Social & Cultural Groups: Volunteerism

Environment

• The Nature Conservancy (New Haven) Addresses biodiversity and climate crises to conserve the lands and waters on which life depends.
• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic) Inspires people to care for and protect the ocean planet through conservation, education, and research.
• Connecticut Forestry Work (Statewide) Improves the health, care, diversity, and management of Connecticut’s trees and forests through activities and education.
• CT Audubon (Statewide) Stands up for birds, defending the clean air, clean water, healthy habitat, and stable climate they require.
• DEEP Volunteer Opportunities (Statewide) Promotes conserving, improving, and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut.

Community Development

• Connecticut Foodshare (Statewide) Supports individuals and families by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions, and distributing nutritious food to alleviate hunger.

• Greater Hartford YMCA (Central Connecticut) Helps people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body.

• Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (New Haven) Provides targeted wrap-around services for all clients that offer long-term support for successful integration.

• My Sister’s Place (Hartford) Provides housing and supportive services empowering women, families, and others in Greater Hartford to achieve independence and stability.

• Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut (Central Connecticut) Offers adults free tutoring to improve their English reading and writing skills.

• Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (Hartford) Empowers individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to lead healthy lives through support services.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness Connecticut (Statewide) Improves the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.

Youth Development

• Girls on the Run (Statewide) Inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (Statewide) Makes meaningful, professionally supported matches between adult volunteers and children in all of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

• GROW Windham (Windham) Cultivates relationships and creates space for youth, community members, and food system partners to work together.

• Civics First CT (Statewide) Conducts law-related education programs and projects in Connecticut’s public and private schools, courtrooms, and communities.

• Connecticut Children’s (Hartford) Delivers exceptional care to children, across more than 30 pediatric specialties.

• The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (Ashford) Provides “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families, free of charge.

Animal Welfare

• Danbury Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (Danbury) Promotes responsible pet guardianship and the humane treatment of animals.

• Hidden Acres Therapeutic Riding (Naugatuck) Hosts therapeutic and equine-assisted activities to make a meaningful and lasting community impact.

• Brass City Rescue (Middlebury) Provides shelter and veterinary care, behavioral assessments, and training to make each animal successful in its new forever home.

• Whiskers Pet Rescue (Southbury) Cares for homeless cats and kittens in our communities through adoptions, community awareness & fostering.

• ROAR Ridgefield (Ridgefield) Provides a warm, safe, welcoming place for homeless pets to recover and await adoption.

• Connecticut Humane Society (Statewide) Helps thousands of animals every year as the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state.

       * Or inquire with your local animal shelter for volunteer opportunities!