Abilis

Abilis provides people with developmental disabilities and their families in lower Fairfield County, CT and parts of Westchester County, NY with supports and advocacy for building able lives and strong communities. Abilis believes that all people deserve to live, learn, work and enjoy life based upon their personal preferences. Each person’s own strengths and dreams for the future deserve acknowledgment and respect. All people deserve access to resources, opportunities and skills that enhance their ability to self-advocate effectively.

• Address: 1150 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905
• Contact: Monica Smyth - email: smyth@abilis.us
• Phone: 203-324-1880X336
• Volunteer Opportunity: Abilis runs a year-round performing arts program for teens of all abilities. Meet Sundays from 2 - 4 in Stamford or Greenwich. Abilis' Youth Board meets monthly on Sunday afternoons and helps with Abilis' Mission of Supporting People with Disabilities.

American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross was formed from the union of eight American Red Cross Chapters in Connecticut - the Charter Oak, Darien/Stamford, Mid-Fairfield Country, Milford, New Canaan, South Central Connecticut, Waterbury Area and Western Connecticut Chapters. The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

• Address: 158 Brooklawn Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
• Contact: Theresa Addison - email: theresa.addison@ctredcross.org
• Phone: 203-683-4264
• Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers can assist with blood drives, fundraising, special events and other activities depending on age, availability and skills.

Boys and Girls Club of Stamford

The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford is a dedicated youth facility that is open daily, is managed by a professional staff, and available and affordable to all youth.  We have provided after school activities and youth development services to the youth of Stamford, Connecticut since 1927. 

• Address: 347 Stillwater Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
• Contact: Jeff Pytlak - email: jpytlak@bgcastamford.org
• Phone: 203-324-0594
• Volunteer Opportunity: "Volunteers are needed to help the children with homework, assist with arts and crafts, technology, games and team sports.

Christian Community Action

Food Pantry

• Address: 98 S. Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
• Contact: Joy Romeo - email: ccanorwalk@yahoo.com
• Phone: 203-899-2485
• Volunteer Opportunity: CCA needs food pantry volunteers to stock shelves and serve clients Monday - Friday from 9:30-12:00 and the 2nd Saturday of every month. Could also use help in the furniture room, office and special programs such as major food drives.

Christian Community Action

The mission of Christian Community Action, Norwalk (CCA) is to provide essential resources such as food and furniture to Norwalk residents who are in need of emergency assistance. In addition, CCA also seeks to assist families and individuals who are in need of emergency financial aide for items such as security deposits for renting apartment or for utilities expense. In these ways, CCA seeks to reduce both hunger and homelessness in the city of Norwalk.

• Address: 98 S. Main St, Norwalk, CT 06854
• Contact: Joy Romeo - email: ccanorwalk@yahoo.com
• Phone: 203-899-2485
• Volunteer Opportunity: Youth Volunteers serve in these capacities: Food pantry volunteers to stock shelves and serve clients (9:30 - 12:00: M-F; 2nd Saturday of every month). Also need furniture room helpers, office help and special programs such as food drives.

Darien and Stamford Red Cross

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

• Address: 39 Leroy Avenue, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Dana Ross - email: x
• Phone: 203-287-3327 x 677
• Volunteer Opportunity: Red Cross Action Team: RCAT’s is open to all high school students. Their mission is to contribute to the community through volunteer work and to promote Red Cross emergency preparedness to both youth and adults. Provide support at the Red Cross office, blood drives, special projects, training and fundraising.

Darien Fire Department

Since 1895 the Darien Fire Department has relied completely on the volunteers that dedicate their time and energy. Even if you are unable to volunteer as an active member of the department there are many ways to assist the Darien Fire Department. House Members assist the active fire fighters by performing administrative and other tasks such as cooking and mechanical work.

• Address: 848 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Shane Smith - email: darien410@aol.com
• Phone: 203-655-1216
• Volunteer Opportunity: Do you want to help out the community, take part in a well established organization, have fun and get trained as a Probationary Member of the Fire Department? This is for you. Training classes are held every Monday. The Fire Department also is involved in Special Events, Fire Parade Competitions, has a paintball , softball and football team. You carry a beeper when "on-call."

Domestic Violence Crisis Center and Peaceworks

The DVCC is the only domestic violence agency serving the cities and towns of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, New Canaan, Darien, Wilton and Weston and is part of an 18 member state coalition, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV). The staff at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center is dedicated to the task of helping adults and children find ways to live thier lives in peace, without the threat of violence, intimidation or abuse.

• Address: 777 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06901
• Contact: Caitlin McArdle - email: cmcardle@dvccct.org
• Phone: 203-588-9100X116
• Volunteer Opportunity: Students in grades 9-12 can work with the DVCC throughout the towns of Westport, Weston, Wilton, Darien, Norwalk, New Canaan, and Stamford to help eliminate domestic and interpersonal violence in the home, school and community. Students can volunteer with PeaceWorks, our violence prevention education program, through Teen PeaceWorks, our teen dating violence awareness groups led by and for teens, as well as for our agency in general by providing childcare and community outreach at local events. All student volunteers must attend a 30-hour educational seminar to become certified.

Family and Children's Agency

Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a non-profit human service agency that meets the needs of more than 10,000 individuals--including children, adults, and families--throughout Fairfield County and beyond. Skilled professionals serve clients in seven primary impact areas: youth development, family strengthening, foster care, adoption, behavioral health, homeless service, and services for seniors. Eighty-nine cents of every dollar given to FCA directly benefits those in need in our community.

• Address: 9 Mott Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
• Contact: Mayx Holmes - email: mholmes@fcagency.org
• Phone: 203-523-5715
• Volunteer Opportunity: Junior Project Friendship - Juniors and Seniors are mentors to younger children (ages 6-12). Big Friends see their Little Friends once a week year round. Activities range from going to the movies, playing in the park, baking cookies or just hanging out. Mentors have the opportunity to be positive role models and make a real difference in the life of a child. Drivers license required. After School Program -Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are homework helpers to 6th, 7th and 8th graders after school, located at Norwalk Community College.

Family Centers

Family Centers is a private, non-profit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families living in Lower Fairfield County. More than 1400 trained professionals and volunteers work together to provide a wide range of innovative and responsive programs. Annually Family Centers services more than 16,000 individuals and families through their thirty programs.

• Address: 40 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830
• Contact: Jennifer Flatow - email: jflatow@familycenters.org
• Phone: 203-869-4848
• Volunteer Opportunity: Our early care and education program, which services children from birth to five years of age, seeks dedicated volunteers to work side by side with our staff. We have multiple locations in Greenwich and can accommodate volunteers Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30am to 6pm.

Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. is lower Fairfield County's primary hunger-relief organization. We are the only food bank that services this area. The Food Bank provides food to about 100 non-profit agencies and programs that serve low income people in our six town service area through bags of groceries and congregate meals. This includes soup kitchens, food pantries, child care programs, homeless shelters, senior centers, domestic violence safe houses, and rehabilitation programs.

• Address: 461 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford, CT 06906
• Contact: Kate Lombardo - email: klombardo@foodbanklfc.org
• Phone: 203-358-8898
• Volunteer Opportunity: Students are needed to conduct food drives at their schools and to help sort and stack food on shelves in the warehouse. Also, pick ups during the holiday season.

Kids in Crisis

Connecticut’s ONLY facility for children newborn to age 17, Kids in Crisis provides free, temporary shelter, therapeutic counseling, comprehensive medical care and specialized educational support for children struggling with a wide range of issues including abuse, neglect, abandonment, family health issues and family conflict.

• Address: One Salem St, Cos Cob, CT 06830
• Contact: Kristen Tomasiewicz - email: ktomasiewicz@kidsincrisis.org
• Phone: 203-622-6556
• Volunteer Opportunity: Join the Kids in Crisis Youth Corps! Area teens meet at the Depot to plan monthly activities for the youngest KIC residents, organize fundraisers and raise awareness about Kids in Crisis in the community. Meetings take place at the Depot, 6:30 PM on the first Thursday of every month

Liberation Programs

Liberation Programs’ mission is to empower people and their families to be free of the disease of addiction by providing targeted solutions that restore lives and strengthen our community.

• Address: 4 Elmcrest Terr, Norwalk, CT 06850
• Contact: Linda Logan - email: info@liberationprograms.org
• Phone: 203-851-2077x1291
• Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers are needed to help provide child care for infants and children at Families in Recovery Program at 141 Franklin Street while mothers are in counseling sessions. Plan and execute parties for the Families in Recovery Program. Prepare simple refreshments for a Sunday afternoon gathering of residents and their families at Liberation House on Main Street.

Literacy Volunteers-Stamford/Greenwich

LVSG is a community-based organization that utilizes the services of trained volunteers to provide free, high-quality reading, writing and English language programs to adults, both American and foreign born, for the purpose of enabling them to acquire the literacy skills necessary to achieve personal and occupational goals.

• Address: 141 Franklin Street, Stamford, CT 06901
• Contact: Lucia Cook - email: lec@lvsg.org
• Phone: 203-324-5214
• Volunteer Opportunity: Become a Reach Out and Read Volunteer and read to children in pediatric medical clinics. Come read (and play) to children waiting for medical appointments. A great opportunity to do with a friend. Students can organize drives for school supplies, collect new and gently used children's books. Community service and Internships are also available throughout the year.

New Covenant House of Hospitality

The Mission of Catholic Charities is to Put Faith into Action by Providing Food, Housing, Mental Health, Adoption, Immigration, & Family Support Services to the Needy & Vulnerable of All Faiths in Fairfield County

• Address: 90 Fairfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
• Contact: Betsy Lopez - email: x
• Phone: 203-964-8228
• Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers are needed to help serve and clean up after the meals. Lunch hours are from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Monday to Sunday, and dinner is served from Monday to Saturday at 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm. Help is also needed cleaning inside and outside the premises. Please call in advance to volunteer.

Noroton Fire Department

The Noroton Fire Department, a 100% volunteer organization, is committed to providing high-quality fire and rescue services while remaining fiscally responsible to our contributors and the taxpayers of Darien .

• Address: 1873 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Bobby Buch - email: x
• Phone: 203-655-0653
• Volunteer Opportunity: There are many volunteer opportunities for youth at the Darien Fire Departments. Students must be 16 and healthy to join a Department as junior probationary members and begin fire fighting training to become state certified. Each Department provides leadership training and exercises in team building. Youth are actively involved in fund raising and outreach programs via public education about fire prevention

Noroton Heights Fire Department

Being a fully volunteer fire department, we depend on individuals who can help and lend a hand to preserve this great organization and to provide fire protection for the Town of Darien. Without these volunteers who unselfishly give up some of their free time, the fire service could not be what it is today.  If you are sixteen years of age or older, are willing to learn this honorable trade and want to provide a service to your community, then we have a position for you at the Noroton Heights Fire Department.

• Address: 209 Noroton Avenue, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Jeff Lombardo - email: lombardo.jeff@yahoo.com
• Phone: 203-979-1348
• Volunteer Opportunity: There are many volunteer opportunities for youth at the Darien Fire Departments. Students must be 16 and healthy to join a Department as junior probationary members and begin fire fighting training to become state certified. Each Department provides leadership training and exercises in team building. Youth are actively involved in fund raising and outreach programs via public education about fire prevention

Norwalk Emergency Shelter

The mission of the Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Inc. is to provide safe, sanitary shelter care to homeless men, women, and families; to assist shelter residents in searching for housing, jobs, counseling and treatment; and to foster residents' growth toward independence and responsibility.

• Address: 4 Merritt Street, Norwalk, CT 06856
• Contact: Frank Concepcion - email: neshelter@aol.com
• Phone: 203-866-1057
• Volunteer Opportunity: Volunteers needed in Soup Kitchen (w/adult supervision), painting projects, clean up, planting, yard work. Volunteers also needed for clothing and food drives. Help is needed sorting clothing and food donations for distribution.

Person-to-Person

We are a volunteer-driven, community-based agency that, through a sharing of goods and talents, responds to our neighbors who lack basic necessities and resources to improve their lives. Person-to-Person provides rapid response to client emergencies as well as access to interconnected services that support our clients' journey toward self-sufficiency. These services include practical help, problem solving, advocacy, and education. We strive to promote positive change in the lives of our clients and volunteers and increased community awareness of needs and problems.

• Address: 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Janet King - email: jking@p2pdarien.org
• Phone: 203-655-0048
• Volunteer Opportunity: Students are welcome to join the Youth Group which helps Person-to-Person on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Volunteers can help with a variety of tasks including sorting donated clothes, making up food bags for clients, greeting clients and inputting client information into the database.

Pet Animal Welfare Society - PAWS

PAWS is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in continuous operation since 1962 by Westport, Connecticut resident Betty Long to rescue homeless dogs and place them in permanent homes. In the early 1980s, our rescue efforts were expanded to include cats. PAWS rescues & rehomes approximately 115 dogs and 435 cats annually. Many of the dogs faced euthanasia at local pounds and most of the cats that we help are strays and abandoned cats that roam our streets. A portion of the pets that come to PAWS have been relinquished by their owners who are no longer able to care for them.

• Address: 504 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
• Contact: Lisa DiDonato - email: lisad@pawsct.org
• Phone: 203-750-9572 x 120
• Volunteer Opportunity: While you have to be at least 18 to volunteer at the shelter there are many volunteer jobs where you can make a difference. Volunteers are needed to help create donation canisters , decorate them with PAWS info and distribute them to collection centers. Help distribute the PAWS newsletters and PAWS flyers which showcase an animal currently available for adoption. Volunteers are needed to help organize drives for old bedding, towels or pet food for use in the kennels.

Safe Rides

Safe Rides is designed to combat the dangers of at-risk situations by providing youth with a "Safe Ride" home - no questions asked.

• Address: x, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Alicia Sillars - email: saferidesdarien@gmail.com
• Phone: 203-656-7326
• Volunteer Opportunity: Safe Rides is open to Juniors and Seniors. Iit is a youth-directed program sponsored by the Town of Darien Youth Commission. Safe Rides is designed to provide a free and confidential ride home to any high school student who is not in a condition to drive safely or to any student who wants to avoid being a passenger in such a situation. Safe Rides operates on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 PM to 2 AM, during the early fall to late spring. Safe Rides phone number is 655-6551.

St. Luke's LifeWorks

St. Luke’s LifeWorks is a non-profit organization providing learning opportunities, housing and support services to people overcoming homelessness in lower Fairfield County.

• Address: 141 Franklin St, Stamford, CT 06902
• Contact: Elaine Osowski - email: elaine@stlukeslifeworks.org
• Phone: 203-273-0987
• Volunteer Opportunity: -Students can organize drives for towels, sheets, blankets and/or toiletries for shelter residents. - Help collecting, wrapping, decorating, sorting and personalizing nearly 10,000 gifts in December . Or organize a toy drive to contribute to a happy holiday for families and children homeless or affected by AIDS. - Sponsor a children's activity-throw a special party for kids. -Provide a meal for the women's shelter, mental health and HIV/AIDS programs, lunches on Saturdays or various weekday nights. -Personal Care Drive - ziploc bags filled with toothpaste, toothbrush, anti-bacterial bar soap, etc. -Join the Homework Club.

Stamford Hospital

Stamford Hospital is a not-for-profit, community teaching hospital that has been serving Stamford and surrounding Connecticut communities for more than 100 years. We have 305 inpatient beds in medicine, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, and medical and surgical critical care units and maintain an educational partnership with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons for its teaching programs in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics/gynecology and surgery.

• Address: 30 Shelburne Rd, Stamford, CT 06902
• Contact: Stephanie Harris - email: sharris@stamhealth.org
• Phone: 203-276-7358
• Volunteer Opportunity: Several opportunities are available with a bi-monthly commitment: 1. Sunshine Team with 3 or more students to create crafts for patients 2. Healing Arts and Entertainment, students with talents such as painting, singing and playing instruments 3. Managing ED Closet - A group of 2 or 3 students to manage and organize the Emergency department donated clothing closet.4. Delivering patient flowers and mail.5. Supporting nurses (Patient support/visitation)6. Community Events and Fundraisers

The Joshua House Fund

Joshua House is a nonprofit dedicated to building houses for impoverished families in Appalachia. Students are accompanied by an adult family member for a one week trip to build a home. Participants pay their own transportation and hotel.

• Address: 85 Pembroke Road, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Margot Congdon - email: margotc@optonline.net
• Phone: 203-656-4581
• Volunteer Opportunity: A unique volunteer experience where parents and teenagers work together to build a home for a family in need.

The Joshua House Fund

Joshua House is a nonprofit dedicated to building houses for impoverished families in Appalachia. Students are accompanied by an adult family member for a one week trip to build a home. Participants pay their own transportation and hotel.

• Address: 85 Pembroke Road, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Margot Congdon - email: margotc@optonline.net
• Phone: 203-656-4581
• Volunteer Opportunity: A unique volunteer experience where parents and teenagers work together to build a home for a family in need.

Tiny Miracles Foundation

The Tiny Miracles Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping families with premature infants in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

• Address: 25-13 Old Kings Hwy, N, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Kelley Chapman - email: kelleychapman@ttmf.org
• Phone: 203-202-9714
• Volunteer Opportunity: Fund Raising Event Helpers. Office Intern Projects. Grant Researchers. Database office work, graphic design, packing and delivery of baby supplies, event support and other projects. Students can also do knitting, sewing and crochet baby preemie size hats, blankets and socks.

Volunteer Center of SWFC

The Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County serves nonprofit organizations, employers and individuals by coordinating their talents and resources, to build the capacity of agencies with the goal of enhancing the quality of life in our communities through volunteerism.

• Address: 62 Palmer’s Hill Road, Stamford, CT 06902
• Contact: Roberta Eichler - email: roberta@ucanhelp.org
• Phone: 203-348-7714
• Volunteer Opportunity: Help needed with office duties, large mailings, assembling brochures or handbooks.

Volunteer Square, Inc.

• Address: 21 Greenleaf Avenue, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Rachel Reese - email: rreese@volunteersquare.com
• Phone: 203.526.7017
• Volunteer Opportunity: Start a video club to photograph events for charities. Become a student liaison to promote awareness of the site to students and parents.

Waveny Care Center

Waveny Care Center offers comprehensive healthcare services to older adults and others affected by illness or injury. Waveny encourages and assists individuals to live with dignity and as independently as circumstances permit. It has earned its enviable reputation for excellence thanks to its patient-oriented philosophy and superior staff.

• Address: 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
• Contact: Sandie Malloy - email: smalloy@waveny.org
• Phone: 203-594-5334
• Volunteer Opportunity: Waveny has numerous volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can help by assisting with the serving of meals to residents; assist at the nurse’s station; work in the special care unit with residents with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease; visit with residents and assist with activities such as card games, reviewing the latest news, leading an exercise program, or playing the piano. Help residents learn to use email and to correspond with their friends and family.

YWCA of Darien and Norwalk

The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Across the globe, we have more than 25 million members in 122 countries, including 2 million members in 300 local associations in the United States. More important than the numbers, is our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. We provide safe places for women and girls, build strong women leaders, and advocate for women's rights and civil rights in Congress.

• Address: 49 Old Kings Hwy, Darien, CT 06820
• Contact: Ellen Kirby - email: ellenk@ywcadariennorwalk.org
• Phone: 203-655-2535
• Volunteer Opportunity: We have 3 volunteer opportunities for DHS students:March 24th, Country Club of Darien Annual Benefit, Masquerade Ball. Help set up event, and silent auction runners to retrieve auction items and package up. April 29, Race Against Racism and Empowering Women, a running race departing from Cherry Lawn park at 8 a.m. Assistance needed at the event in handing out pinneys and numbers to runners, marshalls to mark location of race. July 4th, Push-n-Pull parade, 8th annual parade for kids of all ages. We need help with setting up event at Tilley Pond Park day of event.