Our Mission

Soundview Empowerment Alliance (SEA) was born in the spring of 2022 out of love for a place and belief in what a community can do when it comes together. Formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SEA began with a simple, urgent goal: to save a beloved neighborhood landmark at Old Mill Beach and preserve the heart of a community gathering place that had served Westport for more than a century.

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Our first act was to protect the Old Mill Store building, the oldest continuously operating retail food establishment in Westport. For generations, it has stood at the water’s edge as a place of welcome and belonging. SEA’s mission is to preserve this history in perpetuity, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience and learn from this treasured piece of local heritage.

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Yet preservation is only the beginning. SEA is dedicated to expanding the role of the Old Mill and its legacy business to create opportunities that empower and include. Through education, life-skills development, and job training, we are helping adults with disabilities find meaningful work and connection within their community.

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This work bridges the past and the future, honoring the spirit of the Old Mill as a gathering place while opening new doors for participation, understanding, and shared purpose. SEA believes that when we preserve the places that tell our stories and include every neighbor in writing the next chapter, we create something truly lasting — a community built on history, compassion, and belonging.