Dear Shepherds Friends, I’ll tempt fate a bit and start this September newsletter off optimistically anticipating a “normal”, healthy, in-person, be together, see each other’s smiling faces year! What makes me think so? Independent of the health context (I’d rather not mention that other word perpetually lurking out there), Shepherds comes off a celebratory 2021-22 …
…and comes back a changed young man. Under the auspices of the Order of Malta, Dannylo joined the Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, the week of August -16 for a week of service. This annual pilgrimage of youth from around the world provided a life changing experience in service, spiritual growth, and fellowship. Danylo’s trip …
Dear Shepherds Friends, We here in the northeast know this time of year is a season of transitions – a driving cold rain one day, 70 degrees and shorts the next, birds returning to wake us, but probably most noticeable are the brighter mornings and longer days….. Translate that to our everyday life here at …
Dear Shepherds Friend, What do the Super Bowl, the onset of serious basketball, the anticipation of spring training, and the lowering of masking requirements have in common? Spring is almost here! The first three have been long with us, the last we hope is soon long gone! For many these late winter months can be …
Dear Shepherds Friend, The start of 2022 brings with it a feeling of a fresh start, and I don’t think it is just this very chilly weather! We have a great many exciting things to look forward to in the new year. Firstly, Shepherds is excited to announce that Shepherds Alumna Gina Garzon, Shepherds/Trinity High …
For more than two decades Shepherds has been working to close the education opportunity gap in Southwestern Connecticut. Our students both graduate on time and enroll in college at much higher rates than their peers in their communities. Shepherds Students graduate high school on time at a rate in line with neighboring suburbs like Fairfield, …
Since 1998, Shepherds’ singular mission has been to help close the opportunity gap for underserved, inner-city Connecticut youths. The pandemic experience and its aftermath have only widened the social and financial disparities for many in these communities. Shepherds comprehensive program providing educational opportunity, the personal guidance of a mentor, and life skills training have allowed …
Dear Shepherds Friend, Many often think Spring is the time of year that is full of new beginnings. But when your mission is facilitating the education of young people, Fall becomes that time of excitement and wonder about what is to come. Earlier this month, we welcomed the eleven students of the Kolbe Cathedral Shepherds …
Dear Shepherds Friend, Welcome to the beginning of a new school year! This is an exciting time as Shepherds welcomes sixteen new young people to our Shepherds’ Class of 2025. We’ve all been highly impressed and encouraged the by way this class of students has bonded in two programs held this two summer – Shepherds’ …
Shepherds spoke recently with Ruby Melton recently and she reflected upon her experience as a Shepherds Mentor to Ernie Gabriel Santiago. Ruby is also a former member of the Shepherds Board of Directors. I first met Ernie when he was a freshman at Notre Dame High School. He was part of the Shepherds program and …
