Established in August 2020 in partnership with longtime Carver advocate and financial supporter Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the Fairfield County Business Collaborative for Education Equity is a multi-year local impact and funding collaborative to help reduce and eliminate educational disparities among Fairfield County’s most vulnerable pre-K through 12+ students, their parents, and guardians, as well as teachers and staff. The Collaborative also provides grantees with non-financial support services, such as student mentorship and guidance on career pathways.

This is the second consecutive year The Collaborative is supporting Carver kids. This year’s award of $40,000 supports Carver’s Middle School Workforce Development Initiative.

Carver’s career exploration strategies are opportunities for middle school students to discover work environments and understand the various aspects of the workplace. Strategies include tools and instruments that help students understand and appreciate their strengths and interests. Students start plans for their future with career information and postsecondary education data. Plans include course selection and planning as well as career aspirations and goals; Student Success Plan; Workplace visits with career interviews; Career research; and Career-tech student organizations. Middle School students participate in project-based, hands-on learning activities that include the following areas: Artificial Intelligence, Arts, Manufacturing, Technology, and Healthcare.

The Collaborative serves the Greater Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford regions by supporting local nonprofit organizations and initiatives with financial contributions, employee volunteerism and expertise, mentorship and internship opportunities, and other resources. Its members include The Ashforth Company, Bank of America, First County Bank, Gallatin Point Capital, Henkel Corporation, Lapine Associates, Pitney Bowes, Synchrony, Tudor Foundation, Inc., and Xerox.