Make Lasting Holiday Memories With These 5 Volunteer Opportunities In New Haven

NEW HAVEN, CT — Volunteering is a meaningful way to connect with neighbors in New Haven and make lasting holiday memories for both yourself and the people you help.

Volunteering also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and purpose, leading to a more vibrant, resilient, and engaged community with a higher quality of life.

Many of the organizations that make life better in New Haven depend on volunteers.

Here are five ways to volunteer in New Haven:

Columbus House: The non-profit shelter has been offering solutions to homelessness since 1982. It notes that more than 1,000 volunteers stand ready to help, "doing everything from serving meals to painting and general office help. "Without a dedicated core of volunteers, Columbus House would be unable to provide the scope of services currently offered," it notes. Among the volunteer opportunities is to serve a meal. To learn more, contact Sheree, Volunteer Coordinator, at 203-401-4400 x138 or sdimario@columbushouse.org

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen: Meal prep, receiving deliveries, organizing our stockroom, distributing pantry bags or dinner, hosting at our Drop-in Center: DESK has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Activities take place in multiple locations in Downtown New Haven: 260 State St., 266 State St., 57 Olive St., and the New Haven Green. For more information, and/or to sign up, click here.

New Haven Reads. New 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. The organization says that, "Volunteers are the heart and soul of New Haven Reads." And they are always accepting new applications for literacy tutors, book bank helpers and field trip volunteers who, as one of their tasks, read stories to children. Learn more and apply here.

Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers of Greater New Haven: Noting it is "one of the only providers of free medical transportation in Connecticut and as such, we are a critical part of the medical infrastructure," its medical drivers provide door-to-door transport for clients. And a separate team of volunteers delivers free groceries to seniors in New Haven County weekly. And there are myriad other volunteer opportunities including assisting with all sorts of activities including multiple opportunities within programs ranging from Durable Medical Equipment (Mae's Closet), Diapers 4 Dignity, Cultivating Connections (social cohesion), Experience Corps (literacy program) and more. To learn more, click here.

Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter: According to the non-profit, "Volunteers are always needed, and it can be a fulfilling experience." You must be at least 18, able to work independently, and able to read cage cards. A minimum 12-month commitment of at least 8 hours a month, either socializing cats or dogs, walking dogs, or helping out in other aspects, is required. For more information and/or to apply, click here.