Creativity Connects Danbury: Meet Samantha Flynn

Creativity Connects Danbury

What fuels a vibrant, connected, and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Danbury?

When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good.

Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Danbury. 

Creativity connects us.

Samantha Flynn, Director of Development at Women’s Center of Greater Danbury 

Finish this sentence:  When I think of creativity in town I think of…

When I think of creativity in town I think of people and groups collaborating for the common good as the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury and the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut have done in their partnership titled Endworks. The goal of Endworks is to engage the arts community and promote the work of the Women’s Center. Just to highlight one Endworks project, Toni Miraldi, artist and owner of Mural Envy, designed and painted a wall mural that illustrates and draws attention to domestic violence and sexual assault. Toni Miraldi spoke with volunteers and staff at the Women’s Center, and from those conversations came a clear message of hope, empathy, advocacy and diversity. Endworks will unveil another piece by Toni Miraldi at its Spring 2021 fundraiser.

Is there a person or organization using creativity to provoke change in Danbury?

Since the start of the pandemic, non-profit organizations have been forced to think creatively about how to best continue to provide services, fundraise and manage daily operations. The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury has been able to rise to the challenge and continue to provide its FREE programs and services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, but, for the most part, remotely. They have also had to reimagine their upcoming Safewalk, which is one of their three major fundraising events. This year they will host Safewalk – the Virtual Edition. Members of the community at-large are invited to remain safe and socially distanced as they walk, run, or creatively move, knowing they are providing critical support for countless victims of domestic violence. Covid-19 has stripped away the only reprieve victims have from their abusers – leaving their homes, but the Women’s Center has been here to help. The Women’s Center's vision is to ultimately “end the violence.” For more information on the Women’s Center and the Safewalk please visit www.wcogd.org.

Is there an organization in town that makes you feel good?

The Greater Danbury community has numerous worthy non-profit organizations – too many to name. The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury makes me feel good as it is part of their mission to help eradicate violence in as many ways as possible. Their Education, Training, and Outreach department operates from the knowledge that education and awareness can prevent or reduce violence in our communities. The Women’s Center’s Safewalk fundraiser also serves as a community awareness event and attracts over 500 youth participants. Patricia Zachman, Women’s Center President & CEO believes that “an informed community is a safer community.” I could not agree with her more, and, as a local mom of two young boys, it gives me hope and a sense of security that these issues are a priority for our community.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Regional Hospice in Danbury. Nobody wants to imagine that their family will ever need to use their services. My husband’s dear cousin recently lost her courageous battle with ALS and spent many months at Regional Hospice because she could no longer find comfort in her home. She received top-notch 24/7 care including emotional, spiritual and family support. It gives me comfort knowing this type of facility and care is available in our community and our family will be forever grateful for the care and support our cousin received.

Creativity Connects Danbury is made possible by LIFEWTR.

If you have local creativity to share and would like to be featured in this series, feel free to email CreativityConnects@HamletHub.com 

The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HamletHub or LIFEWTR. 

 

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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