Service Runs in the Family: Cedric and Monée Perkins

At Bridgeport Military Academy, service isn’t just something students learn about. It’s something they see modeled every day.

For Cedric Perkins Jr., a buildOn Engagement Specialist in Bridgeport, that example started at home.

His mother, Monée, is an English teacher at Bridgeport Military Academy. Long before Cedric joined buildOn’s staff, he watched her dedicate herself to her students and community. When the opportunity came to apply for a role with buildOn, it was Monée who encouraged him to take the leap.

Today, they work in the same building and are both committed to guiding young people through service and education.

A Foundation Built on Giving Back

When Monée and Cedric moved to Connecticut in 2021, building community was already part of their lives.

“A lot of my work has been grounded in working with seniors, the youth and community members,” Monée shares. “We’ve done things from food drives to COVID PPE supplies. I’ve always been a part of that work.”

Cedric carries that same instinct.

“Coming from the Bronx, I feel like Bridgeport is a similar place. I saw people that grew up in conditions like me and schools like me and I just felt compelled to help.”

For both of them, service didn’t begin with buildOn. It simply found a new home there.

The Encouragement to Apply

Cedric first became interested in buildOn while he was working retail and looking for something more aligned with who he was.

“I could appreciate service learning more than what I was doing before. So, it just felt more natural.”

For Monée, the role felt like a perfect fit from the beginning.

“I had been telling him about this job for over two years,” she remembers with a smile. “I said ‘CJ, there’s a vacancy at my school. I think that this is going to be a great position for you.’”

She saw how closely the work matched his heart for service and his natural leadership.

“I think you would be great for the position,” she told him. “It fits your personality. You already have shown and exhibit the right skills for working with children, and these types of community partnerships.”

For Monée, encouraging him to apply wasn’t about pushing him, but about recognizing who he already was and helping him step fully into it.

“He exhibits leadership. He’s very innovative. He thinks about the whole child first. He is going to go into his own pockets to make sure that the kids are not hungry,” she explains. “He’s not a teacher, but he is an educator.”

Even now, she keeps a reminder of her son’s potential in her phone: “If I showed you my cell phone, he is saved in my contacts as future president.”

“If I showed you my cell phone, he is saved in my contacts as future president.” —Monée Perkins

Finding His Place as an Engagement Specialist

When Cedric first started in the role, there was an adjustment period.

“When I first started as an Engagement Specialist, it was a little confusing to me. The administrative work definitely was foreign.”

But once he settled in, something clicked.

“The ability to be able to make my own lesson plan and carry it out is what I appreciate. It’s rare that you get to do both and see the fruits of your labor come to life.”

And the students?

“I love them. Honestly, I look at them as my kids. It’s all love and I feel a lot of it coming back my way too.”

Monée sees the impact every day.

“You’re like a big brother. Some of the students here may not have a safe person to come and speak to. You naturally became that person for a lot of these kids. You’re the link between the educators, the administrators and the students.”

She’s witnessed students transform through his mentorship.

“One student went from failing classes to the honor roll because of his relationship with you. That’s big.”

“One student went from failing classes to the honor roll because of his relationship with you. That’s big.” —Monée Perkins

Service That Feels Personal

Cedric leads students in projects ranging from local food pantry partnerships to environmental work and mentoring younger students.

One project that stands out is working at a local pantry.

“I just like the amount of people that come through from all different walks of life and different cultures,” he shares. “It’s like, even if I can’t speak the language you speak, we’re communicating through smiles, through acts of kindness. We just all come together.”

“Even if I can’t speak the language you speak, we’re communicating through smiles, through acts of kindness. We just all come together.” —Cedric Perkins

For Cedric, service is about more than completing hours. It’s about learning outside the classroom. “Service is the way to get hands-on experience when learning things. We need to be out there with the people to really see what our work is doing.”

Monée puts it even more simply.

“Our true purpose in life is to give. And so when you give without receiving, you are doing God’s work.”

A Full-Circle Moment

For Monée, seeing her son work with students at the same school where she teaches is deeply emotional.

“When CJ was a high school student, that was probably the most trying time of his life. And so to see the transition of him working with kids who struggled like he did with making good decisions is a full circle moment.”

“I have so much pride,” she says. “Not every parent gets to see their children become the best of themselves. And I’m fortunate to witness it.”

 “Not every parent gets to see their children become the best of themselves. And I’m fortunate to witness it.” —Monée Perkins

Why Education and Service Matter

Monée and Cedric both believe deeply in the importance of education.

“Education is the foundation of who we are,” Monée says. “I’m a student first. Your voice matters in this classroom.”

Cedric sees it as empowerment. “Without education, you can’t elevate or liberate yourself.”

Both believe their work isn’t just a job.

“This is my calling,” Monée said. “Everything I do is a service to students.”

Cedric sees the difference clearly.

“When I’m working with these students, I can feel my heart moving with the work that I do. It definitely feels way different from other jobs I’ve had. It’s better.”

Monée summed it up best:

“They say, ‘Find something you love to do and it won’t feel like you work a day in your life.’ And a lot of times, coming to work for both of us in these roles doesn’t feel like work.”

“They say, ‘Find something you love to do and it won’t feel like you work a day in your life.’ And a lot of times, coming to work for both of us in these roles doesn’t feel like work.” —Monée Perkins

At Bridgeport Military Academy, service runs in the family.

And through their shared commitment to education and community, Cedric and Monée are proving that when service is personal, transformation follows.

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