Waterbury Promise Scholars Smith Bernard, Jocelin Quituizaca and Jordan Rodriguez—all freshmen at Naugatuck Valley Community College—took advantage of an exclusive job shadowing day offered by Promise Partner Thomaston Savings Bank during their spring break week. The pilot program included banking basics, a behind-the-scenes look at banking operations, discussions about banking careers (and the many paths you can take to get there), quality time shadowing specific departments and networking opportunities with bank leadership (including President and CEO Stephen Lewis). 

The day left our scholars wanting more, and all three have since applied (with recommendations from senior banking staff) for paid summer internships. Based on the pilot’s success, plans are already underway to offer additional shadowing days at the bank during the summer months. Thank you Thomaston Savings Bank for opening your doors to our scholars and for hosting our first career exploration program.  

Our Scholars-the future leaders of this community-

are doing great things and have big plans!

Giving Back To the Community as a CLICC Mentor: "I help kids in Waterbury read while they have an incarcerated caregiver/parent. It’s a way to build a relationship with the child and caregiver since they are both reading the same book. I find it rewarding!"

College Life and Beyond: "It’s a completely different environment than high school… Being in this college taught me how to prioritize, time manage, and become more confident within myself. I became a CLICC mentor and recreation aide in a span of one semester. Now, I’m heading to boot camp in the spring of 2024, and I’m planning to work in public health. I want to help people not just statewide, but nationwide. That’s why NVCC helped me become who I am today."

As freshman year draws to a close and the stress of final exams builds, the Waterbury Promise Team mailed and hand delivered special care packages to our scholars, replete with school supplies, food, and personal care items. Our talented students have worked so hard all year long and we wanted them to know we are rooting for them as they approach the finish line. Thank you to our Board of Education friends who helped us assemble these packages with love! 

Staff recently asked Jim O’Rourke, CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, to share why he supports Waterbury Promise personally and professionally: 

From his recent conversation with the Waterbury Regional Chamber, hear Mayor Neil O’Leary’s comments about Waterbury Promise and why your personal or corporate involvement could change a young person’s life. 

Post University Signs on as Newest Promise Partner 

At a recent signing ceremony, Waterbury Promise welcomed Post University as its newest university partner, offering Waterbury Promise Scholars a generous matching grant of up to $5,000 per year per student to complete their post-secondary education. This exciting partnership provides a tremendous opportunity for WP scholars wishing to earn a college degree close to home. 

We’ll be doubling the promise this summer—both in terms of the number of scholars served and the total scholarship award available per student per year. When the class of 2023 graduates from high school in June, we expect to welcome 175-200 new scholars, bringing our total scholar count to nearly 400. What’s more, while our Class of 2022 scholars are receiving up to $1,250 per year of college, members of the 2023 cohort will receive up to $2,500 per year. Here’s a look at our on-track seniors and where they hail from.

Founding Champions

Community Partners

Partner Colleges and Universities

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Established in late 2021 in collaboration with the City of Waterbury and Waterbury Public Schools, Waterbury Promise is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to building a generation of college graduates in Waterbury. Our mission is to increase college aspirations, reduce financial barriers and inspire every student toward post-secondary education and completion. The program’s comprehensive college success model provides a generous last-dollar scholarship as well as critical support services to help talented Waterbury students get to college, persist through graduation and be career ready to help create a robust and diverse talent pipeline for the local economy.