High school students in cities like Bridgeport, Connecticut face some of the highest crime rates in the country, and drop-out rates, though comparatively better than those of other inner-city areas. One in five Bridgeport freshmen are expected to drop out before they graduate. buildOn runs 21 afterschool youth service programs in 7 high schools across Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford engaging students with their community in a productive fashion. On-going service includes projects like volunteering at shelters and half-way houses for the homeless and returning veterans, as well as participating in food and clothing drives for those in need.
