We are not powerless and our kids need us.

Dear Friends,

Last month, I, in collaboration with Wilton Social Services, Wilton Public Schools, and Wilton Youth Council, sponsored a screening of Join or Die, a documentary about why the fate of America rests on our civic engagement through our involvement in clubs and neighborhood networks. (BTW, if your interest is piqued, act fast as you have only three more days to watch this film on Netflix! That said, you can still host a screening anytime.) 

Our town is very kid-centric, and the kind of town that people move to for the schools, but this event was very intentionally geared toward adults.  

Why? Research shows that children’s well-being and resilience rest firmly on the primary caregivers' well-being and resilience. If the adults in their lives aren’t okay, kids can't be okay. Where are we adults finding joy, belonging, and connection? 

In the end, it is our relationships that mean the most in our lives, but our burnout-guaranteed pace of life and digital exhaustion get in the way of us making time for clubs, activities, and even our friends.  

This perpetual busyness and lack of participation in clubs and groups is not only impacting our mortality, but threatening our democracy. 

I don’t need to tell you that America is not okay. The exciting truth is that change for our country is actionable by every one of us, not in Washington. We are not powerless. 

Connections are protective factors in our lives that create resilient families and communities, which are critical for a healthy and strong democracy. 

For the event, we put together a "Find Your People" handout that includes a list of clubs, leagues, social groups, and associations for Wilton adults (aged 18 and up), which will soon be live on our town website. 

We are holding a "Find Your People" fair at the Wilton Library on Sunday, October 4th, so that residents can connect IRL with these orgs/clubs/groups. We will also have a club “incubator” table where new groups can be organized. 

Do something. Join a club. Organize a block party.

Not only does it make you feel better, but it heals our country.

Healing for you, and healing for our country. 

The bottom line is that your behavior changes history. Stop waiting for someone else to do something. Be brave. Be the one. Be the well-being catalyst and organize a microlocal gathering for your neighbors this summer. I promise it’s an easy lift that will reward you (at least!) tenfold.  

Join me for my next office hours over on Zoom on:

• Tuesday, April 21, from 12 PM to 12:30 PM ET 

• Wednesday, April 29, from 3 PM to 3:30 PM ET

With you in this work,