Insight, Community, and Purpose – The Kids In Crisis Corporate Breakfast
Kids In Crisis proudly hosted our 2nd Annual Corporate Breakfast, an exciting, capacity-filled event where more than 50 companies gathered to support youth mental health in Fairfield County. Held on November 13 at the HMTX campus in Norwalk, the morning focused on a theme that resonates with every parent, educator, and employer today: how social media is shaping kids’ lives.
This annual gathering is designed not just as a networking event, but as a cornerstone of corporate social responsibility (CSR), bringing together businesses that believe in strengthening the communities in which their employees live and work.
Teens and Counselors Lead a Real Conversation About Social Media
One of the most powerful aspects of this year’s breakfast was hearing directly from the experts: the Kids In Crisis TeenTalk counselors who support students every day, and the teens themselves, who shared honest reflections about the digital pressures they face.
TeenTalk counselors Edward Milton, LMSW, from Norwalk High School, and Chitra Suresh, LMSW, from Brien McMahon High School, led a compelling discussion on:
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The growing mental health impact of social media
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Challenges teens face balancing online and offline identities
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Warning signs adults should understand
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How schools and families can work together to protect kids online
Their insights offered a window into what students are truly experiencing, and how important in-school mental health support is for early intervention.
Why Corporate Partners Make All the Difference
Kids In Crisis has served children and families for nearly 50 years, but we do not do this work alone. Our corporate partners play a growing role in expanding access to mental health resources such as:
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TeenTalk school-based counseling
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KidTalk early-childhood mental health services
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SafeHaven emergency shelter
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24/7 Crisis Helpline
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Lighthouse peer-support groups
By aligning with Kids In Crisis, companies strengthen their CSR strategy, foster purpose-driven workplace culture, and directly impact thousands of Connecticut children each year.
Corporate involvement builds purpose-driven teams, strengthens communities, and ensures no child falls through the cracks.
An Event That Reflects a Community’s Commitment
With the room filled to capacity, the Corporate Breakfast demonstrated that businesses across the region recognize the urgency of supporting youth mental health.
Attendees represented industries including finance, consumer products, real estate, tech, manufacturing, retail, and professional services, each united by a shared belief: healthy kids create healthier families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
We are deeply grateful to every company that showed up, asked thoughtful questions, and expressed a commitment to meaningful, long-term partnership.
A Special Thank-You to HMTX Industries
We are especially grateful to HMTX Industries for hosting this inspiring event at their world-class Norwalk campus. Their hospitality reflects their ongoing dedication to community impact and corporate citizenship.
How Your Company Can Get Involved
Whether through sponsorships, employee volunteerism, cause-marketing campaigns, corporate giving, or matching gifts, your company can help make sure no child faces crisis alone.
Ways to partner with Kids In Crisis:
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Sponsor a TeenTalk school
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Support our 24/7 Crisis Helpline
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Fund new KidTalk and Lighthouse sessions
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Engage employees in volunteer opportunities
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Host a corporate education workshop on youth mental health
Learn more at kidsincrisis.org or contact our Community Partnerships Manager, Erica Bates <ebates@kidsincrisis.org>
Thank You for Helping Us Build a Stronger, Healthier Community
The success of this year’s Corporate Breakfast reflects something powerful: when businesses stand with Kids In Crisis, we create real change for children and teens who need support navigating an increasingly complex world, especially online.
To all the companies that attended, supported, sponsored, or shared our mission:
Thank you for investing in local kids, families, and the future of Connecticut.
