Tag Archives: Tag: Bridgeport

Shepherds/KCHS ’14 Graduate Jessica on the Front Line of COVID-1

| May 1, 2020

Jessica R. (center) in a brief relaxed moment out of a stressful day on the COVID-19 floor with her PPE protected colleagues. Jessica received her nursing degree from Fairfield University in 2018. Shepherds is proud of Jessica’s hard work which is now providing relief to her community.

Thank you to Jessica and our many Shepherds alumni and supporters who work in health care and other essential services!

As we consider Jessica’s success, Shepherds realizes there are many other economically and academically-challenged students out there we want to help. Financial support and mentors are the two critical factors for Shepherds to be able to support students like Jessica. Won’t you help us today by considering being a mentor for a freshman this fall or making a donation today?

To find out more about Shepherds, contact Executive Director Dan McAuliffe at info@shepherdsmentors.org or 203-367- 4273. With your support, Shepherds can provide that same helping hand to more students.

Shepherds Model for Success … Adapted by Covid-19

| April 29, 2020

Our model for success for our students has been working for over 20 years. COVID-19 has caused us to adjust our model to reflect the realities of today. Our students, mentors and program have proved to be both resilient and innovative.

The biggest change in our students’ lives is that they now are distant learners. Many of our students live in homes where they are now helping take care or help teach their younger siblings while their parents are at work. Not every student has a place that can be quiet and dedicated to their studies. Nevertheless, Shepherds students remain successful in achieving their academic goals! Shepherds would like to thank their partner schools, Kolbe Cathedral High School and Notre Dame West Haven, for adapting to this remote learning environment quickly for our students. Shepherds administration is staying on top of students’ progress to ensure that every student remains on track.

Mentors have also had to adapt as in-person visits cannot happen at this time. Technology has been helpful in maintaining the connection between student and mentor. Use of Zoom, FaceTime and other video-based applications have helped bridge that connection gap. Even some of our less tech-savvy mentors have really stepped up and embraced these applications. While certainly not the same as being together in person, all agree that it is better than a phone call or not checking in at all.

Shepherds’ graduation rate is 95% compared to their Bridgeport and New Haven peers’ graduation rate at 55-60%. 100% of last year’s graduating class attended college. Our program ‘flattens the curve’ by providing a quality, college preparatory education, academic and social skills training, and most importantly, a mentor to guide the way. Simply put, Shepherds works.

We are recruiting mentors for our freshman class beginning this fall and invite you to find out more about being a Shepherds’ mentor. Mentoring can change the life of a child with socio-economic and academic disadvantages – and it is very satisfying to be a part of that growth! Contact Executive Director Dan McAuliffe at info@shepherdsmentors.org or call 203-367-4273.

Shepherds Changes Lives…One Student at a Time: Alumnus Isaiah Smith

| April 24, 2020

Recently a Shepherds and Kolbe Cathedral High School alumnus reached out to his mentor, Brian O’Connor. Isaiah Smith graduated from KCHS in 2003 and furthered his education at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. He graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering.

Shepherds and Brian O’Connor were excited to hear of Isaiah’s success. Currently, he along with his wife and two beautiful daughters live in Manchester, CT. Isaiah works at Koh Young America, Inc as a Regional Sales Manager.

Mentoring a student through the Shepherds program pays big social dividends to both the student and mentor. “Shepherds provided the opportunity for a private college preparatory education and a mentor to guide Isaiah. He made great use of the resources we gave him. Isaiah’s success is a great example how education is the gift that keeps on giving,” claimed Executive Director Dan McAuliffe. “Isaiah’s education and Shepherds experience have not only been a great benefit to him directly, but to his wife and children as well.”

Mentor Brian O’Connor was touched when Isaiah reached out to him, “I often wondered where Isaiah was and how his life turned out. It was a beautiful note and heartwarming to know he completed college, has a good job, and is happily married with a loving family,” stated mentor Brian O’Connor.

When asked about the impact that his mentor had on him, Isaiah responded “I truly believe my mentor Brian’s contribution to my high school education played a role in my success in life. I cannot thank him enough.”

Mentor Brian O’Connor changed a life. You can too! Why not consider become a Shepherds mentor this year? Shepherds is seeking mentors for the incoming Shepherds freshman class at both Kolbe Cathedral High School and Notre Dame West Haven. To find out more about the Shepherds program, contact Dan McAuliffe at info@shepherdsmentors.org or call 203-367-4273.  www.shepherdsmentors.org

Update During these Unusual Times

| April 1, 2020

Dear Shepherds Community,

As the implications of the virus pandemic become more immediate, it’s our sense that the connections that underpin the Shepherds partnership of student-parent-school-mentor-staff are even more relevant.

First, and foremost, we hope and pray that you and your families are well.

Second, the Shepherds staff is on duty – yes, like many of you, we are balancing home, family, virtual learning, and work responsibilities. But we have a job to do and are available to hear from you. If you think we can help in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us.

    Third, we would like to begin the process of building a community of sharing. We hope that by communicating more, we can support each other even if we can’t physically be there for one another.  Please share your stories – images or written –  about how you’re adapting to the current conditions, what you’ve learned and any suggestions you may have for others.

Send us your input or pictures at info@shepherdsmentors.org or text them to 203-550-6395, or tag Shepherds on Instagram or Facebook. We will post them for the greater community. We’ll curate the input and post as appropriate, names only disclosed upon permission.  

   Continues….

Shepherds 2018-19 Annual Report

| March 20, 2020

This Annual Report presents the intersection of the numbers, events, and the people that define Shepherds’ mission in action.

We are proud of the accomplishments of our students and the role Shepherds plays in supporting them. We invite you to read our Annual Report and hope it inspires you to support our mission by becoming a mentor or financially support our program. To find out more, contact Executive Director Dan McAuliffe at info@shepherdsmentors.org or call 203.367.4273

Annual Report 2018-2019

KCHS Seniors Attend Off to College Workshop

| February 1, 2020

KCHS seniors (pictured) attended workshops with Jane-Ellen Collins at the end of January. Students received a crash-course on what it means to be a freshman in college.

Topics covered included roommate issues, laundry, planning a schedule, balancing studies and fun, where to go for academic help and a lot more! Consistently rated a favorite Shepherds activity by graduating seniors, Jane-Ellen does a great job preparing our KCHS Seniors for the next big step in their academic lives: Being a College Freshman

Shepherds Receives Three Key Grants Totaling $22,500

| January 27, 2020

Shepherds is pleased to announce that we have recently been awarded three grants to support the Shepherds program.

  • Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund via the Westport/Weston YMCA granted Shepherds $10,000 to expand our capacity and to serve and to help fund the three parts of the Shepherds program.
  • Inner City Foundation has provided Shepherds with $10,000 for the specific purpose of tuition support.
  • Henry E. Niles Foundation has given Shepherds $2,500 to support our student programming and mentoring support.

As our partner schools have started accepting applications for their fall 2020 freshmen classes, Shepherds needs to find mentors and sponsors for these deserving students. To find out more, contact Dan McAuliffe, info@shepherdsmentors.org.

Giving Tuesday

| December 3, 2019
A financial contribution to Shepherds this Giving Tuesday has a tremendous impact on a local high school student. Shepherds students are successful students who continue their education after high school. Our graduation rate is 95% compared to their Bridgeport and New Haven peers graduation rate at 55-60%. Last year, 100% of our students went on to institutions of higher learning. We have a tremendous core group of volunteers, but we still need financial resources to continue providing tuition, academic and social support services to our students.
 
Join us in ensuring Shepherds students can build that solid foundation by donating today.
 

SAT Preparation for October Testing

| September 24, 2019

Shepherds is best known for providing a non-public, college preparatory education and a personal mentor for each inner-city youth in our program. We do so much more. One of the tools we give our students is additional preparation for SAT/ACT tests. Kolbe Cathedral High School students in our program are currently preparing for the October SAT. The extra support students receive from Shepherds will help them achieve their highest scores.