Volunteer Opportunites with Kids (Fairfield County)

With all the getting that goes on this time of year, you have to be intentional to get your kids to understand the importance of giving as well.  If you'd like to go beyond the family gift exchange to teach your kids about the needs in their community, there are several ways to do it -- even if they're quite young.

It can be as simple as coming up with healthy snacks, or as ambitious as coordinating your own collection drive.  Here are a few organizations looking for help, be it one-time only, or something your family elects to do on a regular basis.

Domus, in Stamford, cares for the region's most vulnerable youth and their families through charter schools, residential programs and community programs.  They currently have two options for families who want to tap into the spirit of giving this December:

1) Prepare a meal for abused or neglected teenage boys in one of two group homes.  Whip up a well-balanced, ready-to-eat meal that can satisfy 10 growing men ... and drop it off by 5pm!  It's important to note, your children are not allowed to enter the home.  Comfort foods such as ribs, beef stews, lasagna, beef tacos, meat loaf with mashed potatoes are greatly enjoyed.

2) Work a 2-hour shift at the 'Domus Holiday Mall' on December 22.  This shopping experience is set up for the parents of children in Domus' care.  Volunteers help keep the gift tables and clothing sections organized, wrap gifts, schlep gifts and keep the cafe stocked and tidy.  You can also offer to bring clothing store shopping bags, wrapping paper and ribbon, or baked goods for the cafe.  Festive music and holiday cheer provided!

83 Lockwood Ave., Stamford, CT
Contact: Julia Wade
jwade@domuskids.org
203-324-4277

The Family & Children’s Agency, in Norwalk, is an expansive non-profit committed to bettering the lives of the very young, very old, and everyone in-between.  They tackle the big stuff: homelessness, foster care, addiction, education and eldercare.  They've got four opportunities for your family to jump in and help immediately:

1) Provide Sunday Lunch for 40 Homeless Adults
This South Norwalk drop-in center acts as a first point-of-contact for the Agency and the homeless.  It is a place where the homeless can come during the day to socialize or seek out support.  You and a couple other families can team up to plan, purchase and provide Sunday lunch for 40 individuals, to be delivered by noon on the day you've selected.

2) Organize a Collection or Drive
Go big and collaborate with your office, school, youth or religious group to collect needed items for one of the many groups the
Family & Children’s Agency serves.

Ideas:
-New baby items (clothes, diapers, socks, bottles)
-New school supplies (backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, folders, rulers, markers)
-Personal care bags for teens (chapstick, scented lotions, and hair care products)
-Arts and craft kits for foster care children (crayons, markers, pads, construction paper)
-Norwalk Wheels bus tokens for safe rides for middle school students
-Non-perishable food items
-Hygiene bags (soap, deodorant, hair products, dental care items)
-New clothing collection for homeless adults (t-shirt, seasonal clothing, socks)
-Gently-used winter coats for homeless adults (in season)
-Baskets of cleaning supplies
"Welcome" baskets (linens, utensils, cups, plates)
-New gifts for all ages to be given for birthdays or prizes for academic excellence

3) Be Creative & Make Gifts
Use your special skills, or put a hobby to good use by creating special gifts. Examples include hand-knit scarves for homeless adults, handmade baby quilts for newborns, welcome baskets for newly-housed clients, and "jars of joy" dry cookie jar mixes and soup mixes.

4) Make Baked Goods or Provide Snacks
The Agency has two programs requiring baked goods or snacks on a daily basis, for approximately 50 clients -- either the Drop-In Center for homeless adults or the After School Program for at-risk middle school students.  Ideas include: breads, muffins, cookies, fruit, pretzels or any snack of your choice (please refrain from using nuts).

Each volunteer opportunity has a different drop off location, so call or email for details.
Contact: Mayx Holmes
MHolmes@fcagency.org
203-523-5715

Save our Strays, in Westport, is for the family with a soft spot for animals.  The caveat: this is for older children, as all volunteers must be 16 or older.  Help care for, socialize and love on all the pets they have up for adoption.

1677 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880
(203) 255-0514

Finally, we've included this LINK to a listing of 16 homeless shelters in Fairfield County.  Ring up the one nearest you to see what your family can do!