The Center for Empowerment and Education (CEE), formerly The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, has announced the results of a yearlong initiative funded by a $15,000 grant from the Union Savings Bank Foundation. During the past fiscal year, this funding was dedicated entirely to community impact, outreach, and prevention education, enabling CEE to deliver 260 programs across Connecticut — more than 22 percent of its total community impact programming.

For 50 years, CEE has provided no-cost, confidential services to survivors of interpersonal violence in northern Fairfield and southern Litchfield counties. While widely recognized for crisis intervention and emergency shelter, the grant strengthened a critical part of its mission: preventing violence before it begins through education.

“Education is a key pillar for Union Savings Bank and our foundation, and it truly begins with our youth,” said Chelen Reyes, USB president and CEO. “We are proud to support CEE’s prevention education initiatives and pleased this grant has enabled them to reach so many of our Connecticut neighbors.”

Equipping the Next Generation

According to Samantha Flynn, CEE’s chief development officer, the USB-funded programs reached approximately 26,000 people this year. CEE’s age-appropriate curriculum begins in kindergarten with “Care & Kindness” lessons and continues through middle and high school with dating abuse prevention programming. To expand its reach into higher education, CEE partners with Western Connecticut State University and Naugatuck Valley Community College. The organization also provides specialty services to community partners such as Ability Beyond.

Through consistent outreach, CEE has observed a shift in awareness among young people.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this prevention education work is seeing students arrive at college more equipped because they’ve participated in our programs since youth,” Flynn said.

Real-World Impact

Beyond statistics, the grant’s impact is reflected in safe, supportive environments, in which individuals feel empowered to share their stories and seek help. Because CEE educators are also certified counselors, educational sessions often lead to disclosures that connect participants with long-term healing resources.

Two recent examples illustrate this work:

• Breaking intergenerational trauma: During a Spanish-language prevention session for parents, one participant shared how childhood abuse shaped her parenting and her determination to protect her children. A CEE facilitator validated her experience, provided resources for healing and ensured that the participant knew counseling support was available.
• Gaining a voice: In a classroom session, a student recognized that a past relationship had been unhealthy and abusive. The program helped them understand what healthy love should look like and gave them the language to describe their experience.

A Deep-Rooted Partnership

CEE’s relationship with Union Savings Bank extends beyond funding. USB staff serve on CEE committees and volunteer at events, and Reyes sits on the CEE board of directors.

“We are deeply grateful for USB’s grant and support, which recognizes the vital role prevention education plays in addressing interpersonal violence,” Flynn said. “It allows us to collaborate more closely with partners and communities to foster safer environments where everyone can thrive.”

Union Savings Bank announced that the next annual USB Foundation Grants program will accept applications from March 1 through April 1, 2026. Area nonprofits are encouraged to visit unionsavings.com/community/how-we-give for more information.

Established in 1998, the USB Foundation has donated more than $6 million to hundreds of organizations. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, CEE serves 11 Connecticut towns, providing 24/7 support to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking while working to break cycles of violence through empowerment and education.