News

(Bridgeport, CT) September 3, 2008 –

Children in homeless families will go back to school with a brand new backpack and school supplies, thanks to a campaign organized by the employees of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and Department of Consumer Protection. According to DECD employee Eric Hampton, who delivered the backpacks, this initiative was started by employees 8 years ago.

About 85 backpacks were donated by employees and will be distributed to homeless children across Connecticut. Career Resources, Inc. and The WorkPlace, Inc. identified a partner agency, Operation HOPE in Fairfield, to distribute the backpacks. Operation HOPE helps individuals and families who are hungry, homeless, and at-risk to achieve increased stability and self-reliance. Margaret Babyak, STAR Program Team Leader and Kathryn Zittel, STAR Program Clinical Social Worker of Operation HOPE were thrilled to receive them and are distributing to local children just in time for the start of school. “This generous donation will be put to good use by the families in our programs. By insuring that each child starts the new school year ready and equipped with all the appropriate supplies they’ll need, this will give them a positive start this fall.” said Margaret Babyak, STAR Team Leader at Operation HOPE. “The looks on their faces when they are given the new backpacks will tell it all – excitement and gratefulness. From my staff at Operation HOPE, on behalf of those we serve…thank you!”

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Operation Hope provides a variety of helpful services to people who are homeless and at-risk of homelessness.
Helping individuals and families who are hungry, homeless and at risk to achieve increased stability and self-reliance.
For more information, visit www.operationhopect.org

As the operator of the CTWorks Career Center in Bridgeport, Career Resources, Inc. serves 15,000 job seekers annually with job search assistance, computer labs and internet access, job posting, career coaching, and other services.
For more information, visit www.careeerresources.org

The WorkPlace, Inc. helps people prepare for careers and strengthens the workforce for employers in
Southwestern Connecticut.
For more information, visit www.workplace.org