Rachel Exavier Cuningham

Rachel Cunningham Exavier grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He began where I grew up as she genuinely believes every youth can beat their odds with a support system and self-determination. Rachel started my professional career post-undergraduate at Royal Bank of School. Five years and two semesters of MBA classes later, she was determined that this was not her passion for work. Youth and young adults have always been my passion. She began professionally working with young adults and youth in 2006. Rachel facilitated a life skills program within two Bridgeport, Connecticut middle schools a week while working at RBS. In 2011, she continued her work at the University of Phoenix (UOP) as the Events Manager. Proceeding UOP, Rachel worked with Our Piece of the Pie and Career Resources Strive Youth as Workforce Development and Program Manager. This does not include the various community organizations and boards she is proud to serve on. Her passion for youth drives me to strive to advocate for them and their futures continuously. With a strong support system and dedication to our youth, she believes nothing is impossible.

While Rachel Cunningham Exavier participated in the Transforming Youth Justice: A Leadership Development Program, she was the Director of Youth Services of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. After graduation, she is now the Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development at Southern Connecticut State University.

Capstone Project: BPT Community Mapping App: The City of Bridgeport is not foreign to budget in program cuts. In this fiscal year alone 2019, budget cuts have confirmed, and layoffs are commencing. Budget cuts affect the flow of resources to the community, but consistency and reliability of community resources. Now, take these cuts and eliminate programming for youth. The loss of programming creates youth service agencies and organizations supposed to the remaining resources in the community? Currently, these entities are not aware of programs no longer in existence until they need them. The lack of knowledge makes community mapping even more necessary. Community mapping exists to pinpoint the available resources for the community, specifically youth, and what services they provide. Through community mapping, the city will understand the available support, eligibility requirements, and if they are still in existence. This proposal will explore the goals of Community mapping and how this will address specific community concerns.