The Cardinal Shehan Center

With over three decades of experience in the metals industry, David D'Addario is the chairman and CEO of Dada Holdings LLC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Outside of work David D'Addario is also involved in a number of charitable organizations. One of those organizations is the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Cardinal Shehan Center provides diverse services to assist local children and teenagers from low income households.

Founded in 1962, the Cardinal Shehan Center is owned by the Diocese of Bridgeport. It primarily serves the inner city Bridgeport area, but it also accepts people in need from the lower Fairfield County area more broadly. It serves about 4500 youth annually.

The Cardinal Shehan Center offers physical, academic, and social support to the youth they serve. Volunteers with educational experience provide homework help, and the center hosts supplemental academic programs. They maintain a library and other study spaces, including a computer lab. They serve hot meals for the centers’ users, and support multiple recreational activities seven days a week, including sports leagues and an indoor swimming pool.

Between June and September the Cardinal Shehan Center hosts the Norma F. Pfriem Summer Day Camp. Certified teachers facilitate academic, athletic, and creative activities. Each session of the camp takes place over five days, and on average 850 children attend it annually.