When Gerald Scott talks about the young men he mentors at Community Partners in Action’s (CPA) REGIONS program in Hamden, his words carry the weight of experience, and the optimism of someone who has seen change happen, one patient conversation at a time.
“I tell them all the time,” he says with a quiet conviction, “be patient with yourself. That’s where it starts. Once you learn to be patient, you learn who you are, your character, your goals, and that’s when things begin to change.”
Born and raised in New Haven, Gerald has spent more than 20 years in human services, helping people find their footing as they reenter their communities after incarceration. His path to Community Partners in Action was not a straight line, but one defined by compassion, consistency, and an unshakable belief in second chances.
Before joining CPA, Gerald worked for organizations like Easter Seals and Clifford Beers, where he served men and women preparing to return home from prison. He entered facilities six months before release, helping individuals map out goals and connect to vital support.
“The idea,” he recalls, “was to understand who we were working with, not just what they did, so we could better serve them.”
One of his most transformative experiences came at Clifford Beers, where he worked in the Fatherhood Engagement Services Program in partnership with the CT Department of Children and Families. Having grown up without a father himself—his mother passed away when he was just two—Gerald connected deeply to the work of helping dads rebuild relationships with their children.
“Most fathers are fearful of DCF and the courts,” he explains. “They go in not understanding the language, and sometimes they end up forfeiting their rights without even realizing it. My job was to help them find their voice and their confidence as parents again.”
That experience, he says, “taught me professionalism, empathy, and how to meet people where they are.”
When the Clifford Beers program ended, Gerald’s next chapter began at CPA’s REGIONS program in Hamden — his first time working with youth. It was an unexpected fit that quickly became a calling.
“I used to see these youth driving stolen cars around my neighborhood,” he says. “And I would think, what can be done to help them see they have a better chance at life than this?”
At REGIONS, Gerald now works as a reintegration mentor, guiding youth as they transition through the program phases and back into their communities. His job is equal parts coach, advocate, and steady presence, helping them find employment, rebuild family relationships, and navigate life’s turbulence with resilience.
“We meet once a week when they’re reintegrating,” he says. “I tell them, you’ll face challenges. That’s life. But what you learn here will help you handle it out there. It’s all about consistency.”
For Gerald, “consistency” isn’t just a word; it’s a promise. “I show up every day,” he says. “And I want them to know that showing up matters.”
Gerald works with REGIONS-Hamden’s young people, splitting his attention between those in residence and those already back home. He leans heavily on motivational interviewing, a technique that encourages open-ended conversations and helps young people find their own answers.
“I’m more of a listener than anything,” he says. “Sometimes these kids don’t know how to express themselves. But once they start to open, once you get that first smile, you start to see who they are.”
He also understands the family dynamics that can shape a youth’s path — parents working overnight shifts, unstable housing, strained relationships. “The biggest challenges we see are homelessness and employment,” he says. “When a kid goes home and mom is working 3 to 11, it’s easy to fall back into bad patterns. That’s why we link them with community programs — Boys & Girls Club, Planet Fitness, job training — to keep them busy and grounded.”
For every setback, Gerald can point to a success story that reminds him why he does this work.
One young man from Vernon, whom Gerald began mentoring early on, now works at Burger King, attends adult education classes, and is on track to earn his GED in 2027. Gerald also helped him get an ID and schedule his motor vehicle learner’s permit test.
Another young man now works at Amazon, living independently and staying out of trouble. “He told me he didn’t need my services anymore,” Gerald said with a laugh. “But that’s okay, sometimes that independence is a success in itself.”
Gerald’s work doesn’t stop when a youth leaves the program. He follows them for up to a year after discharge, checking in regularly with the young men and their families.
Unfortunately, if one of the young people commits another crime, Gerald will visit them at Manson Youth Institution (a state youth detention center) and support them through court hearings.
“It’s not easy to see a kid behind bars,” he admits. “But even then, it’s not a loss. It’s a lesson — a chance to help them see how to make things better next time.”
When asked what he would say to donors and partners who make his work possible, Gerald doesn’t hesitate.
“Even if we reach one or two youths, it’s a great impact,” he says. “You’re not just investing in a program; you’re investing in possibility. When these kids see someone like them change, they start to believe it’s possible for them too.”
He believes the proposed vocational training center at REGIONS-Hartford, modeled on the Hamden site, will multiply that impact. “If we can give them hands-on skills, a trade, a purpose, it changes everything,” he says. “It gets greater, later. But first, we must give them something to believe in.”
Gerald’s journey, from a young man learning life’s lessons without a father to a mentor shaping the lives of others, reflects the very heart of CPA’s REGIONS program. He embodies the belief that patience, consistency, and compassion can turn lives around.
“I’m thankful to be the person helping to push this work forward,” he says. “It’s not about me. It’s about helping the youth see a difference in their life.”