Founding Member Drew Edwards
Our Founder’s Story
As a passionate and curious Manchester high student, Drew Edwards challenged the traditional, and often standardized, model for career planning that was presented to him by his teachers, friends and family alike. The idea of a 4-year college degree didn’t resonate with him, and in the absence of a program that helped him discover the ”why” of that dissonance, he found himself wondering about the system that was supposedly instituted to advocate for him. During this crucial time at the start of his career mapping journey, he saw little opportunity for success.
As luck would have it, he found out about Howell Cheney Technical High School and made the transition into trade, more specifically welding and commercial construction. The spark was lit, and the opportunity to explore his passion for working with his hands was found. This served as the foundation of a process that led him to complete this program, as well as a series of others, that culminated in a personally and professionally rewarding career in construction – and ultimately business ownership.
On reflection, Drew saw no reason why others like him, could not also find success on a similar path. A question was nagging him -why do we see so much generational poverty and young adults without meaningful employment in some of our communities while at the same time, there is tremendous demand for skilled trade workers? Skilled trade workers are highly compensated and the training to attain the credentials to work in this field does not have to include accumulating debt, in fact apprentices earn while they learn. Drew’s vision for BWOH is to make the path to those careers attainable for those who will benefit most, disrupting the cycles of generational poverty we see in our communities
Brittany Wilborn
About Our Program Director
Brittany, a proud Hartford native, brings 11 years of experience in youth development, community engagement, and workforce development to BWOH. Passionate about uplifting and empowering youth and young adults, she has spent her career working with community-based organizations in Hartford, supporting children impacted by extensive trauma. In these roles, Brittany helped youth prepare for community reentry and family reunification while assisting with clinical treatment plans through education and vocational planning.
Her expertise extends into workforce development, where she has designed work-based learning curricula, facilitated skill-building workshops, and sourced internship opportunities. Brittany excels at cultivating strong relationships with community partners and employers to create meaningful pathways for youth success.
In addition to her professional work, Brittany has a background in performing arts and modeling, using her creative talents to promote self-expression, confidence, and inclusivity. She instills these values into the work she does with the youth and community. Brittany has also led several community service projects, further demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact in her hometown.
Brittany holds an associate degree in Health Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Goodwin University.
“I do this work because I believe the youth should have the opportunity to lead successful, purpose-filled lives, regardless of their circumstances or barriers. Having financial freedom and high quality skills create opportunities for breaking generational poverty and turn it into wealth"
Jessica Williams
About Our Program Manager
Jessica is the Program Manager at BWOH, bringing over a decade of experience supporting youth and young adults in community-based human services and post-secondary pathway programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science and has spent her career helping students and young adults navigate opportunities for growth, recognizing that success can take many forms. Whether through academic pathways, vocational training, or other post-secondary programs, she understands that each individual’s journey is unique and requires guidance tailored to their goals.
Throughout her career, she has led programs and operational strategies that strengthen community engagement and expand access to opportunities. Grounded in a trauma-informed and holistic approach, she cultivates lasting relationships, applying her experience in mentoring and youth development to create positive outcomes for program participants. Her background in program operations and relationship-building has contributed to increased engagement and expanded resources for young people pursuing pathways to success. She also understands the impact of programs that equip young people with the skills and experiences they need to succeed, having benefited from academic opportunities that shaped her career and inspired her to give back.
She is passionate about addressing the skills gap and helping young people achieve sustainable, fulfilling careers. She joined BWOH to continue building community-centered programs that empower youth and young adults. Outside of work, she enjoys creative and expressive pursuits, traveling, and sports. She brings her expertise, empathy, and strategic focus to every endeavor and is committed to helping all program participants reach their full potential.
