The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, today announced a $50,000 grant to Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders (BYCL) to support education, career readiness, entrepreneurship, trades training, and digital literacy programs for local middle and high school students. The foundation’s grant reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening communities across Connecticut and creating pathways to opportunity for the next generation.

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Pablo Colón (right), Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation, and Moses Rams (left), Chief Line Officer for United Illuminating, speaking to attendees at recent Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders event.

Pablo Colón (right), Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation, and Moses Rams (left), Chief Line Officer for United Illuminating, speaking to attendees at recent Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders event.

“What makes this partnership especially meaningful is seeing the impact firsthand,” said Pablo Colón, Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation. “This week, we had the opportunity to meet local students participating in BCYL programs and hear about their goals and aspirations. Those conversations reinforce why the Avangrid Foundation invests in organizations like BCYL that are preparing students from the communities we serve to be the next generation of leaders, workers, and community members.”

The announcement comes the same week as leaders from Avangrid and the Avangrid Foundation joined students and educators at a BYCL workforce development event in Bridgeport. During the visit, participants connected with students enrolled in BYCL’s college readiness and trades programs who heard firsthand from Moses Rams, Chief Line Officer for United Illuminating, an Avangrid company, about careers in the energy industry and skilled trades.

Announced during Hispanic Heritage Month, the investment supports an organization that reflects and serves the Bridgeport community, where more than 40% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Through this partnership, the Avangrid Foundation is investing in an organization deeply rooted in Bridgeport that helps young people build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to pursue college, careers, or opportunities in the trades.

“Avangrid’s partnership represents an investment in the future of Bridgeport’s youth,” said John Torres, Executive Director of Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders. “We are grateful for Avangrid’s commitment and the engagement of its team members in exposing our students to career pathways, higher education, skilled trades, and workforce opportunities that will prepare them to thrive as the next generation of leaders and professionals.”

Funding from the Avangrid Foundation will support four education and job readiness programs offered to students at no cost, including: Students Understanding Career & College Expectations to Succeed (SUCCESS), Young Entrepreneurship Leadership (YELT), Trade Assessment Prep Program (TAPP), and Tech Explorers. Together, the programs help students develop practical workforce skills, explore career pathways, prepare for apprenticeships, strengthen digital literacy, and connect with mentors and industry professionals.

The grant is expected to directly benefit 75 students and indirectly support an additional 225 individuals through BCYL’s career readiness and economic inclusion programming. Funds will support program facilitation, software and educational resources, student stipends, transportation to educational and workplace site visits, college tours, and driver’s education opportunities that help remove barriers to employment.

About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $45 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.avangrid.com/avangrid-foundation.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading U.S. energy company investing in grid infrastructure and power generation projects to deliver reliable energy and meet growing electricity demand. With approximately $50 billion in assets and operations across 25 states, Avangrid is helping modernize the U.S. electric grid, improve system resiliency, and support economic growth for the customers and communities it serves.

Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid also has nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States and more than 11 gigawatts of installed capacity. Avangrid has more than 8,300 employees and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the Iberdrola Group.

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