CCSU’s Office of Community Engagement presents:
The Make a Difference Fair
Urban Oaks Organic Farm
Our mission, as a working urban farm .8 mile from CCSU, is to provide healthy fresh food for our
neighbors, including CCSU!
Several volunteer opportunities are available
Contact: Elizabeth Aaronsohn aaronsohn@mail.ccsu.edu
CCSU Community Central
The CCSU Office of Community Engagement is located in the CCSU downtown campus at ITBD.
The Office of Community Engagement seeks to create opportunities for faculty, students and
staff to participate in volunteer, service-learning and other community engagement activities
that address community needs.
Several volunteers, internships, community outreach and volunteer opportunities are available:
Work study, graduate assistantships, university assistantships, and AmeriCorps VISTA position.
Contact: Jessica Hernandez jessica.hernandez@ccsu.edu
Jumpstart
Serving low-income children ages 3-5 in select preschool classrooms in New Britain, Jumpstart
is one of CCSU’s premier community engagement programs. Every year, CCSU students gain
professional early childhood experience and an education award through the Americorp
program.
Volunteer and work-study positions are available
Contact: Kyle Pilon ven_pilonkyr@mail.ccsu.edu
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves the 40-town region by mobilizing
people and organizations to give, advocate and volunteer to help children succeed, ensure
families are healthy and financially secure, and provide access to basic needs.
Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities are available
Contact: Maura Cook MCook@unitedwayinc.org
Klingberg Family Centers
Founded in 1903, Klingberg Family Centers is a private, nonprofit multi-service agency providing
help to hundreds of persons across Connecticut each year. Their mission is to extend hope and
healing to children and families whose lives have been affected by abuse in all its various forms,
including severe family problems and various emotional, developmental and behavioral
difficulties.
Volunteer Mentor opportunities are available
Contact: Rebekah Behan rebekahb@klingberg.com
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CCSU Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP)
The Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) is a non-partisan, University-based
organization dedicated to enriching the quality of local, state and national public policy. The
IMRP tackles critical and often under addressed urban issues with the intent of ensuring the
most positive outcomes for affected individuals and entities. In doing so, the IMRP bridges the
divide between academia, policymakers, practitioners and the community. More Information
on IMRP initiatives, that include support for Connecticut's formerly incarcerated citizens and
the organizations that serve them can be found online.
Service learning, community engaged research, volunteer opportunities are available.
Contact: Hannah Hurwitz hannahhurwitz@ccsu.edu
Literacy Volunteers of Central CT
Literacy Volunteers of Central CT provides free tutoring to adults and families to help them
improve their lives through increased literacy. They serve 16 towns in the greater New Britain
and Middletown area. Last year, over 400 students in Basic Literacy and ESL classes were
taught by 200 tutors.
Service Learning, volunteer opportunities are available and include: Developing PowerPoint
presentations, Designing/Writing/editing newsletters, Writing stories about students/tutors,
Creating videos of students/tutors and the work we do, Math Tutors
Contact: Maria Simao lvccedirector@gmail.com
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
CCAR organizes the recovery community (people in recovery, family members, friends and
allies) to 1) put a face on recovery, and 2) provide recovery support services. They promote
recovery from alcohol and other addictions through advocacy, education and service. CCAR
connects people to resources that inspire hope and healing.
Volunteer and internships are available at our Recovery Community center in Hartford.
Volunteers help support people in recovery from alcohol and other addictions by making
weekly Telephone Recovery Support (TRS) calls to people early in their recovery; running
groups at our centers; teaching new skills to our recoverees; assisting recoverees with using
computers (updating resumes, searching for jobs and housing); managing our reception desk;
and bringing their own talents and passions to our centers.
Contact: Conrad Sienkiewicz Conrad@ccar.us
KOHOE/LOHM
KOHOE and LOHM serve the women and youth of New Britain and Greater Hartford County.
Volunteer and internship opportunities are available
Contact: Michele Ruiz & Jean Sablan LOHMinistries.nb@gmail.com
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Compass Youth Collaborative
COMPASS Youth Collaborative Inc. is a not-for-profit child and youth services organization
whose purpose is to raise the expectations of youth, inspire the lives of families and build peace
within the community. In partnership with school officials, parents, the community and other
organizations, COMPASS endeavors to equip youth with the skills and attitude necessary for
success in school and in life.
Volunteer and internship opportunities are available
Contact: Bruce Beggs brucebeggs@compassyc.org
Human Resource Agency of New Britain (HRA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
HRA of New Britain is New Britain's Community Action Agency. HRA is a multi-service agency
providing over 30 different programs in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Community and
Neighborhood Services, Emergency Services, Financial Services, Health and Wellness.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Volunteers prepare Federal and State Income Tax
Returns for Individuals and Families whose adjusted gross income fall within a certain income
level. VITA is a service learning program as well as a volunteer program in which a volunteer
earns tangible, transferrable and long-term skills.
Volunteer and Service Learning opportunities are available
Contact: Juan Berrios JBerrios@hranbct.org
YWCA of New Britain
The YWCA New Britain is the largest agency in New Britain dedicated to meeting the needs of
women and their families. Our mission is the elimination of racism and the empowerment of
women.
Service Learning opportunities/Internships/Volunteer opportunities in several departments are
available.
Contact: Tracey Madden-Hennessey tmadhen@ywcanewbritain.org
Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc.'s Pathways/Senderos Center
The Pathways/Senderos Center serves 60 boys and girls, ages 10-18, from New Britain’s most
poverty-stricken, high-risk neighborhoods. Children enroll in the Center at the end of fifth grade
and stay with the program until graduation from high school. Pathways/Senderos targets these
poverty-stricken youth and their families for long-term, comprehensive services designed
ultimately to prevent teen pregnancy. The Center was established in 1993 and it is based on a
highly successful program begun in the 1980’s by Dr. Michael Carrera and the Children’s Aid
Society. The program model includes seven integrated components: academic support; career
preparation; family life and sex education; violence prevention; recreation/lifetime sports;
health care referrals; and self-esteem enhancement.
Volunteer and internship opportunities are available.
Contact: Geoff Elterich gelterich@snet.net
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CCSU TRIO Educational Talent Search Program
The TRiO ETS Program is housed at CCSU in the CCSU Downtown Campus at ITBD and serves
500 New Britain Public School students in grades 6-12.
The program provides Tutoring and college application assistance for New Britain students in
grades 6-12. TRiO also runs successful STEM activities and summer programs.
Volunteer Opportunities are available
Contact: Thomas Menditto menditto@ccsu.edu
New Britain Police Department P.A.L. (Police Athletic League)
P.A.L is a part of the New Britain Police Department. P.A.L coordinates activities throughout
the year that focus on leadership and character development through sports. P.A.L. works year
round with youth in New Britain.
Volunteer and internship opportunities in summer (6 week summer program) fall and spring
are available.
Contact: Officer Hertzler bhertzler@NewBritainCT.gov
Sexual Assault Crisis Service
Sexual Assault Crisis Service, a program of the YWCA of New Britain, covers a 46-town region all of Hartford County, part of Tolland County and the town of Plymouth. SACS offers assistance
to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones. SACS provides a 24 hour confidential crisis
hotline, accompaniments through medical and police procedures, free short term in-person
counseling, and support groups. These services are critical after such trauma, helping victims
and their families regain feelings of independence, optimism and hope. The advocates on staff
are trained to work with hospital staff, the court system, public safety officers and other
counselors assisting their clients.
SACS holds three 40 hour trainings per year called Counselor Advocacy Training. This 40 hour
training can be taken for professional development or as a training to volunteer on our 24 hour
sexual assault crisis hotline. Those volunteers take crisis calls and accompany survivors through
medical and police procedures. Additionally, SACS will be hosting a community training about
bystander interventions.
Volunteer and internship opportunities are available
Contact: Chelsea Culbert cculbert@ywcanewbritain.org
Neighborhood Housing Services of New Britain, Inc.
The mission of NHSNB is to revitalize and stabilize Central CT neighborhoods, making them
desirable environments of choice, where diverse individuals can live, work, grow, and prosper.
Special emphasis is placed on New Britain residents who live in the 4 Neighborhood
Revitalization Zones. We also serve people in the 44-town Central Ct region. Foreclosure
counselors serve people from anywhere in CT.
Opportunities: Service learning:
 work as part of an outreach team in New Britain to inform people about free foreclosure
help, free classes to help first-time homebuyers, free financial literacy classes, a free
program to help with energy costs, gardening resources, and other ways to stretch a dollar.
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
Teach a financial fitness class and provide follow-up coaching (curriculum provided) to
adults or young people.
 Help create a marketing plan or revise a business plan.
 Help us create a video to tell one or more stories of people who have achieved their dream
of home ownership with an assist from us.
 edit our quarterly newsletter, maintain our website, or post to our Facebook page.
 Serve as out photographer, taking pictures of new homeowners, people having fun at our
housing fair, etc.
Opportunities: Community Engaged Research:
participate in a community survey in the Broad Street neighborhood.
Volunteer Opportunities:
 Assist with organizing an annual housing and health fair on June 6.
 Dress up as a Public Television character to entertain children at our annual housing and
health fair on June 6.
 Help us to create a new website.
 Assist with data entry, client satisfaction surveys and answering our phone.
Contact: Patricia Wallace pwallace@nhsnb.org
American Red Cross | Connecticut & Rhode Island Region
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by
mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Volunteer opportunities and internships are available
Contact: Mike Grimmer mike.grimmer@redcross.org
CT Breast Health Initiative
Our mission is to raise money to support breast cancer's leading edge researchers and
education providers in CT.
Volunteers needed to staff many positions for the Race in the Park
Contact: Louise Belkin info@CTBHI.org
New Britain Youth Museum
Children's museum and nature center. We serve both children and adults.
Volunteer opportunities are available
Contact: Donna Veach marketing@newbritainyouthmuseum.org
Connecticut Campus Compact
Campus Compact advances the public purpose of colleges and universities by deepening their
ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.
We work with colleges, universities and community organizations to promote education and
civic engagement through a variety of programs. AmeriCorps VISTA members address poverty
through campus-community partnerships focused on K-12 Partnerships.
Opportunities for Post-Graduate Service through AmeriCorps VISTA are available
Contact: Kaytee Stewart kaytee.stewart@ctcampuscompact.org
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Queen Ann Nzinga Center
QANC is a nonprofit organization that strives to serve youth and our community in the greater
New Britain, Bristol and Plainville b areas at large. This is achieved by encouraging young people
to develop their confidence and talent. Taking a holistic approach to promoting, QANC uses
arts, music and the humanities to help young people of all abilities from all socio economic
backgrounds reach their full potential. The center then highlights their talents in a community
focused, art infused production for the greater community to enjoy. Working in a multigenerational, multi-cultural environment, We weave in history and culture to engage, teach and
enrich participants and community.
MSW BSW internship opportunities are available QANC as well as other volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Coordinator, be a mentor for youth, Administrative support, Sharing your talents
with youth in the program.
Contact: Donyne Cowan WWW.QANC@gmail.org
North Oak NRZ
Community united with police and other shareholders in the North Oak area work together to
increase the quality of life and diminish criminal activity. The North Oak NRZ coordinates
community clean ups, youth based/sports activities and event and looks to help small business
thrive in the North Oak community
Volunteer Opportunities are available.
Contact: Yvette Graham cyanobacteria07@yahoo.com
New Britain City Hall
The New Britain City Hall serves as a resource and advocate for better living including, housing,
mental health, for disabled, seniors, underprivileged and youth services.
Volunteer opportunities are available
Zeena Tawfik ztawfik@NewBritainCT.gov
Art League of New Britain
The Art League of New Britain sponsors art related activities such as art exhibits, drawing
sessions, classes for the community.
Volunteer opportunities are available: Data entry, marketing, gallery managing.
Contact: Paul Baylock contact@alnb.org
Greater New Britain Arts Alliance
The Greater New Britain Arts Alliance promotes the creative, performing and visual arts,
provides a unified voice for the arts organizations, serves as a catalyst for arts-related
collaborations, nurtures individual creative abilities, and advocates the arts as vital to the
economic health and quality of life in the region.
Volunteer and/or Internship opportunities are available: Looking for assistance with data
migration, website development and marketing and gallery volunteers.
Contact: Stephen Hard stephenfhard@gmail.com
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Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA)
A leading provider of an integrated health and behavioral health care system for children,
families and adults, CMHA provides case management, support services, and jail diversion
programs for residents in New Britain.
Employment and Internship Opportunities are available
Contact: Alexis Newton anewton@cmhacc.org
Polish American Foundation
The Polish American Foundation of Connecticut, Inc. serves the community by:
-Improving access to social services and to educational, training and career opportunities,
-Preserving and promoting the cultural and immigrant heritage of our state
-Fostering inter-ethnic understanding and international exchange.
While our special focus is on Polish cultural heritage and the Polish American community, we
promote the cultural and immigrant heritage of all ethnic groups and we serve and encourage
participation in our programs by all members of the community.
Service learning, volunteer opportunities are available
Contact: Andre Blaszczynski AndreBB@comcast.net
ParaDYM Inc.
ParaDYM Inc provides after school programs offering connected learning though media literacy,
transmedia production, social entrepreneurship and life skill training that prepare youth for
post high school educational opportunities and for successful transitions into the workforce.
Using interdisciplinary, media-driven extended day and out of school programs, ParaDYM Inc.
The program provides a pathway for at-risk and marginalized students interested in pursuing,
post-secondary education and careers in media production, distribution and management.
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities are available
Contact: Duane Pierre paradyminc@gmail.com
 Foodshare
Foodshare is the heart of Greater Hartford’s fight against hunger, bringing together individuals
and organizations to create effective solutions to end hunger in all 42 towns of Hartford and
Tolland counties. This vital safety net helps an estimated 128,000 people in our region who are
at risk including seniors, the working poor, and 50,000 children. Working closely with other
local partners – individuals, businesses, schools, faith groups and government agencies –
Foodshare seeks to engage the greater Hartford community for the purpose of distributing food
and increasing self-sufficiency.
Volunteer opportunities are available
Contact: Amanda Renna arenna@foodshare.org
 Women’s Center
• Spanish Speaking Center
Mary Sanders maryssc@yahoo.com
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