Tag Archives: Tag: Bridgeport

Kolbe Kats in Hats: Reading Across America

| June 28, 2018

Community Service has always been an important part of student life at both Kolbe Cathedral and Notre Dame High Schools. In the mid 2000’s students from Kolbe participated in NEA’s Read Across America Day – a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2—Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participated by bringing together kids, teens, and books. Pictured is Kolbe alum Sarah Witkowski donning the signature hat for the cause.
Current Kolbe students are still required to perform community service and oftentimes mentors help students connect to volunteer opportunities that fulfill their requirements. Students enrolled at Kolbe now are expected to participate in the following:
•Freshmen – two group community service projects
•Sophomores – 10 hours of community service in & out of school
•Juniors – 30 hours of community service outside of school
•Seniors – 20 hours of community service outside of the school
Are you a graduate of Shepherds mentoring program at any of our past or current partner schools and have photos or a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Amy Chickles, Director of Programming at achickles@shepherdsmentors.org.

Planning for Our 20th Anniversary Gala is Well Underway!

| June 27, 2018

The planning committee, including Shepherds’ Board of Directors (BOD), met recently to continue planning for this year’s 20th anniversary celebration scheduled for Thursday, October 11th at The Inn at Longshore in Westport. The planning committee met following a BOD meeting at Woodway Country Club in Darien Connecticut. Stay tuned for all of the exciting details including guest speakers, awards, and of course the celebration of the more than 200 students and mentors who have helped to make this program such an enduring success. We need 20 new mentors for the coming year – what about you? Visit www.shepherdsmentors.org for details or to donate to a student’s college prep education in Connecticut.

Pictured are:
Front Row: Shepherds’ PR Committee, Jean Lepore; Shepherds’ Cofounder, Barnet Phillips; Gala Committee Chair, Sharon Phillips; BOD Member, Tammy Taylor; Shepherds’ Director of Programming, Amy Chickles; BOD Member, Fred McMullen
Middle Row: Carrie Sindelar, Shepherds’ Executive Director, Daniel McAuliffe
Back Row:Shepherds’ Treasurer, Lou Taylor; BOD Members Tom Wynne & Dave Moran; Shepherds’ Chairman, Tim Stuart; Shepherds’ Secretary, Mark Milano

Congratulations to our Kolbe Cathedral Graduates!

| June 24, 2018

Kolbe Cathedral’s 2018 Commencement Exercises in Bridgeport, Conn., on Thursday, June 7, 2018. To see the slide show provided in the CT Post, click on the link. Photo: Christian Abraham, Hearst Connecticut Media.
https://www.ctpost.com/graduations/slideshow/Kolbe-Cathedral-High-School-graduation-2018-182132/photo-15687987.php

Eleven Shepherds Students Honored at Kolbe Brunch

| May 14, 2018

Shepherds, in conjunction with Kolbe Cathedral High School, held its annual brunch at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield on Saturday, May 12. The event brings together current Shepherds students enrolled at the school, their mentors, family and staff from both organizations.

The accomplishments of graduating seniors are celebrated. Graduates and their mentors are given the chance to speak publicly about their time at Kolbe and how the Shepherds program impacted their high school experience.

Kolbe alumna and current mentor Carolyn Vermont ’78, was the keynote speaker. A recipient of both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fairfield University, Ms. Vermont is the proud mother of two, a motivational speaker, education and leadership consultant and a tireless community advocate. She volunteers for ten civic organizations including Shepherds and was invited as a Changemaker to the 2016 White House United States of Women Summit in 2016. She has received numerous awards for her service and is currently running for State Senator in the 23rd Senatorial District covering parts of Bridgeport and Stratford.

Ms. Vermont encouraged the students to continue the legacy of community service that they have begun during their time at Kolbe. She reflected on the way her Kolbe Catholic education as well as her Jesuit education at Fairfield University, instilled a lifelong passion for giving back to the community. Her infectious smile, enthusiasm and her pride in mentee Trinity Bravo, warmed the room on that grey Saturday.

Graduates include: Dudjanceslyta Anty, Nina-Simone Barrow, Trinity Bravo, Zavar Graham, Alexander Cole Grant, Cherish Johnson, Shalymar Morales, Ugonna Onyekachiuzoamaka, Alejandro Serrano, Tatiana Thompson and Mayra Vargas. For more pictures, check out our album on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShepherdsMentors/

Getting Ready to Celebrate 20 Years of Changing Lives!

| May 4, 2018

In preparation for our 20th Anniversary celebration in October, Shepherds is working with Westport ad agency wsaa and Greenwich videographer Gus Cantavero to videotape interviews with mentors, students and alumni. The team was on site at both Kolbe Cathedral and Notre Dame this week speaking to a number of people whose lives have been changed through their involvement with Shepherds. Can’t wait to see the finished product at the 20th Anniversary Dinner on October 11th at Longshore in Westport!

Shepherds Needs Your Support March 1st!

| February 28, 2018

Bridgeport, CT

Since 1998, non-profit Shepherds has provided tuition support and mentors to more than 219 young men & women entering college-preparatory high schools in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Shepherds’ graduation rate is 100%; most students move on to 2 and 4-year college programs. Today, 37 young men and 24 young women are working towards their high school diplomas at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport and Notre Dame High School in West Haven. We need mentors and financial support for 20 new students in fall 2018.

1 Go to FCGives.org
2 Donate $20 (or more) to celebrate 20 years to Shepherds
3 Spread the word! Post, tweet, share!
#FairfieldCountyGives
Your donation can help us win over $20,000 in prizes!

https://patch.com/connecticut/westport/shepherds-needs-your-support-march-1st

Bravo, Trinity!

| February 13, 2018

Congratulations to the amazing Trinity Bravo, Kolbe Cathedral ’18. Trinity, who received a full scholarship to Bryant University, is News 12’s Scholar-Athlete of the week. Trinity is mentored by the equally amazing Carolyn Vermont. Click on the link below to see News 12 coverage of Trinity’s accomplishments on and off the court.

Trinity Bravo KC ’18 is News 12 Scholar Athlete

Shepherds Has Been Changing Students’ Lives for 20 Years

| January 25, 2018

January is National Mentoring Month – a month dedicated to promoting youth mentorship in the United States. This year, Bridgeport-based Shepherds marks its 20th year of providing tuition support and adult mentors to underserved, at-risk high school students in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas.

Connecticut is a state known for excellent schools however high school graduation rates in many of our inner city schools is as low as 55%. Students often lack the academic preparation necessary to succeed in high school and beyond. Without support and attention, many students struggle to graduate.

Since 1998, non-profit Shepherds has provided tuition support and mentors to more than 219 young men & women entering college-preparatory high schools in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Shepherds’ graduation rate is 100%; most students move on to 2 and 4-year college programs. Today, 37 young men and 24 young women are working towards their high school diplomas at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport and Notre Dame High School in West Haven.

Mentors make a monthly commitment of time and energy to an individual student and receive professional training and extensive staff support throughout their four-years of mentoring. Sponsors make a financial commitment and receive the reward of knowing they are making a sound investment in the life of an inner-city young person.

Shepherds needs mentors for twenty students entering high school in fall, 2018. If you want to change a young person’s life please contact Dan McAuliffe, Shepherds’ Executive Director, by April 15th at dmcauliffe@shepherdsmentors.org . For more information on the great work Shepherds does, visit www.shepherdsmentors.org.

Shepherds Celebrates 20 Years of Changing Lives

| January 17, 2018

In 1998, Shepherds started with 7 freshmen at Kolbe Cathedral High School. Over 250 alumni later, we are celebrating 20 years of Changing Lives…One Student at a Time. Mark your calendar for our 20th anniversary dinner on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Inn at Longshore in Westport.