As summer winds down and we look ahead to the fall, we’re filled with gratitude for our community partners who work with us every day, our schools who are welcoming us back into their classrooms, and our clients who trust us on their healing journey.
Over the summer, we were thrilled to celebrate the Trauma Recovery Clinic’s 1st anniversary. Our team has done such life-changing work, completing over 1,200 sessions this year! Behind every one of those sessions is a story, a path to something better. And we are excited and honored that, due to such strong community support, we have been able to double the size of the clinic this summer and add more licensed therapists to our roster.
In July, we also co-launched an Anti-Trafficking Coalition with our partner, Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT). This coalition brings law enforcement, community partners, and service providers together to find solutions—new policies and procedures—to fight human trafficking in Fairfield County.
Looking ahead, we are moving forward on our new KidSafeHQ website (a web-based resource for parents on how to keep their children safe), getting ready to host our next Advocate Training session, and preparing for our annual fundraiser, Gingerbread Houses and Cocktails for a Cause. This event is extremely popular, so be sure to get your tickets early!
There’s so much happening at The Rowan Center and so many ways for you to get involved. Thank you for being part of our community, and thank you for making all of this important work possible.
Sponsor Gingerbread Houses and Cocktails for a Cause
Sponsorships for this year’s Gingerbread Houses and Cocktails for a Cause are now available!
By sponsoring our event on December 4, you will ensure we can continue to show up wherever we’re needed most as demand for our services continues to rise and public funding becomes increasingly limited and unpredictable. These sponsorships are even more important given the uncertain funding environment for nonprofits, and they’re a great way to promote your business, connect with our engaged community, and support a critical cause impacting so many of our neighbors!
Learn more and sponsor the event at therowancenter.org/gingerbread >>
Certified Advocate Training Hosted in September and January
At The Rowan Center, our Certified Advocates provide essential support to survivors of sexual violence—on the hotline, in hospitals, at police stations, and in courtrooms. This volunteer role is an opportunity to make a real difference. It’s not easy, but it’s very rewarding for those who really want to have a meaningful person-to-person experience.
Our current Certified Advocate Training session started on September 3, and we have a committed group of volunteers signed up and ready to go. Our next opportunity will be in January 2026. Sign up early to make sure you get a spot!
Sign up now at therowancenter.org/get-involved/volunteer >>
The Trauma Recovery Clinic Turns One
We recently celebrated one year of The Rowan Center’s Trauma Recovery Clinic! It’s not easy to get a new effort like the clinic up and running, let alone have it achieve such success in its first year. We are grateful for our Clinic Director, Luke Robbins, and his team for their hard work, vision, and commitment to healing our communities.
Our trauma-informed long-term therapists walk alongside individuals impacted by ALL trauma, including sexual and domestic violence, addiction, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and more. Please know we are here if you need us.
Learn more about the Trauma Recovery Clinic at therowancenter.org/trauma-recovery-clinic >>
Anti-Trafficking Coalition Meeting with PEHT
In July, we were honored to co-host our first Anti-Trafficking Coalition meeting with our partners at PEHT: Partnership to End Human Trafficking. By joining forces, we’re working to ensure that survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking have the safety, support, and resources they need to heal and thrive. Our next meeting will take place in September. Stay tuned to follow our progress!
Through our trafficking prevention program, we deliver targeted education in English and Spanish to vulnerable communities in Stamford and lower Fairfield County. By helping children and community members recognize warning signs, understand risk factors, and learn how to prevent sex trafficking, we’re addressing this critical issue head-on to protect children and reduce exploitation.
Annual Rowan Center Staff Meeting
Last month, we hosted our annual Staff Offsite Retreat. Our team spent the day discussing our mission, vision, and strategy. It was a productive and wonderful way to spend a summer Friday!