Building a Thriving Fairfield County: What’s Ahead in 2025

Dear Friend,

The year ahead will surely bring its share of change — and more than its share of challenges.

But while it is difficult to forecast what’s to come in our nation and world in the coming months, I am excited about what we will achieve together in our community this year.

That’s because our 2025 calendar is already filled with several events and announcements that will help move us closer to creating a Fairfield County where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

In the months ahead, you can expect:

• Groundbreaking new research
  This spring marks the unveiling of The Upside of Equity — a first-of-its-kind look at life in Fairfield County if Black and Latino residents have the same opportunities as their white neighbors. I’ve had a chance to preview the findings and it tells an incredibly compelling story about what’s possible if we set our sights on coming together to create a Fairfield County where everyone can thrive.

In short, we will create a more vibrant and prosperous community where we all benefit. As we unveil the research, we’ll be inviting partners to join us in rolling up our sleeves to create the Fairfield County all of us deserve.

• A reimagined Fund for Women and Girls
  In 2025, women’s rights and freedoms are very much on the line. And our Fund for Women & Girls is bringing together those who care about the rights of women throughout the year to meet the moment.

The activities began earlier this month at the Norwalk Film Festival with a special screening of Ratified — a documentary that explores the 100-year fight for an Equal Rights Amendment.

And the opportunities to connect will continue with events during Women’s History Month, a special cocktail event in May, and throughout the year.

• A new workforce development program
  Students at Norwalk Community College will soon have the chance to pursue careers in healthcare through a specialized training program that will connect graduates with meaningful opportunities at Nuvance Health.

The first cohort of 25-30 students gets started this winter — an initial step toward a larger goal of helping hundreds of young people build careers in high-demand roles in health care.

• The first Systems Change Summit
  Join us on June 6 to learn about our community’s journey to begin changing the systems that prevent many in Fairfield County from having a fair opportunity to reach their full potential — and to help us chart a course for accelerating this important work in the future.
• In Community
  Our popular “In Community” series continues with two incredible speakers this spring.

Join us on March 13 for a special conversation with Kwame Owusu-Kesse, president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, and on April 24 when we’ll host a community conversation with Layla Zaidane, president and CEO of Future Caucus.

As we look ahead to these events and programs, we have also been bringing together our grantee partners to discuss how potential changes in federal policies will impact our community.

Together, we will continue to work to address the immediate challenges facing our community — while making progress on the issues that will create a more equitable and prosperous Fairfield County in the future.

In Community,

Mendi Blue Paca
PRESIDENT & CEO
FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION