Accomplishments, Bridgeport Parent Leadership Training Institute

Community Projects	ACCOMPLISHMENTS Community Projects 2007 Project Amigo To be a valued friend in the life of a child to look up to via Big Brother/Big Sister of Connecticut – Chuck Prybylowicz SPARKL Single Parents Actively Raising Kind Leaders through community service projects – Kenia Guevara Passion to Paper A program designed to assist high school jrs./seniors discover their career passion, and develop personal plans and create a path to their future. – Crystal Engram
Bridgeport Alumni Technology Award
Website Grant Presentation

Community Projects 2006

Education will Save Our Children
Community and Country – remedial steps to galvanize best practices in education.
– Peter Osbourne

Men in Charge
Men workshop sharing insights toward making wise life decisions.
– Laverne Moore

B.J. Crime Watch
Neighborhood Block Watch
– Lilia Figueroa

Community Projects 2005

Father for a Day
Community event for children who are being raised without a positive male role model in their lives.
– Catherine Kendall

ADD and ADHD
Are they the forgotten children?
– Lenore Lewis-Foreman

SEE NET
The community eye community resource network
– Lucius Sadler

Community Projects 2004

Black Rock’s First Day Celebration
A celebration for the first day of school for new students. Inviting and encouraging parents to get involved in their child’s academics from the very first day.
- Nekita Carroll-Hall, 2004

After 6, Before 2, To Reach 1
Recruiting volunteers to tutor 1st graders in reading a week throughout the school year.
- Mary Green, 2004

Fat Hurts: Easing The Pain Of Childhood Obesity
A series of solutions and support groups for families of obese and overweight children.
- Leslie Jones, 2004

Community Projects 2003

Help Me Get Home Safe
Fixing traffic problems and the flow of pedestrians in front of our schools.
- Luis Canales, 2003

The Smart Saving Squirrels of Bridgeport
Implementing a financial savings and investment curriculum in the school system to make our children smart savers.
- Diana M. LaBoy-Lugo, 2003, deceased

Community Projects 2002

Acts of Life
Prenatal substance abuse prevention.
- Nivia Ruiz-Davila, 2002

RESCATE (Rescue)
First aid training classes for parents, students and teachers.
- Ruth Evelyn Rodriguez, 2002

Community Projects 2001

East Side Resource Exchange
- Carmen A. Nieves, 2001

Celebration; Our Chidren, Ourselves and Our Community
- JoAnn D. Slade, 2001

Community Projects 2000

"How Does Your Garden Grow" - Neighborhood Garden
- Leilani Hensley, 2000

"Before Something Happens"
Advocate for traffic lights to be installed on Boston Avenue
- Carmen Padron, 2000

"This Is Your Life"
18-Week Workshops for Ages 11-18
- Jean Smith, 2000

Community Projects 1999

Youths Tutoring Youths
Encouraging youths to tutor other young people
- Dennis Dalton, 1999

Revitalize Winfield Park
Anna Planas, 1998

City Wide Leadership

Hernan Illingworth, ‘03
Co-Chair BCAC – Education Task Force

Certified PLTI Facilitators

Carmen Nieves, ‘01
Ana Cruz, ‘01
Sandra D. Carmichael, ‘04

Community Leadership

Juneteenth Committee President
Yolanda Ortiz ‘01

Southwest Community
Health Center Productions
Rebecca Grable ‘00
Writer/Director

F.A.S.T.
Barbara Bahi ‘05

B. P.E.S.T.
Phyllis Harrison ‘05
Lilia Figueroa ‘06
Laverne Moore ‘06

Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren
Ellen Upchurch ‘04

City-Wide Health Fairs
Sheryl B. D’Haiti ‘02


ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS 1997-Present
PTLI Coordinator
Sandra Carmichael '04
Community Council Leadership
Lissette Garay, 2000 Christopher Hayes, 2001, deceased	Carmen A. Nieves, 2001 Nicolas Durand, 2001
PLTI Alumni Chairs
Served 2000-2002 Diane Brassell, 1998 Danyne Mercer, 1999 Carol Artwell, 2000 (served 2000 only) Served 2002-2003 Dennis Dalton, 1999 Carolyn Graves, 2000	Served 2003-2004 Dennis Dalton, 1999 Hernan Illingworth, 2003 Served 2004-Present Sandra Carmichael, 2004 Hernan Illingworth, 2003
Grant Recipients for PLTI Projects
Danyne Mercer, 1999 "Straight Talk with Teen Mothers" Brenda Dye, 2001 "Central H.S. Tennis Court Revitalization"	Carmen Luz Nieves, 2002 "Beautifying a Block" Diana Laboy-Lugo, 2003, deceased "Smart Saving Squirrels"
School Leadership Teams
Lehem Felican, 2000 Bassick High School Leilani Hensley, 2000 Curiale School Ana Cruz, 2001 Central High School Jeffrey Grice, 2002 Curiale School	Bertha Connor, 2002 Barnum School Samurie Robinson, 2002 Madison School Hernan Illingworth, 2003 Elias Howe School Frances Morales, 2004 Blackham School
Alumni Design Team Members
Betsy Calderon ‘04 Sandra Carmichael ‘04 Nekita Carroll-Hall ‘04 Alonda Powell ‘04 Catherine Kendall ‘05 Milagrosa Seguinot-Benegas ‘06 Diane Brassell, 1998 Margie Powell, 1998 Ana Planas, 1998 Dennis Dalton, 1999	Danyne Mercer, 1999 Valerie Payne, 2000 Edith Castro-Muniz, 2002 Hernan Illingworth, 2003 Linh Wong, 2003 Valerie Payne, 2000 Edith Castro-Muniz, 2002 Sandra Carmichael, 2004 Crystal Engram, 2007
New Careers or Promotions
Diane Brassell '98 Susan Simpson ‘98 Sophia Grisby ‘99 Danyne Mercer ‘99 Carolyn Graves ‘00 Danette Jones ‘00 Lissette Garay ’00 Dorine Manlapit ‘00 Valerie Payne ‘00 Christopher Hayes ‘01, deceased Carmen Nieves ‘01 Candida Paul ‘01 Victor Rivera ‘01	JoAnn D. Slade ‘01 Carla Wright ‘01 Carmen L. Nieves ‘02 Arturo Rodriguez ‘02 Christina Stroman ‘02 Nekita Carroll-Hall ‘04 Mary Green ‘04 Dulce Nieves ‘04 Alonda Powell ‘04 Linh Wong ’04 Marjorie McAllister ‘05 Peter Osbourne ‘06
City Wide Leadership
Margie Powell, 1998 Chairperson, Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (2002-2004) and Candidate for Board of Education	Marta Calderon, 1998 Appointed to Interim Term on Board of Education (2004)
Certified PLTI Facilitator
Valerie Payne, 2000 Carmen Nieves ‘01	Ana Cruz ‘01 Sandra Carmichael ‘04
Title I Parent Recognition Awards
Marta Calderon ’98-state Evette Galarza ’98-local Margie Powell ’98-state Marge Schwartz ’98-**state Carol Artwell ’00-local Brenda Dye ’01-local Loretta D. Ebron ’01-local Patricia Garcia ’01-local Jeffery Grice ’02-local Luis Canales ’03-local Priscilla Womack ’03-local Phyllis Harrison ’04-local Lenore Lewis Foreman-’05-local Leola Young-’05-local Peter Osborne-’06-local	Carol Artwell ’00-local Brenda Dye ‘01-local Loretta D. Ebron ‘01-local Patricia Garcia ‘01-local Jeffery Grice ‘02-local Luis Canales ’03-local Evette Galarza ’98-local Priscilla Womack ’03-local Marta Calderon ‘98-state Margie Powell ‘98-state Marge Schwartz ‘98-state Marcie Wilson-’06-local Cirell Gallimore-’07-local Kiana Gallimore-’07-local
Parent Advisory Council Officers
Margie Powell, 1998, District Office Marta Calderon, 1998 Marge Schwartz, 1998 Lehem Felican, 2000 Loretta Ebron, 2001 Victor Rivera, 2001 JoAnn D. Slade, 2001 Brenda Dye, 2001 Jeffrey Grice, 2002 Sanurie Robinson, 2002 Arturo Rodriguez, 2002 Hernan Illingworth, 2003	Luis Canales, 2003 Tanya Lloyd, 2004 Frances Morales, 2004 Lenore Lewis-Foreman, 2005 Barbara Bahi, 2005 Leola Young, 2005 Pamela Dawson, 2005 Olga Digsby, 2006 Peter Osbourne, 2006 Milagrosa Seguinot-Benegas, 2006 Maxine Hines, 2007 Ron Muhammad, 2007
Design Team Member Training
Ana Planas, 1998	Hernan Illingworth ‘03
Other Awards
RYASAP Homegrown Spirit Award Victor Rivera ‘01 Wentfield Park Recognition Award Ana Planas ‘98 CT Post Woman of Substance: Ana Planas ‘98 Margie Powell ‘98 Marta Calderon ‘98 Brenda Dye ‘01 PLTI Alumni Visionary Award Ana Planas ‘98 Mohini Montiero ‘04 BCAC Caesar Batallia Community Service Award Margie Powell ‘98 Marta Calderón ‘98 Marge Schwartz ‘98 Leola Young ‘05	Bridgeport Parent Spotlight Sandra & Daniel Carmichael ‘04 Marge Schwartz ‘98 Hernan Illingworth ‘03 The Workplace – Outstanding Professional Award Alonda Powell ‘04 Professional Women of the Year/Dress for Success Alonda Powell ‘04 Title I Parent Convention Leadership Award Margie Powell ‘98 Co-Chair BCAC Education Task Force Hernan Illingworth ‘03
Diplomas
Ana Planas ’98, (College) Helen Eneh ’00, (College) Carla Wright ’01, (College) Carmen Nieves ’01, (College) Krysta Sajous, 2001, GED/High	School Diploma Patricia Garcia, 2001, GED/High School Diploma Carla Wright, 2001, Colllege Helen Eneh, 2000, College
Moderators for Neighborhood School Conversations
Danyne Mercer, 1999 Valerie Payne, 2000	Christopher Hayes, 2001
Alumni Activities
Annual Alumni Retreat International Holiday Craft Fair Host/ Group for Governor’s Prevention Project Professional Development Series Celebration of Leadership Reception Ongoing Legislative Advocacy Annual Community Family Fun Day Development of PLTI Website *Walk to End Homelessness	Costume of Leaders Contest Annual Alumni Retreat International Holiday Craft Fair Host/ Group for Governor's Prevention Project Professional Development Series Celebration of Leadership Reception * Ongoing Legislative Advocacy * Community Family Fun Day * Development of PLTI Website
Block By Block Grant Recipients
Danyne Mercer ‘99 Straight Talk with Teen Mothers Brenda Dye ‘01 Central H.S. Tennis Court Revitalization Carmen Luz Nieves ‘02 Beautifying a Block Diana Laboy-Lugo ‘03*, deceased Smart Saving Squirrels* Block by Block Grant Recipients (04) Carolyn Lockley ‘02 Praise Dance Ministries of Messiah Baptist Church Block by Block Grant Recipients (05) Sandra Carmichael ’04 Hernan Illingworth ‘03 Community Family Fun Day Sandra Carmichael ‘04 Woodlawn Ave. Extension Dusk ‘til Dawn Catherine Kendall ‘05 Father For A Day Block by Block Grant Recipients (06) Sandra Carmichael ‘04 Woodlawn Ave. Extension Dusk ‘til Dawn Catherine Kendall ‘05 Christmas in the West End Block by Block Grant Recipients (07) Sandra Carmichael ‘04 Woodlawn Face Lift Catherine Kendall ‘05 Christmas in the West End Hernan Illingworth 2003 Carmen Nieves, 2001 Community Family Fun Day Carolyn Lockley, 2002 Praise Dance Ministries of Messiah Baptist Church Sandra & Michael Carmichael "Woodlawn Ave. Ext. Neighborhood Watch," 2004 Carmen Padron 2000 "East Side Comm. Council Color Guard," 2004
Other
Bridgeport Parent Spotlight Marge Schwartz ‘98*deceased Hernam Illingworth ‘03 Sandra Carmichael ‘04 Daniel Carmichael ‘04 Lucious Sadler ‘05 Barbara Bahi ‘05 Peter Osbourne ‘06 United Way of Eastern Fairfield County-Community Service Award* Mary Green ‘04 Woman of Distinction –Girl Scouts Carmen Nieves ‘01 Al - Aziz Community Service Award Carmen Nieves ‘01 Liberty Bell Award Marta Calderon ‘98 Margie Powell ‘98 Housatonic College Women Of Distinction Award Margie Powell ‘98
Trained CLTI Teachers
Ana Planas ‘98 Danyne Mercer ‘99	Christina Stroman ‘02 Kenia Guevarak '07
The Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation Fiduciary
Anthony Ray Foundation Fund – Sandra Carmichael ‘04
Women’s Day Magazine/Edy’s Churn Ice Cream Recipient
Woodlawn Neighborhood Block Watch

What PLTI Means

“PLTI is where I have come to understand how and why I can make a difference in my family and community. It has taught me that I am not only a parent but a leader with many avenues in which I can get involved. My belief in being part of PLTI is that even if part of a small group, you can make a difference. Thanks PLTI for equipping my family and me to be future leaders.”

Anna Washington
Class of 07

“When I was selected for my interview, I was so excited, that my husband asked me if I had received a raise at work or won the lottery? I said, “No,” but the opportunity was just as rewarding.”

Pamela Vielot
Class of 07

“Parents making a difference for all children through information, skills, partnership and most importantly action.”

George A. Brown, Class of 2007

“PLTI is an eye opener to the realities of community concepts, integration and access to Government.”

Tanya Huges
Class of 06

“Having power moving forward.”

Lavern Moore
Class of 2006

“Strength, support and information. It helped bring out the best in me. I can now see things out the box.”

Tanara Semedo
Class of 2006

“PLTI has allowed me to become affiliated and connected with the Bridgeport community. It has given me ideas on how to use my talents, skills and strengths to make Bridgeport better.”

Lucius A. Sadler
Class of 2005

“PLTI is an experience. We are all diamonds in the rough, and PLTI is the awesome jeweler.”

Yoland Worrell
Class of 2005

“PLTI means that I have created new friendship and community. I have grown into a more mature person as far as the government is concerned. PLTI has brought sunlight into a gloomy government life.”

Lenore Lewis
Foreman, Class of 2005

“PLTI equips ordinary people with tools to make extraordinary changes

Mary Green
Class of 2004

“PLTI has unleashed the power within me, that I know I have. There is no stopping me now”

Mohini Monteiro
Class of 2004

“PLTI equips parents to become effective advocates. The learning process takes place in a loving and open environment that fosters family values and a strong sense of community.”

Betsy Calderon
Class of 2004

"With PLTI, I no longer wonder how to make a difference. I've now become the leader I've been seeking."

Hernan Illingworth
Class of 2003

"A Leader assumes responsibility for actions and solutions, good or bad." PLTI prepared me to be that leader in my community . . . now!

Luis Canales
Class of 2003

PLTI "is a doorway into the working of my state and community. Wisdom and power to stand up for what I know is right and not back down no matter what." Courage to know I can make a difference in my government, and cut through all the red tape and reach my goal."

Merlene Reynolds
Class of 2003

"PLTI . . . means that self-improvement is the basis for community development . . . that, as an individual, I can make a difference in my community . . . [and] destroys the myth that inner-city folks don't have the desire or the will to change their condition."

Jeffrey Grice
Class of 2002

"PLTI means that I am not alone in my quest to advocate for our children, our future, and when I hit a wall, I can draw on the strength of my fellow parent leaders."

Samurie Robinson,
Class of 2002

"I feel like . . . power and strength has been released in me to achieve any obstacle or goal, even in the midst of feeling fear. Somethilng rises up in me and says, 'DO IT AFRAID.' Don't wait until you're fearless. Just do it."

Katie L. Thompkins
Class of 2002

"The [PLTI] experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into foreign territory with a positive perspective on process, issues, and outcomes . . . "

JoAnn D. Slade
Class of 2001

"PLTI has motivated me to start going to the PTSO and PAC meetings. It has made me a better parent."

Greg Gardner
Class of 2001

"A journey of dedication and commitment to reach the goal of higher understanding, knowledge and wisdom which we desire as leaders."

Yolanda C. Ortiz
Class of 2001

"PLTI has taught me not to be afraid of the unknown, but to stand up for myself and what I believe without intimidation."

Tina Espinal
Class of 2000

"PLTI taught me that you don't have to worry about being alone. You have a support team in whatever you need to build."

Dennis Dalton
Class of 1999

"PLTI means support and courage to go forth and be heard. PLTI is bonding with other individuals while joining forces to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth - our future leaders - our tomorrow."

Levonia Hamilton
Class of 1999

"It has sharpened my leadership skills and given me the confidence to be more active and effective as a leader in my community and city."

Margie Powell
Class of 1998