Officials Tour the New Building One Community Shippan Location

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Simmons, State Representative Corey Paris, and State Representative David Michel visited Building One Community (B1C), the Center for Immigrant Opportunity, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Building One Community's mission is to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families. The group toured the new home at 417 Shippan and discussed immigrants' challenges as they integrate into a local community.

"We've been busy and running full steam ahead since we expanded to the Shippan area. Our program participation was up almost 15% in just a couple of months. The immigrant community – often come through B1C to gain valuable tools and support as they integrate into society," said Anka Badurina, Ph.D., Executive Director of Building One Community.

The center provides essential services and programs that educate, employ, empower and engage immigrants in Fairfield County. Post-pandemic, the center is bustling again on both the east and west sides, supporting immigrants with many programs and services including Immigration Legal Services, programs geared to improve vocational skills, teaching English and more.

Building One Community’s Director of Adult Education & Workforce Development, Gretchen Anderson, shared participant success stories from the Latinx community that have been part of B1C’s Immigrant Entrepreneurship Incubator Program. This mentorship program focuses on giving entrepreneurial immigrants mentorship, guidance and seed money to start their business. “We are working with someone right now who is developing gluten-free snacks. These types of programs contribute to the economy and help integrate immigrants,” said Anderson.

Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Mayor Simmons and State Representatives agreed and reinforced their eagerness to support organizations like Building One Community to integrate immigrants successfully into Fairfield County.

To learn more about Building One Community (also known as B1C), please visit www.B1C.org.

The group photo from left to right is the following: Back row - State Representative Corey Paris, Mayor Caroline Simmons, Don Strait, Deputy Director at Building One Community, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Anka Badurina, Ph.D., Executive Director at Building One Community, Gretchen Anderson, Director of Adult Education and Workforce Development, Building One Community, State Representative David Michel, and in the front Dan Wilson, Immigration Legal Services Senior Program Manager, Building One Community.