Volunteer Opportunities for Western Connecticut

In partnership with United Way of Western Connecticut

Relationships have the power to heal. Sounds heavy, but it isn't. Mentoring is a proven way to impact the lives of children and it is fun. By being yourself, you can make a difference in a child's life. Not sure you are ready to be a mentor? Check in with us anyway. There are many ways to participate that accomodate differing schedules, interests, and experience with children. By the way, volunteers vary in age from 18 to 80. Although we welcome both genders, men are especially needed.

Description:
Good Friend is a mentoring program. Children between the ages of 7-14 are paired with adult volunteers who act as friends to the children. Through mutual interests a friendship forms which benefits both the child and the volunteer. The children Good Friend serves come from homes where they have little or no contact with one or both parents. Good Friend also offers support programs which utilize volunteers in ways other than mentoring to provide for both the children and their family.

Most volunteers and children report mentoring to be the kind of experience that they look back on fondly.

Good Friend serves the towns of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, and Sherman.

History:
Good Friend has been in existence since 1975. As mentoring has evolved, Good Friend has adapted its services, always keeping the needs of the children as the guiding light. Good Friend now offers a menu of volunteer options to suit many interests and availabilities.

Green Chimneys, our parent agency, has been providing services to children since 1947. Green Chimneys is now a multi-service agency headquartered in Brewster, NY. It is known internationally for its work with animal-facilitated therapy on its 160 acre farm in Brewster. Good Friend is just one of many programs offered by Green Chimneys.

Contact person: Heather Mock, Volunteer Recruiter, (203) 790-0032, (email)
Office fax number: (203) 790-6411

Address:

185 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810 (See a map)

Directions:

From I-84 either direction, get off at exit 4. Head east (towards downtown Danbury) onto Lake Avenue. Not counting the light at the bottom of the exit ramp, proceed through 6 lights (7 if you were coming from east heading west). The last light puts you at the intersection of West and Main Streets. Crossing Main Street puts you onto Liberty Street. The office is located at the corner of Main and Liberty (you will see a sign over the awning and a neon sign in the window). Parking is in the first lot on your right on Liberty Street, directly behind the Good Friend office.   Nearest Bus Stop: HART - CVS Main Street, 1 minute walk

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