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Welcome to Family Centers' Volunteer Page. We have many opportunities throughout our agency for volunteers to get involved and make a difference! If you have an idea for a project or volunteer experience that you don't see listed, please email Jennifer Flatow to discuss it further. We also welcome corporate and school groups. We look forward to hearing from you!
Click here to read about important changes to our Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Marketing Coordinator
Family Centers is looking for an undergraduate or graduate level student with experience in marketing to work with several of its programs to assist in devising a marketing campaign from the ground up. This volunteer will be responsible for contacting potential community partners including businesses and other organizations and for creating and executing new marketing initiatives through online and telephone research.
Strong writing, communication and relationship building skills required, as well as the ability to work independently. Volunteer will report to Leslie Sexer, Director of Clinical Outreach Services and will be based out of our offices on Palmers Hill Road, Stamford. Hours are flexible.
Early Care & Education Program
Family Centers' Early Care and Education Program is in need of devoted volunteers who can assist daily in the classroom with our children. Volunteer sessions are available Monday through Friday from either 8:00a.m.-12:30 p.m. or from 2:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at one of three locations in Greenwich: The Arch Street Preschool (Arch Street), The Gateway Preschool (Chapel Street) and the Dancing Dolphins Class located at Armstrong Court.
All volunteers will be supervised by licensed early childhood education teachers, and will help facilitate activities and learning experiences for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.
Interested volunteers should have some experience working with young children, and experience in an early childhood setting is helpful. All volunteers are required to come in for an interview and to complete an application, volunteers must meet the minimum age requirement to volunteer (15), and those volunteers over the age of 18 must submit to a background check. Family Centers' Early Childhood Education Program is accredited by the NAEYC.
The Gateway Preschool located at 2 Chapel Street, Greenwich is seeking volunteers for the 2011-2012 school year with musical talents (we do have a piano on site), or volunteers that could lead group games with our children ages 2-5, some ideas would be waffle ball, or kickball games.
Traveling Librarian
We are looking for a volunteer librarian who would be interested in obtaining books from the local library for use in each of our classrooms. Volunteers would work with teachers to coordinate lessons with books to be brought in to the classroom. Every other week the volunteer would bring new books in and return old ones to the library.
All interested student volunteers should contact Jennifer Flatow at 203-869-4848 to schedule an interview.
Greenwich Head Start
The Greenwich Head Start program is a preschool and family development resource program that helps the most vulnerable young members of the community at no cost to families. Based at Armstrong Court, a public housing community run by the Housing Authority of Greenwich, the program is open to Greenwich residents with children between three and five years of age. We offer full day, year round preschool education, along with developmental and health screenings for enrolled children, as well as family support services. Please note that the minimum age requirement for volunteers in the Head Start program is 15.
Classroom Assistant
The Head Start program seeks dedicated volunteers who can assist daily in the classroom with our children. We offer morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Friday at Armstrong Court beginning October 1st. All volunteers will be supervised by licensed early childhood education teachers. Volunteers will help to facilitate activities and learning experiences in each of the two classrooms with children ages three and four years old. Interested volunteers should have some experience working with young children and/or experience in an early childhood setting. All volunteers are required to come in for a personal interview with the manager of volunteer services. A background check is required for all volunteers over the age of 18.
Head Start Reading for Life Volunteer
Greenwich Head Start seeks dedicated volunteers to work with each of our two classes of children ages 3 & 4 years old beginning in October. Volunteers should enjoy being around young children in a preschool classroom setting and should be comfortable talking and listening to children with the ability to get down on their level both physically and mentally. Volunteers should enjoy books and stories that are age appropriate and also have the ability to “ad-lib”,enhance stories and ask questions as they go. The goal of this volunteer position is NOT to teach young children to read, but to inspire good feelings about reading and books and to increase interest in reading and books both inside and outside the classroom. Interested volunteers should contact Jennifer Flatow, Manager of Volunteers Services to set up an interview.
Nurturing Families Network/Stamford & Greenwich Hospitals
The Nurturing Families Network is a statewide support program for first-time parents that provides a system of continuous care designed to promote positive parenting. The NFN program at Family Centers is offered to all new parents giving birth at Greenwich and Stamford hospitals. After completing their training, volunteers contact parents by phone and offer support, educational materials, group events and referral information to other community services. Information to parents may include topics such as newborn feeding, childcare, stress management, immunizations, and other critical information about the health and care of their new baby.
Hours are flexible for this opportunity and volunteers may work out of our Stamford location (60 Palmers Hill Road) or Greenwich location (22 Bridge Street).In addition to the training, an interview and background check are also required.
The Den for Grieving Kids
Greeter
The Den for Grieving Kids is seeking greeters to assist with the on-going nights of service program. The Den is a program entirely run by trained volunteers who work with individuals and families on issues pertaining to grief. Greeters are a vital role in the program and are responsible for setting up the family-style meal that is served to all participants and for also for welcoming participants as they arrive. Greeters are asked to commit to either a 3, 6, or 12 month period, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The Den is held on a rotating schedule of Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Facilitator
With over 45 trained volunteer facilitators, the Den for Grieving Kids works with groups to create a safe environment for children, teens, parents and caregivers to discuss their bereavement issues. On-going supervision and instruction help the facilitators develop their capacity to be a helpful presence to the bereaved. Volunteer facilitators are asked to make a one year commitment, two evenings per month (Mondays or Wednesdays) to maintain continuity with the children and families who are clients of the Den. The evening consists of a meeting between facilitators and staff before and after the support groups to prepare and debrief about the evening, the hours of this opportunity are between 6:00p.m- 9:00p.m. Opportunities are also available for school-based group facilitators, which take place during the day.
Substitute Greeter/The Den for Grieving Kids
The Den for Grieving Kids is seeking substitute greeters to fill in on an as-needed basis.
The Den is a program entirely run by trained volunteers who work with individuals and families on issues pertaining to grief. Greeters are a vital role in the program and are responsible for setting up the family-style meal that is served to all participants and for also for welcoming participants as they arrive.
Substitute greeters will be contacted on 24-48 hours notice to fill in as needed between 5:30-7:00 p.m. on rotating Monday and Wednesday evenings at our office located at 40 Arch Street, Greenwich. Please contact us if you're interested in filling in.
Please note that The Den is NOT looking for additional volunteers at this time. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist for the program's next training, please contact us for more information.
Friendly Connections
Friendly Visitors needed for Stamford & Greenwich
This unique volunteer opportunity will match you with an aging, homebound individual, and through regular face to face visits you will provide friendship, support, and renewed contact with the outside world. Activities may include sharing stories, playing games, taking a walk, reading aloud or helping to sort and answer mail. Schedules are flexible and are designed between the volunteer and client. Volunteers should be patient, reliable, and sensitive to the needs of the aging population. Volunteers will stay in regular contact with the coordinator and report prolonged absences or other concerns. A minimum commitment of three months is required along with a personal interview, reference and background check. Being a Friendly Visitor is an incredible way to give back to the community through friendship. Interested volunteers should be willing to be matched with a senior residing in either Stamford or Greenwich.
Volunteer Tai Chi Instructor
Family Centers seeks a volunteer Tai Chi instructor for one hour per month for the Friendly Connections program. Friendly Connections serves the aging community in Lower Fairfield County. Interested volunteers would teach one class per month for one hour at McKinney Terrace. Located in Greenwich, McKinney Terrace is senior housing operated by the Greenwich Housing Authority. Some residents at McKinney Terrace have Tai Chi experience, but instructors should be willing to work with beginners. Our schedule is flexible and we'll work with availability of interested volunteer instructor. A personal interview, application and background check are required for this position.
RITE Program (Reaching Independence Through Employment)
Recreation Activity Volunteer
Family Centers is looking for an enthusiastic adult or college/ high school student to work in conjunction with our Resident Service Coordinators at our various locations to host a recreational activities. Activities can meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the volunteer's availability and the nature of the activity. Day of the week and times are flexible. Arts and Crafts volunteers are needed any day of the week between 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Projects should be able to be completed in one session and should be adaptable to different age groups.
Career mentors
Act as mentor to advise job-seeking adults on resume preparation, interviewing, job performance and other success-in-job matters.
Computer Instructor
Classes are being held throughout Greenwich and Stamford in evenings, daytime and Saturday mornings. Locations vary depending on requests and space availability. Classes meet once a week and we would like volunteer instructors to stay with us through completion of the class. Classes typically run for 12 weeks. Interested instructors should have a working knowledge of basic computer skills including: Microsoft Office Suite, setting up and using email accounts and also be able to instruct students on how to surf the internet. This is a basic/entry level computer class, and instructors should be comfortable teaching in a supportive adult classroom setting and be willing to work with those at a beginner's level. Volunteers should have patience and the ability to work at a slow, understandable pace. An interview and background check are required for this position. Bilingual instructors are welcome.
Please note, if the above mentioned time frame does not work for you, but you are interested, please contact us and we can discuss your availability.
Community Business Host
The RITE Program is seeking local places of business that would be willing to share their expertise and model “a day in the life” of your professional setting to aspiring and determined candidates. A small group of RITE Program clients (from 1-5 specifically matched), would spend from a few hours up to a full day at your place of business and shadow employees while gaining knowledge about how your business operates. Clients would also participate in mock interviews and gain honest feedback about their resumes and their overall professional presentation. This unique experience is equally as rewarding to business owners and employees as it is for our eager clients. Please contact us to find out more about this opportunity. Reaching Independence Through Employment (RITE) helps individuals and families attain a greater sense of self-sufficiency through counseling, goal planning, job-skills training, life skills and family support. RITE coordinators provide free weekly vocational support clubs focusing on resume writing and defined job search skills. Computer classes and job skills trainings are also available. RITE is open to residents living in Stamford and Greenwich.
Family Strengthening Program
Educational Advocate
Family Centers is currently seeking volunteers to assist low income parents with educational advocacy as part of the Family Strengthening Program. The Family Strengthening Program provides low income families with mental health counseling, case management, referral, and advocacy services to help improve self-sufficiency and decrease reliance on public benefits. Specifically, we are looking for volunteers to help individual clients determine educational options, what courses to study, how to apply to schools, financial assistance, and help figuring out child care and transportation issues related to school. Interested volunteers should be able to commit to meeting once a week in the clients home or at a prearranged location. A personal interview and background check are also required.
Housing Resource Program
The Housing Resource Program (HRP) locates safe and affordable housing throughout Fairfield County for clients living with long-term mental illness. Counseling and case management services are also offered.
Administrative /Accounting Volunteer
The Housing Resource Program is seeking a volunteer(s) to assist with filing as well as other general office duties. This position would include inventory of current files and determination of missing items. Volunteers would then work with Program Manager to contact case managers and or clients to obtain missing items. For those volunteers with basic accounting skills, they could work individually with clients on monthly invoices regarding loans as well as work on the contacting of clients with past due amounts.
Payee
Volunteers are needed to assist clients with gaining financial independence. Volunteers would work on budgeting, bill paying and teaching basic online banking skills. Volunteers are NOT involved in decisions regarding client’s finances. Volunteers are asked to commit to a three month period, meeting with their assigned client(s) every other week for about an hour.
Volunteer Apartment Inspector
Volunteers are needed to assist with the annual inspection of apartments for clients of the Housing Resource Program. Inspections are required on a rotating basis throughout the year and take about an hour per apartment. Volunteers will receive full training on inspection checklist and program manager will accompany volunteers on their initial inspections to answer any questions.
Donation & Inventory Manager
Volunteers are needed to oversee and schedule donations at our Palmer’s Hill storage facility. Volunteers would also be responsible for tracking inventory and donations as they come in. Once a month a full inventory would also need to be taken and volunteers would also have the option to work with Family Centers’ clients to schedule times that they could come and pick up donations to use in their homes.
Internship Opportunities
Communications Intern
Family Centers has an opportunity for a college or high school student to gain hands-on experience in the Communications and Public Relations fields. By assisting the Communications Director, the intern will learn to write for a variety of audiences, craft media story pitches and create communications plans/tactics designed to promote the services and mission of Family Centers. The intern will also assist with website updates, newsletter production and special events coverage.
Clinical Social Work Interns
Family Centers only accepts clinical social work interns currently enrolled in an MSW program at a sanctioned university. For more information, contact Carole Elias at 203-324-3167.
Please note that internships are determined on an as-needed basis.
Mothers for Others, a partnership with Family Centers, Inc. & Greenwich Social Services
Started in 2011, Mothers for Others is an organization that specializes in collecting baby equipment (strollers, new car seats, high chairs, etc), clothing, toys, books and games for children between the ages 0-14 years. Items collected are then redistributed to families in need. Volunteers are needed to help sort through donations every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Second Congregational Church, 139 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich. If interested in volunteering, please contact us.
Family Centers hosts groups of volunteers, if your business or school is interested in partnering with us, please contact Jennifer Flatow at 203-869-4848 to set up an interview.
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