March 10, 2008 - The Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education has awarded Groundwork Bridgeport, a local nonprofit organization, a $15,000 grant in support of Groundwork’s innovative job training program for high school students, Individual Self-Sufficiency.

 

“We’re very grateful to The Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education for continuing to support this program,” said Richard Tiani, Groundwork’s Executive Director. “The ISS program has been great for the students involved, and we’re pleased that The Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education can help ensure the continuing education of our young members.”

 

The Individual Self-Sufficiency program is a two-year job training program that prepares youth for jobs in the landscaping and horticulture field, or for post-secondary education. During the school year, the program’s youth design and construct butterfly gardens while teaching and mentoring elementary school students involved in Groundwork’s Butterflies Are Teachers program. With the generous funding provided by donors such as the Inner-City Foundation, Groundwork is also able to offer program enhancements for the students, including working at Weir Farm, the only National Park in Connecticut, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, and visiting local colleges.

 

“It’s great that this foundation has been so generous to us,” said Richard Tiani. “The public school system doesn’t always offer kids the opportunities that they deserve, so it’s always great when the private sector steps up to support innovative educational programs.”

 

The ISS program is in its fourth successful year.  Groundwork Bridgeport was founded in 1998 by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Parks System, and the City of Bridgeport and is dedicated to the regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by empowering people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social well-being.  For more information, you can call Groundwork at (203) 335-6126 or visit them on the web at www.groundworkbpt.org.