SPEF - Stamford Public Education Foundation

10/12/2026

Join us for the 4th PEP/PLTI alumni non-partisan Stamford Board of Education Candidate Forum: “The Future of Our Education in Our Community”.

Your voice matters — be part of the conversation that impacts our students, families, and schools! Interpretation available in Spanish, English, and Haitian Creole.

📅 Sunday, October 25, 2026

🕓 3:00 – 5:00 PM

📍Government Center (5th Floor) – BOE Room -888 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT

09/18/2026

After 13 wonderful years, SPEF will not be holding the 5K Walk & Run for Education, initially founded as the MarcUS for Change Walk & Run, this fall. We are channeling our capacity, volunteers, and funding into high-impact interventions—from kindergarten readiness to targeted math and literacy mentoring.

To our past runners, sponsors, volunteers, and the founding family: thank you for building a lasting legacy.

Read our full message at https://spefct.org/5k/

09/17/2026

🎉 A successful completion of our 2026 Summer Start Program! 🎉
This summer, we proudly served 66 families across 12 Stamford Public Schools in 6 classrooms! 💙Summer Start is a free, five-week program helping children entering Kindergarten build confidence and prepare for school. 📚🎨Students enjoy enrichment activities, social-emotional learning, field trips, and so much more! 🚌We’re grateful to our amazing community partners and Stamford Public Schools for making this program possible! 🤝💙 Interested in learning more? Call (203) 965-7733 to inquire about Summer Start!

09/14/2026

Our first session of Middle School Mentoring is almost here, and we can’t wait to welcome back our mentees and mentors! 

We are looking for more passionate community volunteers to join us. If you’ve been searching for a meaningful way to make an impact on local youth, this is your sign to apply today. You don’t need any prior experience—just a willingness to show up, guide, and listen. Everyone needs a mentor, and your presence can make a world of difference in a student’s life. 

Click the link in our bio to become a volunteer mentor!

06/26/2026

Big news for our middle school mentoring program! 🌟

We are incredibly grateful to announce that SPEF has been awarded a mini-grant to incorporate a brand-new, student-led school beautification service project! This initiative is all about fostering student engagement, teamwork, and community pride as our middle schoolers work together to transform their school spaces.

On Wednesday, our CEO Magdalena Loucks joined Mayor Caroline Simmons and Janeene Freeman, the City’s Director of DEI, at the Government Center to officially accept the award.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Mayor’s Office and the Grant Selection Committee for their partnership and dedication to Stamford's youth. When we invest in our students' environments, we invest in their potential. Stay tuned to see our young leaders in action! 🛠️🎨✨

06/22/2026

🎨✨ Roots of Resilience: A Mentoring Through Art Exhibition is Open! ✨🎨

We’re celebrating the creativity, courage, and voices of 12 Rippowam Middle School mentoring participants through their powerful artwork. Each piece reflects the impact of mentorship and the journey of discovering their own paths. 💙

📍 Visit the exhibit this summer:
Lathon Wider Community Center
34 Woodland Ave., Stamford, CT

Open to the public:
🗓 Monday–Friday: 10 AM–6 PM
🗓 Saturdays: 10 AM–12 PM

Thank you to our partners and supporters for helping bring this inspiring exhibit to life!

06/17/2026

06/12/2026

Our Stamford PLTI graduates were celebrated last night at the State Capitol by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, along with cohorts from other parts of the state. Stamford PLTI graduate Ana Gallegos was presented with the Robert Haller Award for her outstanding community volunteerism and Regan Allan was surprised by our Stamford state delegation with a citation for 10 years of service. Congratulations to our amazing leaders!

06/11/2026

A huge, heartfelt congratulations to Newfield’s Isabel Flores on her graduation from the Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI)!

Graduating from CLTI is no small feat. It requires a deep commitment to understanding community dynamics, developing civic leadership skills, and learning how to step up as an effective advocate for children and families. Throughout the program, Isabel has shown immense dedication, passion, and a true heart for leadership.

Isabel’s graduation isn't just a personal milestone; it is a win for our entire community. Equipped with new tools, insights, and a network of fellow changemakers, she is ready to turn her passion into impactful action.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." — Simon Sinek

Isabel, your hard work and vision inspire us all. We cannot wait to see the incredible ways you will continue to champion the next generation and shape a brighter, more supportive future for our community.

Congratulations, Isabel! We are so incredibly proud of you!

06/09/2026

Huge congratulations to our amazing 8th-grade mentees at Dolan and Cloonan Middle School! We are so incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished during your time with us. It’s been an honor to watch you grow, and we can’t wait to see the incredible things your future holds! Next stop: high school!