Karlos & Camille

Karlos & Camille

My Brother Camille and I are originally from Togo, West Africa. Upon our arrival to the United States, our parents subsequently chose to settle in Stamford.  After several years of struggling to meet the rising living costs, our parents decided to relocate to Houston seeking affordability. My brother and I had other ambitions. Still enrolled in College and with our startup company Harvest Road Production flourishing, we ultimately split from our parents.  We remained in Stamford to pursue the development of our company. 

We suddenly found ourselves alone, with no employment, no money and assistance. As a resident of the rapidly transforming East Side neighborhood of Stamford, we became abreast of a program that helps teenagers in need. I took the initiative and promptly reached out the East Side Partnership of Stamford for help. The group’s Chairman, James Grunberger warmly invited me join his program and took me under his wing.

Through his guidance, my brother and I were able to receive assistance in accelerating our academic, career and personal growth. He provided us with tremendous encouragement and the tools to prosper. My brother and I now have jobs, a computer for our video editing, health consultations from a naturopathic doctor and an affordable, newly renovated, quality apartment with washing and drying machines included.

I have recently been promoted to a managerial role within the program after displaying my skills. My life has substantially transformed after meeting Mr. Grunberger. He provided me with phenomenal opportunities and for all that I am forever grateful!

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.

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.

Orange Street Mural

The EastSide Partnership beautifies the wall on  orange street. Orange street is a commonly used street by a variety of different pedestrians on the daily basis.

Orange Street is a peaceful street that intersects into Lockwood Ave. It is commonly used by students and residents of the area.

The street suffers from litter which makes it uncomfortable for pedestrians. 

In an effort to beautify and clean the street The EastSide Partnership has painted a mural on the wall and trimmed the overgrown plants. 

The mural on the wall is a picture of a bird hidden in the tall grass, with other organisms that co exist in the area.

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. 

Debbie and Steph picking up garbage on Lockwood under the 95 bridge. One block from DOMUS. A clean neighborhood is the most basic foundation of education.