Empowering Urban Youth Through Fencing!

The Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation: Building Confidence, Developing Leaders, and Transforming Lives through Fencing and Mentorship.

Empowering Futures

Fostering Success

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OUR PARTNERS

Approximately

of children in Bridgeport are living in poverty.

Obtaining a college athletic scholarship is very important to

of low-income parents.

Sports to keep children out of trouble is very important for

of low-income parents.

Sources: State of the Child Report and US Census

Who are we?

The Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and youth foundation created by four brothers out of Bridgeport, CT. The main goal of the foundation is to create a safe and nurturing environment for youth where they can realize and obtain their full potential.

We aim to form strategic partnerships with dynamic organizations to increase the possibility of developing new programs in the future and provide more students with life-changing opportunities.

More About Us

Sacred Heart University’s NCAA Division I fencing team has embarked on a collaboration with The Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation, which has started a fencing program for middle school students in Bridgeport. The team worked with children at the Fairchild Wheeler Interdistrict Magnet School during a recent training session. Sacred Heart University photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek 10/6/22

Programs

Our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of our youth through education, practice, study, and athletics. Whether the student takes the path of trades or college, our goal is to make the path a bit easier to travel through preparation for academic and athletic challenges.

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Our Model

We've developed a comprehensive model to support strategic plans towards our long-term goal. This includes necessary inputs to develop target activities and expected outputs. We also employ rigorous evaluation methods to identify short-, intermediate-, and long-term impacts.

Learn More About Our Model

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Donations

Our vision can become a reality through generous donations and grants aimed at supporting the health and wellness of local youth. We are a tax exempt 501(C)3 organization and truly appreciates any assistance we receive from the business community.

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FEATURED PARTNERSHIPS & INSPIRATION

Fencing with Division 1 Athletes

We've proudly partnered with Sacred Heart University (SHU) Division 1 fencing program to start a fencing program for middle school students in Bridgeport.

Through this exciting partnership with SHU, the Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation are giving Bridgeport youth the opportunity to learn from Division 1 college athletes. Both the men's and women's fencing team aim to send four to five athletes once per week to work directly with aspiring middle school students, sharing their knowledge of the sport and their experience with the sport.

Reach for the stars: Miles Chamley-Watson

Miles Chamley-Watson is a British-American five-time World Champion fencer. He is also an Olympian, and a true inspiration to the level athletics can take youth.

Chamley-Watson began fencing from the young age of 8, shortly after his family relocated from the London to New York City. Following a successful youth career, he got a full scholarship to Pennsylvania State University for fencing. After college, Chamley-Watson emerged as a world champion fencer, winning the World Championship in 2013 and 2019. He also competed in the 2016 Brazilian Olympics.

Image source: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 12, 2016: Fencer Miles Chamley-Watson of United States competes in the Men's team foil of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 3