Bridgeport Futures Initiative

Abstract

In 1987, the city of Bridgeport initiated a city-wide planning process which underscored the needs of the city's youth and provided an honest appraisal of the community's capacity to manage future challenges. Through the support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bridgeport Futures Initiative was established to unite education, business and industry, community organizations and citizens to develop a comprehensive approach for solving the complex problems facing youth in need and at risk. The years since inception have provided rich and compelling evidence that the participation of hundreds of people and many institutions can impact on the lives of young people. This article describes the development of this unique collaboration and gives examples of successes thus achieved. The Bridgeport Futures Initiative was commended in the 1990 Anderson Medal awards of the Business–Higher Education Forum of the American Council on Education (see Industry and Higher Education, June 1991, p 79).