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 …
Dear Shepherds Friend, Each year Shepherds applies for grants from approximately 15 – 20 private family, corporate and community foundations to help fund elements of Shepherds programs not covered by mentors, individual sponsors, donors and Board of Directors. Foundation grants typically contribute 15-20% of our total annual budget. They help fund tuition expenses, mentor programming and support, …
Dr. Andre Sofair is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yale Medical School and holds a secondary appointment in the School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. In addition to this impressive resume, Dr. Sofair has spent the past four years as a Shepherds Mentor to graduating NDWH …
Going back six years, Shepherds started a mutually beneficial relationship with the Exchange Club of New Canaan. Shepherds mentor – student teams volunteer their time to work at the Exchange Club’s annual Christmas Tree Sale in New Canaan. It’s been a great community service activity for mentors and students at the time of year when giving back is most …
Order of Malta has been a long time generous donor to Shepherds’ mission of changing lives one student at a time. Over our 23 years, dozens of CT Malta members have been mentors and served multiple “tours” as Shepherds mentors. Currently four of our 64 mentors for next year are members of the Order. This …
