StoryCorps CT

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 s...

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 f...

Lynn and Gerard have spent over four decades together. In this conversation, they recall the early days of their relationship and what their experiences were like coming out to their families.

“I remember going home to my apartment building, and I walked in the front door and just screamed, ‘I just told my mother!’” - Gerard

“I hope we have another forty years together.” - Lynn

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

Tina grew up in Nicaragua and Ruby’s family is from Mexico. The two met in New Haven and shared their experiences growing up and how they developed deeper connections to their roots while living in the United States. 

“The first thing I did was connect more with my family.” - Ruby

“When I left, I realized how much I actually loved my culture and loved my country.” - Tina

“I feel like New Haven is a good place to grow.” - Tina

H...

Kristin and Ken met through an online dating app. Ken was a former PGA Tour golfer who lost his right leg and more in a tragic accident. In this conversation, Kristin shares what attracted her to Ken and how amazed she was at his deep relationship with his friends.

“When I look back on life, those the are things you’re gonna remember. The relationships you’ve had with people.” - Ken

“If you’ve got that great connection with peopl...

Sally and Sam Roudebush had been married for 43 years at the time they recorded this interview. Together they talk about how Sam’s job in the U.S. Coast Guard allowed them to meet so many wonderful people. Sally shares her perspective on being a military spouse and the positive social impacts of the military community. 

“That’s one of the best things of moving around as much as we did, meeting the people we did.” - Sally

“Some of...

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 ...

Bryan Sayles's twin daughters showed interest in learning music at a young age. Despite challenging times he and his wife always found ways to support Molly's drumming and Emma's trombone playing and music composition. The family talks about how music has brought them together and created lasting memories to continue today.

Credits:

• Interview Facilitated by: StoryCorps Mobile Tour
• Connecticut Public Producers: Meg Fitzgera...

Endia DeCordova talks with her mother, Gem DeCordova, about how her late father was introduced to the West Indian community in Harford after immigrating to the States from Jamaica. Gem shares how the West Indian Social Club was born out of those early community gatherings and the legacy of kindness and inclusion her husband left behind.

“When they get a day off, this is where they go. It was like a party house for everyone to meet...

Connecticut artist Ricky Mestre talks with friend and New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick Dunn about the role art plays in their lives. They explore queer art as a genre and how art has the power to reflect a community.

“I enjoy the arts so much that I want to be around all of it.” – Ricky Mestre

Credits:

• Interview Facilitated by: StoryCorps Mobile Tour
• Connecticut Public Producers: J Holt, Megan Fitzgerald,...

Randy Mott in Bloomfield, CT, talks with her 92-year-old mother, Jackie Brown, about the many ways she’s reinvented herself. Jackie shares a funny story of the catalyst for how she became a successful artist and painter at the age of sixty. Jackie still paints today.

“I’ve had a really interesting life and some of it’s been hard but it made me a stronger person, I think.” – Jackie Brown

“Now, you are our hero because you’ve done ...

Dawn Ennis shared an intimate conversation with her child, Leif, who was known as Liam when they recorded this StoryCorps conversation. The two talk about what it was like for Dawn to come out to her children as transgender, the loss of Leif’s mom to cancer, and how their family supports each other unconditionally.

“It’s a thrill to be a dad who is also a mom because I get the best of both worlds.” - Dawn Ennis

“It’s awesome to h...

Seventeen-year-old Rae George interviews her mother, Weruché George, the two share their thoughts on honoring and preserving culture here in the U.S. Weruché shares how her Dad’s influence shaped her and what she hopes her children take with them from their Nigerian heritage. Rae offers her advice of gratitude for those who may be new to the U.S. 

Credits:

• Interview Facilitated by: StoryCorps Mobile Tour
• Connecticut Public...

Maija Earl recalls her son Erik Sparkowski being outgoing, talkative, and happy while growing up. But in sixth grade, that all changed, as Erik began to struggle in ways he never had. In this StoryCorps CT conversation, Maija and Erik talk about their commitment to finding the right treatment path that would help and support Erik with his anxiety and learning disability.

Credits:

• Interview Facilitated by: StoryCorps Mobile ...

Connecticut Lawyers Kim Jacobsen and Kathy Flaherty met while working for the same company. They talk about Kathy’s experience navigating the workplace while being open about her bipolar disorder. Kim shares how an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease led her to embrace talking openly about disabilities. Their bond of friendship has helped each other and others who live and work with disabilities.

Credits:

• Interview Facil...

Audrey Daigneault of Norwich, CT, was only 16-months old when she contracted the poliovirus in 1949.  Audrey says polio "took her childhood and her old age," with lifelong impacts on her physically and emotionally.  With the COVID-19 virus continuing to plague the globe and news of vaccine hesitancy in the headlines, Audrey found herself reliving those childhood moments, including being the first in her second-grade class to get a ...

Asif Safa worked with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and was able to apply for a special immigrant visa. After a four-year process of securing that visa, Asif and his family arrived in Stamford, Connecticut. The Stamford Interfaith Refugee Settlement Group welcomed Asif and his family, helping them learn English, and find housing and jobs.  Asif talks with Amy Ewing, who he met through the Refugee Settlement Group, about his experien...

Maria Rosario was number 15 out of 16 children born to her parents in Puerto Rico. After her mother passed away when she was seven, Maria and some of her siblings were relocated to Hartford, Connecticut, to live with their older sister. Maria talks with her daughter Elena about what that experience was like and how she found a community in places like Hartford’s Sacred Heart Church. Elena draws connections between her mother’s expe...

Shelley Nygren and John Baker met over thirty years ago in a faith community in Southington. They became fast friends who recognized a sense of belonging in one another. Shelley and John share their friendship journey, a few laughs, and an Irish blessing in this conversation. 

"When I met you, I felt like we had known each other a long time." Shelley Nygren

"You're someone that I loved, right away." John Baker

Credits: 

• R...