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www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 9, 2020 • GIVING GUIDE • Hartford Business Journal 39 ABOUT US Year established: 1987 Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $3,800,375 Total number of employees (FTE): 21 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S) Greater Bridgeport, CT TOP FUNDING SOURCES Private Foundations: 27% Corporate: 2% Government: 7% In-Kind Donations: 3.5% Local Organizations: 2.5% Individual Donations: 35% Fundraising: 12% Investment Income: 11% GOALS In 2020-2021, MLC hopes to: • Provide adult basic literacy and life skills training to at least 1,000 students and their families • Provide early childhood education to 150 infants, toddlers and preschoolers • Assist students with citizenship preparation • Maintain workforce and digital life skills preparation training • Graduate at least 35 women through the GED® and NEDP® high school equivalency programs FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES MLC typically hosts a fundraising gala each fall. However, the COVID-pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter movement have inspired a shift this year. While MLC will create a video statement to address the year's accomplishments, advocate for our Annual Fund, and discuss the revitalized importance of our mission to educate and empower women, we will not host a celebratory event. MLC's mission has never been more critically important. Education is the key to dissolving and restructuring so many of the systems of oppression that exist because of poverty and racism in our world today. Transformation begins with individuals. Our students are committed women, overwhelmingly Black women and women of color, who value the gift of education. MLC's work continues to evoke the slow, steady change that our world and our community need. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES MLC continues to accept donations, both monetary and in-kind. Throughout the pandemic, MLC's caseworkers have been dutifully making deliveries of food, diapers, gift cards, and toiletries to families in dire need. Gift cards to grocery stores, pharmacies and clothing stores continue to be particularly helpful. Organizations are welcome to host supply drives within their communities and drop off on Fridays at MLC between 10 am and 12 pm. Everyone who is dropping off must have a mask and practice social distancing. Donors must include their name(s) in the bag, envelope, or container so that acknowledgement letters can be distributed. Immediate access to these resources allows students to remain focused on their studies so they can achieve their high school equivalency, which will immediately increase their wages. MLC seeks additional corporate partnerships to offset general operating costs. Ultimately, these collaborations prepare the next level of the workforce by equipping women for the needs of Connecticut's corporate industries. MLC distributes a request for Annual Appeal donations in November. Individual donations comprise over 35% of the organization's annual budget and are critical to continued success. Financial donations are always welcome. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES There are countless volunteer opportunities at MLC. Our part-time program is comprised of volunteer tutors who meet with students for four hours per week to study reading, math, or a specialized subject. Additional volunteers participate in the childcare program, computer labs, special events, provide leadership on the Board of Directors, or orchestrate food and supply drives. The COVID-19 pandemic mandates social distancing, which means that fewer volunteers will be in the building at one time when programming resumes onsite. With that said, MLC is still accepting interested volunteers. If any of the opportunities above appeal to you, please feel free to call 203-334-6699 for more information. How have the services you provide to the community changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? MLC has modified all academic programs to adhere to social distancing and CDC recommended protocols. Staff members have been trained in Google Meet and Google Classroom, and are prepared to transition programming online again if need be. Students continue to grapple with the effects of the pandemic and will continue to rely on MLC for basic needs like food, diapers, toiletries, and financial assistance until they can re-stabilize their families. MLC will need sustained community support to meet these student needs. Vice Chair Hayes Clark Janes Lang LaSalle (Retired) Treasurer Roseanna Coleman Hogg Robinson PLC Secretary Arlene Doherty AMD Advisors, LLC (Retired) Allison Allott Fidelity Investments Gary Anderson GE Capital (Retired) Tammy Barry (Retired) Gina Beranek Fannie Mae Mary Butala O'Keefe Controls Theanne Chivily Feldman Estée Lauder, International Inc. Michael Ian MCP Metalspecialties (Retired) Nancy Lapera Pullman & Comley Law Firm (Retired) Brian Wenzel Synchrony Financial Antoinette Farrugia Moro Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts Law Firm, NYC Eric Speer Willis Towers Watson (Retired) President & CEO Jane Ferreira Chair AnnMarie Massie JPMorgan Chase Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport, Inc. 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 | 203-334-6699 www.mercylearningcenter.org | Facebook: www.facebook.com/mercylearningcenter OUR MISSION: Mercy Learning Center (MLC) provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin. T his program totally changed my life. After this I will go on to my next goal, to attend college and continue to study diligently and to improve my education. More than anything, I want to show my children the importance of education. – Lilbet , MLC Graduate and current MLC Childcare Worker, Westport, CT BOARD OF DIRECTORS