Take A Breath community forum, a non-partisan informational session on several key topics of interest, was held at the East Granby Senior/Community Center on April 26.
The purpose of the event was to give residents throughout the Farmington Valley an opportunity to meet with experts on a wide variety of topics that are top-of-mind for people today, including Social Security and Medicare, veterans’ benefits and care, women and LGBTQIA+ rights, public education funding, and immigration law.
Not a protest, town hall or political action, the focus was on providing practical advice and support for everyday people with real concerns and challenges.
Attendees were also treated to a powerful lineup of speakers, starting with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal via video feed from his home. Later in the afternoon, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined the group by video chat while enroute to another engagement. Inspiring in-person talks were delivered by Luke Bronin, former mayor of Hartford, and Dana Bucin, notable immigration lawyer, who successfully defended a group of fifty-one in-state college and university students in upholding their student visa status.
To many in the audience, the highlight of the event was a talk by William Tong, Attorney General of Connecticut, who described his family’s experience starting with his parent’s journey from Chinese immigrants to successful restaurateurs, and culminating in his rise to ensuring the rule of law in our state.
The successful event was co-organized by East Granby resident Sandy Landolina and Jason Hayes, whose far-reaching connections and relationships enabled such a star-studded lineup of experts and speakers.