Visit An American Job Center

Ernie Trefz was a well-admired member of the business community with a deep commitment to Bridgeport. The Foundation’s generosity has been mostly targeted toward healthcare, human services, and education. The Foundation has been a contributor to The WorkPlace for over 16 years, mostly notably assisting with the establishment and annual support of the WorkPlace Scholarships fund. Workplace Scholarships fill the “job training gap” to provide job training and education funds for low-income people who require training but cannot access public training funds, nor can they afford to pay for training on their own. These crucial scholarships are made possible by support from foundations and corporations, such as the Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation, helping us serve more people in-need. Thanks to Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation grants of over $58,000, WorkPlace Scholarships have provided training opportunities to nearly two dozen unemployed people to obtain the skills they require to secure employment, increase earnings, and ultimately, better support their communities and families.

Inspired by our active role in helping women enter the workforce, the Women in Leadership group contacted Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County with a substantial financial donation and soon followed up by hosting a professional clothing and accessory drive. As the planning for Toast to Success 2019 unfolded, group members generously donated their design skills and time to create the overall look of this year’s Toast to Success materials. The team also designed and produced the marketing materials (invitation, emails, event signage and program, etc.), for which they helped us access free/discounted printing. Their efforts greatly impacting the success of our annual fundraising event.

We thank Epsilon Agency/Catapult for the impact they have made on Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County and we are looking forward to continuing the partnership.