CSCU Launches Pilot Partnership with Domus for Young People Facing Adversity

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Terrence Cheng today announced the launch of a pilot partnership with Domus Kids, Inc., a Stamford-based nonprofit that seeks to empower young people facing adversity. Under the partnership, 15 to 20 individuals will work part-time on Western Connecticut State University’s campus, receiving a paycheck while learning important vocational skills.

“Domus is an incredible organization that helps young people who have experienced significant hardships find new opportunities,” President Cheng said. “Western provides a welcoming and supportive environment, and I thank President Beran and the facilities team on campus for their eagerness to participate in this important initiative. Public higher education is about changing lives and creating social mobility, and innovative partnerships like this allow us to do just that, both in and out of the classroom.”

At WCSU, Interim Vice President of Environmental & Facilities Services Deanna Schaab coordinated with Domus staff to determine what tasks and operations would be a good fit. Domus participants will join members of the Facilities Operations & Services team on tasks across both of WCSU’s campuses starting in the spring 2023 semester.

“Both Domus and WCSU are dedicated to changing lives for the better, so this partnership was a natural fit,” Schaab said. “Our staff have incredible expertise and talent to share. Higher education is about learning and providing opportunities that might not otherwise have been explored, and WCSU’s Facilities division embraces that concept whole-heartedly. The enthusiastic commitment that Domus leaders have made to these young people is inspiring and we are proud to be able to have a role in this endeavor.”

CSCU hopes to expand its relationship with Domus in future semesters.

"All of us at Domus are excited for our DomusWorks program participants to practice soft and hard job skills in a professional outside environment,” said Mike Duggan, executive director of Domus. “These young adults are ready to step up: They've committed to themselves to success and are working hard to achieve it. I'm happy we're partnering with Western's team, who understand helping young people on the path to excellence."

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ABOUT DOMUS:

Domus is a Stamford-based nonprofit that builds loving relationships with young people facing adversity, empowering them to pursue their path to self-sufficiency. We support over 1,000 youth in school engagement and workforce development programs and provide supportive services such as education, re-entry, and diversion for justice-involved youth. Our vision: No child shall be denied hope, love, or a fair chance in life. Please visit www.domuskids.org for more information.