note of the Superintendent’s words of wisdom.

Community Impact Chair Leo Hansen and RYASAP Executive Director Robert
Francis take in the comments of United Way Senior Vice- President Jim Crispino
(not pictured) concerning Success By 6 and Operation Graduation initiatives.

Lead Moderator Adrienne Farrar Houel frames the
Community Conversation and reviews the ground rules.

Bridgeport Public Education Fund Executive Director Marge Hiller
moderates one of the Community Conversation group sessions.


Lisa Gangemi of Dale Carnegie serves as moderator for another group while
United Way Success By 6 Director Abel Padro functions as recorder.


AmeriCorps volunteers supervise a childcare center,
where youngsters engaged in arts & craft projects.

Other AmeriCorps volunteers offer homework help for
school-age guests during the Community Conversation.

Two more youngsters work on homework assignments.