Community Service Programs
After-School Programs
Boys and Girls Clubs of Bridgeport
Monday-Friday, 3-5:30 p.m.
Volunteers can assist in many areas, such as homework help, arts and crafts, leading gym activities, or assisting with special programs. Weekend and evening opportunities are available including refereeing and coaching.
Bryant School Book Club
Tuesday, 2-3 p.m.
Creative and outgoing bookworms needed! Have you always loved to read? Do you want to instill this same passion in the hearts of young students? Then the Bryant School Book Club is just for you. Volunteers facilitate a book club for a group of third graders in the after-school program. You will read with students and develop activities to facilitate discussion. A wonderful opportunity for aspiring teachers.
Bryant School Pencil Pal Club
Twice per month
You can make the day of a young Bridgeport student just by sending them a letter! Imagine the student's excitement as he or she reads your letter and then writes you one in return. Not only do you make a friend, but you help children work on their literacy skills and self esteem without them even knowing it!
Cardinal Shehan Center
Monday-Friday, 3-5:30 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. (tutoring)
Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Children and teens, ages six and up, go to the Shehan Center because it offers a safe, positive, fun environment. Volunteers may assist with the two after-school programs (one educational, one recreational) by helping with homework, reinforcing English language skills, playing games and sports with the children, and acting as positive role models. You may also choose to be a volunteer coach for sports such as basketball and flag football.
High Horizons Magnet School
Schedule is flexible
Help instill a lifelong love of learning to high-achieving students at this magnet school. Opportunities exist to get involved in book and math clubs, homework help and tutoring at Study Island; offer your editing expertise with writing workshops and more. Your new ideas are welcome!
McGivney Community Center
Monday-Friday, 3-5:30 p.m.
Volunteers work with children ages six to fourteen as tutors in the homework room, assistants in the arts and crafts room and computer room, or on the basketball court as coaches and teammates. There are also opportunities for greater involvement and leadership: start your own Friday program for the McGivney kids, incorporating your own gifts and talents (e.g., dance classes, theatre, chess club, etc.).
To volunteer with any of the above programs, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before beginning to improve the world."
- Anne Frank
Animal Welfare
PAWS
Schedule is flexible
Calling all animal lovers! PAWS (Pet and Animal Welfare Society) volunteers help to socialize animals by walking, playing, and spending time with them to show them unconditional love. You will also be involved in fundraising efforts for local shelters in need. Joining this group is a great way to meet other like-minded animal enthusiasts.
To volunteer, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.
Daycare
Caroline House
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Friday, 9-11 a.m.
Caroline House is a unique organization that teaches English as a second language to immigrant women. In order to attend school to learn English and "break the cycle," mothers need assistance with daycare for their non-school age children, ages one to four. Volunteers assist the staff by reading, playing, and doing arts and crafts with the children and working with computers.
Thomas Merton Family Center
Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Merton Center offers opportunities to facilitate the development of children through play at the Family Center. Most importantly, volunteers extend hospitality, friendship, and comfort to the guests.
To volunteer with these programs, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.
Fairfield Volunteer Corps
Flexible schedule
Volunteer at various local non-profit organizations at your convenience! Minimal time commitment; you choose the events that work for you based on your schedule (although we hope you will participate in at least one event per month). Projects range from block clean-ups to helping out at fundraisers. Meet new people. Help those in need. Feel good knowing you make a difference!
To volunteer with any of the above programs, please contact Wylie Smith Blake
Hunger Cleanup
Going into its 25th year, Hunger Cleanup has become a Fairfield tradition! 500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends from the community join together to volunteer for a half-day serve-a-thon at 40-plus local nonprofit agencies and sites in the Greater Bridgeport area.
Volunteers help out by doing odd jobs such as painting at a church, stocking a food pantry, and doing spring cleaning for a nonprofit or at a local beach or trails. Then we all meet back at the campus center for refreshments and prizes!
Participants raise money to go towards a program to end the cycle of hunger and poverty. Join the task force! Start your own team or just sign up to volunteer for the event. Hunger Cleanup's goal is to raise $10,000 for hunger and homelessness causes right here in our area.
To register: fairfieldhungercleanup@gmail.com
Please contact Wylie Smith Blake with questions.
Mentoring
WiMentor
(open to Juniors and Seniors)
WiMentor pairs youth from Bridgeport with caring people who help them grow academically and personally. Mentors/mentees e-mail each other weekly to exchange thoughts on topics such as college, careers, and hobbies and meet in person four times a year at program-sponsored events.
To apply to any of the above programs, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.
Soup Kitchens & Food Pantries
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Saturday, 4-7 p.m..
Bridgeport Rescue Mission is a Christian organization that provides shelter and addiction recovery programs for men and women. In addition, the Mission runs a soup kitchen and mobile soup kitchen serving thousands of meals each month. Volunteers serve meals at the facility and then travel in the mobile soup kitchen to serve hot meals, give out clothing, and offer hospitality.
Food Rescue
Flexible schedule
"Rescue" food from the University and local restaurants that would otherwise be discarded and give it to those in need. Help soup kitchen, food pantries, and shelters provide more food to children, adults, and the elderly. Fight hunger by getting involved!
Prospect House
Friday, 3-7 p.m.
Prospect House is a homeless shelter in downtown Bridgeport that houses nearly 90 people! Prospect House offers emergency shelter, as well as ongoing social services to its residents. Volunteers cook, serve, and visit with the residents.
St. Charles Food Pantry
First Friday of every month
Volunteers provide emergency non-perishable food and toiletry items to the needy in our community. The goal is to provide enough groceries for several days; nothing fancy, just plain wholesome foods. Help collect donated items, raise money for other items needed, and deliver them once each month to the food pantry.
Thomas Merton House Soup Kitchen
Monday-Friday, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Merton Center serves breakfast and lunch on a daily basis to approximately 200 guests and provides a range of essential social support services. Volunteers can help prepare food, make up trays, assemble take-out packages, stock pantries, serve meals, wash dishes, and clean-up kitchen and dining areas. But, most importantly, volunteers extend hospitality, friendship, and comfort to the guests.
To volunteer with any of the above programs, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.
Special Needs
Best Buddies
Meets once per month
Best Buddies pairs college students with persons who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities to spend time together. Fairfield has had an active chapter for many years and hosts activities such as holiday parties, game nights, movie nights, field days, and more. The Kennedy Center helps organize the program. Their staff works closely with Fairfield students to plan and organize events and play a critical role in matching "buddies" together.
To volunteer with the above program, please contact Wylie Smith Blake.