skip to content

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 Members of Generations Connect assist with recreational and social activities at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehab or the Mansfield Senior Center.
    • Mansfield Nursing & Rehab: Activities at MCNR include making dinner with the residents, card games, making holiday decorations, and various other arts and crafts. Tuesdays, 6:15-7:30pm or Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00pm.
      Contact: Samantha Palmer at uconn.co.mcnr@gmail.com
    • Mansfield Senior Center: Generations Connect at the Mansfield Senior Center pairs UConn students with independent elderly residents of Mansfield, CT at the Center. Participants engages in such activities that include one time entertainment events, games, crafts, among others. Student participants will meet Wednesdays at 3:30pm and on the second Wednesday of the Month at 6:30pm. We are also looking for students to assist with preparing lunches at the center every weekday from 10:00am-12:00pm and or/12:00pm-2:00pm.
      Contact: Emily Person at uconn.co.msc@gmail.com.
  • Food Recovery Project is in collaboration with Dining Services to collect and deliver excess food to local soup kitchens. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00am - 11:00am Contact: (uconn.co.foodrecovery@gmail.comu)
  • UConn Homelessness Project The UConn Homelessness Project assists the homeless community of Northeast Connecticut. The project is composed of three sites: the No Freeze Hospitality Center in Willimantic, the Cornerstone Lodge Homeless Shelter in Rockville and the Holy Family Shelter in Willimantic. In addition to providing staffing to the three sites, the UConn Homelessness Project works to educate students about the causes of homelessness and the plight of homeless individuals in America. Events hosted by the UConn Homelessness Project includes speakers from the department of Social services and the Generations Family Health Center and Sleep Out done in conjunction with ConnPIRG. Contact program directors below:
    • No Freeze is a drop in shelter for homeless men and women 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. Sunday-Saturday from 7:00-10:00 pm. Contact: Vanessa Barber (uconn.co.nofreeze@gmail.com)
    • The Cornerstone Foundation 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: Monday-Friday 5:00-9:30pm As a 15 bed facility the Lodge accepts adult men and women (no kids) over the age of 18. The shelter’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 shelter 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: Katherine Wallender (uconn.co.cornerstone@gmail.com)
    • 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. 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. Volunteer hours are: Monday-Fridays: 11:15am-1:45pm Contact: Jacqueline Luginbuhl (uconn.co.holyfamily@gmail.com)
  • Campus Connections (Easter Seals) 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. Volunteer hours are: Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00-12:00pm. Contact: Lucia Roberts (uconn.co.campconn@gmail.com)
  • FULL Windham Hospital Volunteers Windham Hospital Volunteers are given the opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable experience working in a diverse and demanding community healthcare setting. Participants work a weekly 3 hour shift and are placed in hospital units based on their interest. Participants assist hospital staff with a variety of non-clinical tasks including transporting patients, stocking medical supplies, and also greeting and directing patients, visitors, and families. Volunteer units include the Emergency Department, Ambulatory Care Unit, Food & Nutrition Services, Patient Transportation (MET Desk), Pharmacy, and Family Centered Care. Contact: Jackson Herget or Sara McKechnie at uconn.co.windhosp@gmail.com
  • FULLGenerations Health Care Clinic Volunteers will assist 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. Contact: Akina Warner or Eileen Semancik at (uconn.co.ghc@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. Volunteer hours are: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and the First Saturday of every month: 9:00am-12:00pm Contact: Kamie Sylvester (uconn.co.waim@gmail.com)
  • 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. Contact: Joshua Faucher (uconn.co.chsc@gmail.com)
    • Low Income Health Education and Clinics
      Guests of the soup kitchens are low income earners and often homeless, some with mental illness or substance abuse challenges. Outreach also takes place at Brick Row, a public housing complex with some residents with disabilities. Volunteers education clients about preventative health measures and available services, provide simple screenings, and assist UCHC students with clinics at Covenant Soup Kitchen. Contact: Yuk-ting Li at (uconn.co.kitchens@gmail.com).
      • Covenant Soup Kitchen Education: Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:00pm, Fridays from 4:45 to 8:15
      • Brick Row Apartments Education: Friday from 2:00-4:00pm
    • Migrant Workers Education and Screenings:
      Farm works come to Eastern CT from Mexico and other Latin American countries with a different view of health and medicine. They often cannot or do not access health care for many reasons. This program provides works with health education and screenings during their lunch periods, promoting concepts of wellness and disease prevention for themselves and their families, and providing information on how to access medical care.
      • Pride's Corner Farm Education: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12:00-2:00pm.
      • Plant Group Farm: Tuesdays from 11:30-1:30pm.
  • Community Food Collaborative: The Northeast Community Food Collaborative is composed of agencies that distribute food to low income individuals throughout Windham County. Organizations involved in the collaborative include, Covenant Soup Kitchen, Catholic Charities, Family Services, The Access Agency, Holy Family Home and Shelter and United Services in Windham. As a collaborative the agencies collectively obtain food and personal care items to distribute to individuals and families in need. Volunteers will assist the collaborative with press work, collecting donations and working on programs to support the food bank and area families. Contact: uconn.co.foodcollab@gmail.com
  • UConn-Bergin Collaborative: The UConn-Bergin Collaborative is a program working to lower recidivism rates and improve communication skills in the inmate population of Bergin Correctional Institution. Participants will develop and deliver a curriculum to the inmates on a weekly basis relevant to skills needed upon re-entry to the community. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about a socially isolated population and reduce social stigma. Contact: Sara Hodis at(uconn.co.ucbergin@gmail.com)

« Back to top

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
  • FULLCross-Cultural Connections: (formerly Conversation 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: Sandie Gong and Romana Haider at uconn.co.ccconnections@gmail.com<
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Family Literacy Program matches students with non-English speaking individuals in the local area within a classroom setting in Willimantic. Volunteers assist in the classroom by helping ESL students develop English language communication skills. Meeting times range from 2-4 days a week, times are flexible and transportation is provided. For more information Contact: Anuja Kanaskar (uconn.co.esl@gmail.com)
  • 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. Visit our website at: http://www.studentactivities.uconn.edu/co_jumpstart.html. Contact Kristina Koprowski at (uconn.co.jumpstart@gmail.com).
  • 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 with a group of master teachers and involve students in circle time and literacy activities. The times and shifts listed below are flexible. Contact: Andrew Ligsay (uconn.co.arpreschool@gmail.com)

    • Children's Community Center Storrs, CT: : typical shifts are 3:00pm - 5:30pm Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 12:00pm Tuesday-Friday
    • 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 9:30am - 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.

    • FULLAmerica Reads at 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: Kara LaMonica at (uconn.co.wcs@gmail.com)
    • America Reads at Kinsella Elementary School: If you're interested in helping tutor/mentor a classroom of students (grades 4 to 8) from a diverse background in an urban environment, this is a great program to volunteer in! Operations occur in Hartford, CT. Typical shifts are from 12:15 p.m. to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This time incorporates the commute to and from Hartford. Transportation is provided. Contact: Felicia Bartolomeo or Brenna Dunnack at (uconn.co.kinsella@gmail.com
    • America Reads at Mansfield After School Program Goodwin Elementary School, Mansfield, CT: Goodwin Elementary School, Mansfield, CT: Monday and Wednesday from 3:30pm - 5:00pm. Contact: Kate Grayeb at (uconn.co.masp@gmail.com)
    • FULLAmerica Reads at Southeast Elementary Mansfield, CT: typical shifts are 9:00am - 11:00am, 11:00am - 1:00pm, and 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Monday thru Friday. Contact: Rebecca Mears at (uconn.co.setutors@gmail.com)
    • America Reads at 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: Laura Harris at (uconn.co.windcenter@gmail.com)

« Back to top

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 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
      • Lunch Program: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10:15-1:00pm
    • Sweeney Elementary School: Tuesday 3:00pm - 4:30pm
    • Windham Center Elementary School: Thursday, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
    • North Windham School: Thursday: 3:30pm-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:Rebecca Wilcox or Caroline Stackhouse at (uconn.co.bbbs@gmail.com)
  • 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 – 6:00pm. Contact: Michelle Sullivan or Emily Ramsey (uconn.co.cbb@gmail.com)
  • 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, 3:00 - 5:00pm. This includes the 20 minute travel time to and from the school. Contact: Kimberly Gentile (uconn.co.natchaug@gmail.com)
  • FULLProject 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, 2:30-5:00pm. Contacts: Caely Flynn at (uconn.co.paa@gmail.com)
  • 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: Victoria Campo (uconn.co.windheights@gmail.com)
  • FULLSoutheast 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 3:30pm - 5:15pm. Contact: Maureen Davis at (uconn.co.southeast@gmail.com)

« Back to top

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.

  • FULLHorace 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. Contact: Melissa Marsh (uconn.co.hhplus@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-Thursday, 11:15am - 12:40pm and 12:15 - 1:40pm. Contacts:: Stephanie Rua (uconn.co.mms@gmail.com)
  • Mansfield Youth Services Big Friends Program runs on Tuesday nights from 5:15 - 7:00 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. Transportation is provided. Contact: Tara O’Neil (uconn.co.bigfriends@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: Marie Hoyt (uconn.co.nhhc@gmail.com)
  • Stafford Teen Night provides 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, 5:45 - 10:00pm and serves over 150 teens. Contact: (uconn.co.teen@gmail.com)
  • 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, 2:00-5:30 p.m. Contact: Christopher Wood at (uconn.co.4hlift@gmail.com)
  • Windham High School CAPT Tutoring aims to provide motivated Windham High School students in their sophomore year with the test-taking skills necessary to ensure a score of proficiency on the Connecticut CAPT test using a curriculum called CAPTure Success. UConn tutors will also help lower the WHS students’ frustration, increase their students’ engagement, narrow the achievement gap, and help their students reach their full potential. The program runs on Mondays in 2 hour blocks from: 7:45am-2:15pm. Contact: Marisa Ives (uconn.co.capt@gmail.com)

« Back to top