Sikorsky & United Way Partner
on “Project graduation”
Left to right: Jack Walsh, Valley United Way Pres & CEO,
Stefanie L Boles, VP Resource dev't & Mgt,
Graham Main, Controller, SAC,
Faith Douglass, UWEFC Dir. Comm. Resource Dev't,
Gary Johnson, Milford UW, Pres & CEO
Amy Johnson, Director, Quality, SAC
Stratford, CT December 20, 2006 - United Way of Eastern Fairfield County is pleased to announce its partnership with Stratford based Sikorsky Aircraft on Project Graduation, a novel initiative to help regional high school students graduate prepared for college and the work force of the 21st century. The United Ways of Greater New Haven, Milford and the Valley are also members of this innovative partnership. By combining resources, they will have the means to design large-scale programs that can bring about measurable improvements in a shorter amount of time.
Some of the programs already funded include Big Brothers Big Sisters in Bridgeport and New Haven; Cardinal Sheehan Center’s after-school and Saturday programs in Bridgeport;
Sterling House’s Positive Youth Development Program in Stratford; Boys and Girls Clubs of Shelton, New Haven and the Lower Naugatuck Valley; Experience Corps in New Haven; and YMCAs in Bridgeport, Milford and New Haven. More programs will be added as well as selection criteria for the students and metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of the programs.
To support this initiative, Sikorsky has made a $40,000 pledge, which will be matched by United Way. Funds will provide comprehensive, integrated services that promote optimal success for all youth so they can graduate “college and work ready.”
United Way of Eastern Fairfield County President Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., noted that the partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft is a cutting edge model for businesses aligning with United Way to create positive changes in local communities. “We share a vision of success for every child. Sikorsky’s commitment to young people and to the future work force ensures a strong economy with self-sufficient families.”
The Project Graduation initiative kicked off during Sikorsky Aircraft’s 2006 annual Community Giving Campaign. Sikorsky employees raised $1.6 million for a range of organizations across the region.
United Way of Eastern Fairfield County’s mission is to mobilize a stronger, more caring community across Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. Our focus is on what matters. We are bringing people together from all across the community - people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits, and ordinary citizens - to tackle the issues that matter most. United Way is committed to the bottom line results: the lives we change and the communities we shape.
