Warning: This listing is no longer actively maintained. The information below is likely to be out of date.

Mission statement: To partner with individuals, families, organizations and communities to successfully meet life's challenges and opportunities.

Description:
Family and Children's Agency provides an array of services to the community, including adoption, foster care, counseling, substance abuse treatment, parenting programs, outreach to homeless individuals, programs for the elderly, and programming for young people. FCA is one of the largest social service agencies in Fairfield County and serves people from every sect of society.

Family & Children's Agency is looking for volunteers willing to make a long term commitment (minimum 1 year) to mentor a youth in need of positive attention from a trusting role model. Mentors commit to meeting one-on-one with a specific child each week (days and times are flexible and may vary week to week). Mentors are positive role models that provide the chance for children to experience various activities, understand others' perspectives and lifestyles, and explore new interests. Mentors are truly "Big Friends" and are encouraged to do what friends do: go hiking with their mentee, play sports, bake cookies, go to the movies, pack a picnic and go to the beach, etc. FCA encourages free or low cost outings and often sponsors group activities & events where mentors can meet with other adults volunteering in the same capacity. Staff members provide support & supervision throughout the length of the mentoring relationship.

FCA has three mentoring programs for youth:

Project Friendship - est. in 1974, Project Friendship matches adults with children age 6-14 who need a positive role model.

Junior Project Friendship - est. in 1984, JPF matches Juniors & Seniors in high school with children 6-12 who need a positive role model.

Project COMPASS (children of offenders mentoring program provides services & support) - est. 2004 for children 6-14 who have a parent incarcerated.

Requirements include: genuine interest in children, a desire to help make a difference in a children's life, and ability to make a weekly commitment. Diversity in race, age and experience is welcomed and appreciated. * Volunteers who contact FCA via e-mail are encouraged to provide a phone number as we have had some difficulty with e-mails being returned to us.

History:
Over the years, FCA has expanded from a small independent office used to provide counseling services to one of the largest non-profit social service agencies in the area. Youth mentoring programs, specifically, have been successfully organized at FCA since 1974 and continue to grow to this day.

Contact person: Jennifer Barahona, Director, Center For Youth Development, (phone), (email)

Address:

9 Mott Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850 (See a map)

Web Site: http://familyandchildrensagency.org

Directions:

FCA is conveniently located in the heart of Norwalk off of West Avenue. Directions from I-95 or the Merritt Parkway can be found at www.mapquest.com or www.familyandchildrensagency.org FCA offices are on the 4th floor at 9 Mott Ave.   Nearest Bus Stop: Wheels Bus, Wall Street, 1 minute walk