Our Resilience, Our Community | 2024 Annual Appeal
Resilience is the ability to thrive in life while also surviving the worst days.
— Dr. Rick Hanson, Ph.D
Today, we launch our annual appeal with
gratitude
pride
trust.
At Community Mindfulness Project, we are humbled each day to be able to do this work. We're a small scrappy team with big vision - a world where mindfulness is a broadly-distributed, community-based skillset.
Forten years, your support has been the foundation of our work. Together, we've built a compassionate community that values connection and collective learning.
With your support, we've been able to work with dedicated facilitators to provide science backed, trauma-sensitive mindfulness training to transform people's ability to thrive. Our work this year was focused heavily in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford - three cities in Fairfield County, CT with the highest unmet health needs. In partnership with 23 public schools, libraries, and community-based nonprofits, we are on track to reach nearly 4,500 community members this year through 600 programs —
97% of CT educators cite stress and burnout is their top concern in 2024, and Norwalk Public School participants reported a 57% decrease in uncomfortable emotions (such as nerves, aggravation, anger, worry, depression, exhaustion and pessimism) after just one session with us. That means, they immediately felt better. Sometimes with only 5 minutes of practice.
100% of our 6-week Intro to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course participants reported they are better off for participating in the program, 84% were on full scholarship.
93% of participants in our 8-week Intro to Mindfulness training program for people impacted by gun violence report they were able to learn meaningful tools to manage and reduce unhealthy stress, foster deeper connections with others, and be happier.
Your support today will help make another year of impactful programming possible.
When we talk about our community we meanallof us.
Teachers.
Caregivers.
Teen mothers.
School counselors.
Health care workers.
Children of immigrants.
Individuals with chronic illness.
People affected by gun violence.
Fathers returning to society after incarceration.
Those in recovery from substance use disorders.
People like B*. She suffered a traumatic brain injury after being shot. Upon reflection following our Intro to Mindfulness 8-week program, she shared:
"these practices are the only things that slow my traumatized brain down so I can catch up to it."
Our resilience makes us who we are, reminds us why we do this work, and pushes us to forge forward unafraid.
Your gift to the Community Mindfulness Project Annual Appeal helps cultivate a healthier, more resilient community through accessible mindfulness tools.
Whether you're a long-time supporter or donating for the first time,thank you.
Your generosity has a profound, daily impact.
With love and appreciation.
The team at Community Mindfulness Project
"Be kind to yourself. Then let your kindness flood the world."
— Pema Chödrön
Read more from our Jan-Sept 2024 Impact Sneak Peek