Wilton’s St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is having an Outreach Fair for local volunteer organizations and public service agencies this Sunday, Sept. 25 beginning at 11:30 a.m., The fair is open to the public, and is intended to create awareness of need and opportunities in the local Wilton and Fairfield County communities, and to connect volunteers to those agencies.

There will be 12 non-profit agencies at tables in the church’s courtyard with representatives available to talk about volunteer opportunities. Those organizations scheduled to be at the fair are:

General individual/family resources for those in need

  • Homes with Hope:  “Homes with Hope’s mission is to support the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness in the communities we serve by providing food, safe emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and the case management needed to achieve a more independent and self-sufficient life.”
  • Person-to-Person:  “Person-to-Person is a community-supported agency that provides emergency assistance for basic needs, and support for individuals and families as they move towards stability. Our Vision:  Communities of financially-stable, hunger-free homes, with educational opportunities for all.”
  • Wi-ACT:  Wilton’s Interfaith Action Committee

Children’s Needs

  • St. John’s Family Center: “Started by an associate rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bridgeport, the Family Center has been serving the needs of Bridgeport families for fourteen years. When it first began, the Center provided playgroups and parenting classes. With a very limited budget, in 2010 they served over 7,000 meals to needy families through their community supper program, provided more than 70,000 meals from their emergency food pantry, touched the lives of 400 children through programs and holiday celebrations, and supplied food and clothing to 410 families in crisis. They also have a computer lab (soon to be updated, thanks to our grant!), and offer ESL and Citizenship classes.”
  • George W. Carver House:  “Founded in 1938 as a neighborhood community center, named the 2013-14 “Nonprofit of the Year” by the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Carver today is the largest provider of after-school programs for middle and high school students in Norwalk, CT.”
  • Family Re-Entry:  “Our mission is to lead in the development and delivery of effective solutions that empower individuals and strengthen families impacted by the criminal justice system.”

Provisions for Homes

  • Habitat for Humanity:  “Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) seeks to build community and to improve lives by partnering with low-income families, community volunteers and donors to build decent and affordable homes in stable and welcoming neighborhoods.”
  • Homefront: “HomeFront is a community-based, volunteer-driven home repair program that provides FREE repairs to low-income homeowners, thus enabling them to remain in their homes with an improved quality of life. Currently serving Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven Counties in Connecticut; and Westchester County, New York.”

Helping those with Addictions

  • Pivot Ministries:  “Founded in 1970, Pivot Ministries is a residential treatment program located in Bridgeport and Norwalk, CT. The Pivot process is faith-based. We are a nonprofit agency with four decades of successful experience assisting men challenged by alcohol and substance abuse. Pivot’s mission is to treat drug and alcohol addiction as a spiritual problem and return the men to their families usefully whole.”
  • Open Door:  “Our mission is to effectively address the causes and complexities of the homeless and working poor by providing shelter, food, clothing, case management services, treatment services, transitional planning for short and long term goals, subsidized housing, education, employment, and a path towards independence and success. We provide shelter nightly with over 95 beds in our facility located at 4 Merritt St. From this same facility we operate the Manna House kitchen and pantry. We serve meals three times a day (over 20,000 per month) and provide boxed and canned goods to the working poor to help them make ends meet. Between the kitchen and the pantry, we provide approximately 60,000 meals per month to individuals and families in our community. We also operate a number of private residences, providing supportive housing to those who are working and earning an income, but unable to afford housing in the area.”

Urgent Women/Family Needs

  • Mercy Learning Center:  “The mission of Mercy Learning Center (MLC) is to provide basic literacy and life skills training to low-income women using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.”
  • Wilton Social Services:  “The mission of the Wilton Department of Social Services is to meet the social and psychological needs of Wilton residents of all ages. This is accomplished by providing information and referrals regarding local, state and federal social service programs, financial assistance, short term counseling, and by sponsoring the Wilton Senior Center and community programs for all ages. Wilton Youth Services is also part of the Wilton Social Services. The Department works closely with other town departments to provide assistance and support to Wilton residents. During an emergency event, Wilton Social Services is part of the town’s Emergency Management Team. An emergency contact list is maintained for seniors and disabled persons.”

Elder Care

  • Elder House:  “ElderHouse, a not-for-profit adult day center, serves seniors in Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. ElderHouse has been a part of the senior community for more than 35 years, helping older adults to remain living in their own homes, and delivering peace of mind to caregivers.
    ElderHouse is a safe, active and caring place where seniors can spend their days involved in activities, returning home to their families in the evening. Older adults benefit from active engagement, health monitoring and individualized care. Caregivers benefit from reliable, affordable, high-quality services for their loved one. The result is better health and wellbeing for families in our communities.”

Miscellaneous

  • Covenant to Care:  “Covenant to Care for Children channels the generosity of caring and faithful people to advocate for, and provide direct assistance to Connecticut’s children who are neglected, abused and/or impoverished.”
  • Bridgeport Rescue:  “Bridgeport Rescue Mission fights poverty from the inside out as we embrace the urban poor and addicted with the compassion of Christ, offering hope and healing for a changed life. Our Vision:  To excel in the provision of food, shelter, clothing, education, job training and residential discipleship for the urban poor and addicted.”
  • The Turnover Shop:  Wilton consignment store. “Proceeds are donated to the Wilton school Parent Teacher Association and to Nursing and Home Care. Over $1 million has been given over to charity!”