Creativity Connects Stamford
What fuels a vibrant, connected, and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Stamford?
When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good. Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Stamford.
Creativity connects us.
Meet Margaret Gaffney Benedict Ph.D., educator, founder of the Gaffney Foundation.
Tell us about an organization in your town that makes you feel good
Yes! The Gaffney Foundation. We help bright, motivated first-generation students in Fairfield County who qualify for free lunch in school, navigate the college admission process.
We have placed 150 students into colleges that cover their designated need with grants and scholarships, so these bright hard working students graduate from college with little or no debt. Unlike other organizations, we stay with our students through college and help them get into graduate programs. We have students in Law school, medical school and dental school. This year 2020-2021 we have 16 more students who will be attending college next year and we are currently interviewing juniors in high school for next year's program.
Where do you go for inspiration and creativity?
I go to the Mianus park and walk my dogs. I have met many wonderful people there and we have become “best friends”.
What do you love about your community?
I love the diversity of this community, and I think the teachers and staff at Stamford Public Schools Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (AITE) are absolutely fabulous. AITE is an inter-district, college-preparatory public high school with a STEM focus. With high academic standards and rigorous graduation requirements, students take 4 years of English, Math, Science, Social Studies and a World Language. AITE is comprised of a staff of great people who believe in their students. They have been a wonderful support for the Gaffney Foundation.
Creativity Connects Stamford is made possible by LIFEWTR.
The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HamletHub or LIFEWTR.