School Reopening

Dear Friends of BGV,

I hope this message finds you and your families healthy and well and enjoying the summer. As we near the end of the season, I wanted to take a moment to send an update to our donors, supporters and stakeholders with what is happening at Boys & Girls Village.

I am very pleased to announce that we have welcomed back students for in-person learning at the Charles F. Hayden School for the 2020-21 school year.  While we are also providing remote and hybrid options to those students who feel more comfortable with those choices, we have put numerous processes and protocols in place for the health and safety of our students and staff. We are excited to have our school filled with learning and laughter again and wish all a wonderful and productive school year!

Over the summer, we remodeled the lower school to widen the hallways and make the environment more welcoming to young students. Construction has also continued on the new Life Skills & Vocational Training Center.  This extension of our special education school will offer older students hands-on training in automotive, culinary arts, and modern manufacturing. This building will be completed in the early fall and will open more pathways for the children we serve.

In March, the Coronavirus forced most of our programs to move from in-person services to distance, remote and telemedicine platforms. With guidance from the state and health officials, we again began offering in-person services to our clients earlier this month. We are providing PPE to our staff and clients and holding meetings outdoors when possible.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing threat of COVID 19, we made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 fundraiser, Compass to Success.  Now, more than ever, your support of BGV and our many innovative programs is still greatly needed.  As we approach the opening of our new vocational program, your donation will help fund the education, tools, equipment, and materials we need for our new labs and classrooms.

While the fall still holds much uncertainty, we as an agency, will continue our important work and remain steadfast in our mission of serving some of Connecticut’s most vulnerable children and their families. We thank you for your support of all we do, and we look forward to a time when we can thank you in person.

Sincerely,

Kim Shaunesey, Ph.D.
President & CEO

Response to Racial Disparities

Dear friends of BGV,

I hope this message finds you and your family well and healthy.

As most of you are aware this is a time of great anger, frustration, and hurting in our country. We are more divided then we have been for decades. The COVID 19 pandemic began highlighting the systematic and institutional racial disparities, and the most recent senseless and needless killings of Black men including Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd have brought us to the breaking point. 

BGV supports the efforts of those speaking out for change in their communities and participating in peaceful protests.  George Floyd’s brother called for people to bring about change not through violence but through voting.  Voting not only at the national level but in local elections as well.  This message was consistent with former President Obama’s who called on people to bring about change by voting as well. 2020 is an election year and this is your opportunity to have your voice heard.

It will take hard work, dedication, and patience from all of us to heal the wounds.  BGV has and will continue to work with underserved populations in Connecticut, providing meaningful care and assisting families in accessing fair and equitable services.

Sincerely,

Kim Shaunesey, Ph.D.
President & CEO