Stamford Peace Receives $10,000 Grant, Laptops

Press release from Stamford Peace Youth Foundation:

Oct. 5, 2020

Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, Inc. (“Stamford Peace”), a local youth development program serving girls and boys ages 5 to 18 from in and around lower Fairfield County, today hosted representatives from Charter Communications, along with Attorney General William Tong, for a presentation of Charter Communications - Spectrum’s grant of $10,000 and 25 laptops in support of Stamford Peace’s Beyond Limits Academics Program.

Brian Kriftcher, Founder and President of Stamford Peace, expressed his gratitude to Spectrum for their generosity and commitment to the young people of our community, especially at this moment of unprecedented educational challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. “Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the lives of all of us – but especially of lower-income young people in our community for whom the path to educational success and opportunity – already very challenging – has been further impeded by things like social distancing, on and off school days, remote learning, and a general inaccessibility to technology and other vital support resources. The fact that Spectrum has stepped up, and stepped in, with laptop computers for us to provide to our participants in need, as well as with direct financial support, means the world.”

Jennifer Young, Director of State Government Affairs for Charter Communications, made the official announcement and presentation of the Charter - Spectrum grant and spoke about the importance to Charter of making a positive impact on the communities they serve and in which their employees live and work. “We want to be there to help support [programs like Beyond Limits] with financial resources and educational technology.”

Attorney General William Tong shared words of support and gratitude to Stamford Peace. He referenced the current conversations taking place in Connecticut and across the country about equality and justice and the importance of pursuing those ideals not just in the economy or in the workplace but also in schools.

“If you want to pursue equity and justice in the classroom and for our students, THIS is how you do it.” Tong went on to thank Charter for its commitment to making an impact in the Stamford community. He pointed out the students and tutors using some of the donated laptops during outdoor tutoring sessions taking place simultaneously with the presentation, “THIS is what people need right now. This is [an organization] that helps people learn in a very challenging learning environment.”

Andy Sklover, co-founder of the Beyond Limits, expressed his gratitude for the support from Charter - Spectrum: “This [support] is going to go a long way in helping us level the playing field for our participants.” He went on to introduce two of the tutors helping students that morning, Tara Alvaro and Swathy Shriram.

“In the midst of these challenging and disconcerting times, when the poison of pessimism can seep in, I am really pleased to report that our tutors and tutees give us the warmest faith in our future.” The event concluded with the formal presentation of a $10,000 check, with Attorney General William Tong and Jennifer Young from Charter Communications, and Brian Kriftcher and Andy Sklover from Stamford Peace/Beyond Limits.

This press release was produced by Stamford Peace Youth Foundation. The views expressed here are the author's own.