UI and SCG Announce $25,000 in Grants to Bridgeport Nonprofits

Will support early childhood, youth programming and access to housing

ORANGE, CT – March 10, 2022 – United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) – subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) – have committed a total of $25,000 to the following Bridgeport nonprofits focused on supporting community services, early childhood and youth programming, as well as assistance in access to temporary or permanent housing. Separate $5,000 grants will go to Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program (GBAPP) and Full Circle Youth Empowerment Inc., and $15,000 will go to Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT).

“There are so many organizations doing deeply important work in our cities, and we all play a part in supporting the work they do to make our community a better place,” said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI, CNG & SCG.

UI and SCG are supporting the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program (GBAPP) with a $5,000 grant. The nonprofit organization is anchored in one of the most underserved areas of Bridgeport, serving the community for nearly four decades. They offer shelter to children, teens, and young adults experiencing homelessness, assistance with acquiring and maintaining suitable housing, financial literacy classes, HIV/AIDS treatment and health services, as well as other support services like GBAPP’s teen fatherhood program and the CHAP/CHEER program to assist foster children getting into college or a certificate program.

“I had the pleasure of visiting GBAPP with our team in late February, and I am so grateful for the work they do in the greater Bridgeport community,” continued Reynolds. “The services they provide to our most vulnerable community members will help chart a course for equity and opportunity in neighborhoods that need it the most.”

“We are excited about our new partnership,” added Nancy Kingwood, Executive Director of GBAPP, Inc. “This funding will support our youth programs, which include the residents in our housing program and teen fathers who access our services. We are grateful GBAPP was chosen as a grantee.”

The companies will also give Full Circle Youth Empowerment Inc. a $5,000 grant. Full Circle specializes in empowering teens and their families to enter adulthood prepared and with the skills necessary to succeed in their career path. This funding will go towards supporting their twelve-week teen workforce training program which includes financial literacy classes, youth leadership opportunities, and cosmetology and culinary arts training.

“Early childhood and youth services programming is proven to provide young adults and children with the skills they need to seek higher education, enhance their career aspirations, and offer a structure for them to thrive into adulthood. I am proud of the work Full Circle Youth Empowerment, Inc. does to inspire and embolden our youth to be strong leaders in the community,” said Reynolds.

“We are extremely happy that UI and SCG have chosen Full Circle Youth Empowerment Inc. as a grant recipient. Six students will receive assistance through our workforce training program to learn the skills for a successful career path,” said Janeen Reid, Executive Director.

$15,000 will go to Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT). BNT is a nonprofit organization in Bridgeport that focuses on helping residents create wealth and equity by providing financial literacy services like credit repair and budgeting. BNT also provides housing services, such as providing clients with access to permanent housing, assistance with purchasing a home, and foreclosure prevention.

“In line with UI and SCG’s goal to assist low- and moderate-income families achieve first-time homeownership while also helping existing homeowners stay in their own homes and avoid foreclosure during these times, BNT sincerely thanks UI and SCG for this most generous grant,” said Doris Latorre, CEO of BNT.

This funding will help BNT significantly increase its capacity and impact in the Bridgeport community. Looking ahead, UI and SCG plan to partner with BNT to offer their clients financial assistance and energy efficiency programs.

“While the current demand for BNT’s free housing counseling services is significantly greater than what it can support, this grant will go a long way in helping BNT serve more families in the Greater Bridgeport area,” added Latorre.

“Access to affordable housing is a real issue in Connecticut and across the country, and BNT is making strides to address it in a meaningful way,” concluded Reynolds.

To learn more on how UI is giving back to the community, visit here. For more information on how SCG is giving back, follow this link. Both companies are subsidiaries of AVANGRID.

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About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit uinet.com.  

About SCG: The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1847, SCG operates approximately 2,500 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines, serving approximately 206,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. For more information, visit soconngas.com. 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $39 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 7,000 people and has been recognized by Forbes and Just Capital as one of the 2021 JUST 100 companies - a list of America's best corporate citizens - and was ranked number one within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.   

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