Three successful siblings who grew up in Bridgeport are giving back to the Cardinal Shehan Center by creating a financial learning center.

Mark, Michael and Rayah Smith created the center at the nonprofit youth organization.

Each person has gone on to success in the worlds of banking, finance, and politics. They attended the Cardinal Shehan Center as children.

The Smith trio says it was an awesome feeling to create "The Smith Family Economic Empowerment Zone" to help children achieve their dreams.

“It’s been great to give back and show the youth of Bridgeport some economic empowerment,” says Mark Smith.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal tells News 12 the Smith siblings have added value to the city, saying in part, “What Michael, Mark and Ryan Smith have done is give these young people an interest into the financial world that will benefit them throughout a lifetime.” 

The Cardinal Shehan Center thanks the family for paying it forward and remembering where they came from.