Foundation’s Support Helps Horizons at SHU Continue Changing Children’s Lives

Summer learning program will benefit from new grant

Horizons at Sacred Heart University— a nonprofit program that strives to change the lives of underprivileged children in Bridgeport—has received a grant from the Fairfield County's Community Foundation (FCCF) to help with its mission.

Horizons pairs children from kindergarten through eighth grade with Sacred Heart graduate students who provide services, skills and educational opportunities to help them thrive educationally. A key part of the program is summertime learning, to counter academic retention loss that can result during the gap between academic years, when the children don’t have has much mental stimulation as they do when they’re in school.

“Horizons at SHU is so lucky to have a partner in the Fairfield County's Community Foundation. They understand the importance of the work we do to help not only our students, but the greater Bridgeport community,” said Jaime Perri, the program’s executive director. “The program’s entire operating budget comes from foundations and individual donors. We could not do the important work we do without the generous support of FCCF.”

Established in 2011, Horizons has grown to serve 180 students today. The highly praised program provides opportunities to children from low-income families by enhancing their critical skills and encouraging a love for learning. Because of Horizons, these students have a 99% graduation rate and a 91 percent likelihood of going on to college or post-secondary training.