Inspirica, Inc.’s mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by helping people achieve – and maintain- permanent housing and stability in their lives. We are one of the largest providers of services to the homeless in Fairfield County. Each night, we house approximately 350 people, and each year we serve more than 850 people (including 250 children). We operate 11 facilities including emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and deeply affordable housing. We further provide an extensive array of support services, including vocational training, workforce education, job placement, housing placement, job & housing retention support, early childhood & parenting services, children’s services, counseling, case management, and much more. See the link: https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-General/About/Nonprofit-Grant-Program-NGP/Success-Stories/Inspirica for more.
How you can contribute:
MEAL PROVISION: EARLY CHILDHOOD & PARENTING PROGRAM
Prepare a meal for the 25 parents and children in our Early Childhood and Parenting Program. This program helps the adult clients who live in our family shelter develop various parenting skills, including communication, child development, and effective strategies to advocate for children — all while their children engage in crucial early childhood development and pre-literacy activities. At the end of each session, the parents and children all join together for a meal. Volunteers may prepare and drop off a meal, or prepare a meal on-site. There is no requirement to stay and serve. Ongoing opportunity | Most volunteers serve monthly or quarterly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; dinner served at 6:30pm 141 Franklin Street in downtown Stamford
MEAL PROVISION: WOODLAND CAMPUS
Prepare and serve a meal at our Women’s Emergency Shelter at our Woodland Campus. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, volunteers serve the 25 women who live in our shelter. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, up to 45 men and women from the full campus are invited to dinner. Volunteers must stay to serve the meal. Ongoing opportunity | Most providers serve monthly or quarterly 365 days/year; dinner served at 6:00pm all nights, brunch served at 11:00am or 12:00 noon on weekends Located at 8 Woodland Place in Stamford’s South End neighborhood
YOUTH CENTER
Our Youth Center is our after-school program for the school-aged children in our care, and is structured to include free play time, homework/quiet reading time, as well as an enrichment activity. Volunteers assist with homework and provide one-on-one attention to the children, and providing positivity and stability in the children’s lives. Ongoing opportunity | Most volunteers attend weekly or bi-weekly Monday through Friday during the school year, 4:00 to 6:00pm 141 Franklin Street in downtown Stamford Want to volunteer with us? Please reach out to Sarah Kennedy at skennedy@InspiricaCT.org or 203-388-0109 BABY-SI T T ING Volunteers help with childcare so that adult clients may attend Early Childhood and Parenting classes, which focus on parenting skills. The children attend early childhood development and pre-literacy classes. Minimum age for volunteers is 15.
BEAUTIFICATION
Groups of up to 45 can lead various beautification projects around our 11 facilities. Opportunities can be tailored to meet your group’s needs, size, and availability. Activities include planting, assisting with landscaping, and deep cleaning. Volunteers wishing to plant flowers or shrubs must bring their own supplies/tools. Supplies and equipment for deep cleaning are provided by Inspirica. Seasonal opportunity | March through August Monday through Friday, typically between 10am and 5pm 8 Woodland Place in Stamford’s South End neighborhood or 141 Franklin Street in downtown Stamford VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Want to volunteer with us? Please reach out to Sarah Kennedy at skennedy@InspiricaCT.org or 203-388-0109
THANKSGIVING DRIVE & GIVEAWAY
Each year, we give away approximately 800 turkeys and all of the fixings to our clients and to those in need in our community. Volunteers help with sorting donations and packing Thanksgiving baskets filled with fixings. Volunteers also assist with the Thanksgiving turkey-and-fixings giveaway. Seasonal opportunity | November Sorting day the Saturday before Thanksgiving; Giveaway the Tuesday before Thanksgiving 8 Woodland Place in Stamford’s South End neighborhood
HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION
Each year, we hold our Holiday Gift Collection which provides nearly 6,000 gifts to nearly 3,000 children in need in our community. Volunteers may assist with sorting gift donations, checking-in donations, and organizing our gift inventory; wrap gifts during our Big Wrap Event, held on a Saturday in December, a fun day of wrapping to a DJ-led soundtrack; wrap gifts as needed after the wrapping event and helping to organize wrapped gifts for distribution.
DMA Volunteer:
Chris Filmer
William Tamme was born in St. Louis, MO in 1952. He grew up in South St. Louis and St. Louis County and graduated from Bayless High School. Bill graduated from Central Missouri University with a BS of Ed and also received his MBA from Arizona State University. At the University he was active in the drama club and intramural sports. His post-university career started with four years as a high school history teacher followed by 25 years in equipment and project finance with companies such as Greyhound Leasing & Financial Corp, Household Commercial Finance and GE Capital. This was followed by 13 years as the owner of Darien Doughnut starting in 2006.
