Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) and the Eastern Fairfield County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., have announced a partnership designed to promote literacy, financial literacy, and civic engagement for youth and teens across Fairfield County. On Monday, January 19, 2026, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, members of the local Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Eastern Fairfield County Chapter will collaborate with the WBGC Southport Keystone Club, a high school youth leadership organization, to launch a community initiative reflecting Dr. King's legacy. Together, these youth leaders will build and install three free “Little Libraries” at new community locations, providing children and teens with access to books they can borrow, read, and return—that encourage literacy, learning, and a love of reading. “This service event embodies Dr. King’s principles of justice, equality, and community empowerment. By involving youth in service, we honor his legacy and help build a stronger, more connected future,” said Damika Richardson, Community Service Chair, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Eastern Fairfield County Chapter. The MLK Day of Service is a national call to action that encourages Americans to volunteer and give back to their communities. This year’s event will bring together families, students, and community members to support education and youth development in a truly meaningful way. The Little Libraries will be installed in Spring 2026 at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Madison Avenue Clubhouse (Bridgeport, CT), the Boys & Girls Club of Danbury, and the Sterling House (Stratford, CT). The organizations will simultaneously conduct a book drive to fill these libraries and fill Little Libraries at additional sites. Community members are invited to donate new or gently used children’s and young adult books for ages 5-17 to help stock the libraries. Donation bins will be available at the WBGC Southport Clubhouse (385 Center Street, Southport, CT) between January 12 – 19, 2026.  A second component of the partnership is Voices of the Pen, a year-long author series designed to highlight diverse authors of children's literature. The series will foster literacy, creativity, and critical thinking while exposing children to inspirational role models in writing and related disciplines. Confirmed authors for 2026 include Janae Marks, Stefanie Foster Brown, and Dr. Tanya Sharrieff. Dates and additional authors for the series will be announced in Spring 2026. Renita Crawford, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Eastern Fairfield County Chapter President, stated “As a chapter, we bring our mission to life by expanding access to literacy in the communities we serve. Education is the foundation for opportunity, and initiatives like our Little Libraries and author series reflect Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community by placing books and inspiring voices within reach of children and families. Through our focus on literacy, we are strengthening our community—one book and one reader at a time.” Sabrina E. Smeltz, CEO of Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with the Eastern Fairfield County chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in this effort. This collaboration supports two of our key pillars, Academic Success and Character & Leadership. Our nationally recognized Keystone Club will do an amazing job of building the Little Libraries and we look forward to sharing them with the community.” To learn more, contact Leslie LaSala, Director of Marketing & Communications, at 203/909-3381 x 205 or llasala@wakemanclub.org.

On Saturday, December 13, the WBGC Cowboys Tackle Football families held their end-of-season banquet at our Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse. The Cowboys program is about much more than football. Our players have worked hard on AND off the field --They have built a community, attended Cowboy Study Hall, and held team dinners together. A special shout out to the seventh-grade team for competing in the FCFL Championship! Thank you to the parents, coaches, volunteers and donors who helped to make the season such a success. Go Cowboys!

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club announced new inductees into its Hall of Fame, an event which takes place once every five years, at the WBGC Hall of Fame Gala at the WBGC Madison Avenue Clubhouse on December 5th, 2025. Inductees to the WBGC Hall of Fame were nominated by the general public and selected by a committee comprised of WBGC Staff, the WBGC Board of Trustees, and community members. They were selected for their exceptional dedication, leadership and impact within WBGC, the community, and beyond. The 2025 inductees include: Bradford Evans, Meg Orazio Jean Louis, Raquon Johnson, Mark Kelly, Nick & Patti Makes, Robert Martinez, Molly McHugh, Tom Mindrum, Matt Morgan, and Kevin Simmons. “Our new class of inductees has played a direct role in the growth and impact of our organization. They have served as volunteers, mentors, trustees, and friends to Wakeman BGC, helping to open the door for Club youth to attain lifelong success,” stated Sabrina E. Smeltz, WBGC’s Chief Executive Officer. WBGC thanks Matt Storch for severing as the evening's chef, and Shae and Jordan Cornette for serving as the evening's MCs. WBGC also thanks its Star sponsors ASML and Webster Bank; its Keystone Sponsors Guardian Insurance and the Guzzi Family; its Torch Sponsor Fairfield College Preparatory School; its Champion Sponsors Antinozzi Associates, Jeff & Mary Jo Dunne, Tracy & Paul Keblish, the Kelly and & Bayles Families, and the Scheetz Family. WBGC also thanks Fifth State Distillery for providing spirits for the evening's signature cocktail and to G Force Security for providing complimentary security services. See the video highlights here. Photos by Regina Madwed/Capitol Photo Interactive

Bank of America has named Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven and Wakeman Boys & Girls Club as its 2025 Neighborhood Builders® for their work to expand affordable housing access and prepare students for success, respectively. Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique multiyear flexible funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in communities nationwide. These Southern Connecticut nonprofits are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for the organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception, 31 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Southern Connecticut, with the bank investing more than $6.2 million in philanthropic capital into these nonprofits. “Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven and Wakeman Boys & Girls Club provide essential support and resources that help individuals and families in Southern Connecticut achieve stability and success," said Bill Tommins, president, Bank of America Southern Connecticut. “Flexible funding and comprehensive leadership training will allow these nonprofits to continue connecting residents with safe, affordable homes and prepare Connecticut youth for life beyond the classroom.” Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS) provides comprehensive wraparound services that promote sustainable homeownership and help revitalize neighborhoods. By integrating education and community organizing into housing development, NHS fosters long-term stability in neighborhoods throughout Connecticut. Neighborhood Builders funding will support the Creating Community Anchors program, expanding affordable housing through leadership development, cooperative housing planning, and property acquisition. "This funding will enable us to continue providing homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, while keeping our broad scope of services that focus on neighborhood stabilization and community sustainability as vibrant components of our organizational mission," said Jim Paley, executive director, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven. Based in Bridgeport, the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) is the first-ever repeat Neighborhood Builder in Southern Connecticut and helps guide and inspire young people to reach their full potential. For over 110 years, WBGC has offered youth programs that focus on academic success, health & wellbeing, character & leadership, and life & workforce readiness. Neighborhood Builders funding will support the organization's Life & Workforce Readiness Program, which connects youth to internships, job shadowing opportunities, and apprenticeships, ensuring they graduate high school with a plan for their future. “Thank you to Bank of America for serving as a champion for our community and the work that we do at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. We are extremely grateful to be a part of this network and to be the first organization in our community to be a two-time recipient. This award will help ensure that we have the staffing, resources, and programming needed to build great futures for community youth,” said Sabrina E. Smeltz, CEO, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. Since 2004, Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program has invested more than $346 million in communities across the U.S. and trained more than 4,000 leaders at nearly 2,000 U.S. nonprofits.

Thank you for going Over The Edge for WBGC! Wakeman Boys & Girls Club hosted its annual Over The Edge urban rappelling event on October 25, 2025 at the M&T Bank Headquarters (850 Main Street) in Bridgeport, CT. The event featured participants rappelling down the side of the 248-foot-tall building to support WBGC in delivering programs that promote academic success, health & wellbeing, character & leadership and life & workforce readiness. To date, the event has raised over $96K for WBGC and it's not too late to give ! Wakeman BGC is grateful to our rappelers, event sponsors, volunteers, and community partners for making the day a tremendous success. Thank you to our: Presenting Sponsor: M&T Bank Rising To The Challenge Sponsor: Emcor Base Camp Sponsors: Mark Kelly of Safety Marking Anchor Sponsor: Comcast Ropes Sponsors: Turner Construction and City of Bridgeport Helmet Sponsor: Aquarion Water Company T-Shirt Sponsors: Legere and Bartlett Tree Experts Belay Sponsors: Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders and Wegman's “As Presenting Sponsor of Over The Edge, M&T Bank is proud to support the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club and its mission to empower young people through academic achievement, health and wellness, leadership development and workforce readiness. Events like this bring our community together and create impactful change for future generations,” said Frank Micalizzi, M&T Bank’s Regional President in Bridgeport. “M&T believes in making a positive impact in people’s lives, strengthening our communities and investing in the future—and that starts with investing in our youth. We thank WBGC for their tireless work and for inviting us to be part of this exciting day. Together, we’re building stronger futures—one rappel at a time.” Check out the News 12 coverage here.

Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) is thrilled to announce new inductees into its Hall of Fame, an event which takes place once every five years. Inductees will be celebrated at the WBGC Hall of Fame Gala on Friday, December 5 at 6:30 pm at the Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse (595 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT). Inductees to the WBGC Hall of Fame were nominated by the general public and selected by a committee comprised of WBGC Staff, the WBGC Board of Trustees, and community members. Inductees were selected for their exceptional dedication, leadership and impact within WBGC, the community, and beyond. Specific qualification criteria, and a list of previous Hall of Fame inductees, is available on wakemanclub.org. The 2025 inductees include: Bradford Evans Meg Orazio Jean Louis Raquon Johnson Mark Kelly Patti & Nick Makes Bob Martinez Molly McHugh Tom Mindrum Matt Morgan  Kevin Simmons The festive “Hall-iday” Hall of Fame Gala will include dinner and cocktails, uplifting speakers, and a celebration of the lasting impact of our inductees and the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club community. Tickets are available to the public for $150/person and can be purchased at wakemanclub.org through November 26, 2025. The event is a fundraiser for the organization. “Our new class of inductees has played a direct role in the growth and impact of our organization. They have served as volunteers, mentors, trustees, and friends to Wakeman BGC, helping to open the door for Club youth to attain lifelong success,” stated Sabrina E. Smeltz, WBGC’s Chief Executive Officer. For those who cannot attend the event but would like to support WBGC’s mission, a donation can be made on wakemanclub.org. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club thanks ASML and Webster Bank for serving as Star sponsors, and Guardian Insurance for serving as a Keystone sponsor, of the event.

Kids, teens and young adults explored careers in the fields of construction, architecture and engineering, met leaders from union and apprenticeship trade programs, and engaged in hands-on projects at the Construction Junction on Wednesday, October 15 at the WBGC Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse . Sponsored by a collective of industry partners to mark Construction Inclusion Week , participating organizations include Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, DeWalt Tool Company, EMCOR, Gilbane Building Company, Home Depot, IBEW Local 488, Iron Workers 424, Kafa Group, Northeast, O&G Industries, Turner Construction Company, and Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. “We’re looking forward to bringing together industry leaders and local youth to connect on careers and opportunities in these important fields. The Construction Junction directly supports our goal to help young people achieve positive outcomes in life & workforce readiness,” commented Sabrina E. Smeltz, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club CEO. “Innovative partnerships and programs are essential to creating opportunities for the current and next generation of our industry. Construction in Connecticut is a multi-billion-dollar industry and Construction Inclusion Week is one opportunity to spark interest and excitement in local youth about the great careers available,” stated Chad McCullough, Turner Construction Company, Vice President & General Manager. Participants also learned about the ACE Mentor Program offered at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, designed to expose high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, including skilled trades. Mentors from ACE companies, such as Turner, work with the students to complete a culminating architectural project. Through this 15-week program, 30 teens have opportunities for summer externships and college scholarships.

Representatives from Comcast were joined by Connecticut State Representative Jennifer Leeper to announce a $15,000 grant to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club to advance digital literacy and expand access to essential technology in Bridgeport. “We appreciate Comcast’s commitment to Bridgeport and their support of our youth through this generous donation,” said Connecticut State Representative Steve Stafstrom. “In today’s world, digital proficiency is necessary for education, career readiness, and civic engagement. By equipping our youth with the tools and skills they need to succeed, Comcast and Wakeman Boys & Girls Club are helping to level the playing field and open doors to more choices, which every child deserves.” Comcast’s grant will directly support the Club’s Digital Futures Program, which provides hands-on digital literacy classes, workforce training, and creative technology experiences, such as coding, game design and visual arts. The program also offers job application assistance and STEM-focused mentoring, creating a comprehensive support system that empowers youth to build real-world skills and prepare for future success. In addition, Comcast is donating 50 laptops to enable more Club members to participate in immersive STEM learning. “Comcast’s generous support is helping us equip Bridgeport’s youth with the tools and training they need to thrive in a tech-driven economy,” said Sabrina Smeltz, Chief Executive Officer of Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. “With enhanced STEM programming and access to laptops, our members are exploring new interests, building critical skills, and developing the confidence to grow as the next generation of leaders.” Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s New England Region, added: “Comcast is proud to be an active part of the Bridgeport community. Together with Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, we’re honored to help more families gain the resources they need to embrace the Internet. This grant reflects our deep commitment to expanding digital opportunity in the communities we serve and to helping people build the skills they need to thrive in today’s connected world.” The donation is part of Project UP , Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to connect people to the Internet, create digital opportunity, and build a future of unlimited possibilities. This includes programs such as Internet Essentials , Lift Zones and Digital Navigators . Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 380,000 low-income Connecticut residents to broadband service at home. Comcast has also launched 32 Lift Zones across the state to provide free, high-speed WiFi and digital skills training at local community centers. This grant reflects Comcast’s broader investment in Connecticut, including a major infrastructure project currently underway to expand its reliable high-speed network to nearly 62,000 homes and businesses in Bridgeport . To further celebrate the collaboration, volunteers from Comcast partnered with Sportsman Channel to host a Hunt.Fish.Feed . dinner for Club members and their families. The meal featured venison tacos, showcasing how wild game can be a nutritious and kid-friendly option. “It’s been a pleasure to partner with Comcast and to engage with members of the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club,” said Sportsman Channel Chef Paul Comes. “The Hunt.Fish.Feed. program has served more than 42,000 meals nationwide, and seeing kids enjoy something new and delicious is rewarding.” Launched in 2007 by Sportsman Channel, Hunt.Fish.Feed. raises awareness of the ongoing hunger crisis in the United States. Comcast’s support of the program builds on its long-standing commitment to community service and meaningful partnerships.

Congratulations to WBGC Board of Trustee Michelle Guzzi (center, in pink) for receiving a Leadership Award at the Opening Doors Leadership Dinner, hosted by the Connecticut Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and Connecticut Area Council. In addition, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and our Fairfield Representative Jennifer Leeper received Champions of Youth Awards at the event. We appreciate their help in opening the door to great futures for WBGC youth and teens!