Spring 2021 Message from our CEO

Dear friend of BGV,

2021 seems to be moving in a positive direction and I am excited to announce new initiatives that Boys & Girls Village is unveiling this Spring.

Our new Vocational and Life Skills Training Center is open for in-person learning for our students. This state-of-the-art facility includes a computer lab, culinary training kitchen, automotive garage, and a modern manufacturing lab which includes a CNC Router. We have partnered with Gateway and Housatonic Community Colleges to provide a comprehensive learning program and college credits for our students. In addition to the new Center, we continue to offer and support hands-on vocational opportunities in the community.

We are eager to again welcome the Council on Accreditation (COA) which is the organization that reviews all our programs and services every four years to ensure our compliance with internationally recognized standards of care. The accreditation is already underway and will culminate with in-person reviews in April. We look forward to this opportunity to showcase our innovative programs and services.

Charles F. Hayden School will also be re-accredited in April. The school has been under new leadership since 2019 and we are excited about all the changes that have been implemented to improve the curriculum and students’ learning experiences.

BGV has been fortunate to qualify to have all our staff vaccinated in the early stages of the vaccine rollout. We feel it is our duty and obligation to educate our clients and families regarding the vaccine. In doing so, we are looking forward to providing more face-to-face services to our clients in the coming months.

Most importantly, thank you to all our supporters who have contributed to BGV and our campaigns over the past year. Because of your support, BGV continues to grow and advance our mission of helping youth and families build stronger foundations for brighter futures. With hope and optimism, we are looking forward to seeing all of you in person again soon!

Sincerely,

Kim Shaunesey, Ph.D.
President & CEO

BGV's Statement About Social and Healthcare Equity

Boys & Girls Village recognizes that our clients experience widespread disparities in healthcare and social justice. Unfortunately, these disparities have become intensified in recent times. BGV is committed to identifying the presence of these disparities and work with our partners and families to provide relief. We do this by engaging in the following:

• Engage in statewide trainings to develop and update an Equity and Inclusion Plan
• Train all of our staff on Cultural Awareness and Understanding
• Strive for a diverse staff and board that mirrors our clients
• Continue to provide direct services to families in underserved communities, which has been our core business for over 75 years
• Partner with formal and informal supports to obtain resources for our clients
• Participate in Statewide meetings and initiatives with other agencies to collaboratively identify and address concerns
• Work with stakeholders to identify gaps in services and develop solutions

While this is not an exhaustive list, BGV remains committed to and will continue to strive to build communities that are inclusive and which all residents have equal access to needed supports and resources.

Sincerely,

Kim Shaunesey, Ph.D.
President & CEO