Opportunities From: United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

We are currently looking for individuals to help in Freshplace, our onsite fresh food pantry, which provides nutritious food and case management services to individuals and families living in the poorest neighborhoods in Hartford.

We are looking for individuals who are able to come in for their regularly scheduled shift. Volunteers must be 18 or older, able to lift at least 30 pounds and fully vaccinated.

Responsibilities may include:

Unloading and sorting donated food, organizing pantry shelves Helping food pantry members shop Assisting with pre-weekend clean-up

Where: Freshplace, Chrysalis Center, 255 Homestead Ave, Hartford, CT

When: Tuesdays- Friday  (Dates and shift times vary based upon vacancy)

All volunteers must be over the age of 18 and full vaccinated.

Chrysalis Center is a private, non-profit, socially innovative, multiservice organization that serves individuals and their families living in the State of Connecticut. Chrysalis Center helps those living in poverty, Veterans, men, women, children, and young adults who are struggling with mental health, addiction, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and those returning from incarceration.

For more information, please contact Chelsey Logan at clogan@chrysaliscenterct.org. 

Through our Recovery and Empowerment Center (REC), individuals receive a variety of social, recreational and wellness opportunities. Chrysalis is always looking for volunteers who are willing to share their talents and teach a class to help clients learn how to live a better life in recovery. Classes are scheduled on a weekly basis around the volunteer’s availability. Class subjects may include, but are not limited to, reading comprehension, cooking, health & wellness, sewing, computer literacy, and recovery programming.

Age Qualification: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers will be supported by a Chrysalis Center staff member during their class.

Time Frame: Classes are scheduled Monday- Friday between the hours of 9-3pm. We ask volunteer to commit to a weekly class schedule to create a stable and empowering experience for participants.

Throughout the year Chrysalis Center hosts a variety of events to assist in raising funds to support our mission. Tasks include, but are not limited to, registration and check out, serving, greeting, and other duties as needed.

Age Qualification: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Time Frame: Events are scheduled throughout the year, typically held on weekday evenings with the occasional weekend event. Volunteer times vary depending on the event and assigned tasks.

Companies and organizations have the opportunity to come together to help the community while team building. Chrysalis Center will work with your group to find the best project fit based for your interests, group size and desired schedule.

Here are just a few ways groups can help:

Volunteer in our Freshplace Food Pantry to help to provide a heartfelt experience for our program participants. Get down and dirty by helping in our outdoor gardens. Volunteers will help to plant, harvest, and maintain our raised bed gardens and outdoor plantings. Help at one of Chrysalis Center’s signature events; Empty Bowls , Butterfly Bash, Turkey Distribution Day and other events throughout the year. Host a donation drive to benefit Chrysalis Center Clients. Host a barbeque or activity night at one of Chrysalis Center’s housing locations for their residents.

Age Qualification: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Time Frame: Group volunteer days are typically scheduled Monday- Friday between the hours of 8-4pm. Groups will be scheduled though the Volunteer & Outreach Manager based on size, project type and availability. Weekend and evening opportunities are available.

Chrysalis Center has gardens at its main campus, and a two-acre food forest at Cosgrove Commons, our supportive housing site, both located in Hartford. The gardens help clients learn how to harvest and grow their own foods, as well as make them available for Freshplace, the Homestead Farmers’ Market and La Cocina Catering. Volunteers help the gardens thrive by assisting with planting and harvesting produce, as well as general upkeep.  

Age Qualification: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

Time Frame: Shifts are scheduled Monday- Friday between the hours of 9-3pm. We ask volunteers to commit to a weekly shift to help maintain a garden schedule throughout the May- October season. Weekend opportunities are also available.

An open-air, Connecticut-grown farmers’ market is open to the public from June through October, located on Chrysalis’ main campus in Hartford. The market offers vegetables and fruits culturally relevant to the community, featuring produce grown on-site in Chrysalis Center’s raised bed gardens, Urban Roots hydroponically grown vegetables, as well as produce from local community farmers. During the markets open hours, volunteers help provide customers with an exceptional shopping experience, and represent Chrysalis Center helping to grow relationships within the community.

Age Qualifications:  Volunteers must be atleast 18 years of age.

Time Frame: The Farmer’s Market is open on Wednesdays June- October. We ask volunteers to commit to a weekly shift to help run a successful weekly market.

Chrysalis Center is a private, non-profit, socially innovative, multiservice organization that serves individuals and their families living in the State of Connecticut. Chrysalis Center helps those living in poverty, veterans, men, women, children, and young adults who are struggling with mental health, addiction, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and those returning from incarceration.

Individuals who live in our supportive housing sites and those whose families pick up food from Freshplace, our food pantry, or participate in other Chrysalis Center programs need your help. Due to inflation the cost is basic living items are needed more now then ever! Hosting a Food Drive, or another type of collective drive for Chrysalis Center clients is a wonderful way to volunteer and give back to help others! We are in need of food & toiletry items, and toys for kids.

 

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Irene Mackey at Imackey@chrysaliscenterct.org for more information. The donations would need to be mailed to or dropped off at Chrysalis Center, Inc. 255 Homestead Avenue, P.O. Box 320613, Hartford, CT 06132.

Thank you so much for considering this virtual opportunity!