Revitalizing, beautifying and preserving public space is a challenge that requires community organizing and partnership development to assist residents in taking direct responsibility for their neighborhoods. Since 1998, GWB has partnered with over 6500 individuals, 51 groups, 29 businesses, and 23 foundations to reclaim and beautify neighborhoods. 

 

Groundwork Bridgeport Accomplishments in 2007:

·         Over 450 public elementary, middle, and high school youth, as well as those from Fairfield Prep, Sacred Heart University and other private schools participated in the environmental education and beautification activities of our Butterflies Are Teachers and Green Team programs. Students became proactive in improving the visual quality of life of their neighborhoods, strengthened their academic skills, learned about career options in the horticulture field, and developed skills for entering the workplace after high school. 

·         Our Folks, GWB’s social enterprise, provided over 500 landscaping service visits for low-income, inner-city, elderly homeowners who, because of physical and financial challenges, could not maintain their lawns and yards. The program was able to expand into Norwalk with a grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation. 

·         The Park City Sweep drew over 120 volunteers in both April and October.

·         Volunteers donated over 4600 hours of time.

·         Volunteers under the age of 18 participated in activities 560 times.

·         We spent 4700 hours with at-risk youth.

·         We completed 11 community projects.

·         41 city sites were cleaned and beautified.

·         We made 750 visits to seniors.

·         Groundwork completed the redesign of Goosetown Park, which was dedicated to victims lost to violence.

·          $4000 in college scholarships was awarded to two of our Green Team graduates.

·          The BAT program was expanded to Groundwork Somerville.

·         Green Team students worked at Weir Farm and hiked Bear Mountain on the Appalachian Trail.

·         GWB conducted and released a Bridgeport water recreation need analyses study in partnership with the Bridgeport Leadership Group and students of Central High School.

·         GWB completed the Citizen Pruners program at Beardsley Park in conjunction with youth and local residents. Over 60 trees were pruned.

2007: Groundwork Bridgeport was recognized for our efforts in job training and employment for individuals re-entering the job force. In recognition of our work with veterans, the American Legion awarded Groundwork a Certificate of Appreciation for “service and assistance which contributed immeasurably to the success of the Employment of Older Veterans.” 

 

The Southwestern Connecticut’s Regional Workforce Development Board awarded Groundwork a Company Partner of the Year certificate “for an outstanding commitment to our community’s workforce.”

 

In November 2007, Groundwork Bridgeport was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Bridgeport’s Office of Neighborhood Revitalization and OPED for our “continued effort in NRZ Development with specific emphasis placed on implementation of neighborhood development projects throughout the City of Bridgeport.”

 

2003: Summer of Service Bridgeport

Service for Peace’s “Celebration of Service and Unity” presents award of recognition to Groundwork Bridgeport for “continuous and sincere efforts to serve the citizens of Bridgeport and to be a partner in the Summer of Service Youth Program.”

 

2002: Groundwork Bridgeport received the New England’s Environmental Merit Award from the U.S. EPA “for outstanding efforts in preserving New England’s Environment.”

 

2001: Groundwork Bridgeport is named a Regional Honorees at the Make A Difference Day Awards from the USA Today Weekend magazine. The honor included an award of $2,000.