State Senator
Herron Keyon Gaston
Deputy President Pro Tempore
Empowering Communities, Driving Change
- Representing
- Bridgeport ,
- Stratford
STATE SENATOR
Herron Keyon Gaston
“Empowering Communities, Driving Change”
Dear Neighbor,
I reach out to you in the spirit of brotherly love. I have some important resources you may find helpful during this difficult time. We’re in this together, so don’t hesitate to also call my office at (860) 240-0591 or email me at gaston@senatedems.ct.gov.
Useful Contacts:
HOUSING
Department of Housing: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford CT 06106-7106, Phone Number (860) 2708262
Bridgeport Housing Authority: Information on subsidized housing, senior housing, and housing, and homeless shelters. (203) 337-8900
The Relocation and Housing Hardship Program: Bridgeport Health and Social Services department aims to aid individuals who have received an eviction notice or are encountering hardship cases that may lead to eviction. Those in need of assistance, or know someone in a similar situation, call (203) 576-7680.
2-1-1: If you are currently experiencing homelessness or need assistance finding shelter, please visit 211ct.org or call 211 and select option 3 for a referral.
Warming Center: Alpha Community Services YMCA at the Southend Community Center, 650 Park Avenue in Bridgeport. (203) 366-2809.
Home For the Brave: The Annex provides an open-access drop-in center catering to Veterans facing homelessness or housing issues that may exacerbate their situation. The programs and services are tailored to meet individual needs, and all Veterans and their families residing in the Greater Bridgeport area are welcome to take advantage of them. One Lafayette Circle, Suite 100, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 275-0600
Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Also known as Section 8. A program supported by the state to help families with very low income afford safe, sanitary, and adequate housing in the private market. Under this program, participants have the freedom to search for their own housing, which may include apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. They are not limited in their choice and may select any private rental housing that meets the program’s standards. Please note: DOH’s RAP waitlist may be/is currently closed. Please call 2-1-1 or register online at cthcvp.org
ENERGY
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): You may receive between $250 to $600 towards your heating bill, depending on your income level, household size, and whether there is a vulnerable member in your household. Contact Alliance at (203) 366-8241.
FOOD PANTRIES/SOUP KITCHENS
Black Rock Food Pantry: 2676 Fairfield Ave. 06605 (203) 610-1222. Saturday 9a.m. to 11a.m. Bring ID.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission: 1088 Fairfield Avenue, 06605 (203) 333-4087. Food Pantry: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. – Noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Soup Kitchen: Breakfast is available Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lunch: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Feed the People Food Pantry: 301 Bostwick Ave., 06605 (203)258-5403. Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
King’s Pantry: 30 Florence Street, 06607 (203) 335-9255.
Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
nOURish Bridgeport: 2200 North Ave, 06604 (Brick Building — Enter on North Ave only — one way street) (203) 335-3107. Food Pantry and Diaper Bank: Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Salvation Army: 30 Elm Street, 06604. Appointment only. Must call (203) 334-0995) Food Pantry: Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Must bring a valid ID.
St. John’s Episcopal Church: 768 Fairfield Avenue, 06604 (203) 335-2999. Food Pantry: 2nd & 4th Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Soup Kitchen: Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Bishop Jean Williams Food Pantry: 4 Worth Street, 06604. Appointment only. (203) 873-0260 Food Pantry: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6p.m.
Thomas Merton House: 43 Madison Ave., 06604 (203) 3367-9036. Food Pantry: Every other Wednesday 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Soup Kitchen: Monday – Friday Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Lunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
CW Resources – Bridgeport Nutrition Program:
Meals on Wheels: 215 Warren St, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 332-3264
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Office of the City Attorney: 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604. Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-5::00 pm, (203)-576-7647, tyisha.toms@bridgeportct.gov
SLS: 1-800-453-3320 (toll free) or 860-344-0380
CT Legal:1000 Lafayette Blvd, 9th Floor, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 336-3851.
Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants: 670 Clinton Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605. (203) 336-0141
Center for Family Justice: 753 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06604. (203) 334-6154
EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMS
Bridgeport Board of Education45 Lyon Terrace Bridgeport, CT 06604. 203-275-1000.
Office of Higher Education Columbus Boulevard, Suite 707, Hartford, CT 06103 (860) 947-1800, 450
Academic Affairs
Postsecondary Career Schools (860) 947-1816, Postsecondary Career Schools
Alternate Route to Teaching Certification (860) 947-1300 ohe.arc@ct.gov
Connecticut Commission on Community Service (AmeriCorps) ohe.servect@ct.gov
Student Financial Aid (860) 947-1855 ohe.sfa@ct.gov
Veterans Program Approval and Benefits (860) 947-1831 ohe.veterans@ct.gov
Bridgeport Police Activities League: Youth, Recreation programs -Trumbull
Bridgeport Police Activities League offers athletic programs and recreational activities for Bridgeport children and youth year- round. Activities include basketball, boxing, color guard, police cadets, summer camp, Drum and Bugle Core, Easter Village, Haunted House, and Christmas Village. Address: 2 Quarry Road, Trumbull, CT 06611 Hours: M-F: 8:30am-3pm (203) 576-7604 Email(s): paltrumbull@aol.com
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders: Community Awareness Program – Program allow youth to participate in various enrichment activities including food and toy drives for children at local shelters, visits to nursing homes, and annual bone marrow and blood drives. Address: 1067 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Hours: M-F: 10am-3pm Phone Number: Voice (203) 913-0073 Website(s): www.bcyl.org
Bridgeport, City of Lighthouse Program: Afterschool Program. The Program offers after school homework support, tutoring, cultural, and recreational activities for children and youth in grades K-12 at different school locations throughout Bridgeport. Each site is operated by a partner agency under contract with the City of Bridgeport. Address: 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Hours: M-F: 3-5pm, Phone (203) 567-7252, www.thelighthouseprogram.org
Summer Youth Employment Program: The program places youth ages 14 through 21 in jobs, working four (4) hours a day for approximately five weeks. Youth are trained prior to starting their job in areas related to job readiness skills, working with younger children, life skills, conflict resolution, and team building strategies. The training is offered by area professionals and provide youth with an overview of employment expectations.
College Programs and Information
Bridgeport Public Education Fund MAACS Program: 271 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. 06604, (203) 331-0551, www.bpef.org
The College Place: (203) 335-0381, Housatonic Community College B110
Fairfield County Community Foundation: 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854, (203) 750-3200, www.fccfoundation.org
Village Initiative Project (V.I.P) : 1000 Lafayette Boulevard, Suite 410, Bridgeport, CT. 06604, (203) 394-6688
Scholarship Sources
www.collegscholarships.org/financial-aid/
Scholarships for International Students
“No Essay” College Fund Scholarship
United Negro College Fund Scholarship
RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
Department on Aging: Bridgeport Department on Aging ensures that all Bridgeport Seniors will be able to reach their full potential by providing opportunities for socialization, elderly education, information and referrals and other supportive services. Monday – Friday 8:00am-3:00 pm 307 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 576-7993 marie.heller@bridgeportct.gov
Black Rock Senior Center: The center’s activities include bingo, tai chi, chair exercises, and chat sessions. 2676 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport CT, 06605, Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-3:00 pm, (203) 576-7258
East Side Senior Center: activities include dominoes, bingo, and arts and crafts. A pool table and a computer room are accessible to all our members. A vegetable garden is also to be launched this Spring. Monday-Friday: 8:00 am -3:00 pm 268 Putnam Street, Bridgepoint, CT, 06608 (203) 203332-4217
Eisenhower Senior Center: The center offers a wide range of activities, including bingo, ceramics, and line dancing, to keep you engaged and entertained. In addition, it provides access to a computer room, billiards table, and exercise equipment. Monday-Friday: 8:00 am -3:00pm. 307 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (2030 576-7993
Transportation:
When registering to become a member, please let us know if you require transportation to and from the center. Our senior transportation services are available only within the City of Bridgeport and are limited to transportation to and from the centers.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
City of Bridgeport Health Department: 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7680
Bridgeport Hospital: 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610, (203) 384-3000
www.bridgeporthospital.com
Optimus Health Care: 471 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608,
203-333-6864
Hartford Healthcare/Saint Vincent’s Medical Center: 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606, (203) 576-6000
www.stvincents.org
Counselling
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County: 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, 06606 203-416-1503, www.ccfairfield.org
Child and Family Guidance Center of Greater Bridgeport: 180 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 394-6529
CT Renaissance Inc.: One Waterview Drive, Shelton, CT. 06484 (203) 336-5225 www.ctrenaissance.com
LifeBridge Community Services: 475 Clinton Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, (203) 368-4291 lwww.lifebridgect.org
GBAPP- Housing, Outreach & Education:1470 Barnum Ave, Suite 301
Bridgeport, CT 06610 (203) 366-8255 www.gbapp.org
St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services: 2400 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606 (203) 362-3900 http://www.stvincentsbehavioralhealth.org/
Southwest Community Health Center, Inc.: 968 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 330-6000, www.swchc.org
SWCHC School Based Health Centers: Located at various schools in Bridgeport, 203-224-8833
The Center for Women and Families: 753 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) -334-6154 www.cwfefc.org
Youth In Crisis (Janus Center) Safe Place for Runaway Youth: 24hr Hotline
203-374-9473, Main Office, 1718 Capitol Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. 06604
Fitness: YMCA, 850 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 334-5551
www.cccymca.org
OTHER GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Department of Social Security: 752 E Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608, (203) 576-8247
Department of Motor Vehicles: 95 Sylvan Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06606 (Use 60 North Avenue for GPS Searches)
(860)263-5700
Bridgeport Police Department: 300 Congress Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604. (203) 581-5100. Email: bptpd@bridgeportct.gov
Mayor Joseph P. Ganim: 999 Broad St
Bridgeport, CT 06604, Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm (203)576-7201 mayor@bridgeportct.gov
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy: Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue, Suite 401, Hartford, CT 06106. (860)549-8463
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal: 90 State House Square, 10th floor, Hartford, CT 06103. (860) 258-6940
U.S. Congressman Jim Himes: 350 Fairfield Ave. Suite 603, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Phone: (203)333-6600 or 866) 453-0028
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER!!!