VOLUNTEERING AT PROJECT LEARN 

is energizing and rewarding

 Volunteers play a vital role in life at The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport.  Local men and women contribute time in many, many ways including serving on our board of directors and advisory committees, and working alongside staff in one of our programs.  Project Learn, our after-school academic program for city elementary school children, holds a particularly special place in the hearts of volunteers, many of whom have given of their time and talent for years. 

Virginia L. Dean of Fairfield has been a Project Learn volunteer for more than a decade.  This mother of three teenagers finds time to serve on the Project learn Advisory Committee and to “roll up her sleeves” in order to jump into gumdrops and icing- right up to her elbows- by making gingerbread houses with the children at the holidays..

“I just plain love doing things with the kids,” she says, “whether it’s creating an Easter Egg tree or a Gingerbread House for Christmas, or planting bulbs for Spring.”  

Virginia  helped found the after-school program many years ago at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bridgeport.  She spent many afternoons there helping older children with homework and reading to the younger ones.  Her volunteer efforts also included helping with fundraising among local churches and individuals that she knew through school, church, and every day life in Fairfield. 

“Most of my interest in volunteering stems from the belief that one person can make a big difference, “she said.  “Sometimes just the undivided attention of an interested, caring adult can open young minds to new possibilities.” 

Virginia says that she was drawn to Project Learn because as a mother she is very aware of gap in what public schools can do for any child, particularly in a city such as Bridgeport.  She clearly enjoys her time with Project Learn.

 “Being around the children is so energizing and so rewarding, whether it’s reading a book to one child or helping a dozen kids plant tulips.  Knowing that I can help while enjoying the laughter of children makes it all worth while.”

 For information on how you can make a difference to a Bridgeport elementary school child, please contact Sean Campbell at seancampbell@ccgb.org or call him at The Council office at 334.1121, X-244.

VOLUNTEERS KNIT!

The Council’s Project Learn Program give thanks for The Knitting Ladies from 3030 Park (aka The Watermark) whose flying needles produce mountains of hats and mittens to keep Project Learn children warm when the cold wind blows!

Their creativity isn’t limited to knitting!  With a bit of imagination and reorganization, the colorful pile in front of them turned into Max, the Mitten Man!

Pictured from left to right:  Jennie Ross, Leah Blumenfeld, Patricia Donath, Leonette Wishard, Marian Weldon, Margaret McElroy, Fran Barry, Eunice Trefry, Tillie Faulkner and Sonya Shopic.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

When people give their best, The Council does its best.