Groundwork Bridgeport
Groundwork Bridgeport (Groundwork) is a community based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to bring awareness to the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment, by empowering people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social well-being.
THE MISSION: Educate, Engage, Revitalize
Groundwork aims to improve the overall well-being for residents of communities in Connecticut that have been neglected, denied resources, or otherwise ignored over the years, through activities that promote improvement in the environmental, economic, and social conditions of their cities while at the same time providing opportunities for youth to learn and engage with their community.
Since its inception in 1998, Groundwork’s main goal has been to convert blighted areas into gardens, parks, playgrounds, and other open spaces that instill pride in the community. To accomplish these goals, the organization develops education, community service, and other programming as a means of improving the quality of life for those it serves. Groundwork’s programs primarily serve and impact populations that are marginalized and lacking readily accessible resources.
THE PROGRAMS:
We believe that working with youth and in partnership with others is integral to achieving our goal to revitalize neighborhoods and grow community pride. As such, we partner with individuals, community groups, businesses and other organizations in order to identify services and programs that can meet the needs and improve the quality of life for all people who live, work, or play in the areas we serve.
Place Based Service-Learning Program: During class time, participants learn skills related to project management, design, and presenting to audiences as well as topics related to civic engagement and placemaking including landscape design and architecture, storytelling, and other subjects.
Stewardship Program: Similar to the service-learning program, youth participate in meaningful community projects throughout the program city that aim to improve the city’s physical landscape and engage residents in activities the build a sense of social connection.
Outdoor Experiences Program: Our travel experience program takes high-school youth on trips to National Park sites locally and throughout the country where they gain work experience and are given the time to enjoy recreational activities and to get to know each other and form new connections.
Tree Corps: Through our Tree Corps program, community volunteers learn how to care for trees and commit to stewarding recently planted trees in their pivotal first year in the ground by watering, pruning, and observing them for pests and disease. This program ensures that the trees we plant can survive and thrive into maturity when their full environmental benefits are felt.
Click here to learn more about the programs.
“My view of nature and the environment hasn't necessarily changed much. Before the program I knew that the environment affects and impacts my life in various ways. However, I never thought that I had much control or effect on the environment until I joined Groundwork, which heightened my enthusiasm to make some change that can benefit all.” -Kylie Fanning, former Groundwork Bridgeport student
$.50 per every bowl of ramen sold during the month of March will be donated directly towards promoting environmental, economic, and social well-being. To learn more, please visit, www.groundworkbridgeport.org.
*You are donating directly to Groundwork Bridgeport. Eat Justice receives 0% of the proceeds.