St. Luke's Lifeworks has been assisting the homeless of lower Fairfield County since the late 1800s and provides the only shelter for women, children and families in the city of Stamford. With 10 locations throughout the area—the Franklin St. location is considered the main office—St. Luke's Lifeworks also assists those living with HIV/AIDS and dealing with mental illness. This non-profit organization provides a variety of temporary and permanent housing options for those in need as well as programs for youths in need of academic, mental and emotional assistance. St Luke's relies on thousands of hours of volunteer services as well as donations from the community in order to serve those in need.
The Franklin S. Dubois Center is part of the Community Outpatient Services Division of Connecticut. This particular branch is based in downtown Stamford on Summer Street and serves all of Fairfield County. Services are for any person, insured or not, living in the area that have behavioral disorders. Programs offered include clinical case management, assertive community treatment and jail diversion. The branch also assists the homeless and has an emergency hotline.
Located within Stillwater Avenue's Westover Elementary School, the Westover Family Resource Center is available to parents interested in active participation in their children's learning. Run by program coordinator Wendy Lesperance, the Center organizes resources that include toddler and preschool playgroups, childcare (both full-time and before/after school), workshops for parents and childcare providers and adult education. The Westover Family Resource Center Program is part of the ROSCCO Stamford School Community Organization, a non-profit founded in 1975 to provide school-based direct service, recreational, educational, enrichment and cultural activities for Stamford families.
Stamford Senior Center is a nonprofit organization and community center offering many programs for seniors in the community. Membership is open for seniors 50 years and older and includes fitness programs, recreation programs and meals. Some options include games, cards, pool, yoga, tai shi, movies, wellness programs, blood screenings, dominos, computer programs, and much more. It also offers transportation programs. Check the main website for details on programs or for information on joining.
Domus House is a charitable organization that gives at risk youth a chance in life. This particular facility is a group home located on Washington Boulevard between Pulaski and Atlantic Street. Some of their core principals include treating children with respect and teaching them how to reciprocate, as well as showing them how loving relationships can change their outlook on life. The program also offers special services including community programs, academic assistance, job skills, placement and much more. Please visit the web site for more details.
A private, members-only social club located in Springdale, Glenbrook Athletic Club is a haven for athletically minded individuals. Members include amateur and professional athletes, and the club supports local youth athletics and community programs in the area.
The Italian Center of Stamford (IC) serves Stamford and the surrounding towns with numerous recreational and educational activities for people of all ages. The club is located on twenty-eight acres of land in North Stamford.
A general membership provides individuals and families with access to an indoor pool, three outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts, an indoor gym and a miniature golf course. The athletic department hosts personal-training sessions, a swim team and birthday parties. There's also a men's club, which offers its members exclusive locker rooms, steam rooms and golf outings.
General members also receive discounts on IC's licensed Nursery School and Kiddie Camp for three to six-year olds. Day Camp is for children entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Extended hours are also available.
IC runs a banquet and conference center for weddings, corporate affairs and other special events. IC can accommodate up to 600 guests, and clients have three spacious rooms to choose from. IC also hosts outdoor events on its picnic grounds. Invited guests have exclusive access to a pool, tennis courts and other amenities.
The Franklin S. Dubois Center serves the Southern Connecticut region as a division of outpatient services. This particular branch of the organization is located on Glenbrook Road near the corner of East Main Street only minutes from the city center. The center offers services including the treatment of persons living with severe behavioral disorders regardless of insurance status. Helpful programs include emergency assistance, prevention, health promotion and employment services among many others. Please call for more details.
Activities for Kids, located at the Glenbrook Community Center, offers children ages two through 12 various pre-school (Playschool), after-school and summer camp options. Founded in 1983 by executive director Jerry Pia, Activities for Kids provides a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, engage in various physical activities or find a quiet place to study after school.
The Playschool—for children ages two through five—offers classes from 9am - noon or from noon - 3pm. Summer sessions are also available for those enrolled. The after-school program for children ages five through 12 is from 2:30pm until 5:30pm with extended hours until 6pm. Summer camp for children in this age group is also available from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
Transportation is provided for those who need it from schools in the area. Activities for Kids also offers additional holiday and vacation programs to further accommodate working parents.
The Minturnese Social Club was established in 1939 and currently serves as a gathering place for people whose families emigrated from Minturno -- a lovely Italian city that sits on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Located in Stamford's East Side on Hope Street between Viaduct Road and Riverbend Drive South, the members of this tight-knit group come from all walks of life and their family oriented way of life is the mark of Italian tradition. Over 100 members strong, patrons usually gather once a month for dinner extravaganzas or special occasions including Festa de la Regna which is translated as the Festival of Wheat. The Minturnese also meet up regularly for Bocce Ball Night where homemade wine and steak sandwiches are also served. Contact Sebastiano Cardillo for more information.
Glenbrook Community Center, which operated as Glenbrook School until the 1920s, is the site of multiple organizations, including Activities for Kids, which offers children ages 2-12 various pre-school (Playschool), after-school and summer camp options and the Re-Al Club, which offers assistance with alcohol accidition, as well as various exercise classes for senior citizens and Zumba lovers.
The community center at Bayview Towers, an apartment complex, includes two play areas and a common room. The play areas are for residents only, and feature recycled rubber flooring. The common room can be reserved by phone or in person.
Also known as the Stamford Corps Community Center, the Salvation Army on Selleck St. offers a unique combination of church and social services for the West side of the city. In addition to offering church services for adults and children, Salvation Army also holds various events and fundraisers throughout Stamford to benefit underpriviledged families. Salvation Army depends on volunteers to assemble food baskets during the holiday season and assist with various youth activities that include field trips and music lessons.
The Chester Addison Community Center is part of the DOMUS organization and serves the children of Stamford's Waterside area. The facility is located in the Southwood Square neighborhood, which is home to more than 200 children alone. Programs offered include education, health, technology, financial literacy and more. The staff also helps with employment and all-around life skills as well as mentoring and community service. Other programs and events can be taken advantage of as well. See its website for more information.
CTE is a designated community action agency that works to challenge poverty for the low income residents in the Stamford area. It offers programs to promote education, for families, for the community's youth and for workforce development. Donations of goods, services, money and other contributions can be made to the agency.