Meet Darlene Demetri (she/her), Grant Writer at The Rowan Center!
Describe your role at The Rowan Center
I started in February, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It’s very busy at The Rowan Center, and I see how dedicated the staff are daily. I’m working closely with our Development Director, Kate Guthrie. My expertise has been on the domestic violence side in the northern part of Connecticut – Hartford and Litchfield county. I’ve had some clients over my 26 years of grant writing in the southern part of Connecticut. I’ve learned a lot, it’s a lot of fun. I think we’re on our way to building a solid and expansive grant calendar. Kate and I work exceptionally well together, and I am very impressed with the dedication I see from the staff.
As a grant writer, I work within the four corners of the document, which means I tend to be a nameless, faceless voice asking for a ton of information. Even though I’m offsite and no one has met me in person, this particular agency has really made me a part of their team. They invite me to their weekly morning staff meetings. They can put a face and a voice to the name. I find the work – the sexual violence – far more complex and very interesting and even more heart-wrenching in many respects.
What initially drew you to The Rowan Center?
Due to the pandemic, and because I have FSHD (muscular dystrophy), I’m still in the process of getting a license to drive an adaptive van. I had been looking for something fully remote, but I also needed the interview process to be remote, too.
I saw The Rowan Center’s position for a grant writer on Indeed, and I wrote an application. I heard back right away, and they were so cool about doing the process remotely. And the rest is history.
Can you share something people might not know about The Rowan Center?
There’s a meaning to the name, and it’s discreet. The other thing I didn’t realize was just how complex the subject is; I’m beginning to see that it can be much more difficult for sexual violence organizations to get funding. Domestic violence, people get it. Sexual violence can be much more challenging to discuss. It can be triggering. You need to be able to present it and make very clear how important it is.
I’m also very impressed with the diversity of the staff. It’s made up of people from all different communities; they’ve done an excellent job with that.
What do you wish the community knew about The Rowan Center?
It is a good safe place and space where you can reach out for help. People will take good care of you. There are many hurdles someone has to overcome when they’ve experienced sexual violence. On that first call, you’ll find someone who will go to all lengths to accompany you. That accompaniment process is incredible – it can be a six to eight-hour ordeal, and our staff commits that time. That’s a huge thing.
Also, get The Rowan Center into your schools and organizations for prevention education. That is essential. They keep expanding them and fine-tuning them. Get them in so you can learn about the topic and prevention.
Educators are all state-certified sexual violence advocates. They’re the only agency of their kind that ensures that their educators are sexual violence victim advocates so that they can respond immediately if someone comes forward after a presentation. They are covered by the law to ensure that individuals that that communication is confidential. They’ll do mandated reporting. They can respond immediately when there is a disclosure.
Tell us about a favorite memory during your time here.
I was able to help The Rowan Center get a new grant funder to add to the calendar that we were not sure if we were able to succeed. That was like, yes! It was totally new. And, at the beginning of every staff meeting, they ask an ice breaker question, and we get funny responses and have a good laugh. We’ve got some really good people, and they’re all very kind individuals who go out of their way to make sure everyone feels welcome. No one feels like they’re being criticized. It’s not your fault if something goes awry. Everyone feels nurtured.
Lightning round questions
Do you have any hobbies?
I have a very nice deck system, and I like to spend as much time as possible decompressing out on my back deck. I have two elderly puppies – one of whom is high maintenance in his old age. And I write for Quest Magazine, which is the Muscular Dystrophy Association magazine. I love to write, and I find writing for the magazine very inspiring. It just fuels that fire within to do the grant writing as well. I get to meet new people and write about different topics.
Where should people eat, what should people do, or where should people go if they visit your community?
I live in Goshen. Its most famous attraction is the Goshen Fair. We’re in the hundred and something year, and it’s Labor Day weekend every year. I recommend AJ’s Steak and Pizza; it attracts a diverse clientele, as well as Honey and Milk. We also have beautiful farms. Visit blueberry farms or take a farm tour—you can find all the events on discoverlitchfieldhills.com. When I attended Fairfield University years ago, I had a bunch of friends from other states, and they came up to visit me, and they said, “we thought Connecticut was all like Bridgeport, but it’s so beautiful up here!” We are the foothills of the Berkshires. It’s gorgeous, it’s rural, it’s beautiful, and when the spring and summer come, it’s like, oh, this is why I live here.
What is something that you are learning or very curious about?
One of the things I’m trying to do is learn more about minimalism in terms of my life. Muscular dystrophy is progressive. Four or five years ago, I would have been in a regular chair. To maintain my home, I’m trying to find ways to really minimize things so that life is a little bit easier. I’m getting rid of excess stuff I don’t need so I have more room to function well—including work. I’m adding simple things like voice recognition accessibility on the computer. Anything that will save my physical energy for other things. That’s something I’m trying to figure out because it’s hard to part with things you think you need or love, but really does not enhance your quality of life in its current phase. And maybe a little feng shui while I’m at it.