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We were thrilled to welcome Connecticut’s State Treasurer, Erick Russell, as the keynote speaker for our Black History Month spotlight event, Investing in our Youth, on February 21st. Investing in our children and youth has been CCA’s appeal and rallying cry since our founding in 1997. Our representation, training, and advocacy originate from the belief that all children should have equal opportunities to succeed, and their individual and collective impacts demonstrate what can be accomplished when we support the most vulnerable kids in our communities.
Co-hosted by the University of Bridgeport’s Ernest F. Trefz School of Business and sponsored by Pullman & Comley LLC, Wiggin + Dana LLP, Roger Ibbotson, Cummings & Lockwood LLC, the John & Kelly Hartman Foundation and Southport Compass, Treasurer Russell kicked off the morning with his Investing in our Youth keynote address which centered on celebrating the achievements of Black Americans and recognized the importance of investing in our youth through initiatives such as Connecticut’s new and the nation’s only Baby Bonds program. In the inspiring words of Treasurer Russell,
“We have an obligation to support all of Connecticut’s children and a vested interest in ensuring they can fully participate in our society and economy as they grow. That’s how we shape the future we want for our state — one that is equitable, secure, and full of opportunity.”
To underscore what can be accomplished when we lift up children and youth in all our communities, CCA’s Racial Justice Project Director, Attorney Karrol-Ann Brown, offered an introduction to our Racial Justice and Educational Success project areas, which address the critical issues of disaffected youth, juvenile justice involvement, and chronic absenteeism. Deputy Director, Attorney Stacey Violante-Cote, then framed the impact of CCA’s work for homeless youth and immigrant children across Fairfield County to raise awareness of the needs and challenges facing Connecticut’s most at-risk kids. Investing in our Youth also served as an opportunity to highlight our key 2024 legislative priority areas, which include:
· Promoting health equity by expanding HUSKY health insurance to cover undocumented children through the age of 18,
· Implementing mediation programs in child welfare cases to reduce racial disparities,
· Securing passage of legislation to remove youth from adult prisons,
· Advocating for kids facing homelessness and for kids living in housing that is harming their well-being.
We are so grateful to our Board of Directors who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success, and we are delighted to have welcomed so many sponsors, community and sustainability partners, CCA Board members and colleagues, UB students, and guests to Investing in our Youth this year!
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