Empower People.
Transform Community.
Together, we work diligently to be a part of the solution to reduce youth and gun violence, advocate for healthier communities, and create a positive impact that extends far beyond today for the underserved and marginalized youth, families, and neighborhoods throughout Southwestern CT and beyond.
Our Impact
By collaborating alongside our neighbors, from pre-K to adulthood, we make a profound impact on the lives of over 50,000 individuals in the greater Bridgeport region each year. These resilient youth and their families face incredible challenges, navigating the complex realities of a post-pandemic world, substance misuse and addiction, persistent violence, enduring poverty, mental illness, and the burden of generational trauma. One notable example of this impact can be seen through our restorative justice efforts. Restorative Justice is only one way we serve more than 19,000 students and 1,500 school staff members across multiple school districts.
Upcoming Events
Catalyst Advocacy
Catalyst CT’s advocacy starts at a grassroots level, standing on a footing that is inclusive, diverse, and motivated. We empower community members by giving them tools and information to advocate for themselves. Together, we harness the power of people to encourage policy and systems change.
Resources
catalystinct
Our StreetSafe Outreach team supports at-risk Bridgeport youth so they can stay in school, graduate, and have more options. 🎓
In addition to PLTI, we also offer a similar program for children ages 3 to 12 to learn how to use their voices in democracy. 📢
The Child Leadership Training Institute is a free addition for anyone accepted into the PLTI program.
Apply at the link in our bio 🔗
***
Los hijos de padres seleccionados tienen la oportunidad de participar en CLTI. Nuestro objetivo es enriquecer el poder de los niños para convertirse en agentes de cambio. Niños de edades entre 3 - 12 años adquirirán habilidades de liderazgo, participarán en un proyecto de servicio comunitario y aprender como usar sus voces en la democracia.
Ve a el enlace en nuestra biografía 🔗
Catalyst CT has been making change for you and your family for 40 years 🌟
We worked through the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition to enact school bus idling laws in the state.
Under the law, school buses cannot idle for more than 3 minutes at a time. 🚌
The school bus idling law cuts down on pollution in your neighborhood and reduces the risk for children to develop asthma because of their environment. 💨
PLTI is a great opportunity for any parent or other caring adult looking to create a better world for the child in their lives. 🌍
Apply at the link in our bio 🔗
***
Para los padres y otros adultos cariñosos que quieran hacer una diferencia en las vidas de los niños y familias involucrándose más en sus barrios, esquelas y comunidades. 🌍
Ve a el enlace en nuestra biografía 🔗
Students in our Restorative Justice program performed mock circles for judges, prosecutors, public defenders, educators, and others at the 13th Speziale Symposium.
The Speziale Symposium focused on initiatives that use restorative justice processes to transform youth justice systems and make communities safer and more connected. 🤝
It’s our honor to be at the forefront of restorative justice practices across the state.
In the 2023-2024 school year, our Social & Emotional Learning staff spent 827 hours in schools around the region.
That’s 22% more than they spent in the 2022-2023 school year. 📈
And the SEL team is seeing significant progress both with their students during the year and for the program overall from one year to the next.
Preventing youth violence is more than possible-we’re already doing it. 🌟
2025 already? We can hardly believe it.
Enjoy a safe celebration with your loved ones. 🎉
We’ll be here in the new year, ready to get things started on the right foot. 💥
If you’re feeling alone this holiday season, call or text 988. Someone is always ready to listen.
Our NextGen STEM Workshop series engaged 31 students aged 15-18 🔬
Each week, the students from across Bridgeport Public Schools could speak with a local entrepreneur or small business owner & ask them questions.
Speakers’ expertise included culinary arts, manufacturing, automotive, and chiropractic.
Opportunities like this give our students a new perspective on what their futures can be. Your support makes it all possible 🌟
In the spirit of the season, we invite you to make a year-end gift to Catalyst CT, helping us provide:
🔸 8 programs & initiatives
🔸 40 years of service to our neighbors
🔸 19,000 students assisted through restorative justice
🔸 50,000 people helped annually in CT
Your support today will bring hope and opportunity to countless families across our state.
Together, we can keep making a positive impact in CT communities. 🤝
This holiday season, celebrate however best fits your needs. Not sure what that looks like? Try some of these tips 👇
❄️ Friends are family. If spending time around your family is difficult for your mental health, consider spending the holidays with friends instead.
❄️ Choose your own traditions. Some activities around the holiday may not hold positive memories for you. Feel empowered to pick & choose which traditions you build your holiday around.
❄️ Don’t break the bank. Holidays can be stressful for many reasons, including financial ones. This holiday season, limit your spending on gifts and embrace quality time instead.
If you’re feeling alone this holiday season, call or text 988. Someone is always ready to listen.
Food feeds the soul 👩🏾🍳
Our YDT mentees regularly participate in cooking classes held by volunteer Chef Raquel of A Pinch of Salt.
Cooking not only provides a practical life skill, but it also offers the opportunity to practice soft skills such as communication and teamwork as participants work together to create a meal before sitting down and sharing while eating together. 🍽️
At Catalyst CT, we can tackle systemic issues most effectively by grounding our advocacy in data. 📈
Our State of the Child in Bridgeport report analyzes data about critical social conditions and provides evidence for policy change.
We work with other community-based organizations & political leaders to boost the changes our communities need most. 💥