An Advocate for Change
Mission Statement:
The We Are Built Different Foundation serves as an alternative educational organization serving the Waterbury CT area, providing advocacy and support for children and parents who have been affected by frequent suspensions from school, and the juvenile justice system. Utilizing technology, sports, recycling, and the arts as our goals to facilitate access to alternative educational, extra recreational opportunities not afforded throughout schools, and more community involvement from both students and parents.
We Are Built Different Foundation Our Vision Has Two Folds:
1. District-Wide Collaboration for Recycling/ Sustainability Squads in Waterbury Public Schools: We Are Built Different Foundation Sustainability Squad. We aim to create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and active participation within the Waterbury school district, focusing on the development and implementation of recycling standards across all public schools. By engaging students, educators, and community partners in research and project-based learning, we seek to establish a sustainable infrastructure that promotes environmental stewardship, reduces waste, and builds civic responsibility.
2. We Are Built Different Foundation Suspension Program Alternative Education Program
We envision a structured alternative education program for students facing suspension, ensuring they remain in a safe, supervised environment during regular school hours. This program will hold students accountable while offering continued academic engagement. Integrated into the program is a restorative justice curriculum that provides education on the law, civic responsibility, and pathways to positive re-engagement—especially for juvenile youth offenders. Through this model, we aim to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and foster opportunities for restoration for juvenile offenders’ reflection on self, growth, and reintegration into school and the community.
