ESP Stories

Nii

Nii

My Ghanaian, West African father and southerner mother married and eventually settled in Brooklyn, New York. It was there that I was born shortly after. My mother became terminally ill when I was a child died by the time I was 12 years old. 

My father and I subsequently moved to Connecticut and found residence in Stamford. Despite living with him, I lacked emotional and financial support from him. Life with him was difficult and rough. I was mainly supporting myself. I didn’t have anyone that I could grocery shop with or to even come to my basketball games. I was completely alone and unmotivated to do anything.

Determined to achieve success in my aspirtations, I knew that I would need help. The best decision I’ve made to date was reaching out to the East Side Partnership of Stamford. I needed guidance. It was there that I met James Grunberger, chairman of the group.

Mr. Grunberger saw and believed in my value. He invested in me emotionally, academically and financially. His guidance during my lows were pivotal. He came to all of my basketball games and helped me resolve problems at home. He symbolized an actual father figure. He defines empathy, compassion and unconditional care through his words and actions. Kids don’t feel that they owe him anything, except respect and academic success.

Since meeting Mr. Grunberger, I am now in a better mental state and much farther in life. I am now I am a sophomore in college with many aspirations to keep improving myself. My whole mindset is different. I don’t think I could thank him enough. I owe him everything.

13423819_658455320968475_2569204902604536302_n.jpg

Stephany

Stephany

The East Side Partnership has helped Stephany attain great academic achievement.

As the oldest sister of three, Stephany holds a lot of responsibility.  Between helping her parents take care of her younger sisters, her job, and school; She also had three extra curricular activities. Stephany quickly found herself having a hard time managing her time. She started falling behind in school, and the resources provided at school were not helpful. 

She sought help from the East Side Partnership, and we provided her with tutoring when needed. Stephany also received tutoring and college coaching from Future 5, an organization ESP partners with.

Stephany’s grades went from D’s to straight A’s and got accepted into several colleges.

Debbie

Debbie

The East Side Partnership has helped Debbie attain a car and a computer.

Debbie is a stamford high student that was in need of a car. Between traveling from school to work (at the time was in Greenwich); and then making it back home in time to study and repeat the routine all over again she found herself barely having time. The public transportation system although it was affordable, it does a terrible job at being time efficient. 

In an effort to save time, she sought help from The East Side Partnership. We were able to assist her in buying a functioning car to make her daily activities easier. 

Debbie was also in need of a computer for school. The East Side Partnership was able to assist her get a computer so that she no longer had to abide by the public library’s hours to do research for school. 

Harvest Road Production LLC

Harvest Road Production is a video production company that is founded by three students that took the full advantage of the East Side Partnership. The company produces high quality videos for businesses and consumers. They focus on promotional, wedding, and live event videos. 

Camille, Karlos, and Ron are the founders of the company. In need of jobs, The EastSide Partnership has provided them with part-time work. Thought the work opportunity they were able to save up a small amount of money to invest into equipment and the legalization of their company. All three live on the East Side. 

Harvest Road Production had the opportunity to work with clients such as Amazon Business, Greenwich Center for Hope and Renewal, and Black Rock Church. They are looking to work with companies of any size.