Getting Involved in the Community

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Why volunteer? The answers are as diverse as the opportunities... to gain experience, acquire new skills, meet new people, build relationships, gain perspective, give back to the community, help a friend or family member, promote a worthwhile cause or just to feel good. Don't be shy, carve out some time and volunteer!

GROUPS of VOLUNTEERS

Groups of three or more workplace volunteers are encouraged to sign up with United Way as a campaign account (which means allowing a once a year workplace presentation) in order take advantage of UWSECT's Day of Caring program.

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

All UWSECT partner agencies rely on individual volunteers to help further their mission, whether it be professionals serving as Board members to people helping day-to-day to provide services. If you are interested in being a volunteer, you should consider these questions and be able to share the information with a prospective "match":

• Determine how much time you are able to give. Are you looking to fulfill a number of required service hours within the next month or seeking a multi-year relationship and something on an ongoing basis?  
• You should be able to talk about your skills and interests and what you are (or are not) willing to do. Most agencies can use clerical and/or fundraising support, but there are other roles. The needs of agencies are many and there is a place for most everyone. 
  
  
• Consider your habits, expectations and reflect on where your motivation and heart lies. Are you looking to network for business? Fulfill a spiritual calling? or become more knowledgable or engaged in the community?
  
  And finally, think about what most concerns you-- people? art? animals? nature? history? Chances are there is a cause associated with your interest.
  
  

There is no shortage of organizations-- large or small-- looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteers-- and many are probably closer than you think. Let your interests and locale guide you. 

Teens interested in volunteering should be able to answer these same questions. Some programs welcome teens as volunteers, but just as many require a parent or other adult to accompany youth during volunteer time. In any case, volunteers should expect to provide their own transportation to and from a site or activity.

Ideally allow for several weeks to find and get started with your match and do not be surprised to find you must fill out an application or go through a security check particularly for work involving children. While finding a match that is right for you and settling in with an organization does take some time, it is a rewarding experience and should be thought of as an investment.

 ♦ Volunteering at UWSECT partner programs 
 

For those interested in health and human service options, UWSECT partner agencies offer volunteer roles which range from youth mentors at Big Brothers Big Sisters or Noank Group Homes to adult tutors with Literacy Volunteers, from troop leaders at Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts to Friendly Visitors serving home bound senior citizens through Jewish Federation. You can befriend and assist a disabled adult or child through United Cerebral Palsy or The Arc or become a trained Emergency Response volunteer through Red Cross. Work at the UCFS thrift store, or support youth development at organizations like Boys and Girls Club, Child and Family Agency, Drop-In Learning Center or Riverfront Children's Center. TVCCA can always use reliable drivers for home delivery of meals, as can UCFS for its RSVP program, and community meal sites need help serving guests. These and other places like Alliance for Living, Women's Center and Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center also use volunteers in many other ways.

If any of these ideas interest you, please reach out to the organization directly using the phone number on our Partner Program page (under Community Investment tab) or Community Meal Sites page (under the Food Center tab). Interested in something else? Drop a line to your favorite cause or to your town hall and ask how you can help locally.

♦ Volunteering at United Way of Southeastern CT in Gales Ferry, CT

One of the ways that UWSECT keeps its administration and fundraising costs low is by virtue of the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time each year. Volunteers typically donate several hours a week for a fixed period of time and choose to support either resource development (fundraising in Summer-Fall) or allocations (fund distribution in Winter-Spring). Our volunteers are diverse and represent companies and towns throughout New London County. Email now to express interest in becoming a UWSECT volunteer!

"Not everything that counts can be counted.
 And not everything that can be counted, counts." -- Albert Einstein