Officials Tour the New Building One Community Shippan Location.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Simmons, State Representative Corey Paris, and State Representative David Michel visited Building One Community (B1C), the Center for Immigrant Opportunity, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Building One Community's mission is to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families. The group toured the new home at 417 Shippan and discussed immigrants' challenges as they integrate into a local community.

"We've been busy and running full steam ahead since we expanded to the Shippan area. Our program participation was up almost 15% in just a couple of months. The immigrant community – often come through B1C to gain valuable tools and support as they integrate into society," said Anka Badurina, Ph.D., Executive Director of Building One Community.

The center provides essential services and programs that educate, employ, empower and engage immigrants in Fairfield County. Post-pandemic, the center is bustling again on both the east and west sides, supporting immigrants with many programs and services including Immigration Legal Services, programs geared to improve vocational skills, teaching English, and more.