ALEX is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create a safe, compassionate community while empowering LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies through educational, emotional, and financial support. We hold annual events to raise funds in support of these goals. Through local partnerships, ALEX aims to build a society where everyone is treated equally and can live authentically.We are always looking for volunteers to assist with our annual events, such as the Guilford Pride Event in May and the Queer Prom in December. At the moment, we are also seeking someone to fill a long-term role as our social media coordinator.

The mission of the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut (AOASCC) is to champion and serve older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them remain independent and engaged in their communities. We achieve this through inclusion and collaboration, honoring differences, and building partnerships.AOASCC is an independent, non-profit organization funded by federal resources. There are four other Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Connecticut, each with its own Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Human Resources, and Fiscal departments. AOASCC consists of three distinct departments:1. Aging and Disability Resource Department: This department provides accurate and impartial information about insurance, respite care, benefit qualification, health and wellness education, and elder abuse.2. Care Management Department: This department serves individuals participating in the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, which is sponsored by the Department of Social Services.3. Volunteer Department: This department offers individuals aged 55 and older the opportunity to get involved by volunteering their time to assist others. They also accept referrals for individuals in need of support through programs such as Friendly Visiting, Medical Chaperone, Grocery Support, Phone-a-Friend, and Financial Guidance.

In addition to addressing veterans’ issues, Post 48 supports local youth through patriotic essay contests with monetary awards at both Guilford middle schools and the high school, sponsorships for Boys and Girls State, an oratorical contest for high school students, and sponsorships for the annual State Police Youth Week.

BHcare is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. We offer a comprehensive and integrated system of care, with wrap-around services for adults, children and families struggling with mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and other health-risk behaviors.BHcare is designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. BHcare is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and is accredited by The Joint Commission.BHcare was formed in 2012 in a merger that united the resources of Birmingham Group Health Services in Ansonia, and Harbor Health Services in Branford.The BHcare family of programs includes: BHcare Valley and Shoreline Clinics, The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, Parent Child Resource Center, Hope Family Justice Center, and Alliance for Prevention and Wellness.

The Barn is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located at 8 Campus Dr. in Madison Connecticut, that provides programming and events for shoreline youth and their families.Our mission at The Barn, is to empower young people to pursue their interests and passions: encouraging a sense of community through creativity, music and the arts in a safe and supportive environment.The Barn is committed to embracing, nurturing and preserving a culture of inclusion and acceptance. Our community thrives from sharing unique experiences, perspectives and knowledge.  Together we build each other up and we are better and stronger when we are all connected. There is always room on our stage, and at our events,  for you to shine; regardless of race, gender, religion, skill or economic status.Our current programming includes:Musicals, plays, & murder mysteriesThemed summer campsScience, Technology, & Art WorkshopsRoboticsSocials & DancesFamily Events including game nights, trivia, & Ties & Tiara's dances!Holiday EventsGeneral creative workshops including comedy, face painting, cupcake decorating, etc.!

Founded in 1985, the Community Dining Room (CDR) is a private, not-for-profit organization providing food, support, and companionship to our shoreline neighbors. We serve the south-central Connecticut shoreline.The Community Dining Room is committed to providing meals to the community and supporting basic human needs. Our vision is to see a well-nourished community. We strive to promote public awareness of the impact of hunger and isolation in our society. We are dedicated to helping our guests with their practical needs through referrals and fellowship.All new volunteers are required to participate in a Volunteer Orientation, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Madeline, via email (volunteercoordinator@communitydiningroom.org) to sign up and get started!

Community Nursery School (CNS) is a nonprofit, cooperative preschool in Guilford, Connecticut, dedicated to creating a nurturing, play-based environment where children develop a lifelong love of learning. Founded in 1955 by local parents, CNS has a long tradition of bringing children, families, and educators together as partners in early childhood education.Located on a unique wooded campus with hiking trails, outdoor classrooms, basecamps, playgrounds, and nature-based learning spaces, CNS gives children meaningful opportunities to learn both indoors and outdoors. Our programs combine child-led exploration, purposeful play, creativity, and hands-on learning while supporting children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.CNS offers programming for toddlers through preschool and transitional kindergarten ages, including traditional play-based preschool, nature-based programming, and immersive outdoor education. Across our programs, we encourage curiosity, independence, confidence, creativity, and respect for the natural world.At the heart of CNS is our cooperative model. Families are active members of the school community, spending time in classrooms, contributing to school projects and events, and helping sustain the traditions that have defined CNS for generations.For more than 70 years, Community Nursery School has remained committed to a simple but meaningful goal: creating a place where children feel safe, connected, curious, and excited to learn, a place where children love school.

Connecticut Hospice is America's first Hospice. It was founded by Florence Wald, and a group of nurses, doctors, and clergy, in 1974 and it was the first of its kind in the United States. A few years prior, Wald, then an Associate Professor and Dean of the Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Program at Yale University, was inspired by a palliative care lecture given by Dr. Cicely Saunders, the founder of St. Christopher’s Hospice, the first hospice in the world.Throughout our history, we have remained true to our original mission, and continue to uphold our founding principles. Our hospice concept encompasses both home and inpatient care for persons diagnosed with a terminal illness with a limited prognosis, normally six months or less. We uphold the central Hospice commitment to enable the patient to live as fully and completely as possible during the time of the illness. We support the entire family as the unit of care rather than just the patient. Our home care programs make it possible for families to keep the patient at home if such care is appropriate, and marshal community resources to help deepen support and keep care costs as low as possible.Volunteers have always part of our history! We are looking for volunteers who are comfortable sitting with patients in their home, transportation, environmental musicians to play in our lobby, certified pet therapy.

For 105 years, the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants has built a legacy of leadership, compassionate service and effective advocacy for immigrants, refugees and survivors of human trafficking and torture. We have consistently remained true to our mission to serve and empower newcomers to thrive in Connecticut. At the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, we strengthen lives and our communities, demonstrate resilience in meeting the evolving needs of generations of immigrants into Connecticut, and have an enduring presence in the community.

The Cove provides hope and healing for grieving children and their families, as well as training for the professionals who work with them. The Cove a volunteer-driven organization, was started in Guilford. The Cove’s peer support, family-based model was developed to help children find healing due to the death of a parent or sibling. The Cove was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1998. Beginning in Guilford, the program now includes 5 satellite sites providing a 20 week family program. Current programs The Cove Family Program, a 20 week program, includes a module for each school age group. Each site has a Site Director who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who serves as a parent/caregiver educator and Program Director. The Site Director is supported by trained volunteer facilitators who work directly with grieving children in peer support groups. Children are invited to explore, express and process their grief through age appropriate projects and activities involving art, journaling, grief process group work, movement, music, sports and games. Over 70% of the processing activities are art-related, to open up expression and help children to process their grief in a positive and safe environment. Educational materials and resources are provided to supplement processing activities. Children are given tools to understand that their grief is a normal process that can be managed in healthy ways. Parent/Caregivers are educated to support their child's grieving process and open up family communication

The Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter has been helping homeless animals along the Connecticut shoreline and vicinity since April 2003.Hundreds of displaced animals come through our doors each year and it takes a lot of time, rehabilitation and veterinary care to place them into new homes.With such great support from the Town of Branford, our dedicated staff, and our terrific volunteer base, we provide some of the best animal control & shelter services available in the state.

Founded in 2004, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT)'s flagship diaper distribution program centralizes the fundraising and distribution of free diapers to low-income families in Connecticut through existing service providers, including hospitals, local food pantries, soup kitchens, childcare centers, social service agencies, and shelters. Recognizing that an inadequate supply of diapers puts families with young children at an increased risk for physical and mental health issues. DBCT has to date distributed more than 42 million free diapers through its extensive Diaper Distribution Network(DDN) of 165+ agencies throughout the state. The Diaper Bank of Connecticut works: 1) To ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products; 2) To raise community awareness that “basic human needs” include diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products and that these needs are not being met for families living in poverty; 3) To advocate for policy reform so that diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products are included in the definition of, and provision for, the “basic human needs” of families. Having access to diapers improves babies’ overall health, reducing instances of diaper rash, urinary tract infections and other medical problems. It also has been shown to improve mothers’ mental health and family dynamics- by relieving a recurring, continual stressor. By providing diapers to families, we help them on a path toward economic stability. Parents cannot use childcare without an adequate supply of diapers, so many who can’t afford diapers end up missing work or school. This will make them less reliant on public assistance programs in the future, all while improving babies’ health and home lives.

The Dudley Farm Museum in North Guilford, Connecticut, is a living history museum that invites visitors to step back in time and experience farm life as it was during the Victorian Era. Set on approximately 10 acres, the property includes the historic Farmhouse, barns, outbuildings, gardens, fields, woods, farm animals and exhibits the tell the story of Guilford's agricultural heritage. The Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum is also located at the Farm which celebrates the first people of Guilford. We have numerous programs that we offer throughout the year including tours of the historic Farmhouse Museum and Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum, school tours and educational field trips, Dudley Farm Summer Camp, a farmers market, a community garden, and public education programs.Our mission is "to preserve, restore and operate the Dudley Farm Museum as a late 19th century historical, educational and recreational resource to serve the general public." The Dudley Farm Museum is more than a collection of historic buildings-it is a place where history comes alive, connecting today's visitors with the land, people, and agricultural traditions of Guilford's past.

We are citizens from all walks of life with an interest in protecting the environment and serving the public.  Volunteer to be a Friend of Outer Island. Our Mission is to:- Preserve the natural resources of Outer Island- Provide environmental education and wildlife dependent recreation- Assist with maintenance and improvement of island facilitiesWe support the National Refuge System. The National Wildlife Refuge System is in crisis. Threats to refuges are growing, while staffing and funding for key conservation programs are diminishing. Friends of Outer Island volunteer their time to assist in the upkeep of the refuge and provide visitor services.We are a member of the Stewart B. McKinney NWR Coalition, an umbrella organization that advocates for the entire refuge.Volunteers participate as often as they like, weekdays and weekends for four hour shifts, during the open season on Outer Island between May and October.Volunteers can choose to casually welcome, guide, and/or educate the visiting public; do light maintenance of the island areas; seasonal plantings; and participate in the wildlife educational programs hosted for public schools. See the "Roles" tab for more information.Ferry transport to and from Outer Island is provided. For more information, you can contact USFWS visitor services manager, Sean Healy by email at sean_healy@fws.gov

We are an all-volunteer, Guilford-based performing arts organization that presents events on the Shoreline. We use volunteers as board and advisory board members; and as committee members who plan, produce, market, raise funds for and staff a biennial festival and other events. We seek people for all of those roles now as we prepare to roll out a series of new events this summer and fall and plan the 2027 GreenStage Guilford Live Arts Festival in MayCurrently seeking volunteers:8/9/26, 8/23/26 and 8/29/26 event at Guilford Green(2 volunteers/event)Help is needed with: Event set up and break down, supporting talent and participant needs and managing donation buckets.8/28/26 Open Mic at the Marketplace (2 volunteers)Help is needed with: Event set up and break down, supporting participant needs, managing sign up.Ongoing needs: 2 volunteers needed to assist with social media, entering e-mails into the database and creating documents and resources that can help GreenStage operate more efficiently.Marketing volunteers to help promote the event by distributing flyers, posting signs and raising awarenessMarch (5 volunteers), April (10 Volunteers) May 2027 (10 Volunteers) May 2027: On the ground festival volunteers (25) are needed to assist with talent support, green room coordination, food and beverage service, donation buckets management, sig-up sheet administration, event setup and break down and the final break down if the entire show. Email us if you're interested!

HOST FAMILY PROGRAMCurious about what a "host family" does? Just curious to learn more about a really integral part of A Better Chance?  Host Families are special people with a strong desire and commitment to welcome A Better Chance Scholars into their homes as members of their families. Each scholar has a “Host Family,” and the commitment is (7) 24-hour overnights. They serve as an important bridge between the ABC residence and the local community, offering an opportunity to experience Guilford through family and local activities. Through Host Families, these young people gain a “home away from home” during their time in Guilford, and significant and long-lasting relationships are formed. Want to learn more? Contact Elisa and Janet at gabcmain@gmail.com. You can also visit us at https://www.guilfordabc.org

GUILFORD ART CENTER inspires and promotes community participation in the visual arts through education, exhibitions, and eventsGuilford Art Center is a comprehensive and inclusive community environment for arts education and appreciation, providing:Classes in the visual artsGallery exhibitions of contemporary art, with a focus on American artA shop of unique works by local and nationally-recognized artistsEvents for the community that creatively engage and inspireThe School annually serves over 2,000 students, from preschool-aged through senior citizens, in four semesters of approximately 400 classes annually, including ceramics, jewelry, metalsmithing, weaving, glass, drawing and painting, blacksmithing, and stone carving. Tuition assistance is available to help insure that the Center’s programs are accessible for students of all means.The Gallery presents juried and invitational exhibits of contemporary American art in all media and is open and free to the community.The Shop, open year-round, features fine handcrafts made by American artisans. For the annual Holiday Expo, the Shop doubles in size and includes works by more than 200 artisans.Craft Expo, held on the Guilford Green each July, features works by more than 180 of the country’s most distinguished artisans. As a celebration of the arts and a signature happening for the town of Guilford and the Connecticut shoreline, Craft Expo is a must-see summer event, considered one of the top craft shows in New England and the country.

The Guilford Fund for Education (GFFE) is a Donor Advised Fund managed by The Guilford Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Through the work of an all-volunteer committee, GFFE gives educators and students in Guilford, CT an avenue to explore, experiment, and bring fresh educational ideas and experiences to youth by funding proposals which fall outside of an organization’s budget.The GFFE is looking for volunteers to step into roles as liaisons to our various school buildings, staff our events like the Spelling Bee and Bee Ball tournament, and generally assist the organization its mission.

Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV)GIV is a nonprofit organization, based in Guilford Connecticut, comprised of five programs: Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visiting, Food Bank Volunteer Coordination, Charlies' Closet, and Chloe's Closet.

Want to volunteer with us? Email guilfordporchfest@gmail.com by September 28!Guilford Porchfest is a community-building event celebrating the musical talent and creativity of those who live and work right here in Guilford: young to old, novice to professional, singers, instrumentalists…and everyone in between!Now in its third year, Guilford Porchfest will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 am to 5 pm. The entirely volunteer-driven event will feature more than 60 Guilford performers on more than 50 porches throughout downtown Guilford. And that’s where you come in! Performers donate their time and talent, hosts donate their spaces and hospitality, and we’re looking for Guilford community members to donate their time and community spirit to help us make Guilford Porchfest a positive experience for everyone involved! We’re looking for volunteers to help pass out maps & schedules, lend a hand at the info table, keep folks on lawns and off sidewalks/out of streets, answer questions, and pass out music-themed goodies for the kids! We have three shifts available: 10-2, 1:30-5:30, and all day! Come hang out with us, listen to some amazing fresh, local, live music,  soak in the positive porchfest vibes & help make this year's event an unforgettable experience for all!

Guilford Youth Mentoring (GYM) is a highly regarded, school-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering supportive relationships between local students and adult volunteers. Established in 2000, the program operates within all seven Guilford Public Schools, serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12.The program is recognized as a statewide model for collaboration, endorsed by the Connecticut Mentoring Partnership and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.The mission of Guilford Youth Mentoring (GYM) is to connect students with caring adult volunteers to foster the self-esteem, academic engagement, and social-emotional skills necessary for personal success. By providing a consistent, one-on-one relationship, GYM helps students navigate challenges and reach their full potential within a supportive school environment. No specialized experience or background in education is required—all you need is a willing heart, a consistent presence, and the desire to be a positive role model for a local student. All mentoring takes place for approximately one hour per week, exclusively on school grounds during the school day and academic year.

High Hopes fosters a vibrant community where horse and human interactions improve lives. Located in Old Lyme, CT

Hope After Loss, formerly the Hygeia Foundation, was founded in 1995 by Dr. Michael R. Berman to offer online support to families grieving pregnancy or infant loss, becoming the first physician‑led network of its kind and connecting more than 24,000 individuals. What began as a virtual community grew in 2007 with our first in‑person, peer‑led support group in New Haven, guided by our Parent Advisory Board. As our volunteer‑driven model expanded, we added trained facilitators, one‑on‑one support, a lending library, burial gowns and blankets, and later our Burial Assistance and Professional Education programs. Today our mission remains to support those who experience pregnancy and or infant loss by providing a community of connections, comfort, and compassion. Guided by our values of compassion, acceptance, empathy, respect, and inclusion; we reach out our hands to all those who grieve the loss of a baby and walk out of the darkness together.Losing a much‑wanted baby can feel like being plunged into darkness, and finding your way forward is never simple. But when others reach out with understanding and compassion, the path becomes a little easier to navigate. By honoring and remembering our babies together, we support one another through grief and slowly rediscover moments of light, connection, and hope.Today, a small staff and dedicated volunteers carry this mission forward, ensuring no family has to navigate the loss of a pregnancy or infant alone.

The Legacy Theatre is a professional theatre company that enhances the Connecticut Shoreline's economy, educational opportunities and quality of life through live theatre and related programs. The Legacy strives to be a premiere Arts house and to ensure ongoing seasons of uplifting, inspiring, and challenging professional theatre and theatre training for all. A typical season at Legacy includes 4 Mainstage productions, a Broadway Concert Series, programming for children and families, a holiday production, classes for all ages and abilities, and more!Our organization is run by a small, dedicated team of staff, and supported by a phenomenal team of volunteers. Volunteers can do everything from helping to direct parking during performances, serving as ushers for Legacy productions, assisting with community events and fundraisers, or more involved projects such as mailings, helping our housing team prepare spaces for artists to stay, and more.

Sharing the joy and power of readingNew Haven Reads increases the literacy skills of children by providing individually tailored one-on-one after school tutoring, educational family support, and a community book bank, all at no cost to participants.

Orchard House is a medical adult day center located along the shoreline that was established in 1981. We offer medical oversight, social programs, community integration, transportation and meals. The overall purpose of Orchard House is to decrease isolation, loneliness and to increase socialization. We provide much needed respite and resources. Approximately 85% of our seniors have a diagnosis of Alzheimers/Dementia and other maladies. Our goals are simple: we want to enhance the quality of life for those we serve by promoting independence, help maintain and/or enhance their ability to participate in programs, social with friends, and have them remain in their homes as long as possible.

Raise the Roof is the Shoreline community build organization within Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Raise the Roof believes that everyone deserves a decent, affordable and safe place to live. To honor this belief, we work to bring the Shoreline community together to partner with families and help them build and own Habitat homes. Our “building” consists not only of the physical work; we raise awareness of the need for such housing, raise funds to sponsor the work, and seek out volunteers to serve alongside families and help them build. Raise the Roof works within the 501(c )(3) of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.

Our MissionTo promote language skills and literacy for children, beginning at birth, and to support parents as their babies’ first teachers.Our VisionEvery family will understand the critical importance of early childhood literacy and will take an active role in their child’s reading development. All children in Connecticut will have books of their own.Core ValuesWe are committed to making books a part of every child’s life from birth.We are committed to supporting families playing a central role in their child’s early language and literacy.We are committed to collaborative work with parents, partner organizations, and other community groups.We are committed to financial sustainability.

Needed! Skilled Volunteer Repairers! A Repair Café is an event that brings together volunteers who offer their skill to make simple repairs of everyday items. Repairers bring their own tools, and the owner of each item signs a liability waiver. It's a great way to lend a hand to neighbors and reduce what goes in our landfills. What kind of repairs? Electrical—small appliances, lamps; Electronics; Mechanical devices - clocks, toys, bicycles; Jewelry—tangles, clips, soldering; Sewing—hems, tears, buttons, etc.; Tool sharpening; Wooden items—boxes, chairs, etc. New repair categories can be created to match your skill. How Often? Two three-hour events a year – Spring and Fall. Saturday afternoons, 2:00 -5:00 pm. Co-sponsors Sustainable Guilford & Repair Café—Branford. What’s the Café? Free hospitality for those who might have to wait their turn. Coffee and conversation with neighbors – it’s a nice way to wait! Participation is growing! Your skill is needed! Please contact us today! Thank you.

To empower children to make a difference, by providing necessary opportunities to give back to their community, enhancing their own charitable path. Real change can start with us, and that helping others is a priority in life. Together with parents, the community, and support from local businesses, we have an amazing platform to make the change that we envision.

Sarah’s Cupboard is a non profit thrift shop. All proceeds benefit the Sarah’s Foundation. Learn more here: https://sarahfoundation.org 🛍️ We’re looking for friendly faces! Volunteer as a cashier and help make a difference in the community—one purchase at a time. 💛 Mondays 10am - 1pm Mondays 1pm - 4pm Tuesdays 1pm - 4pm Fridays 10am-1pm Saturdays 10am - 2pm Saturdays 12pm-4pm Drop by and ask for Joe or Beth

The mission of Save the Sound is to protect and improve the land, air, and water of the whole Long Island Sound region. We use legal and scientific expertise and bring people together to achieve results that benefit our environment for current and future generations.Our vision is of a Connecticut and New York where the vitality of nature will be protected for people and wildlife, now and for many decades to come. A region in which citizens from all walks of life can unite in transforming struggling habitats, polluted waters, endangered wildlife, and a threatened planet into resilient, healthy, vibrant, and inspiring places that sustain communities.Ready to get your hands dirty? As a volunteer, there are many ways you can restore Long Island Sound’s shores and water quality and protect the land, air, and waters of your region. These include rain garden installations, event support, water quality monitoring, river and coastal cleanups, etc.

We seek to honor with a statue a woman whose key role in the founding of Guilford and Madison, Connecticut, is little known.  Shaumpishuh was the sachem (chief) of the Menuncahtuck band of Quinnipiac who for thousands of years lived on lands that became Guilford.  Shaumpishuh negotiated the agreements between her people and the English colonists, and fought for the rights of her people throughout her life.  A statue of Shaumpishuh in Guilford Center will stand as a symbol of reconciliation, and memorialize the original history of Guilford.   The Guilford Board of Selectmen have approved a site outside the library facing the Green. The image below is an AI generated picture of what the statue may look like (it is not the final statue) alongside plantings used by Native Americans for food, medicine and spiritual purposes.Committee: James Powers, President; Ellen Creane, Secretary; Cheryl Buckley; Courtney Cucinotta, Nipmuc and European descent; Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown, Mohegan ancestry; Michael Bracken, Treasurer.

Join the dedicated team at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, where history comes to life! Located in East Haven and Branford, CT, we are home to the oldest continuously operating suburban trolley line in the U.S. and a National Historic Landmark. Our mission is to preserve and share the rich history of trolleys, railways, and transportation with the public.We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help in various areas, including:Trolley OperationsRestoration ProjectsEducational ProgramsSpecial EventsTour GuidesMuseum Store and Ticket AgentOffice WorkGroundskeepingBuilding Maintenance and Physical PlantPublic Speakers and OutreachMarketing and Mediaand much more!Whether you love history, enjoy working with the public, or want to learn new skills, there’s a place for you at the Shore Line Trolley Museum. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn and a passion for preserving history.Volunteering at the museum is a unique opportunity to give back to the community, meet new people, and make a lasting impact. Join us and be part of history!

Shoreline Arts Alliance strives to create supportive communities in which artists thrive through recognition, mentorships, networking, education, and professional development; we transform lives through the arts.Since 1980, Shoreline Arts Alliance has evolved from an arts presenting organization to one that focuses on professional arts development, creating supportive communities in which artists thrive through recognition, mentorships, networking, and education. These communities encourage, empower and develop talented artists while transforming their lives.Our Arts Consultancy and Membership services strengthen arts institutions, arts leaders and individual artists across creative disciplines. We offer tiered levels of customized guidance that provides expertise, education, and practical solutions.Our Leadership Development Program teaches core leadership skills and offers practical business experience in the arts. This workforce development initiative creates self-confident, mentally strong individuals, who are participating in worthwhile artistic activities while contributing to their communities.Our statewide and regional programs include IMAGES Annual Photography Competition, Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children’s Literature, Future Choices High School Visual Art Competition and Exhibition, and Scholarships in the Arts. These programs focus on professional development in the arts through recognition and artistic opportunities. We establish sustainable communities of like-minded individuals that provide educational, supportive, and enriching environments.

The Shoreline Greenway Trail is a project to build a trail and connect communities in a 25-mile corridor from New Haven to Madison, for pedestrian, bicycle and other non-motorized accessibility between and within those towns. Additionally, we enable community members to utilize these trails through programs that inform, educate, and activate participation with this wonderful resource. Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT), as a nonprofit organization, is a primary advocate for the effort. SGT works with local citizens and businesses, governments and other advocates to promote trails and pedestrian infrastructure. We advocate for walkers, runners and joggers, cyclists, wheelchair users and all who move without motorized vehicles In our programs and advocacy, we strive to ensure safe, convenient access to scenic shoreline spots and other key destinations in New Haven, East Haven, Branford, Guilford, Madison and Clinton.

Aging with Grace and Community: The Shoreline Village CT Experience Imagine a vibrant organization of Seniors aging in their own homes where growing older means staying connected, supported, and empowered right where you belong. Shoreline Village CT is a non-profit group where seniors aren't just aging but thriving with the help of engaged volunteers. A Community Built on Compassion Shoreline Village, CT, is more than an organization; it's a lifeline for seniors who want to remain independent in their beloved homes. With over 300 similar Villages nationwide, this grassroots movement redefines aging by putting community and mutual support at the forefront. Comprehensive Support, Personalized Care Shoreline Village offers an array of services that transform daily challenges into opportunities for connection and entergizes members to participate in their wider community: Transportation: Volunteers provide more than rides to medical appointments—they offer companionship, ensuring members feel supported every mile of the journey Home Assistance: From minor repairs to technology help, volunteers are ready to lend a hand Social Engagement: Parties, book clubs, opera talks, walking groups, and chair yoga keep members active and connected More Than a Service—A Family As one member from Guilford beautifully shared: "The Village is an insurance policy for my family, and it gives me a structure for being with interesting, thoughtful people and for opportunities for meaningful volunteer work." Shoreline Village CT isn't just helping seniors age in their own homes—it's helping them live fully, independently, and joyfully. Contact George DuPont, Director of Services, To Inquire about Membership or Volunteer opportunities. M: 203-747-5939 , georgedupontSVCT@gmail.com

Sound Life Connections & The WAVESound Life Connections Inc. and The WAVE Gelato Café are creating a new model of inclusion, opportunity, and community connection in Guilford, Connecticut.Sound Life Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by special education teacher Tara Beatty and speech-language pathologist Keri Climie. With more than 15 years of experience working together in the Guilford public school system, the founders have dedicated their careers to supporting individuals with disabilities and creating meaningful opportunities for growth, independence, and belonging.The WAVE Gelato Café, an initiative of this mission-driven vision, is an inclusive business located at 116 Whitfield Street in Guilford. WAVE stands for Work, Advocate, Value, and Empower.The café provides a welcoming environment where individuals with disabilities can gain hands-on employment experience, develop workplace skills, and build confidence through meaningful work. Employees learn customer service, food preparation, teamwork, and other essential job skills through individualized training and hands-on support.Beyond the café, Sound Life Connections offers social programming, vocational training, community activities, and opportunities for individuals to build friendships and strengthen their connections within the community.Through The WAVE and its mobile gelato truck, the organization brings inclusive employment and community engagement to local events, businesses, and celebrations.Together, Sound Life Connections and The WAVE are working to create a community where everyone has a place, a purpose, and the opportunity to make positive WAVES.

Our YMCA is a membership organization open to all people. The YMCA welcomes individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities and financial circumstances. Programs and branches embrace diversity, reflecting the needs and composition of our community.Located on the shoreline, the Soundview Family YMCA opened its doors in 2010 to expand the reach of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA. Exercise, aquatics, summer camp, family programming…we’ve got it all!

To collect, archive, maintain, and exhibit to the public manuscripts, pictures, objects, artifacts, memorabilia items that reflect the history culture and community of Stony Creek, Connecticut and the Thimble islands. Although we are only open from May to October - We are always looking for docents, and advisory board members, as well as volunteers that are interested in helping with events year round.

Who We Are The United Way of Greater New Haven is a non-profit organization that was founded 105 years ago to support the needs of our community. Today, we serve a 12-town region, covering New Haven, Orange, Woodbridge, Bethany, Hamden, West Haven, East Haven, North Haven, Branford, Guilford, North Branford, and Madison. Our Mission We bring people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven's most pressing challenges in the areas of Healthy Food and Stable Housing, Thriving Children, and Financial Security, grounded in racial and social justice. Our Vision Our vision is a Greater New Haven where all children are nurtured, all families are thriving, and all community members have opportunities to reach their full potential.

Founded in 1989, Vista Life Innovations (Vista) began as a small post-secondary nonprofit organization and has since evolved into a nationally recognized, fully accredited service provider.Vista has been a vital part of the Connecticut shoreline community for more than 35 years and has supported hundreds of individuals (18+) with disabilities since its inception.Today, Vista serves about 200 individuals with disabilities who live independently in more than 100 households, representing nearly 60 Connecticut communities and 19 states nationwide.With a focus on person-centered services, community integration, and lifelong learning, Vista is dedicated to creating pathways for individuals to thrive.

Women & Family Life Center (WFLC) has been supporting women and all families along the Connecticut Shoreline for more than 35 years. We provide free, confidential services, education, and community connection to help people navigate challenging life transitions and move forward with greater stability and confidence.Through programs including Guided Assistance Pathways (GAP), financial consultations, educational programs, support groups, and community resources, WFLC connects participants with personalized guidance and practical support based on their individual needs.Our services are available at no additional cost to participants and are designed to create an accessible, welcoming place where people can find support, explore their options, and take their next step.WFLC serves communities throughout the Connecticut Shoreline, including Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, North Branford/Northford, North Haven, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.Our Mission To support and empower women and all families during challenging life transitions.Our Vision Communities where women and all families are free from violence and harassment, are economically and emotionally secure, and have access to equitable opportunities.Get Involved Volunteers and community partners are an important part of WFLC. Whether supporting events, programs, outreach, or other initiatives, volunteers help us strengthen connections and expand our impact throughout the communities we serve.