Since our co-founders first gathered in circles to meditate and connect, the Community Mindfulness Project has always been rooted in people — the practitioners, facilitators, and community members who show up together in shared practice. Over the years, we’ve been grateful to welcome a deeply dedicated group of facilitators, many of whom have been with us since the beginning. Each brings their own lived experience — as parents, teachers, clinicians, and community members — enriching the trust and belonging that are at the heart of CMP’s programs.
As we expand our in-person offerings and deepen partnerships with nonprofit agencies across Fairfield County, we’re thrilled to welcome five new facilitators whose energy, compassion, and experience strengthen our shared mission:
✨ Sara Baio
“When Mindful Schools collapsed, it was like losing family. I grieved. That was when I realized the power of meditating with others… When I found CMP, I knew almost instantly that I was home.”
— Sara Baio
Sara brings over a decade of mindfulness practice informed by her work as an educator, parent, and advocate for inclusion. Her story is one of resilience — navigating illness, disability, and change with grace — and a deep understanding that mindfulness flourishes in community. She describes CMP as “an organization that shows up like a family,” and we’re overjoyed to have her in ours.
🌿 Maura Smotrich
“The opportunity to be a mindfulness facilitator with CMP feels like a natural next step in my personal evolution.”
— Maura Smotrich
A licensed architect and urban planner, Maura has long been guided by a passion for the healing power of nature. Her background in open space preservation and Forest & Nature Therapy brings a unique connection between mindfulness and the natural world — reminding us, in her favorite Maya Angelou quote, that “people will never forget how you made them feel.”
💫 JaTorra Commodore
“Mindfulness is not about escaping life — it’s about arriving fully into it, with compassion, presence, and the courage to connect with ourselves and each other.”
— JaTorra Commodore
JaTorra, founder of Raise Your Vibe Collective, blends mindfulness, yoga, and sound healing to create accessible, heart-centered experiences. A former elementary teacher of 20 years and proud mom, she’s passionate about helping people pause, reset, and reconnect — embodying her belief that when we raise our own vibration, we lift our communities as well.
🌸 Melissa Harold
“Through mindfulness and breath-work combined with self-compassion, we can create space for growth and resilience.”
— Melissa Harold
Melissa’s background as a special education teacher and trauma-informed yoga instructor shapes her inclusive approach to facilitation. Her practice is rooted in empathy and empowerment, helping participants feel safe, seen, and supported in their own healing journeys.
🌻 Chris Blais
“I believe we are all capable of our own healing — and that with the right containers and guidance, people can discover their own path toward wholeness.”
— Chris Blais
Chris brings a depth of training as a yoga therapist, somatic coach, and trauma-informed teacher, with a special interest in mindfulness and recovery. Their facilitation blends playfulness and depth, helping groups co-create spaces of discovery, care, and connection.
These new facilitators join a cherished team of mentors and long-term facilitators who have been the heartbeat of CMP since the beginning. Each embodies the essence of mindful community — meeting others where they are, with compassion, curiosity, and authenticity.
We invite you to join us in welcoming Sara, Maura, JaTorra, Melissa, and Chris — and to experience their compassionate facilitation in our upcoming programs.
✨ Join our circles and see them in action: communitymindfulnessproject.org/schedule