Westport Weston Family YMCA Grants $315,000 to 31 Organizations at the 2023 Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund Award Ceremony
The Westport Weston Family YMCA (WWFY) is thrilled to honor the 2023 grant recipients of the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund, a testament to the enduring legacy of Ruth Bedford’s dedication to fostering positive change.
In 2015, the Westport Weston Family YMCA received a generous gift from the estate of Ruth T. Bedford, the granddaughter of Edward T. Bedford, who founded the Westport YMCA in 1923. Ruth is remembered as a trustee emeritus, generous philanthropist, and a strong advocate for the YMCA who truly believed in its mission and its significance within the community.
Anjali McCormick, CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA, shared further details on Ruth’s legacy at the 2023 Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund Award Ceremony on December 12, 2023. “Ruth had no patience for ostentatious displays of wealth and shunned attention for her philanthropic contributions. She is the embodiment of the Y’s social responsibility pillar standing firmly by the idea that you don’t need more money than you need to live on, and that you have a responsibility to give back. Ruth’s legacy is enduring – though she had no children, she continues to touch the lives of hundreds and thousands of children and youth each year — through and because of your organizations. The breadth and depth of creativity and innovation in your programming is inspiring. We love that you are forward thinking, we love that you are solution oriented, we love that you are preparing future generations and the world to be a better place.”
Upon receiving Ruth’s gift, the WWFY Board of Trustees established the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund to give back to the community and carry forward Ruth’s legacy. The initial endowment of the fund was $50 million and earnings from this endowment support one-year grants to local organizations and programs that provide direct or supplemental educational opportunities in the Greater Fairfield County area, identified through an annual selection process.
The 2023 ceremony was an inspirational evening honoring, recognizing, and celebrating the remarkable contributions of 31 local organizations whose impactful work embodies the spirit of service and enrichment in accordance with the Y’s steadfast commitment to its community in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. In total, over $315,000 was awarded and representatives from each organization were present to share details about their organization’s mission and impact.
“We are deeply honored to play a role in distributing the Bedford Family Awards and to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of these 31 organizations,” said Kate Guthrie, Director of Development at the Westport Weston Family YMCA. “Ruth Bedford’s legacy continues to be a driving force in our ability to support and uplift those making a positive impact in our community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the deserving recipients and express our gratitude for their unwavering commitment to the betterment of our community.”
The WWFY is pleased to announce its 2023 Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund grant recipients:
A Better Chance of Westport (ABC)
Achievement First Bridgeport Academy (AFBA)
Adam J Lewis Academy (AJLA)
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BCYL)
The Carver
CT Institute: Refugees & Immigrants
Family & Children’s Agency (FCA)
First Serve Bridgeport
Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra
Hall Neighborhood House
Horizons: CT State Norwalk, Greens Farms Academy, Notre Dame Catholic High School
Housatonic Community College Foundation (HCC)
Kids Empowered by Your Support (KEYS)
The Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation
Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport
Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County
New Beginnings Family Academy
Norwalk Community College Foundation
Norwalk Housing Authority
Norwalk Symphony Orchestra
Person to Person
Project Morry
Shepherds Mentors
Silvermine Arts Center, Art Partners Program
Smart Kids with LD
Staples Tuition Grants
University of Bridgeport, STEM on Wheels
Suzuki Music School
Wakeman Memorial Association
Anjali McCormick, CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA & Melissa Gallaher-Smith, Director of Development and Communications of the Norwalk Community College Foundation at the 2023 Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund Award Ceremony on December 12, 2023.
Melissa Gallaher-Smith, Director of Development and Communications of the Norwalk Community College Foundation shared, “Fairfield County is lucky to have the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund Award to support educational opportunity for all residents. From pre-k to college, academics to arts enrichment, the fund is helping to educate our future generations in the things that matter most, while demonstrating the transformative power of philanthropy. We are grateful for the support for CT State Community College Norwalk’s equity programs that increase higher education attainment for everyone in our region, and for sharing their resources across the educational spectrum.”
The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the YMCA and the weight community collaboration and philanthropy bears on society’s collective well-being.
Learn more about the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund and its annual grant selection process at www.westporty.org/our-y/bedford-family-social-responsibility-fund/.
About Westport Weston Family YMCA
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is a community-focused non-profit organization dedicated to promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The WWFY welcomes all to participate in programs and belong regardless of needs, challenges, or goals by providing financial assistance to those in need.
Photos courtesy of Douglas Healey.
