Leah Berkenwald

“We implemented ProjectConnect in the spring of 2021, when our campus was operating virtually. Students really appreciated this opportunity to meet new people - whether it was new students looking to make friends, or returning students looking to expand their existing friend circles. ProjectConnect is the total package - it's simple and effective, easy to implement and scale, and accessible at a great price point.”

—Leah Berkenwald
Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Initiatives Brandeis University

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 15, 2023schools and collegesComment

Erica Weathers

“Mount Holyoke College is a vibrant and diverse community and yet, some students really struggle to make connections with their peers. ProjectConnect offered the perfect opportunity to build community and foster a sense of belonging among our students. 90% of our participants said that they would recommend ProjectConnect to a friend and all ten of our co-facilitators expressed a desire to facilitate another group in the future.”

—Erica Weathers,
Clinical Social Works and Outreach Coordinator, Mt Holyoke College

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 15, 2023schools and collegesComment

Kris Mereigh

“Project Connect is a helpful framework for making space for connection in the workplace. The program takes away the need for community members or leaders having to figure out conversation starters or an inclusive group structure on their own. The program is flexible enough to adapt to our specific needs and has been well worth the investment of time, energy and money.”

—Kris Mereigh, Director of Wellbeing, Corporate law firm

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 15, 2023workplacesComment

Geoff Howard

“Fantastic program that truly helps individuals and organizations build interpersonal skills and comradery in any group. As the CEO of Valley ENT, I have seen huge benefits from implementing this program. I can't speak highly enough about our experience. The support and care from the ProjectConnect staff as we implemented the program was superb. The program is clear and easily adaptable to specific organization needs.

In society today, so much attention is paid to mental health issues, yet few programs actually address ways to tackle the problems. ProjectConnect gets at the underlying problem and provides a simple and effective plan for decreasing isolation and increasing positive interactions leading to better office culture, employee satisfaction, and less turnover. This has been our organizations experience. Whether your organization needs a lot of help or your group is strong and looking for ways to make relationships stronger—this is the program is a great fit!”

—Geoff Howard
CEO Valley ENT

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 14, 2023workplacesComment

Madeline Hope

“ProjectConnect is a powerful way for campuses to offer students an opportunity for belonging and to protect mental health at the student and population level. Sometimes I've explained the program as a "friendship lab," giving students the opportunity, so rarely afforded, to try out friendship and authentic connection in a supportive space!”

—Madeline Hope
Director, Health and Wellness Education at Middlebury College

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 13, 2023schools and collegesComment

Katie Toro-Ferrari

“After the pandemic we knew we needed to prioritize staff connection and hired Jessica to provide ProjectConnect Facilitator Certification Training. The feedback from ProjectConnect group participants has been overwhelmingly and unequivocally positive. Every single participant said they would recommend the program to a friend and noted benefits such as getting to know colleagues beyond the day-to-day and giving and receiving support. Next year we plan to expand ProjectConnect to the entire Bowdoin College staff/faculty community.”

—Katie Toro-Ferrari
Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Director of Student Life, Bowdoin College

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 13, 2023workplacesComment

Jane Lizotte

“ProjectConnect provides opportunities to ALL students (and staff, in some cases) to build relationships with others, through active listening, respectful communication, and compassion. These opportunities can be few and far between for many people. The experience ProjectConnect offers, of feeling seen, heard, and valued is critical to our social, emotional, mental, and physical well-being.”

—Jane Lizotte
Assistant Superintendent for Community Partnerships and Well-Being at Shrewsbury Public Schools

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 12, 2023schools and collegesComment

Administrator

“I think ProjectConnect could be the most incredible thing that has ever happened in this place. In fact, I'd like to see every school and college implement it.”

—Administrator, Claremont Colleges

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 11, 2023schools and collegesComment

Lindsey Singleton

“Endicott College was thrilled to bring ProjectConnect to our campus during the pandemic. Our students were extremely restricted in terms of being able to meet people. ProjectConnect allowed our student facilitators to actively make a difference by offering an opportunity for students to come together, develop friendships and collectively support one another during a very challenging time. In fact, ProjectConnect was awarded the Social Program of the Year—a distinction given to the program that contributed most to the sense of community on campus.”

—Lindsey Singleton
Assistant Director of the Counseling Center at Endicott College

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 11, 2023schools and collegesComment

Administrator

“I value the roadmap that ProjectConnect sets out for facilitators and how accessible the information is. This is an important tool that I believe can be life-changing for a lot of incoming and returning students that will assist in creating life-long connections.”

—Staff, St. Cloud University

administratorsJessica GiffordMarch 10, 2023schools and collegesComment

Alicia Wodika

“I see the benefit of ProjectConnect as being part of the solution to address loneliness on campus and in our community. I believe it takes a village to bring connection and to help people thrive - this offers a pathway for us to come together to help address a known issue (loneliness) that has many devastating impacts on health. There are only positive gains to Project Connect!”

—Alicia Wodika
Associate Professor, Illinois State University

administratorsJessica GiffordFebruary 1, 2023schools and collegesComment

Tracey A. Smith

“ProjectConnect is a great way to engage faculty, staff and students to build a community of belonging.”
—Tracey A. Smith
Success Coach, Cheyney University 1st HBCU

administratorsJessica GiffordDecember 31, 2022schools and collegesComment