The Human Services Council provides a variety of community programs focused on children, adolescents and families. This organization offers a wide selection of services for employment, education, nutrition and medical care, such as employment search support, literacy programs and access to needed medications. Volunteering opportunities are available.
The Fairfield County Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is an advocacy group for kids with diabetes. They offer a variety of volunteer and awareness programs in addition to events such as group bike rides, group walks, mentoring programs, counseling and a variety of other related programs. The Fairfield County Chapter has been operating for more than 30 years.
Literacy Volunteers of America is located inside the Norwalk Public Library, on the corners of Belden and Mott avenues. Volunteers teach adults how to read, write and/or speak English. There is a high demand for volunteer services, so new students should call for an appointment on the last Tuesday of the month between 9am and 10am.
Family & Children's Agency is a non-profit family service organization that provides support for families in Fairfield County and its surrouding area. Family & Children's Agency's services include youth and family development, adoption, senior assistance and behavioral health counseling. This organization also assists the homeless.
Triangle Community Center serves to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community through a sense of pride, identity and visibility. It also aims to create understanding and awareness of GLBT issues. The nonprofit is run by a board of directors, which is led by President Christopher Spiegelman. It hosts community events periodically. For information on these events, be sure to visit the organization's website.
Builders Beyond Borders offers charity services locally and internationally. It provides construction and building services for a variety of need-based projects. The volunteer-based organization builds schools, latrines, water irrigation systems and other structures. Volunteer opportunities are available to students and adults; more information is published on the website listed.
The Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, a non-profit organization, is a resource and support center for individuals and families dealing with the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia. It offers educational information, support services, family-training seminars and more to residents of Connecticut.
The Norwalk Emergency Shelter is a 95-bed shelter and soup kitchen that provides men, women, children and families a wide variety of services, including hot meals, counselings, job training and placement, skills development, community outreach and more. For additional information, call the number or visit the website provided.
Long Island Soundkeeper Terry Backer and members of the non-profit Soundkeeper spend their days protecting and preserving the Long Island Sound through patrols, investigations and intervention, and by bringing problems with the Sound to the public's attention. Soundkeeper is an advocate for the Sound and the voice of concerned citizens. It is "dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the biological, physical and chemical integrity of Long Island Sound and its watershed." Members work hard to keep the Sound's waters fishable and swimmable. Donations are welcome.
Goodwill, the world-famous charitable organization that operates thrift stores worldwide, has a location on route 1. Their mission, to assist individuals and families in need by "eliminating barriers to opportunity," is subsidized by the stores' revenue, and millions have benefited from vocational and educational training the organization provides. And...there are great deals to be had, and don't forget about that tax write-off when you donate goods!
Paws Pet Animal Welfare Society is a non-profit rescue organization dedicated to saving animals, primarily cats and dogs. This is a non-kill shelter, meaning animals are held until they can be adopted into a loving home. This animal shelter was started in 1962 and is a popular destination for pet owners who can no longer care for their pets and for people interested in rescuing a pet. Adoption forms can be found on its Web site.
The Norwalk Exchange Club is the local branch of Exchange, a volunteer service organizations. Chartered in 1946, the Exchange Club is composed of men and women working to improve their communities through community service and youth activities. The Norwalk Exchange Club is responsible for numerous charitable acts in the community, including monetary donations to a number of charities and the Norwalk Hospital's Center Outpatient Pediatric Evaluation for the prevention of child abuse, as well as the sponsorship of the annual Antique Auto Show at Taylor Farm.
Norwalk's Meals on Wheels, located in the Norwalk Senior Center on Allen Road, has been delivering daily meals to city residents for more than 25 years. Norwalk Senior Center Executive Director Paul Palermo said that 85 people are currently receiving meals through this Norwalk non-profit agency. Anyone living in Norwalk who cannot shop for or prepare his or her own meals is eligible to apply. Payment is based on income using a sliding scale. Seven days' worth of meals (one hot meal and one cold meal daily) are provided. The caterer-prepared meals are delivered Monday through Friday by volunteers. Meals for Saturday and Sunday are delivered along with the Thursday and/or Friday meals.
Norwalk also operates a Meals on Wheels at its south site: 92 Cedar Street in South Norwalk. That site is open Monday–Friday, 9:00am–2:00pm.
Contact the Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Mark Palmer, at 203-847-3115 for information or to initiate Meals on Wheels.
The American Legion is a not-for-profit service organization for veterans and their families. It performs community service and works to raise awareness and support for troops abroad. The organization holds meetings on the third Tuesday of every month.
Sheryl Knapp, the founder and president of Literacy Advocates, wants to give all students access to research-based literacy practices. Literacy Advocates has two offices: one in Norwalk and one in Ridgefield. Using a variety of tools and observations, Literacy Advocates can assess a student's needs and work with the school team to ensure that these needs are being addressed, resulting in classroom success. Knapp's particular expertise is working with students with a variety of more complicated diagnoses.