Stamford Nonprofit Future 5 Unveils New Office
New Space Offers Expanded Opportunities for Staff and Participating Students
STAMFORD — On Tuesday, February 11, local nonprofit Future 5, an organization focused on empowering motivated, under-resourced students, hosted city officials and community members to commemorate the opening of their new headquarters. After moving from nearby Atlantic Avenue, Future 5 is now located in a 7,500 square foot facility at 4 Landmark Square.
The celebratory occasion included a proclamation from Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and a citation from the Office of Senator Chris Murphy, both recognizing the momentous milestone.
According to an earlier press announcement, the new office accommodates a 50% increase in space for concurrent programming, 13% more capacity for high school student members, pods for one-on-one tutoring and coaching, integrated staff offices to strengthen member support, and a brand-new College & Workforce Development Center.
At the ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Future 5 Executive Director Amanda Dubois-Mwake spoke to the Stamford Current about the organization’s recent expansion and move.
“This is a new chapter for Future 5. It’s really exciting to be able to grow to meet the needs of more members and under-resourced students in Stamford, and offer more simultaneous programming,” Dubois-Mwake said. “We need people’s support to make that happen. FutureFive.org is the best way to learn about how you can help support us. We’re so appreciative to all our volunteers, our coaches, our staff, and most of all our students.”
Since it was established in 2009, Future 5 has connected almost 1,000 under-resourced students to people and resources that helped them realize their educational, professional, and life dreams.
Two of those students talked with the Current after the ribbon cutting.
“To me, Future 5 is like a second home. After school, after practice, I come here. I do my work and talk to my friends,” said Westhill High School senior Jeremiah Dalencourt, who first joined Future 5 during his freshman year. “The staff helped me get my grades up from last year and the previous years.”
Another student echoed the sentiment of the positive impact that Future 5 has personally had on him.
“Future 5 has helped me in ways that I really can’t imagine with the whole college process. I’ve been paired with a coach and I really don’t think I could’ve been able to do that entire process of applying to schools, applying for scholarships, and doing the FAFSA all alone,” fellow Westhill High School senior Nico Ortiz said. “So I think that’s one of the greatest parts about Future 5, having someone to guide you through that process.”
Ortiz also noted unique opportunities available as a Future 5 member that are not typically accessible to under-resourced students in other parts of the country. Specifically, he pointed to community service and leadership opportunities.
“I’m eternally grateful for everything [Future 5 has] provided me,” Ortiz said, “and I can’t wait to give back to them.”
To learn more about Future 5, donate, or get involved, visit FutureFive.org.
🌊