When I couldn't take one more story
Have you exhaled yet today—really exhaled?
At Community Mindfulness Project (CMP), our mission is to help you find that moment of pause each day. We focus our programs and partnerships on supporting under-resourced neighbors and the frontline professionals—social workers, teachers, law enforcement—who carry so much for others, often at great personal cost.
I’m proud to serve as Vice Chair of the CMP Board, because for me, this work is deeply personal.
Early in my career I was a clinical social worker in NYC, specializing in trauma and addiction. You might feel heaviness just reading those words, maybe your shoulders tensed or your jaw tightened— that’s exactly how I felt, every day, for close to 10 years.
Eventually, the vicarious trauma caught up with me. Bearing witness to the lived experience of others left me anxious, withdrawn and overwhelmed. I remember hearing the Law & Order: SVU theme music from my TV one night and bolting across the room to shut it off. I couldn’t take in one more story, even fictional. My nervous system was shot. I lived in fight-or-flight.
Therapy helped, but what transformed me were the mindfulness tools my therapist taught me. Through meditation and mindfulness, I learned to calm my body, regulate my emotions, and release the weight I’d been carrying.
That’s what CMP brings to others—especially those doing hard, essential work in under-resourced communities. We offer secular, science-based, trauma-sensitive mindfulness programs in nonprofits, schools, and community centers.
We help the helpers breathe again—and you can, too.
If you’ve ever wondered how to support yourself and your community, joining an in-person or virtual program—or inviting a friend, colleague, or family member to come with you—is a meaningful way to start. I hope to see you at a program soon.
With love and gratitude,
Vice Chair
Community Mindfulness Project
UPCOMING PROGRAMS OPEN TO ALL
BRIDGEPORT
The Mindful Circle (link)
Thursday, Sept 11, 12 - 12:45PM
Burroughs Center
NORWALK
Meditation Exploration (link)
Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Norwalk Library (Belden Ave)
Reset at Sunset: Discover Meditation (link)
Thursdays, Sept 18 – Oct 9, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
In partnership with Norwalk Parks & Recreation at Fodor Farms
Registration required
Reset at Sunset: For Parents
Tuesday, October 7, 6:00 PM
In partnership with Norwalk ACTS & SoNo Library
Save the date!
Urban Forest Bathing (link)
Sundays in October, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
In partnership Norwalk Tree Alliance & Graceworks at Fodor Farms
Registration required
STAMFORD
Community Meditation (link)
Weekly on Tuesdays, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Ferguson Library
The Mindful Circle
In Partnership with Liberation Programs
Upcoming Dates: Nov 6, Dec 4, Jan 8
VIRTUAL
Our zoom-based programs are available from the comfort of your own place of choosing with weekly sessions offered
Tuesdays 8:20pm
Saturdays 8am
Sundays 9am
See our calendar for details and access.
NEW: Men's Mindfulness 5-Week Program
with Ian Davis, CMT-P, MBSR Teacher. Details on our website