Local Community Service Agencies
- The following is a list of Middletown area Community Service
Agencies that work with various communities and issues:
- Adult Education and
Literacy
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Middletown- Russell Library
- 123 Broad Street
- Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-347-0337
-
- Mission: To promote and increase literacy and proficiency in the
English language in the greater Middletown area.
- Opportunities: Upon an 18 hours training program, which instructs
volunteers in a variety of proven teaching techniques, tutors are matched
with individuals seeking to learn or improve his/her English (reading,
speaking, writing). One year commitment.
- Executive Director: Jim Shiels
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Bruce
Markot, Program Director
Return to Service Agency Index
Advocacy
- CRT
- 44 Hamlin Street
- Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-346-1284
-
-
Mission: CRT will address the causes and effects of poverty by
advocating for those in need and assisting people in obtaining the
skills, knowledge and resources necessary for self-sufficiency and
dignity.
Opportunities: Volunteer at the day care center, assist
teachers, read to and play with kids; work one on one with children with
behavior problems.
Program Manager: Debbie Cauley
Contact Person for Volunteers: Lisa
Ellis, Education Coordinator
-
- NEAT (North End Action Team)
- 33 Ferry Street
- Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-346-4845
Mission:The
North End Action Team (NEAT) is a neighborhood organization that began in
l997 to develop grassroots leadership
-
in the North End. NEAT is made up of residents, business leaders, property
owners, and stakeholder groups. NEAT’s mission is to
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provide neighborhood-based participation and leadership, to identify
concerns, define strategies, and develop resources to improve
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the quality of life in the North End. By raising a collective neighborhood
voice, the North End can bring about positive change.
- Opportunities: Work on community issues in the North End of
Middletown; canvas neighborhood to share information and gain input; assist
with community garden.
- Contact Person for Volunteers:
Izzi Greenberg
Return to Service Agency Index
Animals
- Valley Shore Animal Welfare League, Inc.
- P.O. Box 1134
647 Horse Hill Rd.
Westbrook, CT 06498
- 860-399-7561
-
- Mission: Alarmed at an increasing number of abandoned and homeless dogs
and cats, a small group of area residents created the Valley Shore
Animal Welfare Shelter in 1972. Continuing its initial priorities,
the league encourages spaying and neutering to reduce the number
of unwanted animals, many of whom lead a tortured existence. The
league owns and operates a small shelter and finds good homes for
cats and dogs.
- Opportunities: Provide hands-on care (cleaning, grooming) for
animals or office work.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Tanya Marocco
Return to Service Agency Index
Art and Theater
Arts
Arts for All
26 Wintonbury Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002
-
Opportunities: Work with people with disabilities; focus on K -
12 students in the arts and art education.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Jane Archer
- Kidcity Children's Museum,
Inc.
- 110 Washington Street
- Middletown, CT 06459
- 860-347-0495
-
- Mission: Kid City Children's museum celebrates a child's natural
curiosity by offering a downtown hands-on play space where children come with
parents and other significant adults to learn through play. Kid City is
a safe and enriched educational environment which fosters the development of
problem-solving skills and creativity. As a child-friendly public
space, Kid City will support every parent's effort to be the best parent they
can be.
- Opportunities: Kid City needs a lot of individuals to interact
with kids. Opportunities available seven days a week, supervising children
at play. People are also needed to design interactive children's
projects for Kid City. Volunteer with some friends or take the initiative
and organize the project!
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Alexander, founder
Green Street Arts Center
51 Green Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-685-7871
- Mission: The mission of the Green Street Arts Center (GSAC)
is to serve as a cultural and educational resource for community
residents of all ages, particularly children, and to develop their
talents, skills and abilities. The center will present programs and
events that reflect the wide spectrum of visual and performing arts as
well as the diversity of the neighborhood itself. In addition,
the center will serve as an anchor to the revitalization of the North
End of Middletown by promoting the social and cultural well-being of
North End families and by attracting increased residential, commercial
and entrepreneurial activity in the neighborhood.
Activities: For more than two years the GSAC has offered dance,
music and choir classes for children as well as a variety of creative
workshops for families of all ages. Beginning in January 2005 the
scope of programs at the GSAC will include morning & evening arts
classes (dance, painting, drawing, photography, videography, sound
design, music and much more) for adults, seniors, preschool-age
children, & home-schoolers. It will also offer individual
and group music classes. In addition, a 5 day a week after school
program with arts enrichment –in dance, visual and media arts,
writing, private music lessons & homework assistance will
also be available.
- Opportunities: The biggest need will be between 3:00 - 7:30,
Monday through Friday. We need students to volunteer as monitors in
the halls and art cafe, as monitors in all the classes; for homework
assistance and tutoring and as mentors. So if students have a
particular artistic interest we can try and put them as
monitors/teaching assistants in the areas (dance, writing, music,
etc.) they want.
Contact Person for Volunteers:
Janis Astor del Valle, Director
-
- Middlesex County Historical Society
- 151 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-346-0746
-
- Mission: The goal of the Middlesex Historical Society is to encourage
the preservation, study, and enjoyment of our community's
past.
- Opportunities: Work on local Middlesex Couty history; work on
museum exhibits; oral histories; original research; cataloging.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Dione Longley (Wes '82)
-
- National Theatre of the Deaf
- 139 North Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107
- 860-236-4193
-
- Mission: The National Theatre of the Deaf is a professional acting
company made up of deaf and hearing actors. Established in 1967,
the National Theatre of the Deaf brought sign language out of the
shadows and into the world spotlight, raising it to the level of
an artform. Deaf people reached new potential as actors and were
perceived in a new light as intelligent, employable, and most of
all, equal.
- Opportunities: National Theatre of the Deaf offers collaborative
opportunities for individuals interested in theatrical work with
deaf and hearing actors.
- Executive Director: Dr. Paul L. Winters
-
- North End Arts Rising (NEAR): Button Wood Tree
- P.O.Box 71
- 605 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-347-4957
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- Mission: NEAR is a small community-based arts organization that
maintains Button Wood Tree, a versatile arts venue, performance
studio, exhibit space and bookshop.
- Opportunities: Opportunities exist
immediately for newcomers to get involved as community service
volunteers, organizers, artists, and interns.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Hawkins
-
- Oddfellows Playhouse
- 128 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-347-6143
-
- Mission: Oddfellows Playhouse is a non-profit theater and
performing arts program that serviecs 2,500 young people annually.
Playhouse programs are designed to give young people the chance to develop
their creative abilities and to learn about commitment, cooperation and
responsibility in a non-competitive environment.
- Opportunities: Assistance with youth theatre, Main Stage
productions and stage management; volunteer with the Kids on the Block Puppetry
Program; TA weekly classes (8 week sessions).
- Contact People for Volunteers: Dominick Grant or Bobby Knoll
Return to Service Agency Index
Persons
with Disabilities
Best Buddies
52 Whitney Avenue, 2nd Floor
New Haven, CT 06510
203-773-9233
- Mission: Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated
to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing
opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Opportunities: Best Buddies Colleges pairs people with
intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with college
students. With more the 280 chapters in the United States, our
college program matches college students in one-to-one friendships
with people with intellectual disabilities. A student volunteer
manages each chapter with support from a member of the school's
administration, an intellectual disabilities professional, and a group
of officers (treasurer, buddy director, etc.) comprised of other
students.
Contact Person for Volunteers:
Jennifer Suzio, Colleges Program Manager
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- Bethphage (Mosaic)
- 606 Congdon Street West
Middletown, CT 06457
- (860) 343 -
5570 ext.101 or 109
-
- Mission: Bethphage in a not-for-profit organization and a serving
arm of the Evanelical Lutheran Church. Bethphage Mission, Inc.
serves as a parent corporation to affiliate corporations which
manage the programs providing direct care to individuals with
developmental disabilities. The Bethophage foundation exists
for the purpose of raising funds and managing gift dollars and
investments to provide sustaining support, outreach funds and
an endowment to ensure Bethphage's future. Bethphage serves 180
clients throughout Connecticut and has 2 houses in Middletown.
- Opportunities: Volunteer in group homes, working with people with
disabilities.
- Contact People for Volunteers: Pat Bourne or
Andrea Schumann
DMR(Department for Mental Retardation)
- Opportunities: DMR offers volunteer opportunities in both the
local Middletown area in a group home or in Meriden at a respit center.
Contact: Richard Donahue or Madeline @
(203) 294-5017
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- Gateway Counseling Service, Inc.
- 86 Middlesex Turnpike
- Chester, CT 06412
- 860-526-2624
-
- Mission: Gateway Counseling Service is an outpatient facility for
approximately 72 chronically mentally handicapped clients.
-
Contact Person for Volunteers: Lisa Carlucci-Renshaw
Gilead Community Services, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
222 Main Street Ext.
P.O. Box 1000
Rehab/Social Center:
31 Dijon Road
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-5300
- Mission: Gilead Community Services assists individuals who have experienced
a severe disruption in their psychiatric and behavioral disruptions to live
independently in the community of their
choice. Gilead provides residential services, community treatment, an
outpatient psychiatric clinic, housing services, and social/vocational
rehabilitation.
- Opportunities: Volunteers will help out in the Gilead Social
Center, a social and vocational program which provides social, recreational,
and work/training opportunities for clients receiving mental health service.
Teach life skills to clients in the rehabilitation center/Social
Center; topics including arts/crafts, current events, basic readings.
- Executive Director: Barry Simon
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Hanelius or Human
Resources
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
36 Town Woods Road
Old Lyme, CT 06371
860-434-1974, ext. 18
- Mission: High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was founded in
1974 by Mary "Sis" Gould on the knowledge that riding,
driving and caring for horses significantly improves the lives of
individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities.
Our mission is to provide a secure, challenging, and companionable
environment that brings the extraordinary benefits of therapeutic
riding and equine activities to a wide range of individuals through
the sharing of our knowledge, compassion, experience, and inspiration.
Opportunities: Volunteer with children who have special needs,
using horseback-riding as a type of therapy. No riding experience is
necessary. Barn help is also needed for those with barn
experience.
Director: Alison Zack Darell
Contact Person for Volunteers: Kristin
Pernal
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- Kuhn Employment Opportunities, Inc.
165 Pratt Street
Meriden, CT 06450
- 860-235-2583
-
- Mission: Kuhn is committed to developing quality skill enhancement
programs which provide meaningful community employment so that
persons with disabilities will become independent, gain self
esteem, and be accepted by the community. For the past 33 years,
Kuhn has worked with developmentally, emotionally, and physically
challenged people.
- Opportunities: Kuhn provides transportation, teaches safety
training with persons with disabilities.
- Executive Director: Robert Stephens
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Ben Fisher,
Director of Programs
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- MARC: Community Resources
P.O. Box 126
Portland, CT 06480
860-342-0700 ext. 15
-
- Mission: MARC runs recreation programs, day programs and residential
programs for persons (mostly adults) with developmental
disabilities.
- Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities include one-to-one
interaction in day and recreational programs, and tutoring and
acting as a "buddy" in residential programs Work with people with
disabilities to ensure independent living; participate in Saturday for Kids
(2 Saturdays per month from 8:30 - 12)
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Debbie Sierpinkski
(860-685-2070)
-
- Prevent Blindness Connecticut
1275 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-850-2020
-
- Mission: Prevent Blindness Connecticut is a non-profit health
organization dedicated to saving sight. This mission is fulfilled
through several programs: preschool vision screenings, adult eye
health screenings, glaucoma screenings, professional/public
education sessions, and eye safety programs for schools and
businesses. Prevent Blindness Connecticut also funds research in
the area of vision.
Opportunities: Work on eye health and blindness prevention issues -
support individuals with vision problems.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Karen McLaughlin
Saturday for Kids
P.O. Box 126
Portland, CT 06480
860-342-0700, ext. 15
- Mission: Saturday for Kids is a MARC Community Resources
program - they have other programs that deal with both children and
adults with different developmental disabilities.
Opportunities: Volunteer with children who have both cognitive
and physical disabilities between the ages of six and twelve every
other Saturday morning.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Debbie
Sierpinkski: 860-685-2070
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- State of Connecticut Board of Education Services for the
Blind
184 Windsor Avenue, Suite A
Windsor, CT 06095
860-602-4000
-
- Mission: Services for the Blind provides a comprehensive program of
services for legally blind Connecticut residents of all ages, and
numerous services for visually impaired persons, particularly for
visually impaired children. Comprehensive statewide services and
programming include counseling and referral, broad educational
services, vocational rehabilitation, rehabilitation teaching,
industries and sales, low vision, orientation and mobility
instruction, vending facilities, Optacon instruction, eye health,
supplementary relief, consultation, public education, and
certification of legal blindness.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Paula A. DeSilva
Return to Service Agency Index
Elderly
- Harbor Hill Care Center
111 Church Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-7286
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- Mission: Harbor Hill is a 180 bed skilled nursing facility, providing
long-term care, a short-term rehabilitation unit, and an
Alzheimers/Dementia unit.
Opportunities: The Recreation Department is seeking
volunteers to work one-to-one with residents or run small group activities
such as reading, writing letters, creative arts, and general interactions.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Mary Enela
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- High View Health Care Center
600 Highland Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-3315
-
- Opportunities: Work one on one with a senior or in a small group -
reading, writing letters, creative arts and general interactions.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Dottie Lee
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- Middletown Senior Center
150 Williams Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-5424 or 860-344-3513
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- Mission: The Commission on Aging provides assistance for the elderly by
running errands, grocery shopping, and planning activities for
those who are unable to do so themselves.
- Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to
help in these areas, and also to escort individuals and groups on
outings. Collaborate and coordinate on creative arts opportunities;
recreational activities; entertainment; ongoing volunteerism and one time
events.
Executive Director: Tom Hardin
- Contact Person for Volunteers: same
One MacDonough Place
One MacDonough Place
Middletown, CT 06457
860-358-5811
-
Opportunities: Work with elderly residents one on one or in a
small group with various interactive activities such as music, arts
and crafts, or current event discussion; be a bingo caller on Saturday
afternoons. Also, play cards during Friday afternoon social hour.
Contact Person for Volunteers: David Frankel
- St. Lukes
100 Riverview Center, Suite 200
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-5661
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- Mission: St. Lukes provides support services to homebound elderly in
Middletown, offering assistance with grocery shopping, medical
transportation, volunteer "friendly visitors," and a recreation
program in addition to the social work services that they provide.
- Opportunities:
Volunteers who are willing to visit elderly in their homes are
particularly welcome. Volunteers can also work one on one with a senior to
help with daily living chores including grocery shopping and friendly
visits.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Bob Spencer or Janice Henderson
Village at South Farms
645 Saybrook Road
Middletown, CT 06457
860-344-8788
- Mission: Providing retirement living, assisted living, and
innovative Alzheimer's care to the Southern New England region.
Opportunities: Opportunity to interact with seniors living at
this assisted living community, specifically with early stage
Alzheimer's patients doing therapeutic programming and arts and
crafts.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Rich
Damarijan
Return to Service Agency Index
Environment
- City of Middletown Recycling Program
- P.O. Box 1300
245 DeKovan Drive
Middletown, CT 06457
860-344-3526
-
- Mission: Reduce by purchasing only what you need and using what
you buy. Reuse products and materials whenever possible.
Recycle to decrease the amount of municipal solid waste
entering our landfills or being incinerated. Rethink the
way you live.
Opportunities: Opportunities to educate local residents and
businesses about recycling issues.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Kim O'Rourke
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- Rockfall Foundation
- DeKoven House
27 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-0340
-
- Mission: The Rockfall Foundation is a non-profit organization founded
in 1935 by Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth. Continuing his tradition
of philanthropic activity in Middlesex County, the Rockfall
Foundation holds and manages open space property, preserves and
operates the historical Dekoven House as a community center, and
supports environmental projects, grants and educational
programs.
Opportunities: Grant opportunities and groups interested in
preserving/enhancing the environment.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Virginia Rollefson
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- Connecticut Forest and Park Association
- 16 Meriden Road
Rockfall, CT 06481
- 860-346-2372
-
- Mission: The Connecticut Forest and Park Association provides
recreational and educational services to state citizens, and
program priorities include efforts to ensure the continued
management and preservation of Connecticut's forest lands; the
acquisition and protection of public parks and recreation areas;
the establishment and maintenance of the CFPA's Blue-Blazed Hiking
Trail System; and the preservation of the woodlands.
- Opportunities: Trail maintenance; legislative activism; office
assistance
- Executive Director: Adam Moore
Contact Person for Volunteers: Ann Colson
Return to Service Agency Index
Health
- American Cancer Society
- P.O. Box 1004
Meriden, CT 06450
- (203) 379 - 4700
-
- Mission: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide,
community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to
eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer,
saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through
research, education, advocacy, and service.
- Opportunities: Blood donations, disaster relief, health and youth
issues; volunteering in the local transitional living shelter; office
volunteers with computer skills.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Susan Dumbrowski
-
- American Red Cross
- 97 Broad Street
- Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-2577
-
- Mission: 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 disaster, and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to
emergencies.
- Opportunities: All volunteer opportunities provide free training.
Drive seniors to their appointments, assist with blood drives, or act as a
receptionist at the 97 Broad Street office. Disaster Relief: Help
prepare for and respond to local disasters (training required).
Qualified volunteers may join national registry. AFES: Provides
after office hours coverage for military calls (two day class required). Homeless
Shelter Program: Sort and store donations, provide arts and crafts,
music, games, outdoor activities for the children's program, help fix up a
shelter apartment, or teach computer skills/plan activities at the Teen
Center.
Executive Director: Brenda Simmons
Contact Person for Volunteers: Lyn Curtis
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- Community Health Center
- 635 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
-
- Mission: The Community Health Center provides health care in the larger
Middletown area to anyone in need. It continues to make real
every day its belief that "Health Care is a Right, Not a
Privilege." Available are medical, dental, shelter, mental health,
child guidance, and home-based services.
- Opportunities: (programs are at various locations throughout
Middletown)
- Family Wellness Center - Assist with child care and play group
while support groups are in session.
- Contact: Julie Deak: 860-347-6971, ext. 3420
- Homeroom - Provide academic support and mentoring to local youth.
Contact: 860-347-6970, ext. 3411
- New Horizons Domestic Violence Shelter - Volunteer support for a
battered women's shelter; need long-term commitment for hotline volunteers. Childcare, Tuesday evenings: 6 - 8:30.
Contact: Michelle Waldner or Elizabeth
Farkas: 860-344-9599
- Oasis Center - The Oasis Center is a community and resource
center dedicated to serving those who are living with HIV infection and
AIDS. The Oasis ensures that it is a safe gathering place. The Oasis center
is a peer-led AIDS service organization whose members reflect the diversity
of a population against who the virus does not discriminate. Comfortable and
comforting, Oasis provides a variety of programs and services, all free of
charge, to support its members as they take charge of their lives, take care
of themselves and empower each other to face the challenge of living with
HIV/AIDS. Opportunities include: assisting with creative and
supportive programming at this living well center. Contact: Eric
Watts: 860-344-0551
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- Connecticut Hospice
- 100 Double Beach Road
- Branford, CT 06405
203-315-7510
- Opportunities: Connecticut Hospice has volunteer positions available to work
one on one with patients with advanced irreversible illness. Home
care volunteers cook meals, drive, read, and offer companionship
to patients. All volunteers must complete a seven week training
course provided by Connecticut Hospice. Clerical and computer assistance is
also needed; volunteer service is also available at the satellite office in
Wallingford, CT.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Pat Nowak Corradino, Director of
Volunteer Services
- High View Health Care Center
600 Highland Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-3315
-
- Opportunities: Work one on one with a senior or in a small group -
reading, writing letters, creative arts and general interactions.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Dottie Lee
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- Middlesex Hospital
28 Crescent Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-344-6735
Audrey_Livingston@midhosp.org
- Opportunities: Middlesex Hospital offers volunteer opportunities in
non-patient, patient-related, and patient-intensive areas.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Audrey Livingston
Positive Solutions,
Inc.
139 Main Street Extension
Middletown, CT 06457
860-704-8067
- Mission: To create dignified employment for people living
with HIV/AIDS.
Opportunities: Office support, computer technology support, and
fundraising for a non-profit organization aiming to create dignified
employment for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Norman Bishop
Return to Service Agency Index
Hunger
and Homelessness
- Amazing Grace
- 139 Main Street Extension
- Middletown, CT 06457
Opportunities: Assist in sorting and stocking food at local food
pantry.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Kathleen Kelly 860-347-2222 or Peter
Harding 860-344-0097, ext. 11-
- American Red Cross
- 97 Broad Street
- Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-2577
-
- Mission: 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 disaster, and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to
emergencies.
- Opportunities: All volunteer opportunities provide free training.
Homeless
Shelter Program: Sort and store donations, provide arts and crafts,
music, games, outdoor activities for the children's program, help fix up a
shelter apartment, or teach computer skills/plan activities at the Teen
Center.
Executive Director: Brenda Simmons
Contact Person for Volunteers: Lyn Curtis
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- Eddy Center
1 Labella Circle
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-5520
-
- Mission: The Eddy Center is a homeless shelter providing transitional
living situations for up to 30 days. It is designed to enable the
temporary residents to seek employment and further their education.
- Opportunities: Provide support for the shelter service; assist
with the alternative incarceration program; organize food and clothing
drives.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Lynda Rowan
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- Nehemiah Housing Corporation
33 Ferry Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-7362
Mission: Nehemiah Housing Corporation develops and operates housing
for families and individuals who are unable to find quality affordable
housing. Nehemiah provides management and support services to
ensure that households develop the self-sufficiency skills
necessary to attain and maintain permanent housing and family well
being.
Opportunities: Assist with clerical work; painting, cleaning.
Volunteers do not work directly with clients.
Executive Director: Michael
Taylor- Contact Person for Volunteer: same
Northern
Middlesex Habitat for Humanity
9 Pleasant Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-632-2630
- History: The Northern Middlesex Habitat for
Humanity (NMHFH) affiliate was started in 1996 by a group of people
eager to tackle the housing needs of their communi-ties. The students
of Wesleyan University were already committed to Habitat for Humanity
International. Their campus chapter, WeShelter, was instrumental in
the creation of the NMHFH affiliate and works closely with us on each
new building project. NMHFH has built or rehabbed four houses in
Middletown and established a presence in Cromwell and East Hampton.
Our fifth house will be completed in the summer of 2003, and our sixth
will begin construction in East Hampton during the late summer of
2003. We acquire land and houses to rehab through property donations,
tax liens and very low-cost sales from both individuals and towns.
With the dedication of many volunteers, we are providing an American
Dream – home ownership – to partner families in our Northern
Middlesex communities. You can help us carry on this important work.
Opportunities: Volunteer with housing rehabilitation for needy
families and build on Saturdays in the Middletown area.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Jenny Monnes
-
- The Shepherd Home
- P.O. Box 1179
112 Bow Lane
Middletown, CT 06457
Mission: The Shepherd Home provides 24 months of transitional
housing with support services in a drug free environment. The
program is designed for single adults who are currently homeless
and have been served by an emergency shelter within the past six
months. Residents at Shepherd Home work on a plan of action
designed to promote goal achievement an ultimately a move into
independent living.- Opportunities: Assist with transitional living for the homeless in
areas such as life skills building and tutoring for GED; work on food and
clothing drives. Volunteers are also needed to staff the office; monitor the
front door and answer phone calls.
Executive Director: Sister Patricia McKeon
Contact Person for Volunteers: Regina Walsh
-
- St. Vincent DePaul Place
P.O. Box 398
617 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-344-0097
-
- Mission: St. Vincent DePaul Place is a soup kitchen and social service
agency serving the Middletown community. It provides 250-300 meals
per day and also serves as a food pantry. Currently the
organization is engaged in social service management for the
recently renovated Liberty Commons low income housing project.
People with an interest in social work, counseling, and civic
relations are encouraged to volunteer
Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to provide support in the meal's
program of this local soup kitchen for the local and homeless and hungry.
Help is also needed to organize food and clothing drives as well as stack
shelves with food at Amazing Grace. People with interest in social work,
counseling, and civic relations are encouraged to volunteer.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: For the kitchen: Fred:
860-344-0097, ext. 11; For other opportunities: Peter Harding, ext. 15
-
- YMCA Youth Shelter
99 Union Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-6227
-
- Mission: The YMCA Youth Shelter is a child development day care
center for low income families in Middletown.
- Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to help in the on-site
classroom.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Elaine Tuttle
- 99 Union Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Return to Service Agency Index
Mental
Health
- Connecticut Valley Hospital
P.O. Box 351
Silver Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-262-5818
-
- Mission: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) is part of the CT Department
of Mental Health and Addiction Services. CVH's goal is to provide
general psychiatric, forensic, and substance abuse services to
adult residents of CT.
- Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to bring patients to
physical therapy, to tutor, entertain, visit, and assist staff in
the library and with recreational activities. Offer support for
individuals with psychiatric and other mental health disabilities; volunteer
work may also include support in the new treatment mall and other campus
surroundings.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Cheryl Kraft-Johnson
-
- Gilead Community Services, Inc.
Administrative Offices:
222 Main Street Ext.
P.O. Box 1000
Rehab/Social Center:
31 Dijon Road
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-5300
-
- Mission: Gilead Community Services assists individuals who have experienced
a severe disruption in their psychiatric and behavioral disruptions to live
independently in the community of their
choice. Gilead provides residential services, community treatment, an
outpatient psychiatric clinic, housing services, and social/vocational
rehabilitation.
Opportunities: Volunteers will help out in the Gilead Social
Center, a social and vocational program which provides social, recreational,
and work/training opportunities for clients receiving mental health service.
Teach life skills to clients in the rehabilitation center/Social
Center; topics including arts/crafts, current events, basic readings.
Executive Director: Barry Simon
Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Hanelius or Human Resources
-
- Riverview Hospital for Children and Youth
P.O. Box 2797
917 River Road
Middletown, CT 06457
860-704-4199
-
- Mission: Riverview Hospital is a state run psychiatric hospital for
children and adolescents between the ages of 5 - 18.
- Opportunities: Volunteers are needed for children and adolescents
for facilitating recreation and tutoring. Volunteers are also needed for translating Spanish for
parents and doctors.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Margaret Stewart
Return to Service Agency Index
Substance
Abuse
- Rushford Center, Inc.
1250 Silver Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-346-0300, ext. 112
-
- Mission: The Rushford Center is dedicated to meeting the
behavioral and mental health needs of adults, children, and families by
providing prevention and treatment services that are accessible and
affordable. They have in patient and out patient services as well as a
variety of prevention programs. Some of the prevention programs are located
in different school systems in middle schools in Middletown.
Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities include working on substance
abuse prevention programs; mentoring opportunities for local youth (after
school and evening run).
Contact Person for Volunteers: Jackie Muse or
Juliet Lemelin, Director
of Prevention Services
-
- The Shepherd Home
- P.O. Box 1179
112 Bow Lane
Middletown, CT 06457
Mission: The Shepherd Home provides 24 months of transitional
housing with support services in a drug free environment. The
program is designed for single adults who are currently homeless
and have been served by an emergency shelter within the past six
months. Residents at Shepherd Home work on a plan of action
designed to promote goal achievement an ultimately a move into
independent living.- Opportunities: Assist with transitional living for the homeless in
areas such as life skills building and tutoring for GED; work on food and
clothing drives. Volunteers are also needed to staff the office; monitor the
front door and answer phone calls.
Executive Director: Sister Patricia McKeon
Contact Person for Volunteers: Regina Walsh
-
- Return to Service Agency Index
Women
and Families
- The Coping Center
860-347-0120, 860-635-6010 x 334
- Mission: The Coping Center deals with and counsels individuals,
couples, families, children and adolescents, groups, domestic
violence, women's issues, substance abuse and sexual abuse.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jan Levine, R.N., C.C.N.S.
-
- MOMS (Mothers Offering Mothers Support)
New Britain General Hospital
P.O. Box 100
New Britain, CT 06050
860-224-5900, ext. 6623
-
- Mission: The MOMS (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) is a New Britain
General Hospital outreach program that provides support and
information in a peer group setting for young mothers and pregnant
women under the age of 23.
Opportunities: Assistance with childcare for women involved in
support group meeting; phone mentoring and support for new parents.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Hernandez
-
- New Horizons Domestic Violence Services
(860)347-6971
-
- Mission: New Horizons is a temporary shelter for women and their
children who have experienced violence in their homes. New Horizons offers
two volunteer training programs a year, and all volunteers, upon completion
of the training, are certified.
Opportunities: Need long-term commitment for hotline volunteers.
Childcare, Tuesday evenings 6 - 8:30.
- Contact People for Volunteers: Michelle
Waldner or Elizabeth Farkas: 860-344-9599
-
- Sexual Assault Crisis Service
29 Crescent Street
P.O. Box 1063
Middletown, CT 06457
860-344-1474, ext. 120
- Mission: The Sexual Assault Crisis Service provides 24-hour, 7 day
a week crisis counseling, information and referral, advocacay for children
and non-abusing parent, short time counseling for victims and their family
and/or friends. Support groups and community education programs
dealing with sexual assault as well as community prevention programs dealing
with safety concerns are also available. SACS aslo provides police and court
advocacy.
Opportunities: The Sexual Assault Crisis Service needs women for the Sexual
Assault Crisis Hotline. Training is provided. Two to four shifts
per month - an average of twelve hours per month. Hotline
counselors provide information, crisis intervention, advocacy, and
counseling on the telephone. They also may be called to meet a victim at a hospital emergency room or police station to provide
advocacy and support. Volunteers may also provide clerical assistance in the
office.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Nicole
Hildenbran-Elgin (Coordinator of Advocacy Services)
-
- Women and
Children's Center
955 South Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-5513
- Mission: The Women and Children Center is a long-term treatment
facility for pregnant substance abusers and their children. The
Women and Children's Center provides a structured, safe, and
positive environment where women are encouraged to develop
increased personal awareness, to appropriately express feelings,
and to constructively channel their energies.
Opportunities: Volunteering support is needed for pregnant and
parenting women in treatment for substance abuse and their children;
opportunities include childcare and support group network.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Andrea Hunter
Return to Service Agency Index
Youth
- Bielefield Elementary School
71 Maynord Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-4124
-
- Mission: Where Children and Learning Come First
Opportunities: Bielefield Elementary School is looking for volunteers to help
students use computers in a "lab" setting, to organize and
supervise recess games from 12:0-1:00 p.m. Monday- Friday, and for classroom
assistance in grades K-5.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Renata
Lantos, Principal
-
- Big Brothers/ Big Sisters
Suite 274
100 Riverview Center
Middletown, CT 06457
860-852-0045
- Mission: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters serves disadvantaged youth age
6 -14, from single and two parent family households. The BB/BS program
matches children with appropriate volunteers in a one-to-one relationship.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters charges no fees for this service.
Opportunities: The appropriate adult volunteer acts as a confidant,
role-model, mentor and friend, helping to guide the child along a path which
will help him or her to realize full human potential. The volunteer will
provide mentoring to local youth or tutoring program at Farmhill School.
Initial commitment is 6 months.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Susan
McGann
-
- Boy Scouts of America
60 Darkin Street
East Hartford, CT 06128
860-289-6669, ext. 258
- Mission: It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others
by helping to instill values in young people and in other ways
prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in
achieving their full potential.
Opportunities: Volunteers are needed for
mentoring with local youths and for general work with local troupes;
community outreach; and programmatic opportunities.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Dan Lindh
Brownstone Intermediate School
314 Main Street
Portland, CT
(860) 342-6765
- Mission:
Opportunities: BIS is trying to start a variety of after school
programs such as art club, debate team, science club, or student
newspaper. Excellent opportunity for students looking to build a
program from the ground up. Volunteer(s) will be
asked to design a short curriculum, lead a small group to create a
product and consult with key constituents, i.e. staff members, in an
academic setting. Minimum 6 week commitment.
- Principal: Venessa L. Ditta
Contact Person for Volunteers: Donna
Rini 860-342-5625
Children's Center Community Program
1 Long Wharf
New Haven, CT 06511
203-786-6403 X117
- Mission: Children's Center Community Programs Youth Mentoring
Partnerships works with children age 13 - 21 that are in the care of
The Department of Children and Families. The children reside in
group homes, residential facilities or foster care homes. The
children reside in group homes, residential facilities or foster care
homes.
Opportunities: Volunteer Mentors. Minimum three hour
commitment per month for a one calendar year commitment. Must be
21 years old and have transportation.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Dawn
Renaud, M.A.C.P.
-
- The Children's Home in Cromwell
66 Hicksville Road
- Cromwell, CT 06419
860-635-6010, ext. 334
-
- Mission: The Children's Home is a residential treatment center for 71
abused, neglected, and troubled Connecticut children ages 8-18.
They are provided a caring home-like atmosphere, a state-certified
special education school, and a therapeutic environment in which
they receive individual, group, and family treatment. Specific
treatment plans are designed to address the emotional,
educational, physical, social, behavioral, and spiritual needs of
each child. The learning center at the Children's Home offers a
fully-accredited day program for children and adolescents with
emotional and learning difficulties. This program provides a
highly structured, therapeutic educational experience for students
aged 8 to 21 who require specialized support and services not
available in most public or private school settings.
- Opportunities: Call contact person to discuss various
opportunities.
Contact Person for Volunteers: John
Powers
-
- CT Juvenile Training School
P.O. Box 882
Middletown, CT 06457
860-638-2427
- Mission: CT Juvenile Training School is a residential school for
adjudicated juvenile delinquents.
Opportunities: Volunteers who are interested in
working with troubled youth are needed to tutor and mentor. A
mandatory training program is offered every semester.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Mike Daling
-
- CRT: Head Start Early Care and Education Program
44 Hamlin Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-346-1284
-
- Mission: CRT will address the causes and effects of poverty by
advocating for those in need and assisting people in obtaining the skills,
knowledge, and resources necessary for self-sufficiency and dignity.
Opportunities: Volunteers at the day care center, assist teachers,
read to and play with kids; work one on one with children with behavior
problems.
Program Manager: Debbie Cauley
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Lisa
Ellis, Education Coordinator
I Have a Friend Youth Center
309 Main Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-1650
- Opportunities: Support tutoring and mentoring for local kids
on Tuesday and/or Thursdays from 4:30 - 7:30
Contact Person for Volunteers: Barbara Miller
- Kidcity Children's Museum,
Inc.
- 110 Washington Street
- Middletown, CT 06459
- 860-347-0495
-
- Mission: Kid City Children's museum celebrates a child's natural
curiosity by offering a downtown hands-on play space where children come with
parents and other significant adults to learn through play. Kid City is
a safe and enriched educational environment which fosters the development of
problem-solving skills and creativity. As a child-friendly public
space, Kid City will support every parent's effort to be the best parent they
can be.
- Opportunities: Kid City needs a lot of individuals to interact
with kids. Opportunities available seven days a week, supervising children
at play. People are also needed to design interactive children's
projects for Kid City. Volunteer with some friends or take the initiative
and organize the project!
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Jennifer Alexander, founder
-
- Lawrence School
Kaplan Drive
Middletown, CT 06457
860-632-2158, ext. 49
-
- Mission: The mission of the Middletown Public Schools is to enable
all students to achieve at their highest potential by challenging them
through a system structured around a common core of knowledge, skills,
values, and a variety of educational experiences. Through partnerships with
family and community, our schools will promote the pursuit of lifelong
learning, responsible citizenship, and decision-making in a culturally
diverse world.
Opportunities: Volunteers are needed to assist students and teachers in
the classroom. Tutors will also be needed for kids in grades K - 5.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Mark Profit,
Principal
-
- Macdounough
Elementary School
66 Spring Street
Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-347-8553
Opportunities: Volunteer to provide mentoring, tutoring, academic
enrichment and computer technology to students in grades K - 5.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Ann
Perzan, Principal or Karen Nocera, coordinator-
- Middletown High School
Hunting Hill Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
860-704-4500
-
- Mission: It is the goals of the program to provide students with
the knowledge and skills they will need to participate as competent and
productive members of both our American democratic society and of the
increasingly interdependent global community. The educational program
expands students' intellectual and creative capabilities, develops their
cultural and aesthetic awareness, cultivates a sense of personal
responsibility, and fosters their emotional and physical well being.
- Opportunities: Middletown High School runs a tutoring program for students,
including SAT tutoring and help with the college application
process. Volunteers are needed as teacher's assistance, after-school tutors,
and mentors for high school students.
Principal: Mr. Robert C. Fontaine
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Les Saunder
The Neighborhood Pre-School
115 High Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-346-4333
- Opportunities: Assistance with the local day care center on
campus; conduct games and creative play with kids.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Diane
Kischell
-
- Northern Middlesex YMCA
99 Union Street
Middletown, CT 06457
- 860-347-6907
-
- Mission: The YMCA provides a wide variety of activities for Middletown
youth, including sports, after-school, and summer programs.
- Opportunities: Volunteers needed for tutoring and enrichment
program at Middletown Public Schools, special needs, before and after school
programs and mentoring.
Executive Director: Frank Sumpter
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Michelle
Rulnick
-
- Oddfellows Playhouse
128 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-6143
- Mission: Oddfellows Playhouse is a non-profit theater and performing
arts program that serves 2,500 young people annually. Playhouse
programs are designed to give young people the chance to develop
their creative abilities and to learn about commitment,
cooperation and responsibility in a non-competitive
environment.
Opportunities: Assistance with youth theatre, Main Stage productions
and stage management; volunteer with the Kids on the Block Puppetry
Program; TA weekly classes (8 week sessions).
Contact People for Volunteers: Dominick
Grant or Bobby Knoll
-
- Salvation Army
515 Main Street
P.O. Box 179
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-7493
-
- Opportunities: The Salvation Army after school program needs tutors and
mentors for children aged 6-15, Monday through Friday between
3:30PM and 8:00PM. Assistance is needed with social service support at
the Adult Day Care Center and Community Center; organize clothing drives and
sort clothes; provide assistance in preparation for holiday season; office
assistance.
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Major Judy Pritchard
Snow
School
299 Wadsworth Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-2579
- Mission: Establish long term relationships with students in
the community.
Opportunities: Volunteer in the after-school tutorial and
enrichment program for a selected group of 3rd - 5th grade students.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Gene
Nocera, Principal
Traverse Square Tentant's Assocation: Youth and Study Center
Traverse Square
Middletown, CT 06457
- Opportunities: Provide tutorial and mentoring for kids in
this after-school tutorial program.
Contact Person for Volunteers:
Tri Town Youth Services
56 High Street
P.O. Box 897
Deep River, CT 06417
860-526-3600
- Mission: Tri Town Youth Services is a nonprofit community service
organization dedicated to assisting the youth and families of
Chester, Deep River, and Essex. Tri Town Youth Services is a
private nonprofit agency that coordinates, develops, and provides
services dedicated to promoting the positive growth and
development of youth and families.
Opportunities: Opportunities to work with youth and families in
the shoreline area.
- Executive Director: Gale Onofrio
Contact Person for Volunteers: same
Upward Bound - ConnCap
41 Lawn Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
- Opportunities: Act as a tutor/mentor/instructor for youth in
local area elementary, middle, and high schools; summer opportunities
working with middle and high school students.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Donna Thompson, Director
-
- Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Wilderman's Way
Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-8594
-
- Mission: Woodrow Wilson Middle School is committed to providing
opportunities for our young adolescent students to explore and create and
think about who they are are and what they can be.
Opportunities: Volunteer as a tutor/mentor for at risk youth; also
provide basketball coaching assistance to the girls' basketball team; assist
in special education.
Principal: Frank Balisciano
- Contact Person for Volunteers: Vanessa Reale
YMCA: Phelps Ingersoll Day Care Center
99 Union Street
Middletown, CT 06457
860-343-6227
- Mission: Early intervention/school readiness program working
with infant - 5 year olds.
Opportunities: Tutoring, arts and recreation, interaction and
playing with kids at the 21st Century learning Center; some special
needs.
Contact Person for Volunteers: Elaine
Tuttle
Return to Service Agency Index
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