The William O. Murphy Family Strengthening Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations in the community whose contributions have dramatically impacted FCA’s ability to strengthen and stabilize families. The award is named in honor of William O. Murphy, who was affiliated with the Agency for nearly 30 years. He was a sponsor of the Agency’s annual Golf Classic for 22 years and served on the Agency’s Board for 10 years, four of them as Chair. His passion for at-risk youth lead him to be one of the strongest advocates of the Agency’s ASPIRE after-school program and, in 2012, he was recognized as the Anne C. Cary Volunteerism Award recipient.
This year’s William O. Murphy Family Strengthening Award was presented to Peter Cordeau – Norwalk Hospital.
Through the leadership of Peter Cordeau, President of Norwalk Hospital, the hospital has become a vital partner in advancing FCA’s mission and strengthening the health and well-being of families in our community. Together, we have built a multi-faceted partnership that supports children, parents, and young adults at critical moments in their lives.
Our collaboration includes in-hospital visits, allowing FCA staff from our Child & Family Development program to meet with new parents shortly after delivery, identify needs, and connect families with essential community resources and home visiting programs. These visits are particularly impactful for immigrant families and those facing barriers to accessing care, offering both immediate support and long-term connections to services.
Norwalk Hospital has also included FCA in their internship program which provides high school students in our ASPIRE after-school program with unique opportunities to explore healthcare careers. Through hands-on learning experiences in hospital departments ranging from emergency medicine to behavioral health, students gained exposure to career paths they may never have considered, building confidence and motivation for their futures.
Most recently, Norwalk Hospital has joined with FCA and community partners to support the Career Pathways for Youth initiative, ensuring young adults ages 18–25 have access to wrap-around supports such as case management, transportation, childcare, and mental health care as they prepare for careers in high-demand healthcare fields. This collaboration not only strengthens families but also contributes to
building a more diverse, skilled healthcare workforce in Fairfield County.
Peter Cordeau’s commitment to partnership, innovation, and community impact exemplifies the very spirit of this award. We are proud to have presented the 2025 William O. Murphy Family Strengthening Award to Peter Cordeau in recognition of his outstanding contributions to families and the future of our community.
