Our Mission ~
We help individuals and families who are affected by homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness, learn to make their lives work better.

We provide programs for life-long learning, emergency and supportive housing and other needed direct aid.

We aspire to be a model caring community where people learn a living.

Description:
St. Luke's LifeWorks provides housing options and services at 10 sites located throughout Fairfield County and give much needed assistance each year to over 1,000 children, families, and women overcoming homelessness, people living with HIV/AIDS and people recovering from mental illness. The agency helps people to become self-sufficient, and focuses on providing educational support to maintain independence. 100 percent of the people served are living at or below the poverty level. 2,000 volunteers provide over 20,000 hours of service that includes adult mentoring, computer repair and maintenance, website upkeep, office help, legal services, babysitting, meal preparation, recreation, painting, etc. The assistance of volunteers saves resources that can then be used directly for program costs.

St. Luke's LifeWorks offers access to a hub of regional service collaborations with other agencies and serves as a model for other communities. This enables us to provide quality services efficiently and effectively and to measure outcomes. We partner with donors and volunteers, providing a meaningful way to contribute to the community.

History:
St. Luke's LifeWorks began in 1879 as a community outreach program of St. John's Episcopal Church. The focus was on providing health care to immigrants living in the south end of Stamford.
In 1986 St. Luke's LifeWorks became a non-sectarian, faith based organization.
St. Luke's LifeWorks provides housing and support services for families, single women, persons with mental illness, persons with HIV/AIDS, children's services and permanent supportive housing.
The Center for Children and their Families was established in 1993. The Center provides housing and childcare as well as a home for 17 social service agencies. This allows for "wrap around" services and a holistic community of caring.
Today, that vision is a reality as the Center now houses 17 social service agencies. Serving as a regional social service delivery center, over 25,000 families and children with critical needs pass through the doors each year. Services at the center include help with substance abuse, mental health, grief counseling, alternative therapies, domestic violence issues, parenting, literacy, life skills training, and residential programs.

The Center, which is home to St. Luke's LifeWorks Family Housing Program, is one of several sites for St. Luke's LifeWorks programs.

BREAD & ROSES started in 1989 during the final stages of the AIDS-related illnesses of David Berry, a clinical psychologist from Westport, Connecticut. David and his family together with a group of close friends and colleagues, formed BREAD & ROSES, Inc. In so doing, their purpose was to offer others the support and care that eased their struggle with AIDS and enabled David to live each day as fully as possible.

St. Luke's LifeWorks and Bread & Roses affiliated in 2001. Together, they provide AIDS support services with two McKinney residences and Bread & Roses' guest home in Georgetown. In addition, APAC (A Positive Alternative Center) offers alternative therapies for people living with HIV/AIDS in Fairfield County, and the Holiday Gift Collection helps children infected with or affected by AIDS a chance to enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

Contact people:

Elaine Osowski, Director, Voluntary Services, (phone), (email) Lynne Menon, Marketing And Communications Manager, (phone), (email) Kathleen Castleberry, Assistant to the Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (203) 363-5927

Address:

141 Franklin Street Stamford, CT 06901 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.learnaliving.org

Directions:

From I-95 North take Exit 7, Atlantic Street. At the end of the ramp, make a left and go north on Washington Boulevard. From I-95 South take Exit 7, Atlantic Street. Follow the access road through several lights and. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Stamford (Metro North),   Walk distance (in minutes): 20

Miscellaneous Information

Does your agency have weekend volunteer opportunities?
	No
Does your agency have evening volunteer opportunities?
	Yes
Does your agecny accept court ordered communituy service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for corporate volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept and coordinate group projects for youth volunteers?
	Yes
Does your agency accept youth volunteers ages 8-13 with adult supervision?
	Yes
Does your agency accept youth volunteers ages 14-18?
	Yes