Two sisters from West Hartford, tell the story of their maternal grandmother. She is Native American and was forced to live in an Indian Residential School in British Columbia when she was five. They describe the trauma she experienced during her time in the school and how that trauma extended into the next two generations of their family. A cycle they are determined to break for the generation they're raising now. They also share how much they love and appreciate their grandmother, who's in her nineties.

“It’s been very important to me to end the cycle with us.”  

 To hear more stories visit StoryCorps CT

Two sisters from West Hartford, tell the story of their maternal grandmother. She is Native American and was forced to live in an Indian Residential School in British Columbia when she was five. They describe the trauma she experienced during her time in the school and how that trauma extended into the next two generations of their family. A cycle they are determined to break for the generation they're raising now. They also share how much they love and appreciate their grandmother, who's in her nineties.
“It’s been very important to me to end the cycle with us.”  
 To hear more stories visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">StoryCorps CT</a>

Connecticut Public teamed up with the StoryCorps Mobile Tour to record interviews of people from all backgrounds across our state. StoryCorps has facilitated thousands of conversations across the globe, teaching the value of listening and demonstrating that everyone's story matters. StoryCorps CT is a collection of these local conversations edited by Connecticut Public.

Connecticut Public teamed up with the StoryCorps Mobile Tour to record interviews of people from all backgrounds across our state. StoryCorps has facilitated thousands of conversations across the globe, teaching the value of listening and demonstrating that everyone's story matters. StoryCorps CT is a collection of these local conversations edited by Connecticut Public.

StoryCorps CT

Breaking the cycle of trauma

In this conversation, lifelong friends Maerie and Roberta honor the memories of their mothers, Mildred and Alberta, the deep bond between all four of them, and what amazing women they were. They also share the supportive role that Al-Anon played in all their lives. 

“Had I not had your mom, I don’t know what path I would have taken.” - Meari

“Blessed are thou that we had our moms and that we have each other.” - Roberta

Hear Mearie and Roberta's full conversation in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more about StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

In this conversation, lifelong friends Maerie and Roberta honor the memories of their mothers, Mildred and Alberta, the deep bond between all four of them, and what amazing women they were. They also share the supportive role that Al-Anon played in all their lives. 
“Had I not had your mom, I don’t know what path I would have taken.” - Meari
“Blessed are thou that we had our moms and that we have each other.” - Roberta
Hear Mearie and Roberta's full conversation in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/meari-avery-and-roberta-solimene/">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more about StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct</a>.

“Blessed are thou that we had our moms."

Sandra and Doreen both immigrated from Barbados to the U.S. in their youth and share two share very different experiences of coming to North America. Doreen also explains how she never felt confident putting roots down here.

“I have to say I was initially very impressed. I  was a very curious child, so I was looking around, I was like, I love the lights. There was so much to like.” - Sandra 

“Clearly, I’m still here. And so, at some point, I’m going to have to own this American self.” - Doreen

Hear their full interview in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

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Sandra and Doreen both immigrated from Barbados to the U.S. in their youth and share two share very different experiences of coming to North America. Doreen also explains how she never felt confident putting roots down here.
“I have to say I was initially very impressed. I  was a very curious child, so I was looking around, I was like, I love the lights. There was so much to like.” - Sandra 
“Clearly, I’m still here. And so, at some point, I’m going to have to own this American self.” - Doreen
Hear their full interview in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/sandra-taitt-eaddy-and-doreen-richardson/">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more on StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.</a>
W7Bv9J4JkH70C2XGbeFG

Coming from 166 square miles

Andrea Rapacz talks with Lydia Mele about her parent's love story and the impact Lydia's mother, Olga Mele, had on their family and the Hispanic community in the Hartford area. You'll hear about her early involvement in the San Juan Center and her tireless efforts to support the people in her community. Lydia told Andrea, “Mom inspired everyone to reach their highest potential, including me.”

“Her main mission was to help people find jobs, get educated, and empower them to help themselves.” - Lydia Mele

“He always said my mother was his salvation.” - Lydia Mele (referencing a story about her father)

Hear the full interview in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

Andrea Rapacz talks with Lydia Mele about her parent's love story and the impact Lydia's mother, Olga Mele, had on their family and the Hispanic community in the Hartford area. You'll hear about her early involvement in the San Juan Center and her tireless efforts to support the people in her community. Lydia told Andrea, “Mom inspired everyone to reach their highest potential, including me.”
“Her main mission was to help people find jobs, get educated, and empower them to help themselves.” - Lydia Mele
“He always said my mother was his salvation.” - Lydia Mele (referencing a story about her father)
Hear the full interview in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/lydia-mele-and-andrea-rapacz/#transcript">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more on StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct</a>.

Breaking the cycle of trauma

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