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Community Outreach

Semester Long-Programs

Health & Human Services

Community Outreach's health and human services programs work with a wide range of clients to address various concerns including homelessness, physical or mental disabilities, and personal injury or illness. Students can work in a variety of settings tackling challenges and building genuine relationships with clients. To get involved with Health & Human Services programs, please contact the individuals listed below.

  • Generations Connect assists with recreational and social activities with residents of Mansfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Mansfield Senior Center. Activities include indoor bowling, bingo, balloon volleyball, jeopardy, and making ice cream sundaes. All majors are welcomed, though it may be of special interest for students majoring in geriatrics, family studies, allied health, and social services. Two volunteer sites available.
    • Mansfield Nursing & Rehab: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00pm or 6:30 – 8:00pm
      Contact: Joshua Obeiter at ucgenerationsconnect@gmail.com
    • Mansfield Senior Center: This is a growing program that will be more oriented around assisting in the major events at the senior center. For these events a one time commitment just for a single event is acceptable. Also volunteers will be needed for a breakfast program to take place from 8:00-10:00 am on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Contact: Mary Duggan: ucseniorcenter@gmail.com


        • Special Program Celebrations:
      • February 20 - Chinese New Year
      • March 5 - Birthday Lunch
      • March 19 - St. Patrick's Day
      • March 26 - Celebration of Life
      • April 11 - Bazaar set up
      • April 12 - Bazaar
      • April 16 - Volunteer Appreciation Day
  • Food Recovery Project is in collaboration with Dining Services to collect and deliver excess food to local soup kitchens. Times and dates are flexible. Contact: Marshall Rivers (Marshall.Rivers@uconn.edu)
    • SOS Food: Monday & Wednesday: 9:00am - 11:00am
    • Covenant Soup Kitchen: Days are flexible
  • UConn Homelessness Project
    • No Freeze Homelessness Project is a drop in shelter for homeless men and woman in downtown Willimantic. This is a “wet shelter” and allows all individuals access to a bed regardless of external factors (i.e. drug and or alcohol use, addictions or past incarcerations). Volunteers assist staff in duties such as dinner preparation; clean up of common areas, interacting with the guests, and being there to assist with any projects as needed throughout the night. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, from 8pm-11pm. Contact: Jaclyn Sheltry (jsheltry@gmail.com)
    • The Lodge Emergency Overnight Homeless Shelter is located in Rockville, CT and is open from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. 7 days a week. Volunteer hours are: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, 5:30 – 11:00pm. As a 15 bed facility the Lodge accepts adult men and women (no kids) over the age of 18. The Lodge’s mission is to provide a safe, clean and sober environment for both staff and the homeless population in our area. Volunteers are responsible for maintaining confidential records, keeping The Lodge clean, and assisting our homeless guests with positive reinforcement and empowerment. The Program Director works closely with staff to assist in training volunteers for this site. Contact: Lauren Rosen (Lauren.Rosen@uconn.edu)
    • Holy Family Shelter: Holy Family Home and Shelter is a dry shelter in Willimantic for homeless children and their parents. Guests usually stay between 60 and 90 days, and are provided with 3 meals a day, laundry facilities, assistance with permanent housing and employment services, and an after school education program. Volunteers are needed for both after school programming and general shelter management and upkeep. In the after school program, volunteers will tutor, help with homework, and create plans for crafts, games, etc. They must be available a minimum of one day per week. General shelter management volunteers will organize, clean, and do odd jobs for the shelter. Though one-time visits are allowed for this position, once a week committments are prefered. On-site training is available to every volunteer. There is an extensive application process, as the shelter requires background checks for all its regular volunteers. Contact: Melissa Czajkowski (Melissa.Czajkowski@uconn.edu)
  • Campus Connections Campus Connections provides adults with physical and intellectual disabilities an opportunity to engage in social and recreational activities in the most inclusive setting with maximum possible participation with non-disabled peers. The program matches clients from Easter Seals of Chaplin, CT with student volunteers who aid them in making simple arts and crafts, playing games, and performing other activities, such as indoor bowling and golf, bingo, and trips to the Dairy Bar. For Spring 2008, the program meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30am-11:30am in the Student Union. Contacts: Jennifer Skiba (Jennifer.Skiba@uconn.edu) or Melissa Skiba (Melissa.Skiba@uconn.edu)
  • Windham Hospital Volunteers work in a setting of their choice throughout Windham Hospital. Placements include but are not limited to: Emergency Room Liaison, the Met Desk, Pharmacy, and Ambulatory Care. Students are asked to work in 2 hours shifts any day of the week. Times are also flexible. Contact: Kelsey Cunningham (windhamhospital@yahoo.com)
  • Generations Health Care Clinic is a health care facility that works with patients who have little or no health insurance. Volunteers will be assisting staff with various tasks and programs such as escorting patients, assisting nurses and doctors and filing medical records. Volunteers will also be working on improving the waiting room atmosphere through presenting monthly health topics to patients, creating informational videos, and working with children. Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed to interpret between doctors and patients. Times and dates are flexible. Contact: Amanda Higgins (generationshealthcenter@gmail.com)
  • Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (W.A.I.M.) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide help to people in need in the greater Windham area. They provide clothing, utility assistance, etc. to those in need. Contact: Kamie Sylvester (Kamie.Sylvester@uconn.edu)
  • Collegiate Health Service Corps is a division of Eastern Area Health Education Center (AHEC), which works with diverse local communities. CHSC provides them with health education and health services while constantly promoting self-awareness about healthy choices. Student participants perform educational talks and assist with basic health screenings.
    • Soup Kitchen Health Education and Clinics
      Guests of the soup kitchens are generally homeless and very low income earners with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems. This program provides soup kitchen guests with consistent messages to promote access to health care and increase self-awareness about healthy choices. For more information, contact Kaitlin Archambault (kaitlin.archambault@uconn.edu).
      • Covenant Soup Kitchen Education: 11:15-1:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Friday each week
      • Danielson Soup Kitchen Education: 4:00-6:30 pm the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month
      • Covenant Migrant Farm Workers Initiative Lunchtime and clinic hours TBA
      • Covenant Soup Kitchen Clinic: 4:30-7:30 pm the 1st, 2nd, an 3rd Fridays of each month
    • Farm Workers Health Education:
      Farm workers come to eastern CT from other countries, mostly Mexico, with a different view of health and medicine. They often cannot or do not access health care for many reasons. This program provides workers with health education during their lunch period, promoting concepts of wellness and prevention of disease for themselves and their families, and providing information on how to access care in the medical system. Contact: Joshua Faucher (joshua.faucher@uconn.edu)
      • Pride's Corner Farm Education: 11:15 - 2:00pm, Tuesdays or Thursdays each week
      • Plant Group Farm Education: 11:15 - 2:00pm, Tuesdays or Thursdays each week (beginning in March)

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Language & Literacy

Understanding and utilizing written and verbal communication is crucial to navigating our society's academic, economic, and social structures. Community Outreach's literacy programs work with children, adolescents, and college students to improve their literacy levels and mastery of the English language. UConn Student volunteers and work-study students act as tutors and conversation partners in various programs on and off campus.

Volunteers with Goodwin Students
  • Conversational Partners works with international college-age students who are studying at the UCAELI (University of Connecticut American English Language Institute) to assist them with mastery of language and cultural competency. UConn students are matched with UCAELI students in a 1-on-1 format and they meet at mutually convenient times. Partners meetings are flexible and the time commitment is between 1 and 2 hours per week. Contact: Kim Tran and Juliane Shindoconvopartner@yahoo.com
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Family Literacy Program matches students with non-English speaking parents and children of UConn employees to develop English language skills. Meeting times are flexible and tutoring sessions occur on and off campus. Contact: matches students with non-English speaking parents and children of UConn employees to develop English language skills. Meeting times are flexible and tutoring sessions occur on and off campus. Contact: Yan Ma (Yan.Ma@uconn.edu)
  • Jumpstart is a national early education organization that works toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Through extraordinary attention in yearlong one-to-one relationships, Jumpstart volunteers inspire children to learn and help them to develop the skills to reach their full potential. Volunteers average between 10-12 hours per week of service in a group setting. Work study is available and students are eligible to receive $1000 education award. For more information: http://www.studentactivities.uconn.edu/co_jumpstart.html.
  • America Reads is a national initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Education that challenges all Americans to help children read well and independently by the end of third grade. In 1994, 40% of 4th grade students failed to attain the basic level of reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. As a result of this, UConn and a host of other institutions have joined forces to provide individualized literacy tutoring to preschool, elementary, and middle school age children. Here at UConn we focus on preschool (infant to 5 years old) and elementary age children.

    America Reads Pre-School Programs provide volunteers the opportunity to work with preschool children in small groups. Volunteers typically work closely with a group of master teachers and involve students in circle time, and center and literacy activities. The times and shifts listed below are flexible. Contact: Megan Rock (americareadspreschool@gmail.com)

    • Children's Community Center Storrs, CT: typical shifts are 3:00pm - 5:30pm Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 12:00pm Tu-F
    • Old Schoolhouse Home Day Care Storrs, CT:typical shifts are either the early morning (9:00-10:00am) or late afternoon (3:00-4:00pm)
    • Mansfield Discovery Day Care Mansfield, CT: typical shifts are 9:00am - 11:30am and 4:00pm – 6:00pm M-F and 3:00pm - 5:00pm, Monday-Friday
    • Willington Nursery Co-op Willington, CT: typical shifts are 9:00am - 11:30am Monday thru Friday.
    • Willow House Day Care Mansfield Depot, CT: typical shifts are Monday thru Friday 9:00am - 11:30am and 3:00pm - 5:30pm.

    America Reads Elementary Schools Programs provide volunteers the opportunity to work with elementary age children (K-4) in one-on-one, small group or classroom settings. Volunteers typically work in the classroom under the supervision of a master teacher. Subject content is not solely limited to reading and may include mathematics, science, and social studies. Most of the after school programs also include an academic enrichment or extra-curricular activity (arts and crafts, sports, etc.) portion to the program.

    • Willington Center Elementary School Willington, CT: typical service opportunities occur Tuesday 10:00am - 12:00pm; Wednesday, 11:00am - 2:00pm, and Friday 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Other times may be available. Contact: Tyson Carter (Tyson.Carter@uconn.edu)
    • Kinsella Elementary Hartford, CT: typical shifts are 12:15pm - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. This time includes the 45 minute van ride to and from the school in Hartford. If you’re interested in working in an urban setting with a diverse population, this is a great program to volunteer in! Contact: Tierney Meehan (TMeehan713@gmail.com
    • Mansfield After School Program Goodwin Elementary School, Mansfield, CT: Goodwin Elementary School, Mansfield, CT: Monday and Thursday from 3:30pm - 5:00pm. Contact: Vicky Eyman (masp_goodwin@yahoo.com)
    • Southeast Elementary Mansfield, CT: typical shifts are 9:00am - 11:00am, 11:00am - 1:00pm, and 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Monday thru Friday. Contact: Laura Villeux (se_elementarytutors@yahoo.com)
    • Windham Center Elementary School Windham, CT: typical shifts are Tuesday morning and Friday, 10:00am - 12:40pm and 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Other times may be available. Volunteers must have an interest in working with a diverse student body. Contact: Stacey Keefe (Stacey.Keefe@uconn.edu)

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Youth Development & Education - Children

In the following initiatives, UConn volunteer and work-study students act as mentors and tutors supporting children in their academic and personal development. Programs are located in public schools and community based organizations and run during and after school.

  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS) serves youth ages 5-18 in 5,000 communities in the US, through 4,700 agencies and matches 1-on-1 mentoring to help at risk youth. UConn students work with youth through the following local BBBS programs:
    • Natchaug Elementary School: Tuesday, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
    • Sweeney Elementary School: Monday, 11:15am – 12:15 pm or Tuesday, 3:00opm - 4:30pm
    • Windham Center Elementary School: Thursday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
    • Windham Center School: Thursday, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
    • Windham Middle School: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday, 10:10am - 11:10 am, 11:20 am – 12:00 pm, 2:30 - 4:00pm Monday only
    Contact:Julie Larsen (Julie.Larsen@uconn.edu)
  • Campus Big Buddies is a campus based enrichment program for elementary age children from the Windham Heights Housing Complex in Windham, CT. The program runs Fridays from 4:00 - 5:45pm. Contacts: Erica Morse (Erica.Morse@uconn.edu) or Michelle Sullivan (michelle.sullivan@uconn.edu)
  • Natchaug School Tutoring Natchaug School Tutoring offers 1-on-1 mentoring, tutoring, and enrichment program to K-4th graders from Natchaug Elementary School in Willimantic, CT. The program runs Monday and Thursday, 2:30 - 5:20pm. This includes the 20 minute travel time to and from the school. aug Elementary School in Willimantic, CT. The program runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 - 5:00pm. This includes the 20 minute travel time to and from the school. Contact: Nicole Holland (Nicole.Holland@uconn.edu)
  • Project Academic Advancement is an after school tutoring and enrichment program for youth in grades K-8th. Activities are organized in small group and 1-on-1 settings. The program is run by the West Avenue Community Center in Willimantic, CT Monday-Friday, 3:10 - 4:45pm. Contacts: Heather Washburn (Heather.Washburn@uconn.edu) or Ashley Cameron (Ashley.Cameron@uconn.edu)
  • Windham Heights After School Tutoring Program emphasizes student academic and social development through 1-on-1 and small group homework help tutoring that stresses reading. The program targets youth in grades 1st-6th who live in the Windham Heights Apartment Complex, Windham, CT. The program runs Monday-Thursday, 3:30pm - 6:00pm. Contact: Alixandra Grasson (Alixandra.Grasson@uconn.edu)
  • Southeast After School Program targets K-5th graders. Activities take place 1-on-1 or in small groups. The program takes place in Mansfield, CT and shifts are available Monday thru Friday from 3:00pm - 5:30pm. Contact: Viviane Trinh (Viviane.Trinh@uconn.edu)

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Youth Development & Education - Adolescence

Community Outreach's adolescent programs collaborate with organizations that engage youth in fun, learning centered initiatives that seek to further develop their self-awareness, academic aptitudes, and long-term career plans. UConn students serve as tutors and mentors in a variety of classroom and after school settings.

  • Horace Porter School Plus Program focuses on homework help for middle school children, grades 4-8. The program runs Monday-Thursday, 2:45 - 4:45pm and is located at the Horace Porter School, Columbia, CT. Contacts: Stephen Bordonaro (Stephen.Bordonaro@uconn.edu) or Laura Demaio (horaceporterschoolplus@gmail.com)
  • Mansfield Middle School Tutoring offers 1-on-1 or small group assistance with homework and classwork assignments for 5th and 8th graders at Mansfield Middle School, Mansfield, CT. The program runs Monday-Friday, 11:15am - 12:40pm and 12:15 - 1:40pm. Contacts: Catherine O'Neill or Ryan Matthews (mansfield_middle@yahoo.com
  • Mansfield Youth Services Big Friends Program runs on Tuesday nights from 6:15 - 7:45 pm and supports children and their families by encouraging social and academic enrichment through 1-on-1 and group interactions. UConn Big Friends will be paired with a student grade K-8 with whom they will work throughout the year to build a stable relationship by being a positive, enthusiastic role model and by taking an active interest in the student's life. Through their continued participation, Big Friends will increase student's self-worth and confidence in their learning abilities by stressing the importance of their educational and social development. Contact: Courtney Shannon (mysbigfriends@gmail.com)
  • Nathan Hale Homework Club provides an enriching after school tutoring experience for students in grades 6-8 at Nathan Hale Middle School, Coventry, CT. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00 - 4:00pm. UConn students work individually and in small groups on homework in all subject areas. Contact: Heather Williams (Heather.Williams@uconn.edu)
  • Stafford Teen Night provides a drug free alternative on Friday nights for teens in the town of Stafford, CT. UConn students build a supportive mentoring relationship with middle and high school students while assisting with organizing and implementing fun activities. The program runs on Friday, 6:00 - 10:00pm and serves over 150 teens. Contact: Kelly Pielech (Kelly.Pielech@uconn.edu)
  • 4-H Lift is an after school enrichment program in which UConn students work with adolescents ranging from grades 5-8 at Windham Middle School. They provide leadership and guidance through organized activities, snack and structured homework time. The staff to student ratio is approximately one to ten, and the program runs Monday-Thursday, 2:15-5:15 p.m. Contact: Gabrielle Caron Gabrielle.caron@uconn.edu) or Pamela Gray (Pamela.gray@uconn.edu)

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