What is the COMO?

OUR MISSION

At the COMO, our mission is to inspire a welcoming, collaborative and engaged community through intellectual growth, active play and creative expression.

Established in 1945, the Stonington Community Center covers a 16-acre campus. The main building, located at 28 Cutler Street in Stonington, CT, houses a pottery studio, NAEYC-accredited preschool program, gymnasium and auditorium. The campus also includes a thrift store, makerspace, 4 paddle courts with warming hut, 4 deco-turf tennis courts, children’s garden, pond, playground and sports fields. Programs run year-round spanning the entire COMO campus.

LEARN
From after-school programs and summer camps to fitness classes and art workshops, our educational initiatives are central to our mission, offering opportunities for intellectual growth, whether through youth enrichment programs, adult learning classes, or creative workshops.

PLAY
From youth sports leagues and racquet sports to group fitness classes we provide opportunities for physical activity to promote well-being and connection. We believe in the power of active play to bring people together and foster personal growth, and we offer a wide range of athletic and fitness programs catering to all ages and abilities.

CREATE
Through hands-on projects, workshops, and camps, we engage learners of all ages, providing them with the tools to explore new ideas and develop critical thinking skills. Our STEAM programs are designed to spark curiosity and problem-solving, offering educational experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Diversity, equity and inclusion are the backbone of COMO’s culture as an organization committed to supporting a strong and vibrant community. We embrace and encourage our community’s differences in age, color, ability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our community unique. 

The COMO provides an affordable fee structure, which is supported by fundraising efforts, participates with state child care subsidy benefits, and provides various program scholarships designed to remove financial barriers to program access. As a nationally-accredited child care center our curriculum reflects the COMO’s values that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our programs establish and maintain collaborative relationships with each child’s family and are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture. Teachers gain information about the ways families define their own race, religion, home language, culture, and family structure and use that information to adapt the curriculum and teaching methods to the families served. Language diversity is incorporated into the curriculum and the physical space of our classrooms. Materials and equipment used to implement the curriculum reflect the lives of the children and families as well as the diversity found in society. 

As an educational institution, we are a team of lifelong learners who embrace opportunities to learn and grow. Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our legacy of service and we seek out opportunities to learn about our own unconscious bias, deliver inclusive experiences and model these values in our actions. It is our belief that bringing together people from a wide range of backgrounds with unique perspectives, in all facets of our nonprofit organization, fosters innovation, creativity, inclusivity as well as strengthens community.

We offer a unique and wide variety of programming for all ages. From our pottery studio to our sports fields, paddle tennis courts, summer camps, technology classes, and life skills. We also offer several major events throughout the year, including the beloved Village Fair. Learn more about our campus and discover what the COMO can offer to you!

The FISH! Philosophy

A Simple Choice
Inspired by the work of filmmaker John Christensen and “The Big Tuna Ph. D.” Stephen Lundin, the COMO embraces FISH!, an internationally acclaimed model of customer service. The authors’ inspiration for FISH! came from the world famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. Pike Place Fish Market is known for literally throwing fish as they conduct business, laughing, playing and connecting with their customers.

The FISH! Philosophy can apply to both work and home. The four principles are:

Play
Carry a light heart and capture the power of fun. Play is not the opposite of work. Play fosters creativity and problem solving, lightens the mood and is a great antidote to toxic energy.

Make Their Day
Give a little more than is expected of you. Great energy develops form making someone’s day. React to each person as an individual. What simple action or statement would bring a smile to their face?

Be There
Be fully present in all conversations. Listen. Set aside distractions and give your full attention to all with whom you speak. This is the highest form of respect.

Choose Your Attitude
No one, but ourselves, can choose our reactions and attitudes towards daily events and people. The attitude you choose each morning impacts both your day and that of all with whom you interact.