Our History

The Center for Family Justice: Providing Safety, Empowerment and Inclusion since 1895.

With its founding as the Bridgeport YWCA, CFJ was one of the first nonprofits in the region to provide shelter + services to victims of abuse.

Since our inception, CFJ and its predecessors have been committed to supporting the tens of thousands of victims and survivors who have come through our doors.

While the way CFJ has provided those services has evolved considerably over the years, some fundamental things have held true throughout our history. This evolution is reflective of the broader changes in the domestic and sexual violence movement.

1895

Young Women’s Christian Association of Bridgeport opens at 343 Main St., during the Industrial Revolution with a goal to improve the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual conditions of young women who had left their rural homes to find jobs in the city.

1918

YWCA moves to 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport.

1921

YWCA opens the Phyllis Wheatley branch at 56 Broad St., Bridgeport, “for women of color.” A segregated YWCA existed for the next two decades.

1942

YWCA builds a new headquarters at 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport, and moves the Phyllis Wheatley branch into headquarters.

1966

Name changes to the YWCA of Greater Bridgeport.

In the 1960s CFJ formed the “Talk it Over Club” to encourage important conversations during the Civil Rights Era.

Early 1970s

YWCA restructures into three major areas: a Center for Racial Justice, a Women’s Center, and a Center for Creative Leisure.

1980's

1981 – YW moves to the first floor at 753 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport.

1982 – YWCA’s Shelter Services program serves 582 women.

1984 – The YWCA’s mission changes to meet the challenging needs of women and girls in Eastern Fairfield County.

1986 – State authorizes the YWCA to be the lead agency for the Fairfield County Coalition for Abused Women.

1990

YW’s Shelter Services for Abused Families becomes the Domestic Violence Intervention Services.

1991

The Domestic Violence Intervention Services becomes Domestic Violence Services.

1992

YWCA announces intensified focus on providing refuge to women in crisis, including abuse victims.

1996

Project Connect places domestic violence advocates at the Bridgeport Police Department’s headquarters.

1997

In November, the agency accepted disaffiliation from the National YWCA of USA and is renamed The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, Inc. 

2014

Name changes to The Center for Family Justice as the process formally begins to become the first Family Justice Center in Connecticut.

2016

The ribbon is cut to celebrate the grand opening of The Center for Family Justice, following a renovation of CFJ’s headquarters at 753 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. As part of its transformation, CFJ welcomes community partners including police and representatives of multiple social services agencies on site.

2016

CFJ also launched The Justice Legal Center, Connecticut’s first Legal Incubator. CFJ launched Camp HOPE America-Bridgeport, New England’s first trauma-informed camp and mentoring program.

2020

CFJ celebrates 125 years and launches its Pro Bono Legal Center, hiring its first staff attorneys.

2022

The name of our new safe house, “Patti’s Place,” was unveiled.

Formerly known as Empower House, the project was renamed

after our beloved volunteer, donor and friend Patti Masarek.

We Invite You to Join Us!

As we move to the future, CFJ will continue to evolve with the times.
There are several ways you can join us on this journey of hope!