In November 2021, the Tauck Family Foundation (TFF) hosted its ninth annual Investee Cohort Gathering, its second year virtually!  We were fortunate to share time and space with staff and Board members from investee organizations, community partners, TFF Board members, and Advisory Committee members.  This year’s event theme was “Stronger Together: Meeting the Moment for Bridgeport Children and Families”.

After introductory remarks from Foundation staff, the evening’s program began with Jennifer Miller, Author, SEL Consultant, and TFF Advisory Committee member, leading an activity where participants reflected on “one moment” they experienced a certain emotion or feeling over the past year.

Attendees then heard from an extremely engaging panel of staff from across TFF’s investee partners (pictured above).  The esteemed panelists shared their perspectives on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the Bridgeport children, families, and community members they serve; the strengths and challenges within the community; as well as collaborative efforts underway within Bridgeport, highlighting examples from their own organizations.  After a rich discussion, they offered several calls to action; panelist Dr. Monette Ferguson encouraged participants to “answer the call, regardless of how hard, how big, or how difficult we may think it is.”  The panel later led us to breakout rooms which gave attendees the opportunity to reflect and discuss in-depth the experiences shared by the panelists, as well as their own.  Click here to view the panel.

To end the afternoon’s event, Pamela McVeagh-Lally, Co-Founder of the SEL Consulting Collaborative and TFF Advisory Committee member, led a meaningful gratitude exercise and Colleen Ritzau Leth, TFF Board President, offered closing remarks.