As Danbury begins a new year, parents and community members are coming together with renewed energy and shared purpose to strengthen one of the city’s most enduring civic leadership efforts: the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI).

For nearly three decades, PLTI in Danbury has supported parents in building civic knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills - helping them discover their voice and purpose as advocates for children and families. Independent evaluation by NYU’s Metro Center affirms what participants know firsthand: PLTI is not just a leadership program, but a deeply personal and collective journey that helps parents refine their voice, confidence, and sense of purpose as leaders. It transforms how parents engage with their community.

Graduates of PLTI have gone on to serve across Danbury as members of city boards and commissions, school governance councils, nonprofit committees, and grassroots initiatives. Their leadership strengthens the city from the ground up and reflects the richness and diversity of Danbury itself.

At the heart of this work is the Danbury Civic Design Team (CDT). Formed by PLTI alumni and community partners, the CDT exists to steward PLTI’s values, elevate parent voice, and ensure the program continues to grow in ways that are responsive, inclusive, and community-led. Deeply committed to the evolving needs of families, the CDT serves as a volunteer advisory body where parents move from participation to shared leadership by designing, advising, and imagining what’s possible together.

“This moment is about momentum,” shared Miguel Barreto, CDT Co-chair. “PLTI showed us what happens when parents come together with intention. The Civic Design Team is how we carry that energy forward by staying connected, welcoming new voices, and continuing to build something meaningful for our children and our city.”

As the year unfolds, the CDT is embracing this moment to reconnect alumni, spark new partnerships, and invite the broader community into a shared vision for parent leadership in Danbury. Rachel Chaleski, CDT Co-chair, reflected on the deeper impact of the program: “PLTI didn’t just teach me about leadership, it helped me see myself differently. It gave me the confidence to speak up, to listen better, and to believe that my voice belongs in spaces where decisions are made.”

The CDT warmly invites parents, alumni, community partners, innovators, educators, nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and champions for families to be part of this next chapter. Whether you bring ideas, experience, partnership, or curiosity, there is a place for you in this movement. The goal is singular: to keep parents at the center of decisions that shape Danbury’s future.

As Danbury looks ahead, the Civic Design Team remains guided by a simple and powerful belief: When parents are supported to lead, families flourish and communities grow stronger.

To stay connected and receive updates and invitations, email danburyplticdt@gmail.com. Members of the PLTI alumni community are also encouraged to join the Alumni Network using the link provided https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfddfGVGmd4SBnh6XbhP2vkQdPVnrgV1Ez8EFbySjGDL6RObg/viewform