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The money will support critical mental health and behavioral supports provided by The Child & Family Guidance Center to Fairfield County’s most vulnerable youth. With offices in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Stratford, The Child & Family Guidance Center served nearly 3,300 children and families over the last year alone.
More than half of the funds raised at the event will help fund a new partnership between The Child & Family Guidance Center and the Bridgeport Police Department, created in response to the ongoing rash of violence in the city. The collaboration will give Bridgeport’s police officers ‘on-call’ access to mental health clinicians to assist with children in crisis. The program is expected to roll out later this year.
“The violence our city is seemingly endless. And after the gang-related shooting and death of an 18 year old we felt compelled to act,” said Michael Patota, CEO and President of The Child & Family Guidance Center. “The Champions for Children Gala was the perfect opportunity for attendees to make direct and positive change by contributing to our new initiative. Their generosity was overwhelming, and we look forward to working closely with the Bridgeport Police Department to get immediate supports to children and family who interface with law enforcement.” T
The fundraising gala was an also opportunity for The Child & Family Guidance Center to celebrate this year’s ‘Champions for Children’ honorees: Jason Morales, Central High School Class of 2016; Sameer Abdulgalil, Child & Family Guidance Center Care Coordinator, Farmers Insurance, and United States Senator Richard Blumenthal.
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