2020 Annual Impact Report Dear Norwalk Community, It has been a year of tremendous change for Norwalk ACTS amid a crippling global pandemic, polarizing political and social unrest, and the persistent, tragic reminders of how deep and devastating systemic racism continue to be in this country. We began our fiscal year with organizational independence when we received our 501c3 status and then developed all the policies, structures, and systems necessary to thrive as a stand-alone non-profit organization. In the spring our founding leader, Anthony Allison, retired passing the torch of passion, commitment, and relational connectivity to all of us to continue to carry. He worked with so many of you to lay a solid foundation for us to build upon. We also participated in a rigorous annual assessment process by our national partner, StriveTogether. The outcome of this process was an advancement in our Collective Impact system designation from a “sustaining partnership gateway” into the “systems change gateway.” To meet the rigorous requirements of the “systems change” milestone, we re-organized staff and added several new backbone positions, including a role focused on ensuring alignment with all the pieces of our work and the StriveTogether Theory of Action. Despite the challenges of the last year, and given the important organizational steps we have taken, we have never been more energized and optimistic about the work we continue to build upon together. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than when I join a zoom call and see my screen filled with community members, parents, students, educators, community-based organizational staff & leaders, business owners, government & elected officials, healthcare workers, housing advocates, investors, faith leaders, and more coming together to proactively improve outcomes for the children and youth in our community. The foundation that we have built as a collective impact structure has never been more needed as we build systems characterized by equity and excellence, dismantle the vestiges of racism, and eliminate the opportunity gaps that exist for so many of our young people and their families. We are grateful for this opportunity to share data and highlights from the past year as well as our aspirations moving forward. If you are not already an active member of Norwalk ACTS, we encourage you to join us. Because working together, everything is achievable! Sincerely, Jennifer Barahona CEO, Norwalk ACTS 2 / Norwalk ACTS / Leadership BACKBONE TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2020) Jennifer Barahona Chair, Cathy DeCesare CEO Norwalk Resident and Norwalk Early Childhood Council Jesse Buccolo* Manager of Policy, Strategy, Vice Chair, Erv Shames and Continuous Improvement Shames Family Foundation MJ Chironna* Secretary, Linda Franciscovich Manager of Community Engagement Community Advocate Ray Leslie* Treasurer, Nancy Von Euler Data Analyst Horizons at New Canaan Country School Anamilena Moreno* Community Engagement Specialist Adam Bovilsky Paula Palermo Norwalk Housing Authority Data Director Harry Carey Denique Weidema-Lewis* AT&T Manager of Implementation Rob Cashel and Collaborative Action Family & Children’s Agency *New staff members in FY2019-20 Michael Chambers Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation Cheryl DeVonish Norwalk Community College Brian Griffin Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Basil Kolani Educator and Norwalk Resident Norwalk ACTS is our critical partner in Betsy McNeil service to residents. They help bring different Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis & Education groups to the table with diverse backgrounds Dr. James K. Page Educator and Norwalk Resident and perspectives which helps us better serve our Diana Revolus community. Norwalk ACTS uses data to help Owner Ase Kreationz, Child Advocate, drive decision making. The cradle-to-career and Community Activist network helps our children reach their greatest Kate Ritter Ritter Family Foundation potential. I thank all who lend their time Richard Wenning and expertise to this wonderful organization. BeFoundation On behalf of our entire community I thank Norwalk ACTS for all of their efforts. Ex-Officio – Honorable Harry Rilling Jennifer Barahona Norwalk ACTS Dr. Alexandra Estrella Superintendent, Norwalk Public Schools Honorable Harry Rilling Mayor, City of Norwalk 2020 Annual Impact Report / 3 / Membership ORGANIZATIONS All Our Kin Horizons at Norwalk Community College Opening Doors Fairfield County Alliance for Community Empower Human Services Council Partnership for Early Education Àsé Kreationz INTEMPO Research (PEER) Bankwell Kids In Crisis Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation BeFoundation Kumon Math and Reading Center Person to Person Carver Foundation of Norwalk of Norwalk Mentor Consulting Group Positive Directions – The Center Center for Youth Leadership for Prevention and Counseling Norwalk Community College Character Under Construction Race and Social Justice Coalition Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield Norwalk Community College Foundation at St. Paul’s on the Green City of Norwalk Norwalk Community Health Center REACH Prep City of Norwalk Community Services Norwalk Education Foundation Ritter Family Foundation Department Norwalk Federation of Teachers Riverbrook Regional YMCA Corbett Education Consulting LLC Norwalk Housing Authority Serving All Vessels Equally, Inc. Cornerstone Community Church Norwalk Mutual Aid Silvermine Arts Center Courage to Speak Foundation Norwalk Public Library Stepping Stones Museum for Children CT Parent Power Norwalk Public Schools The Maritime Aquarium Domestic Violence Crisis Center Norwalk Board of Education The Maritime Odyssey Preschool Family & Children’s Agency Norwalk River Rowing Triangle Community Center Filling in the Blanks Norwalk River Watershed Association Under One Roof, Inc. Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots United Way of Coastal Fairfield County Greater Norwalk Head Start Tennis & Education United Way of Connecticut, Inc. Grossman Family Foundation Odyssey Family Executive YWCA Darien/Norwalk Higher Education Literacy Professionals Center of South Norwalk, Inc. Horizons at New Canaan Country School Open Doors COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND *STAFF MEMBERS OF SIGNED ORGANIZATIONS Charles Allred Paige Esposito Sinchak Anamilena Moreno* Heidia Alterman Brianne Faust Stacia Morris Orlando Aquino* Emily Fox* Bonnie Newman* Theresa Argondezzi* Mary Ann Genuario* James Page Lauriston Avery Wendy Gerbier* Paula Palermo* Gail Bindley-Taylor* Michael Hernandez Erica Phillips* Jennifer Barahona* David Heuvelman Yohana Ramirez* Hollie Brandstatter Amy Hodgins Sarah Rendon Garcia Sandy Bria Rosemary Holomakoff Harry Rilling Jesse Buccolo* Amy Jeffereis* Robin Risolo Greg Burnett Yuna Johnson Bruce Ritter Anna Burns* Stephanie Kadam* J. Lavone Roberson* Chrissy Cacace* Robert Killackey* Jacqueline Roberson* Susan Cardillo-Cunnigham Basil Kolani Tatiana Santiago Harry Carey Ray Leslie* Andrea Servan* Diana Carpio Donna Lewis Ervin Shames MJ Chironna* Mary Kate Locke* Barbara Smyth Debra D’Arinzo Alex Lunding Jennifer Steiner Cathy DeCesare Marissa Mangone Kerry Stevens Alexa Delfino Roz McCarthy Laurie Stiles Erica DePalma Barbara McLaughlin* Tory Sullivan Angel Dorleans Ari Meadows Jodi Trice* Carey Dougherty Nicole Merlo-White Denique Weidema-Lewis* Stacey Dumas Matthew Merluzzi Norman Weinberger Lauren Dunne* Joanna Meyer* Dajuan Wiggins Desiree Edwards* Barbara Meyer-Mitchell Jamie Zyla* Rob Ellis Nehemie Moise* 4 / Norwalk ACTS / Understanding Our Membership Norwalk ACTS Membership by the Numbers Race/Ethnicity of Members Compared to Based on MOA signing Norwalk Public Schools and City of Norwalk 150 12% 28% 151 53% and growing >1% 120 19% 110 90 45% 5% 84 n Hispanic 64% 14% or Latin(x) 60 n Asian or Pacific Islander 50 n Black or 52% 30 African American 4% n White or 14% 55% Caucasian 0 2014 2017 2019 2020 n Other including but not limited to Italian n n and Hispanic, 25% Community Members Organizations Afro-Latina, Indian, Mestiza, Black of Caribbean Descent American Indian Sector Diversity of Member Organizations or Alaska Native signify >1% 5% 4% 3% 2% Investor 4% Norwalk NPS Norwalk Government ACTS Students 4% 5% Health Community 3% Group Faith-Based Group We are committed to diversifying our membership in all ways, including by sector as well as by race 8% Business and ethnicity. We present this baseline data to hold ourselves accountable for creating a membership reflective of our community. 10% 45% Other Non-Profit 27% Education 2020 Annual Impact Report / 5 / Norwalk Public Schools Student Demographic Trends 60% Race/Ethnicities 53% 50% White 45% 40% 30% 25% Black 25% Hispanic 24% 20% 14% 10% Asian 5% 4% Other 1% 3% 0% '04-'05 '08-'09 '12-'13 '16-'17 '19-'20 '20-'21 Free and Reduced Lunch Population 70% 61% 61% 60% 52% 50% 47% 40% 30% 30% 23% 11,716 11,573 11,539 11,498 20% 11,501 10% 11,148 10,842 0% '04-'05 '08-'09 '12-'13 '16-'17 '19-'20 '20-'21 English Language Learners 20% 18% 17% 15% 15% 12% 12% 10% 5% 0% '08-'09 '12-'13 '16-'17 '19-'20 '20-'21 '08-'09 '12-'13 '16-'17 '17-'18 '18-'19 '19-'20 '20-'21 Sources: edsight.ct.gov and NPS PowerSchool 6 / Norwalk ACTS Academically talented and gifted designated Special Education Disproportionality and Equity Designated Special Education Academically talented and gifted The graphs on thisdesignated page show Special the Relative Education Risk Ratio for 200 three student indicators: Special Education, Discipline, and Academically Talented and Gifted. The Relative 50 Risk Ratio is defined as a