Citizens Addressing Racial Equity (C.A.R.E.)

Representatives from Stratford's C.A.R.E. attended Everyday Democracy's first National Learning Exchange in April 2008.  From Left to Right: Marsha Mitchell-Davis, Jim Sinnott, Tammy Trojanowski, Chief John Buturla, Wanda Correa, Tom Coakley.

C.A.R.E. Action Teams are making Stratford stronger, more inclusive and vibrant by exploring practical ways to address racial equity and promote cultural competence.  It is a citizen coalition sponsored by the Office of James R. Miron in cooperation with the Stratford Youth and Family Advisory Board, Stratford Clergy Association, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Inc. and The Stratford Library Association.

Why C.A.R.E.?

Stratford citizens and organizations, with the leadership and support from the Town of Stratford, have been working on issues of racial equity for a number of years. In 2006, Mayor James R. Miron reinvigorated local efforts by providing town personnel with cultural diversity training, requiring each department to submit a diversity plan, and designating responsibility to the Community Services department with developing a plan to engage the community.

Phase One of the community plan centered on bringing citizens of diverse backgrounds together for dialogue to address racism and inequities. It began with the Community Conversation on Race. Attended by nearly 100 Stratford residents, it launched the study circle dialogue groups that involved over 60 residents during a six-week period, culminating in the Community Action Forum on Race.

From the dialogue, citizens began to develop ideas for action to promote racial equity and cultural competence. The discussions about how to make Stratford a stronger, healthier community for everyone laid the foundation for the second phase centering on action. During the action phase three teams are engaged in problem-solving and strategies to enhance the educational experience for all Stratford children, improve police community relations and engage more community leaders that reflect the diversity of Stratford.

The following three C.A.R.E. Action Teams were launched in 2007:

Community Police Relations Action Team

Mission

To foster mutually respectful relationships between members of the Stratford Police Department and the community with the goal of enhancing race relations, trust and public safety through proactive education, open-minded communication and understanding with integrity and accountability.

Successes 

· Engaging citizens and police officers in honest and constructive dialogue to learn more about each other, building trust and respect

· Creating opportunities to bring police officers and citizens together, particularly youth

Supporting Police Department initiatives such as:
· Citizens Police Academy ~ opening Department doors to give residents a taste of police work
· State Accreditation ~ improving Department policies and enhancing professionalism
· Increased citizen-police interaction ~ walking and talking with residents during foot and bike patrols
· Community Resource Officers ~ focusing on problem-solving and youth interaction

Members

Chairs:  Tom Coakley & Jackie Vega

Police:  Chief John Buturla, Deputy Chief Patrick Riderhour, Officer Robert Burroughs, Officer Robert Ramos

Clergy:  Pastor Johnny Gamble, Pastor Luciano Soto

Citizens:  Ty Bird, Rose Blackwell, Sybil Friedman, Marilyn Gardner, Maria Teresa Miranda, Ed Roberts, Jim Sinnott, Mike Sinnott,

Leadership Action Team

Mission

To gather data on the diversity of our Town’s leadership and identify perceived inadequacies with the goal of recruiting and developing Stratford’s leadership to reflect our community’s diversity.

Successes 

· Engaging citizens and leaders in discussion about affirmative action

· Advocating for cultural diversity training to Town employees

· Recommending ways to represent and engage Stratford’s increasingly diverse population in local government 

· Meeting with Town Council Candidates, the Mayor and the Human Resources Director

· Analyzing and collecting data

· Drafting a report for the Mayor with recommendations

· Simplifying the process and encouraging citizens to apply for positions on Town Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Committees

Members

Citizens:  Wanda Correa, Barbara Gamble,  Dirk Rozarie, Tony Schirillo, Katie Yanzo 

Education Action Team

Mission

To support the Stratford Public Schools’ mission “meet the challenges of a changing and increasingly diverse society” with the goals of increasing qualified minority candidates for administrative and teaching positions, providing system-wide diversity training for staff and students and promoting diversity celebration system-wide.

Successes

· Engaging citizens and school officials in conversation about diverse hiring practices and cultural diversity training

· Meeting with the Superintendent, Personnel Manager, and Lead Elementary and Secondary Principals

· Incorporating diversity training into new teacher orientation

· Distributing multi-cultural themed calendars to all library media centers

Members

Chairs:  Lucretia Duwel & Vera Rozarie

Superintendent of Schools:  Irene Cornish

Clergy:  Pastor Johnny Gamble

Citizens:  Lynnette Baroni, Elene Crosby, Sylvia Ebron, Olivia Gombar, Yvette Johnson-Parker, Robin Proto, Mary Kraynak, Olga Pena, Gladys Ramos, Ann Stockman

National Recognition

Everyday Democracy selected Stratford’s C.A.R.E. as one of nine community programs in the United States to take part in its Communities Creating Racial Equity national initiative. C.A.R.E. received a $10,000 grant to support their effort.

Other C.A.R.E. Successes

· Recognized as a 2009 Friend of Education by the Stratford Board of Education

Promoting community awareness through a media campaign

· Recognizing outstanding Stratford citizens on the Town's Wall of Honor

Show You C.A.R.E.

C.A.R.E. volunteers work to open communication among residents of all ages, socio-economic groups, races and ethnicities in non-confrontational ways to break down stereotypes, build trust and find ways to work together.

Residents who share our commitment and C.A.R.E. about racial equity are encouraged to join us. 

For more information on how Stratford C.A.R.E., or to become a member, please contact Stratford Community Services at 203.385.4095 or send an e-mail to communityservices@townofstratford.com.  

C.A.R.E. Meetings

Please click here for minutes and agendas.