Groundwork Bridgeport

What does this program deliver?
The Entrepreneurial Self-Sufficiency Program, one of Groundwork Bridgeport's (GWB) newest programs, is a skills training program designed to be a life-altering experience for dedicated participants. Using the European Master Craftsman/Apprentice approach, a proven method that is widely used in Europe and the United States, along with volunteer professionals in landscape gardening and craftsmanship, Groundwork will offer classroom instruction and fieldwork training to up-and-coming entrepreneurs from the Bridgeport Area.

At the core of this program is the fostering of positive professional values such as strong work ethic, acceptance of personal responsibility and positive work attitude.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be certified as Landscape Maintenance Technicians by GWB. GWB will provide each graduate with a start-up set of gardening tools, a used truck and an assigned set of Groundwork sites to maintain until the new entrepreneurs are able to establish their own client base. GWB will assist them in soliciting new clients.

Who benefits and how?
There are both immediate and long-term benefits of this program. The most immediate benefits will be felt by the number of unskilled and unemployed individuals that become certified Landscape Maintenance Technicians and, in the process, gain a greater feeling of self-worth and independence. These individuals will not only have skills but are also guaranteed an income from the work provided by GWB and the relationships that GWB will help them to build with potential clients. Furthermore, the family members of these new entrepreneurs will benefit from the steady income - relieving the stress of unemployment can have countless effects for individuals and families.

In the long term, the communities in which these entrepreneurs work and live will benefit. Communities will benefit from the professional maintenance skills, the wealth and the business that the entrepreneurs bring to their neighborhoods.

What community resources are utilized?
GWB will utilize the skills and knowledge of professional craftsmen and gardeners from the community that are willing to donate their time and expertise to providing classroom and fieldwork instruction to the participants of this program. Furthermore, GWB will search for community businesses and organizations that are willing to engage these new entrepreneurs upon their completion of the certificate program.

How can you help?
Well, I am sure that your mind is just bursting with ideas on ways that you can contribute to the success of this program, but just in case you need a little more direction, here are some things that we are looking for:

If you can think of any other ways that you can contribute to this effort or if you have any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to call Groundwork's Executive Director, Richard Tiani at (203)-332-1721.


		*Entrepreneurial Self-Sufficiency Program*
		What does this program deliver? The Entrepreneurial Self-Sufficiency Program, one of Groundwork Bridgeport's (GWB) newest programs, is a skills training program designed to be a life-altering experience for dedicated participants. Using the European Master Craftsman/Apprentice approach, a proven method that is widely used in Europe and the United States, along with volunteer professionals in landscape gardening and craftsmanship, Groundwork will offer classroom instruction and fieldwork training to up-and-coming entrepreneurs from the Bridgeport Area. At the core of this program is the fostering of positive professional values such as strong work ethic, acceptance of personal responsibility and positive work attitude. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be certified as Landscape Maintenance Technicians by GWB. GWB will provide each graduate with a start-up set of gardening tools, a used truck and an assigned set of Groundwork sites to maintain until the new entrepreneurs are able to establish their own client base. GWB will assist them in soliciting new clients. Who benefits and how? There are both immediate and long-term benefits of this program. The most immediate benefits will be felt by the number of unskilled and unemployed individuals that become certified Landscape Maintenance Technicians and, in the process, gain a greater feeling of self-worth and independence. These individuals will not only have skills but are also guaranteed an income from the work provided by GWB and the relationships that GWB will help them to build with potential clients. Furthermore, the family members of these new entrepreneurs will benefit from the steady income - relieving the stress of unemployment can have countless effects for individuals and families. In the long term, the communities in which these entrepreneurs work and live will benefit. Communities will benefit from the professional maintenance skills, the wealth and the business that the entrepreneurs bring to their neighborhoods. What community resources are utilized? GWB will utilize the skills and knowledge of professional craftsmen and gardeners from the community that are willing to donate their time and expertise to providing classroom and fieldwork instruction to the participants of this program. Furthermore, GWB will search for community businesses and organizations that are willing to engage these new entrepreneurs upon their completion of the certificate program. How can you help? Well, I am sure that your mind is just bursting with ideas on ways that you can contribute to the success of this program, but just in case you need a little more direction, here are some things that we are looking for: Professionals in craftsmanship and landscaping that are willing to donate their time and expertise to teaching various aspects of the program Individuals willing to donate used or new maintenance and landscaping tools Used trucks Work gloves and other maintenance and landscaping supplies Individuals or businesses interested providing work for the newly trained and certified entrepreneurs. People to spread the word about the program and services offered Cash donations If you can think of any other ways that you can contribute to this effort or if you have any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to call Groundwork's Executive Director, Richard Tiani at (203)-332-1721.

		510 Barnum Avenue, Suite 304, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06608 (203) 335-6126