Right Here. Right Now.
In 2022, we identified Bridgeport, CT as the first priority community where we deepen our impact. The city is home to a global array of warm-hearted, welcoming people, great food and brilliant public art. What is also true about Bridgeport, and what drew us there, were data revealing the greatest unmet need for mental and physical health support in Fairfield County.
The low income neighborhoods of Bridgeport rank among the lowest in terms of economic indicators of US large urban areas:
56% childhood poverty rate
66% high school graduation
72% of the population described as low income
Trauma and fear, which have been proven to damage health, are widely experienced in Bridgeport:
43% of residents report being afraid of gun violence
8% report having had a relative who was shot
12% report having witnessed a shooting in the past year
The cumulative effects of poverty and trauma not only severely affect quality of life, they lead to the highest burden of premature death in Fairfield County.
Bridgeport Public Schools system is a key partner for Community Mindfulness Project
The benefits of school-based mindfulness programs have been documented through rigorous research. We work at three levels to create systems-change in the community through the school system.
We train educators how to use mindfulness to remain resilient while witnessing and managing the struggles faced by students.
We co-create pedagogy with teachers so they can incorporate mindfulness practices into their classrooms.
We work directly with kids, sharing developmentally-appropriate mindfulness tools.
To date, we have trained 279 teachers and staff, including nurses and security guards, 400 students and dozens of family members.
Based on the impact of our work, administrators and teachers have requested a significant increase in our programming across the district.
But Bridgeport schools are dramatically underfunded.
Despite the fact that 88% of Bridgeport students are High Need (state defined), roughly 5x as high as other towns we work in, the district’s per pupil budget is 30% lower. There is a mental health crisis affecting young people everywhere, and the risks are particularly acute in Bridgeport, yet there are over 150 students per school counselor. And the district has recently lost significant grant funding.
Will you help us continue to serve the Bridgeport community by making a donation today?
Our ability to continue to provide our services pro bono to Bridgeport Public Schools depends on your support. Your donation will be put to work immediately, allowing Community Mindfulness Project to provide crucial access to the portable, affordable and flexible tool of mindfulness. The first $30,000 in donations will be matched by a group of donors through year end.
We are grateful for your partnership in this work.
May all beings, without exception feel safe and resourced. With warm wishes for a joyful Thanksgiving,
Erika Long
Co-Founder
