Category: Community Service (Page 1 of 3)

About SimplifyCT: This is an organization founded and directed by DMA Member Pat Gentile as a no cost, full-service AARP/VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. The group of more than 50 volunteers is sponsored by the IRS, and has for many years helped its clients to prepare all relevant tax forms and to file completed tax returns, as well as offering assistance with all government support programs. This is done via both on-site personal counseling and virtually through a secure internet site. While this financial services program is focused on seniors and low-to-moderate income households, there are no limitations on either income or age. All counselors are fully IRS-certified volunteers, and services are provided free of charge.  See: SimplifyCT.org

How you can participate:

Become a volunteer by completing the IRS/VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offered by SimplifyCT in the Fall, and finish the certification requirements in January. Volunteers work designated hours at the Public Libraries and Senior Centers of Darien, New Canaan, Westport and Norwalk during February, March and April of each year. Volunteers work within a team of dedicated individuals and with customers who truly appreciate your help. Of course, you can also become a SimplifyCT client at any of these locations. Need more information? Contact any of the current DMA members below!

Current DMA Volunteers:

• Patrick Gentile  – Founder and President
• Bert von Stuelpnagel

About:

Stepping Stones Children’s Museum mission is to broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children ages ten and under and enhance their understanding of the world. The museum seeks to create an environment that inspires lifelong learning and supports parents, caregivers and educators as facilitators of children’s explorations. Stepping Stones was founded in 2000. In its first 10 years of operation, the museum received two million  visits. The Museum received LEED Gold status in 2011, as well as Green Advocate and Merit awards. In the past ten years the Museum has embarked upon an unique pre-K learning curriculum, “ELLI” – the Early Learning and Language Initiative. ELLI is student-directed, play based learning. By all metrics it has been a resounding success and continues to impact increasing numbers of pre-K students in Fairfield county.

How you can contribute:

The museum’s website lists several opportunities to contribute.  You can donate money directly or attend one of their fund raisers.  Family memberships are an important source of revenue – how about becoming a member and taking the grandchildren to the museum when they visit?

DMA Supporters:

In 2020 Jack and Rilla Neafsey serve on the Board of Directors.  They are being awarded the “Stepping Up for Children Award” in recognition of their support for ELLI and the Museum.

About:

Norwalk Hospital. Established in 1893, Norwalk Hospital is a 366 bed, not-for-profit community hospital providing Fairfield and Westchester County residents convenient access to exceptional care, close to home. As a proud member of Western Connecticut Health Network, we are united by our mission to improve the health and well-being of those who live in the communities we call home. We remain the local community providers you know and trust, only better. As a teaching hospital, we are associated with Yale University School of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, and Ross University School of Medicine.

How you can contribute:

Members of the Darien Men’s Association are among Norwalk Hospital Volunteers who provide care and comfort to patients.  From patient transport and newspaper delivery to behind-the-scenes administrative support, hospital volunteers provide a vital service to our community. Norwalk Hospital welcomes community members who are interested in making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. For information please call  the Norwalk Hospital Volunteer Office at 203-852-2023.

DMA Volunteers:

Taylor Strubinger

George Gilliam

Woody Woodworth.

About:

Darien Nature Center https://dariennaturecenter.org/ The Darien Nature Center envisions a community that is deeply connected to nature and inspired to take action to preserve and protect it. We inspire passion and respect for the natural world through nature education, hands-on experiences with nature, and environmental action and stewardship. Thanks to the support of the Board of Selectmen and families throughout town, the Darien Nature Center opened the doors to its new building, a beautiful, light-filled barn, in February of 2002. Today, a quarter of a century after its inception, the Darien Nature Center is a thriving community center, home to robust environmental educational programs, a diverse collection of live animals, and seasonal exhibits, films, and lectures.

 

 

 

 

 

How you can contribute:

The Board welcomes your help working on our annual fundraising/ community events such as: Down on the Farm (Memorial Day Weekend), Hoot & Howl (end of October) and Chili Challenge (mid September). We’re always looking for committed Board members who embrace our mission of preserving the environment through education. If you’re interested in joining our effort, please get in touch.

DMA Volunteers:

David Sinclair

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About:

Darien Arts Center http://www.darienarts.org/home

About: Literacy Volunteers https://familycenters.org/Literacy-Volunteers

Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers believes that access to education is critical to becoming economically self sufficient and independent.  Proficiency in reading, writing and communication is essential to further advancement both personally and professionally.

How you can contribute:

One can support Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers through a variety of roles. Their biggest need is ESL tutors. Tutors are required to give two hours of instruction each week teaching a small group of dedicated and motivated adult English learners. Classes are held in Stamford and Greenwich during the day or evening. No experience or bilingual ability is necessary. All tutors are required to attend training which is facilitated by program staff.Another volunteer opportunity at the organization is proctoring. This opportunity is less of a time commitment than tutoring but is a huge help to the LV staff when it comes time to test the students! Proctors must attend training facilitated by program staff. There are many other ways to get involved including volunteering to help register new students during the start of fall and spring semesters or helping set up and clean up at special events. They also need assistance with data entry and general administrative duties.

DMA Volunteer:

Mike Wheeler

About: Friends of Selleck’s Woods

The Friends’ mission is to protect Selleck’sWoods as a nature preserve and as a place for quiet recreation where: some may find a source of personal renewal, and the young, a source of wonder and growth. The Friends are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that cares for the Woods on behalf of the Darien Parks & Recreation Commission

How you can contribute:

Monetary contributions are always welcomed and volunteers are encouraged to help and participate in any one of a number of activities detailed on the Friends’ website.

DMA Volunteers:

Wouter Goedkoop (Chairman and Treasurer)

Chris Filmer (President) 

About: 

Hyde Leadership Charter School (Bronx, NY) – https://www.hydebronxny.org/ 

About the Carver Foundation of Norwalk

Carver’s mission is to close opportunity gaps for all children and to ensure they graduate high school on time and ready for college and careers. Carver combines a set of key partnerships between school districts and their highly skilled educators, community organizations and parents to deliver after-school, summer and community programs that consistently demonstrate striking results. This academic year, Carver is serving more than 2,500 students, operating in 17 K-12 Norwalk Public Schools, the Carver Community Center, and the Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport. Since 2005, 100% of Carver seniors have graduated on time. Over the last three years, over 95% of Carver seniors enroll in college immediately following graduation. Visit their website at: Carver Norwalk

How You Can Contribute

Carver can always use donations and volunteers.

Carver volunteers are tutors, mentors, homework helpers, career counselors, and other skill-specific project leaders who offer their support, feedback and praise. The community center utilizes individual and groups of volunteers for community events such as Career Fairs, talent contests, student and family awards ceremonies, holiday celebrations, food drives, etc. Corporate teams produce daylong events for our youth and undertake extensive renovation and cleanup projects. Carver dedicates one staff person to volunteer management.

Carver held a Connections cocktail party to introduce Darien residents to Carver last October at the home of DMA member Hugh Montgomery and Callie Sullivan. Patrick Steele and John Hess were on the organizing committee as was State Representative Terrie Woods. Several DMA members attended. Carver will hold another Connections party in Darien later this year. Anyone interested in attending or learning more about Carver should contact Patrick Steele at 203 856 3689 or psteele235@gmail.com

DMA Participants

Patrick Steele

Hugh Montgomery

John Hess

About:

Darien TV79 is the Town’s government and community television station.  It is available to Darien residents on Cablevision / Optimum and online via Vimeo .

Staffed by volunteers and paid camera operators, TV79 covers up to fifteen government meetings each week, usually airing them live as they happen and repeating them beginning each Friday when our new program schedule gets underway.

All programming on TV79 is aired “gavel to gavel” without editing. TV79 follows guidelines approved by the Board of Selectmen and is funded by the Town and cable subscribers.

All meetings since 2016 are available on demand on our Vimeo Channel.

Older meetings are archived and accessible at the Darien Library.  For more information please contact us at DarienTV79@gmail.com.

Visit their website: Darien TV79

How you can participate:

The Town’s government TV station welcomes those interested in training as camera operators, video producers and viewers!  Help us help our town stay better informed.

DMA Participants:

Dave Dever (General Manager)

Jim Cameron (Program Director)

Former DMA member Cecil Wade (Chief Producer)

Dave Dever

Jim Cameron

What Future 5 is All About

We believe that every young person who climbs our stairs has potential to lead a fulfilling life. We believe it is never too late to help shape the life of a young person, regardless of economic or family circumstances.We believe in the power of connection and the importance of belonging to a caring community. Over the last 10 years, Future 5 has helped more than 530+ students achieve their academic, career and life goals by connecting them to Coaches, College, the Community, Careers, and most importantly, their own Character.

Future 5 worked with 232 Students

158 High School + 67 College + 7 Alternative Pathway

100% of Future 5 high school seniors graduated.

91% of Future 5 students “landed with a plan.”

56 Seniors received 266 Acceptances to 67 Colleges and Universities.

Students received more than $750,000 in scholarship funds.

Students contributed more than 1,330 hours of community service.

Visit their website at Future 5

How you can contribute:

They are looking for donations and also mentors/tutors.

Who at DMA is involved

Ed Sweeney

Alec Wiggin

John King