The University of Connecticut’s Encore!Fairfield program offers employment opportunities to for-profit professionals and extra capacity for nonprofits. Its unique four-month program combines classroom instruction, networking with nonprofit leaders and and a two-month internship. Dr. David Garvey, program director, notes, “Many seasoned corporate professionals are looking to transition their highly valued skills and experience to purposeful work in Fairfield County’s nonprofit sector. National studies demonstrate that these individuals value educational support to make the transition. Encore!Fairfield County provides that training,” Garvey adds.
Sixty-plus hours of education in nonprofit leadership, development, accounting, governance and strategic management are held at area nonprofits and taught by Fairfield County nonprofit leaders and University of Connecticut faculty. The program is capped by a two-month Fellowship within a Fairfield County nonprofit in which the Encore!Fairfield County Fellows complete a high-level project, gain hands-on experience and build their nonprofit networks.
Encore!Fairfield County is co-led by Scott Wilderman, President and CEO of Fairfield County’s Career Resources, one of the nation’s leading workforce development organizations, and Bob Francis, Executive Director of RYASAP, a nationally recognized youth and community leadership development coalition serving Greater Bridgeport.
Many local nonprofit leaders are partners in the effort including AARP, Connecticut Fairfield County Community Foundation, several United Ways, the Connecticut Department of Labor and new partner Social Venture Partners-Connecticut. Mark Argosh, Executive Director, said, “We are excited to support the Encore!Fairfield County Program because it aligns with our focus on strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations. Encore!Fairfield . . . graduates are playing an extremely important role in bringing new skill sets and experiences to nonprofit organizations in Connecticut. We are also working with corporations to obtain financial support for their transitioning employees to attend the Encore!Fairfield County Program, so that they can develop encore careers.”
The program is accepting applications for its second cohort, starting November 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit their information by the end of September. The program fee is $3,950. Scholarships to qualified applicants will be awarded by AARP Connecticut. For more information go to Encore!Fairfield County or contact Director Linda Friedman (tel. (959) 200-3817). Apply here.