February brings a moment to pause and reflect. As we honor Black History Month and the legacy, leadership, and resilience that continue to shape our community, we are also leaning into a season filled with opportunities for families to engage, learn, and connect.

Two major community gatherings anchor our month: a Family Engagement Meeting on February 19 focused on summer programs for children, and the 2nd Annual Stamford Housing Fair on February 28. Beyond those events, we are tracking important statewide and legislative work that shapes what is possible for Stamford’s children and families.

Here is what’s happening, what’s coming up, and how you can get involved.

Community Highlights

Statewide Early Childhood Wins

Early literacy is one of the clearest predictors of long-term opportunity. Children who read proficiently by third or fourth grade are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, pursue postsecondary education, and earn livable wages as adults.

That is why StriveTogether and the broader Cradle to Career Network track early grade reading as a key cradle-to-career outcome. Their work helps communities strengthen early literacy systems so more students can stay on a path toward upward mobility, and it gives local partnerships like ours a shared framework for measuring progress and identifying where to focus next.

Explore how early literacy skills shape long-term outcomes

Big Insights and Big Conversations

Last Thursday, our team visited Dolan Middle School and Rippowam Middle School to meet with each school’s advisory group and walk through several months of survey data collected from families, students, and school staff.

Each advisory identified two main themes that stood out in the data, reflected on which findings aligned with their expectations and which surprised them, and discussed what they want to explore next. The conversations were thoughtful and energizing. Both schools now have a strong starting point to keep building on in the months ahead.

Interested in supporting our Full-Service Community Schools work? Reach out to Talyn Cook.

Upcoming Events

Stamford Housing Fair 2026

Saturday, February 28, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM J.M. Wright Technical High School

Save the date for the 2nd Annual Stamford Housing Fair. Families, renters, homeowners, landlords, and first-time buyers are all welcome to access free housing resources, information, and expert guidance to support every stage of the housing journey.

Please help us spread the word by sharing the event flyer with your networks. Download the Housing Fair Save the Date PDF (with translations).

Learn more about housing resources in Stamford

Family Engagement Meeting

Thursday, February 19, 6:30 to 8:00 PM Faith Tabernacle Church, 29 Grove St.

Join Stamford Cradle to Career for our Family Engagement Meeting, where families will learn about free and low-cost summer programs and events available in Stamford and across Connecticut.

Kids are welcome, with activities provided throughout the evening. Food, raffles, and Spanish interpretation services will be on site.

Share your summer program preferences through our quick survey

Backbone Updates

Rooted in Impact Podcast

Rooted in Impact is a podcast brought to you by our backbone partner, United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. It was created to amplify the voices and stories shaping our communities, and each episode features authentic conversations that highlight the people, partnerships, and innovative work driving change across Coastal and Western Connecticut.

These stories matter because behind every statistic are real families, including ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), navigating real daily challenges. Our work exists to support, uplift, and create opportunities for them. Tune in to hear directly from United Way of CWC leaders and community partners about how collaboration, equity, and community-led solutions are making a lasting impact.

Listen to Rooted in Impact

CT Cradle to Career Coalition and Advocacy

Connecticut’s 2026 Legislative session opens on February 4th and will move quickly. Lawmakers are prioritizing budget adjustments, targeted policy proposals, and technical fixes within a condensed 13-week timeline.

The Connecticut Cradle to Career Coalition, of which Stamford Cradle to Career is a member, is working to advance policies that promote education, economic, and health equity for children and families across the state. Partner organizations within the coalition, including Bridgeport Prospers, are leading on a set of shared priorities this session:

• Protecting early childhood investments
• Strengthening prenatal-to-three supports
• Reinforcing K-12 funding and student engagement
• Advancing civic education and community-school strategies that foster belonging and connection

By elevating local voices and community data, the coalition helps ensure that state-level decisions reflect the lived experiences and needs of families in Stamford, Bridgeport, and communities across Connecticut, from cradle to career.

Learn more about the Connecticut Cradle to Career Coalition

Thank You

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in building a stronger, more equitable future for Stamford’s children and families. Whether you join us at the Housing Fair, show up for the Family Engagement Meeting, tune into a podcast episode, or lend your voice to advocacy work at the state level, every contribution shapes what is possible for the next generation.

We look forward to seeing you this month.