Building One Community’s Back-to-School Fair a Success, Serving Over 400 Community Members

August 27, 2026, Stamford, CT – Building One Community (B1C), The Center for Immigrant Opportunity, welcomed more than 400 attendees to its Back-to-School Fair on Tuesday, August 18, at the Lathon Wider Community Center. The event brought together local families, sponsors, and community organizations to celebrate the start of the new school year, with close to 350 backpacks distributed to registered elementary students.

This year's fair was made possible by premier sponsor Bank of America, whose generous support powered the event's expanded program of workshops, resources, and activities for families. Additional support came from:

• Charter Communications
• Whole Foods
• Interfaith Council

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Their support allowed B1C to expand this year's event into a full program of workshops, resources, and activities for families. Marissa Muñoz, B1C's Executive Director, reflected on the turnout and its impact: "Seeing so many families come through our doors is a powerful reminder of how important it is for people in our community to feel connected and supported. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, nearly 350 children were able to start the new school year feeling prepared, confident, and excited. That's what this fair is all about: bringing our community together and making sure every child has the support they need to start the school year strong."

Families also connected with a wide range of partner organizations offering resources on education, health, and community support, including:

• Children's Learning Centers (CLC)
• Family Centers
• Ferguson Library
• Future 5
• INTEMPO
• Optimus Health
• School-Based Health Centers (SBHC)
• SoundWaters
• Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF)
• Stamford Public Schools Office of Family and Community Engagement (OFCE)
• The Bruce Museum
• The Rowan Center
• United Students and Parents (UPAS)

Building on the energy of the fair, B1C is introducing its services directly at the Lathon Wider Center, starting with English classes launching on September 25. This marks the beginning of an ongoing presence for B1C at the center, giving families continued access to programs and support beyond a single event.

With backpacks in hand and new resources on the horizon, B1C is looking ahead to a year of continued support for local families. The Back-to-School Fair is just the start; B1C's team will be at Lathon Wider Center and throughout the community all year, connecting families with the tools they need to succeed.

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Building One Community (also known as B1C) is a nonprofit organization established in 2011 that provides a comprehensive resource center for immigrants in the greater Stamford area. The mission of Building One Community is to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families. Since its inception, the organization has served over 22,500 immigrants from 133 countries. B1C provides free services that educate, employ, empower, and engage immigrants and the broader community. Programs offered include English language learning, family services, academic enrichment, immigration legal services, and workforce development programs. Community volunteers, donors, and partnerships are an essential component of the growth of Building One Community. For more information, please visit www.B1C.org.