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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 foward to hearing from you!
Click here to read about important changes to our Volunteer Policy
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.
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.
Friendly Connections
Parsonage Cottage Friendly Visitor and In-Person Group Facilitator
Friendly Connections is excited to introduce a new volunteer opportunity for individuals interested in a face-to-face and interactive setting with senior citizens. We are recruiting for Friendly Visitor volunteers and in-person group facilitators. Each opportunity will take place at Parsonage Cottage to visit with clients residing at the site. Each volunteer will be paired with a senior and will visit with them on a weekly basis, participating together in the site's activities, going for walks, sharing a meal, telling stories or just talking. In addition, these volunteers will also rotate leading in-person current events and discussion groups. These groups provide the senior residents with important socialization and educational opportunities. Training will be offered prior to start of volunteering as well as ongoing supervision by a gerontologist and site administrator. For more information please contact Jennifer Flatow at 203-869-4848 or
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.
Office Assistant
Friendly Connections has a wonderful opportunity for someone who is looking to volunteer on a regular basis. The nature of the work includes organizing files, database upkeep as well as telephone coverage and basic office duties as assigned by the director of the program. Good organizational skills, weekly commitment with some flexibility.
Friendly Visitor
This unique volunteer opportunity will match you with a homebound older person, and through regular home visits you will provide friendship, support, and renewed contact with the outside world. Activities may include, conversing, sharing a cup of tea, taking a walk, reading aloud or helping to sort and answer mail. Schedules are designed between the volunteer and client. Volunteers should be patient, reliable, and sensitive to the needs of older people. Volunteers will stay in regular contact with manager and report prolonged absences, or other concerns. A minimum commitment of three months is required, along with personal interview, reference and background check. Being a Friendly Visitor is an incredible way to give back to the community. Friendly Visitors are matched with an isolated older adult living in the area. Visits occur once a week for an hour. The schedule is flexible and is decided between the volunteer and client. Fun activities to do when visiting include: sharing stories, getting advice, going for walks and playing games.
Telephone Course Facilitator
Friendly Connections offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to showcase their knowledge and or hobbies and lead a telephone course on that topic. Courses are 30 or 60 minutes long and flexible. Courses can be offered as a onetime occurrence or on an ongoing basis. Some popular courses are sports, comedy, movies, cooking, and music. We are always interested in new and creative topics. Volunteers must be comfortable leading a group discussion. Volunteers are required to come in for an interview with program director to discuss topic and timeline for the groups they are interested in facilitating. Courses can be facilitated from your home or office.
Senior Activities Instructor
Family Centers is looking for a volunteer to provide interactive activities for senior citizens residing at McKinney Terrace here in Greenwich on a bi-weekly basis. Some potential activities include: language lessons, bingo, art class, nutrition groups and cooking classes. The schedule is flexible and orientation will be provided by Family Centers staff. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and an interview and criminal background check are required. Those with experience working with seniors or have experience with a group setting are encouraged to apply.
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. Training will be provided. Please note that the next scheduled training for facilitators will be in September 2012.
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, daytimes 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 timeframe does not work for you, but you are interested, please contact us and we can discuss your availability.
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
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or call 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:
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Family Centers hosts groups of volunteers, if your business or school is interested in partnering with us, please contact Jennifer Flatow at
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or 203-869-4848 to set up an interview.
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