Community Service

Cadets: it is our goal to make you aware of the needs of others and of our shared responsibility to help those in need. 

At St. Joes, you will begin to develop a life-long love of serving those in need and giving generously of your time and unique gifts. Be sure to take our motto of “Privilege and Responsibility” very seriously as we strive to build a culture of service where helping those in need is more of a joy than a requirement.

Oh my God, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as I should, to give without counting the cost, to fight without fear of being wounded, to work without seeking rest, to labor without expecting any reward, but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.

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Service Opportunities

Opportunities with Specific Dates:

• April 13 - Binky Patrol
  • Join the Binky Patrol for a Spring Fling Blinkathon! This will take place April 13 from 10am-1pm at Nichols United Methodist Church in Trumbull. 

    • Help make fleece tie blankets for children. 

    • Interested students can RSVP to jmalgiog@trumbullps.org by April 11. 

    • Participants are also encouraged to bring a sharp pair of scissors as well as a $10 donation to cover the cost of the fleece material. 

• April 20 - Men Who Cook

  • Men Who Cook is a TEAM, Inc. fundraiser happening April 20^th at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. They are looking for students to help them run the event – doing things like setting up Chef stations and restocking the food. Students would also clean up the food tables to make room for our dance floor.

  • Reach out to Deacon Font if you're interested in participating so that you can share with him your t-shirt size!

• Sundays, Beginning April 21 - Trumbull Little League

  • Trumbull Little League is kicking off their Challenger baseball program for children and young adults with mental or physical disabilities. They are looking for high school students to volunteer as peer “buddies” to help the players with their game experience.  

  • Click here to learn more!

• Through June: Math Tutors Needed

  • The Mary J. Sherlach Counseling Center (Trumbull) runs a tutoring program for Trumbull students and they are struggling to find tutors, particularly in math.

  • Tutoring is held Mondays and Thursdays from 5pm-7pm.

  • If any students are interested in this opportunity, you may reach out to Kathrine Rizzetta. 
     

• March - June - Multiple Opportunities!
  • The Downtown Milford Business Association (DMBA) is looking for volunteers for many upcoming events. Check out the list: 
    • Easter Eggstravaganza  - Saturday, March 30
    • Farmers Market Food Truck Festival - Sunday, April 14
    • Downtown Milford Spring Festival  - Sunday, May 5
    • Pirates Day - Sunday, June 2
    • Farmers Market - Saturdays, June 8 - October 12

  • Interested students can email April Bryant to receive additional information. For more info on the DMBA, you can visit downtownmilfordct.com. 

• Trumbull Special Olympics – 2024 Track Practice Volunteers
  • On Fridays, practices are at Trumbull High School from 6pm–7pm
  • On Sundays, they are at St. Joseph High School from 9am-10am
  • Fridays: April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24
  • Sundays: April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 12, 19, 26

• Trumbull Little League Challenger Division
  • The Challenger Division is Trumbull Little League's adaptive baseball program for Trumbull Youth
  • Games are played EVERY Sunday at NOON at Unity Park in Trumbull during our spring season. Each player is assigned to one or more peer buddies, who volunteer to assist, along with a dedicated group of adult volunteers.
  • Learn more here.

 

Ever Green Opportunities: 

• Adam's House

  • Adam's House (Is your company, team, or social group looking for ways to help in the community? We have opportunities for small groups (3-4 at a time) to help with creating blankets for children in our program. No sewing, knitting or crafting experience required!

  • Email Noelle (noelle@adamshousect.org) to schedule!
     

• Al's Angels
  • Al’s Angels is always in need of volunteers. Families working together, side by side with their kids, instill a deep sense of selflessness and compassion. Whether it’s wrapping a gift, assembling a holiday basket, filling a food bin for a family at Thanksgiving or hosting a fundraiser, we can never have too many volunteers. Please fill out form below to volunteer.
  • Sign up for volunteer information here.
     
• Bridgeport Rescue Mission
  • The Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides meals, groceries, clothing, shelter, and services to anyone suffering from poverty, addiction, or homelessness.
  • They are always looking for volunteers in the Community Pantry and donation center. 
  • Learn More Here.
     
• The Bridge - Stratford
  • Every third Sunday of the month, St. James’ Social Outreach group travels to an underpass on John Street in Bridgeport to pass out basic toiletries and seasonal clothing. The group meets at St. James Parish Center at 10am to vans and cars, drive to John Street, and are usually back at St. James by 11:30am.
  • Students can help with loading the vehicles, passing out goods and returning unused items to St. James.
  • Interested students should reach out to Dr. Marino.
     
• The Circle of Care
  • Circle of Care provides practical, emotional, and financial assistance to Connecticut families through programs and services that meet the unique and challenging needs of pediatric cancer treatment.
  • Learn more here.

• Filling in the Blanks - Norwalk, CT
  • Filling in the Blanks fights childhood hunger by providing children in need with meals on the weekends.

  • Their Teen Helper program needs volunteers to assist at packing events.  There are 4-6 teens that help at each packing event. They help the Lead Packers prepare for the event by opening up packaged food items for easier access, break-down cardboard, restock the packing tables, moving bins and pallets, etc.  Teen helpers arrive 15 minutes prior to an event and stay for 15 minutes after to help clean up.

  • This volunteer opportunity typically happens on the Weekend. This is an active volunteer opportunity, need to be able to stand on your feet for 2 hours and lift 10 LBS. Ages 14 and up.

  • Learn more here.
     

• Lasagna Love
  • Lasagna Love is a global movement with thousands of people cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. Lasagna Love matches neighbors who can provide a meal with a neighbor who needs a little help. You can decide how often you participate - once a month, multiple lasagnas weekly, or somewhere in between. If you are looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity, or a way for your family to volunteer together to make a meal for a neighbor in need, this is a great opportunity to spread some kindness.
  • Find volunteer opportunities here
     

• The Lord's Kitchen - Stratford
  • The Lord’s Kitchen is a gathering and meal service provided to local residents and meets on specific
    dates every Monday and Wednesday. Specific dates are set by a coalition of Stratford churches. 
  • Interested students should reach out to Dr. Marino.
     
• Lucky Dog Refuge
  • The Lucky Dog Refuge is looking for volunteers!
  • Students will need to fill out a form for it and have their guardian sign it if under the age of 18. Once they are approved, they will receive notice and have the ability to choose a day to volunteer.
  • I am happy to meet students on site to be their chaperone for volunteering, but if there is a day I cannot attend, they will need to be with an adult (if under 18 years old).
  • Click here to volunteer
     
• Our Lady of Fatima -- Help Run a Vintage Store
  • Joanne Salageanu, Class of ’91 runs our Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy’s vintage store, Something Special.  The store is led and operated entirely by volunteers and 100% of the proceeds benefit Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy.
  • Students can sign up at this sign-up genius link
  • Any questions, feel free to contact Joanne Salageanu at Joanne.Salageanu@gmail.com
     
• Person to Person (P2P)

  • P2P relies on a network of volunteers to make its extensive programs happen, from our food pantries, Door2Door mobile food delivery, clothing center, receptionists, and at our main site. In other words, P2P relies on you to help bring our programs and services to life for the thousands who rely on us each week. Volunteer opportunities exist for individuals, groups, and businesses

  • Those under 18 years of age have to have a waiver signed by your parent/guardian before you can register for a volunteer event.

  • View Volunteer Opportunities Here. 
     

• Star: Lighting the Way

  • STAR provides meaningful opportunities to experience the tremendous satisfaction of serving others as a volunteer. We have a variety of opportunities in the primary towns we serve: Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan and Darien. Individuals and groups can volunteer for a few hours, a day, a season or an event. Customized activities are welcome.

  • Sign up to become a volunteer here.
     

• Smithsonian

  • Become a Smithsonian Digital Volunteer and help us make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible.

  • Learn more here.

• Theatre Volunteers at The Klein

  • The Klein, Bridgeport’s 1,447-seat regional performing arts center, is looking for student volunteers to serve as ushers and box office assistants at Klein events.  This is an opportunity to earn service hours at your school, while also seeing performances in concerts, plays, and dance recitals and also film screenings.

  • All that is required is a commitment to show up on time, and for now, proof of vaccination for Covid-19 or a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of the event.

  • Students aged 13-20 are eligible.

  • For information and/or to apply, please send an email with a short statement explaining your interest in the volunteer position, school you attend, and grade level to: info@theklein.org or call the box office at: 800-424-0160 x3.
     

• The Thomas Merton Center

  • Committed to providing a loving, safe and hope-filled community atmosphere that responds to the needs of its guests. Respecting the dignity of each person, we reflect to the individual and the community our shared responsibility to love and support one another. We believe the sharing of a hot meal is an invitation to come in and share in a place where one can belong; respect and love are mutually given and received; each person is valued and not to be judged; and healing life’s hurts is possible with people who care. 

  • Find Volunteer Opportunities Here