New Britain, Conn., February 8, 2022 – As a part of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain’s (CFGNB) continuing Capacity Building Initiative to support local non-profit organizations, the Foundation’s Volunteer Initiative, initiated in 2022, connects local residents with opportunities to become involved with local agencies and causes they care about.

After discussing the needs of local organizations with nonprofit Executive Directors, Joeline Wruck, Director of Community Initiatives & Program Services at the Foundation, realized one of the most pressing issues was finding volunteers.

”In our effort to provide as much support to our agencies as possible, we are working to fulfill their needs for volunteers,” said Wruck, “This is also a wonderful way to connect local residents with causes they care about.”

Volunteer opportunities throughout the Foundation’s four-town service are publicized on the CFGNB website.  Current volunteer opportunities are with the following agencies; specific details can be found on the CFGNB website at www.cfgnb.org/volunteer-initiative or by contacting Joeline Wruck at the Foundation (jwruck@cfgnb.org or by calling 860.229-6018 x307.)  Individuals can reach out directly to organizations in which they have interest or Foundation staff will act as a liaison to connect community members with local agencies.  All agencies are located in New Britain, unless noted:

• Art League in New Britain, the second oldest art league in the nation, is currently in process of expanding its board and volunteer base to help fulfill its mission with skills such as marketing, web design, and business skills.
• Claws N Paws Rehabilitation Center needs volunteers in many areas to help with the rescue and rehabilitation of animals and wildlife.
• Community Solutions Community Solutions, Inc. (merged with Living in Safe Alternatives, (LISA, Inc.) in 2020, Plainville provides housing, case management, and independent living services to adolescent girls in state custody. Agency needs help with various events and activities, securing donations and communications outreach.
• Connecticut Breast Health Initiative (Race in the Park takes place in May in New Britain) needs several volunteers for the annual event as well as board members.
• Coram Deo Recovery is looking for volunteers to lead its garden this summer, to decorate the exterior of its homes with seasonal decor and to join its Board of Directors particularly those with expertise in financial planning).
• Friendship Service Center has many opportunities available throughout the year including helping to prepare and serve meals for the soup kitchen, special events and help with various office projects.
• Giving Back Food Pantry, Southington, needs volunteers to help with its FoodShare mobile truck distribution two Tuesday mornings per month from 9 to 10 am.
• Hospital for Special Care needs volunteers to help with several recreational programs for patients and clerical support.
• Klingberg Family Centers needs three to four volunteers to help with its food pantry.
• Literacy Volunteers of Central CT is looking for volunteers (18 and older with a high school diploma or equivalent), who would like to help other adults in the greater New Britain community attain their literacy based goals. LVCC also seeks someone with connections to the Arabic-speaking or Islamic communities to join its Board of Directors.
• New Britain Industrial Museum will need help to construct shelving for its storage space and place collection boxes. Time spent will depend on the number of volunteers.
• New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention (Pathways/Senderos) is in need of board members with expertise in fundraising, marketing, finance, and communications as well as a passion for bettering the lives of youth in the community. Tutors are also always welcomed, especially adults confident in tutoring math and science.
• OIC provides employment training and needs volunteers to help prepare the future workforce in several areas.
• Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Plainville, seeks board members and volunteers to provide refreshments for kids programs on Saturdays, to be ushers for in person performances, to help with mailing and social media and volunteers with special talents or successes they would like to share with young people.
• Rebuilding Together has opportunities for individual volunteers or volunteer teams to get involved in its annual Rebuilding Day Event in April as well as licensed/skilled volunteers (plumbers, electricians, general home repair, etc.) willing to take on some critical needs for local homeowners. It is also looking for warehouse and office help.
• Senior Transportation Services needs board members to increase diversity who have a passion to ensure STS thrives and expands its services to more communities to ensure older adults have access to vital services.
• YWCA of New Britain is seeking volunteers for its middle and high school programs help on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-5:30 pm.

Anyone interested in the volunteer opportunities listed above should review the listing on the CFGNB website and contact Joeline Wruck at jwruck@cfgnb.org or 860.229.6018 ex. 307 to get additional information and connect with the organization of interest.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.