Who We Work With

Bridgeport Education Fund

Bridgeport Education Fund’s goal is to increase the community’s involvement in and support for the Bridgeport public schools; strengthen communication between education, civic and business constituencies; deepen awareness of excellence in the Bridgeport schools; and develop programs and opportunities to enrich and improve public education in Bridgeport.

Building Neighborhoods Together

Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT) helps to connect our clients with housing resources in our community as well as provides one-on-one rental counseling and case management as needed.

BNT also provides housing and rental workshops on-site as part of our Empowerment/Self-Sufficiency services.

Caroline House

Caroline House’s mission is to enable women and children to reach the fullness of their potential through education in English language and life skills. Caroline House breaks down the barriers of social and physical isolation that have kept low-income immigrant women from building better lives.

Although students come from different countries and backgrounds, they share similar challenges and life circumstances. Women from a supportive community which enriches their learning experience builds confidence.

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA

Central Connecticut Coast YMCA (CCCY) is an inclusive organization open to all. CCCY believes that in a diverse world we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

CCCY is a core partner of our Camp HOPE America – Bridgeport summer overnight camping program located at Camp Hi-Rock in Mount Washington, Massachusetts.

CHAMP Inc.

(Community Hands in Action Mentoring Program)

CHAMP provides gender specific empowerment groups for at-risk youth in our community. Groups are designed for boys and girls ages 7-17. CHAMP mentors create a positive space for youth to discuss current events, hear from inspirational community leaders and talk about the issues impacting youth in our community today. CHAMP groups meet on the first (girls) and third (boys) Saturdays of the month.

Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants

The Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants (CIRI) assists refugees and immigrants to resolve legal, economic, linguistic, and social barriers through comprehensive legal and social services. CIRI also provides services and assistance to victims of domestic and international human trafficking. Formerly known as International Institute of Connecticut.

HerTime

Her Time is the sister organization to Hang Time which has serviced the Bridgeport community for 3 years.

The goal of this program is to provide women in the community a space to “unwind, uplift and inspire.” Women learn about resources, community projects and discuss issues impacting women in our community. Child activities are provided during group sessions. Her Time meets on the first Thursday of every month.

Homes for the Brave

Homes of the Brave provides support, housing, and case management for military veterans. CFJ and Homes for the Brave collaborate on referrals between both agencies for clients who are veterans and have been impacted by domestic violence and/or sexual violence.

Mozaic Senior Life / Mozaic Center for Elder Abuse Prevention

Mozaic Senior Life is a leader and trusted provider of skilled nursing and senior care services. Through the years, the needs of seniors and the community have changed and Mozaic has responded by introducing community programs.

Through its Institute on Aging, Mozaic offers The Center for Elder Abuse Prevention, which opened in 2007 to empower victims through safe haven and services, and champion safer communities for older adults.

The Center is the first of its kind to serve frail elderly in Connecticut, and only the second in the nation.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement’s purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement’s programs focus on the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Law Enforcement

We work with the six police departments in our area to provide information and assistance for victims of family/domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. All police departments have a point of contact to work with our clients. For emergencies, the police department where the incident occurred will be notified.

An officer from the Bridgeport Police Department holds office hours weekly at CFJ’s Fairfield Avenue location for domestic abuse clients.

LifeBridge Community Services

LifeBridge provides economic empowerment specialists to assist clients with on-site training and support as part of our Empowerment/Self-Sufficiency services. Off-site referrals can also be made to request clinical and behavioral health services for adult victims of domestic and sexual violence at Life Bridge’s main office location.

LifeBridge also works with Bridgeport’s youth and their families to help them build resilience. Their youth program focuses on academic enrichment, mentoring, experiential learning opportunities, leadership/team building, and mental health.

nOURish Bridgeport, Inc.

This nonprofit operates two-Bridgeport based food pantries focused on providing fresh, healthy food to residents experiencing food insecurity.

Founded by the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, nOURish launched the Food for Family Justice Program, which allows CFJ’s clients to access its food pantries safely and discreetly on a designated day each week. In 2020 nOURish was honored as CFJ’s Partner with a Purpose recipient.

Optimus Health Care Center

Optimus Health Care Center provides comprehensive health care services and programs for individuals and families Bridgeport, Stamford, and Stratford.

Their mission is to serve as the patient-centered medical home for our communities to achieve and maintain a positive state of wellness, particularly for the uninsured and underserved.

State’s Attorney / Prosecutors

Based on court schedules, prosecutors provide assistance for victims who have a pending criminal case in Bridgeport’s Domestic Violence Docket.

State Attorney’s partners are also available to answer general questions about the prosecutorial response to family/domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Legal advice cannot be given.

Supportive Housing Works

Supportive Housing Works’ (SHW) mission is to end homelessness in Fairfield County by advancing a collective impact approach through dedicated staff, committed partners, and effective leadership.

SHW implements cost effective system changes and align community resources so that no one is without a place to live for more than 30 days.

Theatre Arts & Opportunities

Theatre Arts & Opportunities (TAO) is founded on the knowledge that arts have the power to change lives. TAO is fully invested in the creation of theatre programs where they would otherwise not exist.

Emphasis is placed on the discipline of play writing and performing through which both artistic and life skills are learned, while a sense of community and purpose is developed.

Universities & Colleges

Fairfield University, Housatonic Community College, Sacred Heart University, and University of Bridgeport collaborate with CFJ to engage victims and survivors on campus through our campus advocacy program and work to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus through a coordinated campus and community response.

Victim Rights Center of Connecticut

Victim Rights Center of Connecticut (VRCCT) provides on-site legal services to crime victims of sexual assault and crime victims that identify within the LGBTQ+ community.

VRCCT acts as independent legal counsel sworn to protect the legal rights and best interests of the victim through a broad-based approach grounded in litigation, creative problem-solving, and extensive knowledge of the judicial system. VRCCT is a program of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club

Wakeman Boys & Girls Clubs mission is to guide young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsibility citizens.

Wakeman is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America that help young people on the path to great futures.

The Workplace

The Workplace provides economic empowerment and job readiness/ employment services including Dress for Success.

The Workplace’s Career Coach is available on-site for clients as needed.