Charities
Interested in Applying for a Grant?
The 2011-2012 Ways and Means application
is now available. Please email Brandi Briggs, this years Ways and Means
chairperson at wywlwam@gmail.com with any questions
Deadline for grant applications is November 17, 2010.
Download these documents to apply
SUPPORTED CHARITIES:
A Better Chance of Westport, Inc.
P.O. Box 2153, Westport, CT 06880
www.abetterchanceofwestport.org
lisalewin@optonline.net
c/o Lisa Lewin, 203 454-2745
A Better Chance (ABC) gives motivated young students of color from educationally disadvantaged areas a lifetime opportunity. Hundreds of Westporters give their money, time, expertise and love to enable a Better Chance of Westport’s young men to live in our community during the school year, attend Staples High School, engage with Westport’s residents and participate in town activities. ABC finds their scholars through the National A Better Chance program, which looks for intelligent youngsters who demonstrate potential for academic excellence and leadership in life. Then, National offers candidates to the more than 275 independent schools and 25 community programs – like Westport’s – that work with the national program. A Better Chance is competitive and challenging. It stresses leadership and learning. “At ABC of Westport, we hold our own scholars to a standard of excellence in everything they do. But we also add the things we here in Westport care about – community, caring, safety and a sense of family support. These young adults, the ABC scholars, live in a house in Westport, attend Staples High School, are supervised by a resident director, and are able to partake in the wealth of opportunities offered in this community.”
Al’s Angels
342 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880
203 254-1759
Al DiGuido
adiguido@yahoo.com
www.alsangels.org
For 4 years, Al’s Angels has dedicated its mission to providing moments of joy and comfort to children suffering from cancer, serious blood disorders, AIDS and domestic violence. Al’s Angels helps thousands of children suffering these many hardships by providing toys and holiday meals to their families throughout Fairfield County, CT and the tri-state area. They are asking us to support their Thanksgiving Meal Program.
AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk
88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902
203 658-9582
www.americaresfreeclinics.org
cbertkau@americares.org
c/o Constance Bertkau
The Norwalk Free Clinic’s mission is to provide free, quality primary health care to low income uninsured residents of the Greater Norwalk community in a setting where all are treated with dignity and respect. The individuals who come to our clinic need medical care but fall through the cracks of the existing health care system because they do not qualify for public assistance and simply can’t afford private insurance or medical care. All of our patients are low-income – earning less than 200% of federal poverty level income – and without health insurance.
Bethel Recovery Center
P.O. Box 1037, Bridgeport, CT 06601
203 209-1892
www.bethelrc.com
brc@conversent.net
c/o Janice A. Kelly
This organization is a recovery center for women, and their children, who are victims of a wide range of abuse including rape, incest, substance abuse, HIV, mental illness, and domestic violence. The mission of the center is to provide safe and hospitable housing for women during the early recovery period, up to 2 years. The facility, which includes bedrooms, a lounge, an exercise room, a kitchen, and a meditation room, can house up to 16 people.
Cancer Care of Connecticut, Inc.
535 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 104, Norwalk, CT 06854
203 663-2191
www.cancercare.org
lcannella@cancercare.org
c/o Lisa Cannella
The organization’s professional oncology social workers help people with cancer, their loved ones, and caregivers to cope with the emotional and practical effects of cancer. The following services are be provided at no charge: individual, family and group counseling; education and information; financial and practical assistance; and referrals to additional sources of support.
Cancer Care Inc. is the nation’s oldest and largest social service agency dedicated to providing free support services and financial assistance to cancer patients and their loved ones. Cancer Care provides professional assistance to people with any type of cancer, at any stage of illness. Cancer Care’s website is a one-stop resource for people seeking cancer-related information. They also operate a toll free number that will connect callers to one of the agency’s professional oncology social workers who will answer questions, address concerns, and provide information, referrals, and practical assistance.
Cardinal Shehan Center
1494 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
203 336-4468
www.shehancenter.org
tjo@shehancenter.org
c/o Terry O’Connor
The Cardinal Shehan Center was established in 1962 to serve the families and children of inner city Bridgeport. The Center’s mission is to enrich lives through learning. Whether it is through one of the academic programs like personal tutoring or money skills for life, or through a recreational activity like sailing or golf, the Center enriches lives by providing programs and experiences that are often inaccessible within inner city communities. Our goals are to: 1) Provide students a safe, enriching and nurturing environment in their “after school” hours, 2) Provide enrichment activities that increase social development and reinforce academic skills, 3) Provide organized physical fitness and recreational activities.
Caroline House
574 Stillman Street, Bridgeport, CT 06880
203 334-0640
thecarolinehouse.org
Maryellen-gavin@snet.net
c/o Mary Ellen Gavin
Caroline House educates economically disadvantaged immigrant women and children. We teach English skills as well as life skills to adjust to life in this country. We address the achievement gap at its earliest stage by teaching English and school readiness skills to our preschool children from the inner city as well as English skills to their mothers. Proudly, we boast 100% placement of our preschool graduates into an English-speaking classroom.
Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
1100 Boston Avenue, Building 5A, Bridgeport, CT 06610
203 334-1121
www.ccgb.org
seancampbell@ccgb.org
c/o Sean Campbell
Summer months, when school is not in session, pose a significant problem for many working parents. Our goal is to expand current services at Summerfield, and offer two additional summer programs at our two Bridgeport Housing Authority sites, Marina Village and Trumbull Gardens. We are dedicated to educating children, feeding the poor, supporting youth in crisis, guiding ex-offenders and building bridges of understanding and respect. Our mission is “to turn faith into action by enabling program focus on academics, and benefit from recreational and cultural enrichment.” Because of the academic emphasis, summer campers are better prepared to move on to the next grade level once school starts in September.
Department of Human Services - Families in Need Program
110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
203 341-1183
www.westportct.gov
tgiegengack@westportct.gov
c/o Terry Giegengack
The Families in Need Program was initiated by a grant from the WYWL in 1982 with a “neighbor to neighbor” helping hand concept. The program, aimed at Westport residents slightly above the poverty level and in need of financial assistance, helps with an electric bill, heating bill, unexpected car repair, new glasses, a computer course, etc. to help families make ends meet. Aid is on a one-time basis.
Department of Human Services - Project Go
110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
203 341-1071
www.westportct.gov
slebrija@westportct.gov
c/o Sue Lebrija
This program provides complimentary tickets to Westport residents who are elderly or disabled and who qualify for the door-to-door service of the Westport Transit District. Such trips help in enabling these people to go to the supermarket, the bank, the Post Office, the Senior Center and other Westport locations.
Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC)
5 Eversley Avenue, Suite 303, Norwalk, CT 06851
203 853-0418
http://www.dvccct.org
rkuceramehra@dvccct.org
c/o Rachelle Kucera Mehra
The DVCC is a corporation organized to assist battered women by providing shelter, counseling and advocacy to them and their children. The Center’s program incorporates both intervention and prevention services which include: 24 hour confidential hot-line; crisis intervention; temporary shelter; individual, couples and family therapy; group support; court advocacy; information and referral; child advocacy; in-service training; and a community education program. The Family Violence Intervention Program focuses on helping families understand the root causes of domestic violence by building self-esteem, confidence, and developing non-violent conflict resolution skills. It aims to reduce the incidence of abuse and break the cycle of violence.
Elderhouse
7 Lewis Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
203 847-1998
www.ElderhouseADC.com
kpaupini@yahoo.com
c/o Kristine Paupini
Elderhouse is a quality adult-daycare center in Norwalk that promotes independence, purpose, dignity and vitality for individuals and their families. Seniors come to Elderhouse because disabling diseases and advanced old age render them unable to be left home alone all day. For those in the initial stages of care, Elderhouse is an alternative to institutional living. A Saturday Respite Program is designed to meet the complex needs of functionally impaired adults while providing support and respite to family caregivers. Elderhouse serves residents of Mid-Fairfield County regardless of their economic status.
ElderHouse seeks funds for its Respite Care Program. This program is designed to improve the quality of life for elderly members of our community who suffer from age related illness and disabilities and to offer support to their family caregivers.
Family & Children's Agency (FCA)
9 Mott Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
203 855-8765, ext. 320
www.familyandchildrensagency.org
abriggs@fcagency.org
c/o Anne Briggs
CFA’s mission is to partner with individuals, families, organizations, and communities to successfully meet life’s challenges and opportunities. Since 1942, Family & Children’s Agency has helped strengthen families and individuals through a wide range of services in the areas of Adoption (International and Domestic), Counseling, Services for Seniors, Family Support (both prevention and intervention) and positive Youth Development. Some of these programs include: Project Friendship, a one-to-one mentoring program established in 1974 for children ages 6 to 14; Community connections, offering a safe daytime haven for homeless and mentally ill adults; HomeCare Plus and Lifeline emergency response services for seniors; and Family Support programs, offering early preventive intervention to increase healthy births and reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.
The Center for Youth Development promotes positive youth development through mentoring, after school programming and gender-based programming. The after school program’s goal is to help 25 at-risk middle school students improve their academic performance, improve their connection to school to reduce risk of drop out and encourage higher learning, and improve healthy peer interactions and lifestyles.
Home Delivered Meals - Westport Center for Senior Activities
21 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
203 341-5097
jupchurch@westportct.go
c/o Joan Upchurch
The Home Delivered Meals Program, operated by the Westport Department of Human Services, provides hot, nutritious meals to homebound elderly and/or disabled younger Westport residents who do not qualify for the Senior Nutrition Program federal subsidies. The program allows seniors to remain independent in their homes. All meals are prepared by a caterer and planned for each recipient’s needs. The Senior Center staff receives the food deliveries and packs the meals in individual tins to be delivered by volunteers. The visits by volunteer drivers also provide social interaction for many isolated individuals. Well-balanced, nutritious meals help the individuals to function at their highest level and, in many cases, enable them to maintain a sense of independence.
Housatonic Community-Technical College Foundation
900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT 06604
203 332-5078
hcc.commnet.edu/hccf
mdowdle@hcc.commnet.edu/hccf
c/o Maureen Dowdle
The HCC Foundation’s mission is to provide financial assistance to the College and its students beyond the fundamentals provided by the State of Connecticut, and assist the College in becoming a unique educational resource for its students and the community.
The Foundation is a non-stock corporation organized for the benefit of Housatonic Community-Technical College, its students, and the advancement of education. It solicits and receives contributions and provides scholarships, loans, grants and provides for other needs of the students. The League has provided assistance for those students in need of childcare during their studies.
Levitt Pavilion
260 South Compo Road, Westport, CT 06880
203 226-7600
www.levittpavilion.com
fwelsh@westportct.gov
c/o Freda Welsh
The Levitt is an outdoor facility in downtown Westport overlooking the Saugatuck River. Free evening performances nightly throughout the summer months include concerts, dramatic presentations, ballet, children's performers, etc. Originally developed and built by the WYWL and the local Kiwanis in 1973, the Levitt is currently supported by the Town of Westport, annual fund raising, benefit performances, contributions, and grants. The Wednesday night children's series has continued to be partly underwritten by the WYWL.
Mercy Learning
637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
203 334-6699
www.mercylearningcenter.org
Kathy.parisi@snet.net
c/o Kathy Parisi
Since 1987, Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport has provided vital literacy and life-skills training to low income women in the greater Bridgeport area. Its mission is to provide a positive response to the problem of illiteracy – by educating, empowering, and providing dignity, economic self-sufficiency, and hope to the most vulnerable members of our society. Its goal is to prepare each woman to pursue higher education or employment that offers both upward mobility and a level of compensation adequate to support herself and her family.
Norma F. Pfreim Breast Care Center
111 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
203 259-8804
www.bridgeporthospital.com/cancer/breast/default.aspx
dtwis@aol.com
c/o Donna Twist
The NPBCC offers all women a comprehensive breast health program by providing coordinated care through an integrated approach in the community and in the hospital. Our mission is to achieve excellence in breast care through education, screening, diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment of diseases of the breast. Our dedicated medical and emotional support teams ease the burden of life with cancer through compassion, hope and strength.
The long-range goal of the NPBC is to decrease mortality from breast cancer in the greater Bridgeport area and southern Fairfield County. To date, we have served 15,000 women in our region, regardless of their ability to pay. Our main screening and diagnostic center is located at Bridgeport Hospital. At our Fairfield location, we also offer a full complement of support services for patients and their families, including counseling and chemotherapy.
Person to Person, Inc.
1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06840
203 656-4631
www.p2pdarien.org
dianetucker@p2pdarien.org
c/o Diane Reese Tucker
Person-to-Person is a volunteer-driven, community-based agency that, through a sharing of goods and talents, responds to our neighbors who lack basic necessities and resources to improve their lives. Person-to-person provides rapid response to client emergencies as well as access to interconnected services that support our clients’ journey toward self-sufficiency. These services include practical help, problem solving, advocacy and education for our common future.
We strive to promote positive change in the lives of our clients and the volunteers, and increased community awareness of needs and problems. Person-to-Person intends to remain flexible, non-bureaucratic, and reliant on volunteers.
Project Return
124 North Compo Road, Westport, CT 06880
203 222-8129
www.projectreturnct.org
laura@projectretunct.org
c/o Laura Bard
Project Return is an alternative home for teenage girls in crisis, and is located on South Compo Road in Westport. The home provides a structured, caring environment where girls take part in a program with the eventual goal of returning home. Trained staff, work in conjunction with the girl's therapist, develop and manage individual treatment programs encompassing outside therapy, family, school, and other outside resources and activities - all integrated within the support system provided by the home. Average stay is seven months. Families may apply to receive assistance with tuition through Connecticut's Department of Children and Families, as well as through school districts and insurance companies. Project Return also provides scholarships when possible.
HEAL (Health, Empathy, Altruism, Love) brings together troubled adolescent girls living in our local communities who are struggling with a variety of issues and concerns to participate in volunteer service to others as a means of healing.
Staples High School Tuition Grants Committee
P. O. Box 5159, Westport, CT 06881
203 454-2002
www.staplestuitiongrants.org
lbollert@aol.com
c/o Lee Bollert
Established in 1943, the Staple High School Tuitions Grants Committee has been dedicated to addressing the financial needs of Staples High School graduates by providing tuition scholarship assistance to seniors and graduates who want to continue their education. Awards are granted based on demonstrated financial need coupled with academic achievement in school and community service. The Beverly D'Alto Scholarship, given in memory of a past League member, is one of the awards.
The Circle of Friends
40 King Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
203 293-8337
circlefriendsct@gmail.com
c/o Frieda Hecht
The Circle of Friends is a volunteer organization that reaches out to families with challenged children and teens, and involves them in a full spectrum of social experiences. Our innovative programming is designed to foster a relationship between children and teens with special needs and community teenage volunteers.
In addition to helping those in need, the Circle of Friends empowers and enriches its network of volunteers (the majority of whom are teenagers) by enabling them to reap the vast rewards of participating in a program that strengthens their personal connections to the community by giving back to the community.
The Center for Women and Families
753 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
203 334-6154, ext. 28
BAlberts@cwfefc.org
www.cwfefc.org
c/o Barbara J. Alberts
“The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, Inc. is dedicated to strengthening women and families by eliminating violence and abuse through education, intervention, advocacy and community collaboration.” The Center is the primary resource for victims of abuse in Eastern Fairfield County and the chief source of prevention education for school-aged children, the adult public and professionals, as well. Two-thirds of clients live in Bridgeport, the state’s largest and poorest city and another 8% come from outside our six-town service area because it is not safe for them to receive services in the same community where their batterer resides.
The Clinical Services Program for Children Exposed to Violence is intended to strengthen family functioning by reducing trauma and stress levels in children exposed to violence and reducing trauma and stress in their caregivers. CWF is committed to making clinical trauma support available to families regardless of their ability to pay.
The Tiny Miracles Foundation, Inc. (TTMF)
25-13 Old King’s Highway North, #189, Darien, CT 06820
203 221-7093
www.ttmf.org
tantillo@prodigy.net
c/o Lisa J. Tantillo
Tiny Miracles Foundation is dedicated to helping families with premature babies in and around Fairfield County. Through their services, they strive to enhance hospital services and improve the lives of babies born too early and those who love and care for them.
FAP offers small grants to needy families to defray costs associated with having a premature infant hospitalized in the NICU, and/or to assist in acquiring essential equipment, services or other needs when the infant transitions home.