|
|
Community |
|
|
Community |
|
The community of Greenwich is not just its common location. More than geography, residents working together, unify our town. They take part in neighborhood associations, community centers, newcomer clubs, library programs, Chamber of Commerce and service clubs. Many of these groups provide a tie to the historical development of our town and help identify community needs. It is through these groups that our town’s future is being formed. Take part and volunteer. You will discover how many good ideas occur when folks gather together.
Byram Archibald Neighborhood
Center (BANC) In 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Archibald donated and converted this building into a nonprofit, neighborhood community center. Today, the BANC has wonderful programs for children. Activities include BANC Summer Camp, a two-hour after school program through the Greenwich Department of Social Services and youth sports programs (a football program, with different divisions for ages 8-14, and two baseball teams). Adult volunteers who enjoy working with children are always welcome. Banksville Community House This community center sponsors recreational and educational programs for the Banksville area of Greenwich. There is a Banksville Community House Summer Camp as well as several sports programs. Volunteers are needed for weekend special events between October and May. Community Answers This is the ultimate resource for finding out anything about Greenwich. Just call and a very helpful volunteer will find an answer to your question. Offer to be a volunteer with this fine group and you will not only provide a great service to our town, you will quickly discover the incredible resources of Greenwich. Volunteers are needed to answer questions based on information stored in the database. Community Outreach Volunteer Network Eastern Greenwich Civic Center The Greenwich Chamber speaks for more than 4800 businesses and has an active membership of nearly 800. Members represent all business categories in town; they promote their businesses by attending numerous monthly networking events, educational programs or by becoming involved with a Chamber committee. Volunteers help the Chamber to fulfill its vision: "The Greenwich Chamber of Commerce will be the leader in promoting economic vitality throughout Greenwich," and its mission: "...to promote the well being of all businesses within Greenwich while maintaining the town’s residential integrity and enhancing quality of life."
Greenwich Hispanic Center for Individual Development The mission of this wonderful group is to help Spanish speaking people become integrated into our community through education and support services. Volunteers are needed to teach basic, intermediate and advanced English, and to teach computer skills. Volunteers are also needed to help people know more about their community and its resources and to learn needed living skills. Greenwich Jaycees/Junior Chamber of Commerce This nonprofit leadership training organization for young people promotes the development of personal and leadership skills through local community service. Membership is open to all young women and men, 21 through 39 years of age, who are interested in developing themselves while helping their community. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month. This group has a good time working together on fund raising events for worthy charities in Greenwich. They organize the annual Greenwich Road Rally, www.greenwichroadrally.com, Great support is given to the Community Centers, Inc. Jaycees lift children’s spirits by taking kids ice skating, to ball games or holiday shopping.Greenwich Kiwanis Club Since 1941, this local chapter of the Kiwanis Club has provided services and funds to programs for children and families in our town. They give tremendous support to special programs for children. The Club welcomes new members to help with various charities and children in Greenwich. Weekly meetings are held on Thursdays at 12:15. The public is invited to attend along with members. There are two annual antique shows in March and October sponsored by the Club as fund raisers for the projects they support. Greenwich Library
Our libraries are conveniently located in various Greenwich neighborhoods. Besides being an incredible resource for books and information, they are a community center-buzzing with activity. Volunteers are needed as tutors, reading buddies, mentors and art docents. Volunteers are also needed to "adopt" a small section of shelves and arrange books. Join the Friends of Greenwich library. The Friends help raise money for the library and handle special events. Once a month they meet to have a companionable morning together, stuffing envelopes for the monthly mailing of "Keep Posted", the Library’s newsletter. Greenwich Women’s Civic Club Founded in 1945, this is one of the oldest minority civic service organizations in the area. This is a group of volunteers dedicated to raising funds to provide scholarships for minority students and to provide support for seniors and shut-ins. Meetings are at Quarry Knolls community room on the third Monday evening of each month. Japanese Volunteer Group (KALMIA) This is an especially helpful women’s service club. Japanese women in Greenwich help Japanese newcomers get involved in volunteer activities in town. This club has also developed a very strong communication system within the public schools, which helps confirm that announcements, such as snow delays, etc., are received by all members. Volunteers publish a newsletter twice a year as well as Japanese pamphlets. Junior League of Greenwich Monday-Friday, 9:00-2:00 So many of the fine charitable organizations, actively helping Greenwich families, were the creation of the Junior League. For over 42 years this amazing group of volunteers has identified needs in our town and worked together to develop programs to address these needs. The projects are well organized and when ready, turned over to an existing community organization as ongoing programs. Adult Day Care, Community Answers, Domestic Abuse Service, Greenwich Skatepark, Kids in Crises, to name only a few, were programs started by the Junior League. The League, long known for its excellent training and good fellowship, welcomes membership by Greenwich women who are interested in volunteering and community service. Greenwich Newcomers Clubs Greenwich Newcomers and Neighbors (GNNC) This club, which is part of the Greenwich YWCA, brings together new and existing residents in town to take part in community events. They have created a variety of special interest groups for members to participate in, including Book Clubs, a Gourmet Dinner Club, and Playgroups for children. Not only is this a great way to meet your neighbors, but when you join GNNC, you also receive a one-year YWCA membership. Your membership in the YWCA supports the key foundations of the organization and provides access to a range of services and programs, including fitness facilities, childcare and educational programs.
Old Greenwich-Riverside Newcomers Club (OGRNC) This is a very special club open to all Greenwich residents. Members include not only those who have recently moved to the area, but anyone who has experienced a change in life such as marriage, a new baby, retirement, empty nest, etc. As with the GNNC, this club also has a variety of special interests groups that are very popular. These groups include a Craft Circle, Fitness Walking around Tod’s Point, International Cooking, Ladies Golf, New and Expectant Moms, Museum Group, Movie Group, and more. Members receive a monthly newsletter, which is very informative. Lions Club of Old Greenwich This is a congenial group of men and women who meet every Thursday afternoon at 12:15 at Lucas Restaurant in Greenwich. The Lions’ motto is "We Serve," and they do! They work with Lions Clubs around the world to help fight the battle against blindness. Along with other clubs in the area, they have opened the Greenwich Low Vision Center, which provides low vision social and rehabilitative support services as well as counseling and aid for people in our community. Annually, they collect over 3,000 pairs of eyeglasses to distribute to those in need. They raise money for worthy projects, both locally and internationally. This is a growing organization, and volunteers are very welcome. Lions Club of Western Greenwich This is a local chapter of the international service club dedicated to helping the blind. Membership is open to any citizen in town. Meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:15 at the Tarry Lodge in neighboring Port Chester, NY. Greenwich Rotary Club This club is a chapter of the international organization of business and professional men and women who assist in service projects locally and around the world. Each year, the Greenwich Rotary supports 10 to 15 organizations addressing needs such as hunger, literacy, youth development or eldercare. The Club sponsors Medishare, a program to recycle used medical equipment from Greenwich Hospital and other healthcare facilities to the developing countries. Membership is by invitation but interested people are urged to contact the Club. Lunch meetings are held weekly. Rotary Club of Byram-Cos Cob This club is a chapter of the international organization of business and professional men and women who assist in service projects locally and around the world. The club meets every week on Mondays at 6:00pm at Luca’s Restaurant. Their annual event is the automobile show in July. Western Greenwich Civic Center Foundation This private public partnership with the town of Greenwich is actively raising funds for the restoration of the Western Greenwich Civic Center. The goal is to create a first class recreational facility that will accommodate a variety of community programs. Volunteers are needed to organize and chair future events. Greenwich Continuing Education www.greenwichschools.org/gce Visit on-line or call immediately for the catalog of classes being presented by this nonprofit arm of the Greenwich Public School System. You will discover all kinds of interesting classes, in subjects covering computers, cooking, language, fitness and hobbies as well as English as a Second Language and other courses that help adults in our community learn needed skills for everyday life. Consider volunteering for Greenwich Continuing Education either by teaching a course or assisting during the registration period. Greenwich Family YMCA The Greenwich Family YMCA seeks volunteer assistance to supplement various program and membership activities. Volunteers are encouraged to share their special skills and enhance the quality of the programs. YWCA of Greenwich
Provided as a public service by Anderson Associates, Greenwich Real Estate Specialists, 164 Mason Street (203) 629-4519 and 1 Glenville Street (203) 531-6300. Free Booklets are available at either office. |
