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Welcome to Family Centers' Volunteer/Community Engagement Information Page. We have many opportunities at Family Centers for you 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 volunteer@familycenters.org.
We also welcome corporate and school groups.
Click Here for Information on Student Internships!
Literacy Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers is looking for volunteers to teach adults to read, write and speak the English language. Workshops teach a variety of techniques with emphasis on determining how the student learns best. Training includes practice and demonstration, lesson planning, and goal setting. Interested volunteers must be able to attend all sessions and previous teaching experience is not necessary. Please contact us for more information and join our dedicated group of dynamic tutors and make a difference in your community!
The Den for Grieving Kids
The Den for Grieving Kids is a free group grief support program that creates a safe environment for children, teens, parents, and caregivers to discuss their bereavement. Each Den group is facilitated by two volunteers. The Den provides initial and ongoing training and guidance to help volunteer facilitators develop their capacity to be a helpful presence to the bereaved.
We offer two types of facilitator positions: School-based group facilitators and Evening Den facilitators. School-based group facilitators commit to a weekly schedule of about one hour onsite at their assigned school from October to April, with some preparation time required outside of the school visit. Den groups take place in schools in the greater Greenwich/Stamford/Norwalk area. If interested, please reach out to Tyler Shanafelt at tshanafelt@familycenters.org
Please click here to see a list of current school based group locations.
Evening Den facilitators are asked to commit to two Wednesday evenings a month (from 6:00-8:30 pm) year-round. Meetings are held in-person in Greenwich. The evening includes pre- and post-meetings between facilitators and staff to prepare and debrief about interactions with participants. Grief groups run from 7:00-8:00 pm. If interested, please reach out to Tyler Shanafelt at tshanafelt@familycenters.org
Please click here to see the 2024-25 Den calendar.
Early Care and Education
Family Centers' Early Care and Education program is seeking volunteers who can assist in the classroom with children ages three to five years old. Volunteer sessions are available Monday through Friday in the mornings between 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or in the afternoons between 2:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at one of three locations in Greenwich: Grauer Preschool (40 Arch Street), Armstrong Court Preschool (Armstrong Court Development), or Gateway Preschool (2 Chapel Street). These sites include the Greenwich Head Start and School Readiness programs. All volunteers will be supervised by licensed early childhood education teachers and will help facilitate activities and learning experiences for children. Volunteers should have some experience working with young children, should enjoy being around young children, and should be comfortable talking and listening to children with the ability to "get down on their level." All volunteers are required to complete an application and come in for an interview. Volunteers must meet the minimum age requirement: 13-15 years old with an accompanying adult; or 16 and older can be unaccompanied. Volunteers 16 or older must submit to a background check. Family Centers' Early Childhood Education Program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Click here to inquire about becoming an Early Care and Education Classroom Volunteer.
Recreation Activity Volunteer
Greenwich Head Start and Family Centers' School Readiness Program (located at Armstrong Court in Greenwich are interested in afternoon volunteers (3:30-5 pm) to lead special group activities. Activities may include include: dance, yoga, art, reading, introduction to sports, musical instruments, cooking and science. Volunteers would create and implement three to four mini classes (20-30 minutes in length) and visit each of our four classrooms. Throughout the day our children have opportunities to explore learning areas, but this volunteer opportunity could lead a teacher-direct/more focused activity. Our teaching staff would support the volunteer and partake in the class with the volunteer leader. Family Centers’ Site Manger will work with the volunteer details regarding space and supplies needed to make the visit a success. The minimum age to volunteer is 15, and those volunteers over the age of 18 are required to complete a background check. All volunteers are asked to schedule a personal interview.
Click here to inquire about becoming a Recreational Activity Leader
RITE Program (Reaching Independence through Employment)
Individuals and families utilize the career, educational counseling, goal planning, work readiness, life skills and family support services of the Reaching Independence through Employment (RITE) program as tools to reach a higher level of self-sufficiency and healthy independence. The RITE Program Coordinators guide the participants throughout, using a model of continuous evaluation and encouraging participant self-assessment along the way. Participants can engage in individualized and group based support focusing on resume writing, interview skills, the job search, LinkedIn and other web-based tools, financial literacy and more.
Referrals to numerous agencies for basic needs, computer training and job skills training are also provided. The RITE Program is free of charge and is open to residents living in or near lower Fairfield County.
Family First in Education Tutors
Family First in Education is a collaboration between Family Centers and the Greenwich YMCA. This fall a number of students are enrolled and are committed to the program five days a week with a goal of closing the achievement gap by providing supportive services to them and their families.
We are seeking High School Tutors to assist both K-5 students, as well as middle school age students who are attending this program. Tutors will provide academic support in math and reading for students on an as needed basis. Instruction and activities are designed expressly to promote subject mastery, develop grade-level competencies and to teach study skills.
Tutoring shifts are available Monday through Friday from 3:30-4:30pm and is hosted at two locations: the YMCA located at 50 E. Putnam Avenue, and St. Roch Church located at 10 St. Roch Avenue.
Click here to inquire about becoming a Family FIRST Tutor.
Community and Supportive Services
Homework Helpers
Seeking 2-4 volunteers to work one-on-one and in small groups with children in grades K-3rd in a learning center setting. Volunteers will help the children with their homework, provide assistance with the target lesson of the day, and help engage the children in the enrichment activity of the day by; talking to them, encouraging them, and modeling what is expected of the children. Other duties may include: setting up and cleaning up your workspace. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 4p.m.-5:30p.m. beginning September 2017. Services will be provided at the Lawn Hill and Oak Park community centers in Stamford.
Click here to inquire about becoming a Homework Helper.
Recreational Activity Volunteer
Family Centers is looking for enthusiastic adults or college/ high school students to work in collaboration with our Resident Service Coordinators at our various public housing locations to facilitate recreational, social and educational activities. If you have a special talent or interest and you are willing to share it with others, this could be the perfect volunteer opportunity! Activities can meet weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even just once, depending on the volunteer's availability and the nature of the activity. Day of the week and times are flexible.
Click here to inquire about becoming a Recreational Activity Volunteer.
Mothers for Others, a partnership with Family Centers, Inc. and other community agencies
Mothers for Others is the largest diaper bank in lower Fairfield County, based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Mothers for Others provides clients of Family Centers with a free one week supply of diapers or pull-ups each month for children up to age 3. The organization accepts donations of diapers and wipes, which in turn are distributed to children at Family Centers and Mothers for Others' other partner agencies. With the help of Family Centers, Inc., and other Fairfield County human service organizations, Mothers for Others is able to identify and assist local families that have immediate needs for diapers, a basic necessity for infants and toddlers.
To learn more about Mothers for Others, please click here: http://www.mothersforothers.org or send an email to info@mothersforothers.org.
Friendly Connections Friendly Caller/Visitor
Do you have 1 or 2 hours each week to give back to your community and enhance the quality of life for an older adult? If you said yes, consider volunteering with Friendly Connections! This volunteer experience gives you the chance to make a significant impact on an aging individual's life. For this opportunity, you will be either calling or visiting a home-bound or isolated older adult (age 60 ) residing in either Greenwich or Stamford through a weekly call or visit. During these times you will be providing not only support and socialization for the individual, but oftentimes friendship as well. Volunteers will stay in regular contact with the coordinator and report prolonged absences or other concerns.
Click here to inquire about becoming a Friendly Caller/Visitor.
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