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 one of the many ways 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
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🕊️ Why Mediation Works 🕊️
✨ Builds accountability
✨ Repairs relationships
✨ Strengthens community
Not blame—solutions that last. 💙
👉 Save + share this post today.
#CatalystCT #Mediation #RestorativeJustice #CommunityHealing #EmpowerTransformRepeat
What empowers YOU locally? ⬇️ Tag a person or place that fuels you.
Let’s amplify community power. 💪
#CatalystCT #EmpowerTransformRepeat #CommunityVoices #LocalImpact #PositiveChange
💙 Community Voices + Collaboration 💙
These aren’t just words — they’re our values in action.
Through Amplifying Resident Voices, we partner with @csifairfield + @ptpartnersbport to ensure residents’ lived experiences drive real solutions. ✨
Collaboration means listening, learning, and co-creating change.
👉 Whose voice inspires you most? Tag them below ⬇️
#CatalystCT #CommunityVoices #CollaborationInAction #EmpowerTransformRepeat
🕊️ National Conflict Resolution Day 🕊️
Conflict doesn’t have to break us. It can empower us to grow.
Restorative practices =
✨ Dialogue
✨ Repair
✨ Transformation
Together, we can build pathways to peace.
👉 Save this + share with a friend who believes in peaceful solutions.
#ConflictResolutionDay #RestorativeJustice #CommunityHealing #CatalystCT #TransformCommunities
Over a decade ago, we teamed up with @bridgeportps and Yale (with co-author Dr. Michael Strambler) to lead district-wide SEL—graduation up, dropouts down—and now research shows SEL boosts grades and test scores too.
The American Educational Research Association published a study showcasing the results. Meta-analysis highlights: universal SEL improves GPA and standardized tests, especially with programs longer than one semester and embedded in core instruction.
40 studies. 33,737 students. 12 countries. Gains in literacy and math. SEL drives academics.
#CatalystCT #SEL #EducationMatters #Bridgeport #CommunityImpact
✨ What is Restorative Justice? ✨
It means:
🧡 Repairing harm
🧡 Building accountability
🧡 Strengthening community
Not punishment—healing. 🙌
👉 Save + share this infographic today.
#RestorativeJustice #CatalystCT #CommunityHealing #Accountability
🌎 Today, we honor Indigenous communities. When we look at the map above, we see so many names that are familiar today.
Their stories, resilience, and contributions inspire us to keep pushing for justice and equity.
Let’s listen, learn, and act together. ✊
👉 Share this post today.
#IndigenousPeoplesDay #CatalystCT #CommunityHealing #EmpowerTransformRepeat
🌟 Staff Spotlight 🌟
What if “getting help” felt safe at work? 💬
Our Recovery Friendly Workplace lead builds trust, training, and policies that put people first—so recovery and employment go hand-in-hand. 💙
Jaqueline leads our Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative and is shown here with one of our partners from @Fpdct.
Tap our link-in-bio for resources, Narcan training, and stigma-free language tips that change lives. Save and share to spread support, not shame.
#CatalystCT #StaffSpotlight #RecoveryFriendlyWorkplace #ReduceStigma #Resources #CommunityImpact
✨ What’s the ONE piece of advice you’d give your younger self? 💭
Our Youth Diversion Team at Catalyst CT works with young people every day who are searching, growing, and finding their way. 🌱
Your wisdom could be the spark that inspires the next generation. Drop your advice below and let’s build a chain of encouragement together. 💙
💬 Share in the comments 👇
🔗 Save this post to reflect later
❤️ Tag a friend who needs this reminder
#CatalystCT #YouthVoices #PositiveVibes #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityStrength #WordsOfWisdom #InspirationDaily
💙 Our Values 💙
✨ Community Voices
✨ Collaboration
✨ Innovation
✨ Inclusion
✨ Integrity
This is our foundation—and how we transform communities together.
👉 Visit CatalystCT.org to learn more
#CatalystCT #OurValues #CommunityImpact #EmpowerTransformRepeat
🧡 October = Bullying Prevention Month 🧡
Restorative practices > punishment.
They build empathy, repair harm & create stronger communities. ✨
When youth feel heard:
🌱 They learn from mistakes
💡 They make meaningful change
🤝 They become leaders of kindness & respect
Let’s make schools safer + communities stronger—together.
👉 Save this post
👉 Share to spread awareness all month
#BullyingPreventionMonth #RestorativePractices #YouthEmpowerment #SafeSchools #CatalystCT #CommunityHealing #PositiveChange
🌟 Staff Spotlight 🌟
Determination shows up daily. Aquil and Troy from our StreetSafe Bridgeport team attended the New England Street Outreach Worker Conference 💙
Our Credible Messengers mentor and guide young men in Bridgeport away from violence and on to the path toward better futures.
Drop a 💙 or a shoutout in the comments to celebrate their impact and head to CatalystCT.org to learn more.
#CatalystCT #StaffSpotlight #CommunityImpact #Teamwork #EmpowerTransformRepeat