At Building One Community (B1C), local love shows up in everyday ways—small gestures that
add up to life-changing impact. It’s the volunteer who spends hours teaching English after work,
the high-school student helping a newly arrived child with homework, and the partner
organization that shares space, resources or expertise when the community needs it most. This
unity is what fuels B1C, the Immigrant Center of Opportunity, and makes it a trusted resource
to thousands of immigrants every year.
Founded in 2011, this non-profit has grown into a vital lifeline for immigrant families seeking
stability, opportunity, and belonging. Newcomers walk through their doors looking for English
classes, legal support, job training and mentorship, youth programs, food and health support or
simply a place where they feel seen and heard. But B1C’s work has never been achieved alone.
Its impact is powered by a vast network of volunteers and partners who believe in the strength
of a welcoming Stamford.
Every day, hundreds of Stamford residents—adults, retirees, teens, and professionals—
dedicate their time to supporting the immigrant community. They tutor, mentor, assist with
community events, support the legal department, and help families adjust to a new life.
Volunteers form the human bridge that transforms B1C from a service provider into a true
community.
Equally essential are the partnerships that surround this organization. Local schools, libraries,
civic groups, corporations, foundations, and houses of worship expand the organization’s reach
and deepen its influence. Together, they help immigrants access food, housing resources,
mental-health support, job opportunities, education, and legal guidance. All these services are
increasingly critical as many families face instability, especially now with shifting government
policies. This network of support allows B1C to continue its mission to advance the successful
integration of immigrants and their families.
It is the shared effort of a city that understands that when immigrant families thrive, Stamford thrives too. 33% of Stamford’s population is foreign-born, making it the 5th most diverse mid-sized city in the U.S. 76 languages are spoken across Stamford schools, where Hispanic students now make up 50.2% of the student body. Immigrants fuel the local workforce, enrich the cultural landscape, start businesses, support local industries, and strengthen neighborhoods. Their success is woven into the future of Stamford.
At B1C, local love isn’t abstract—it’s action and partnership, uniting the immigrant community
and the community at large to build one inclusive, connected, and strong city.
To learn more and get involved with Building One Community, please visit www.B1C.org.