Webster Bank Funds Boys & Girls Club Finance Program

Webster Bank this week announced a new program to help young students in Bridgeport learn about economic and financial success. 

The bank will open its first Connecticut-based finance lab in the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s newest facility on Madison Avenue in Bridgeport next year. 

Webster Bank has had success opening other finance labs in Yonkers and the Bronx in New York.

“Our partnership is the first of several Webster will fund in New England, furthering our commitment to providing students a unique opportunity to learn about finance, foster youth leadership, and build our future workforce,” said Webster Bank chief corporate responsibility officer Marissa Weidner [pictured above left, center, with Wakeman BGC CEO Sabrina Smeltz and Madison Avenue BSG unit executive director Carlos Collazo].

The Webster Bank Charitable Foundation will fund the lab with a $100,000 grant to the Wakeman BGC. 

The initiative is designed to help nonprofit organizations in low-to-moderate income communities expand financial empowerment opportunities for youth. 

The Madison Avenue location is set to open in 2023 and will have the capacity to serve more than 1,000 children annually from several area schools. 

“The finance lab will provide Bridgeport’s children and teens with insight into careers in finance, allow them to connect with finance professionals, and learn the critical skills necessary to be fiscally responsible,” Wakeman BGC CEO Sabrina Smeltz said. 

“This partnership with Webster truly supports our goal to ‘Build Great Futures.’”