Our speaker today was Chris Bonner, CEO, The Connection.Chris started off with a short biography of his journey to becoming the head of one of Summit’s crown jewels. He was raised by a single mom and things were tight – organizations like the Connection were a beneficial part of his early life. After university he enlisted in the US Army and flew helicopters. After his Army hitch was up, he enlisted in the Coast Guard. In total, he served for twenty years, primarily in search and rescue assignments. After leaving the service he earned a master’s degree in education and began working in the field in Newark. In 2019, he was appointed head of operation for Kent Place School and five years later, accepted the position as CEO of The Connection.
Chris then spent the rest of his time discussing The Connection, a 102-year-old very family-oriented facility (The Connection was formerly the Summit YWCA). The bulk of the members are young – tots to teens. There are a multitude of activities from dance to summer camp. On any given weekday between 2pm and 6pm, there can be as many as four hundred kids in the after-school program the Connection runs for Summit Public schools and various classes in the main building. The Connection is a 501c3 and scholarship are available for those who need them. There are currently forty-five kids with special needs receiving an assortment of assistance, and there are also a host of classes and activities ranging from dance to swimming for all ages. English as a second language is also hosted at The Connection and has been for decades. Finally, The Connection hosts Pathways, a program that provides free support, education, and wellness programs for women with cancer. Indeed, The Connection provides education, support, and wellness to all the residents of Summit. (By the way, Chris is the first male CEO in 102 years.)