3 Ways to Get Involved in the Local Greenwich CT Community
As a Greenwich native, I have a deep love and appreciation for our town. As a CT realtor, I have been fortunate enough to meet and build relationships with everyone who loves Greenwich as much as I do.
When people ask me why I love living here, I always say the people are what make this town so special. There’s a reason for that: Greenwich is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Connecticut, in large part because of the close-knit community.
The absolute best way to get involved in Greenwich is by giving back. Start by finding an organization that is important to you, and the rest is simple. Here are three of my recommendations if you’re looking to get started:
The Boys and Girls Club Greenwich
Photo: Greenwich Time
The Boys and Girls Club Greenwich aims to prepare young people, through enrichment opportunities and programs, to be responsible, caring, and supportive community members. With over $310,000 given in scholarships and 50+ programs offered, the organization’s sizable impact is felt throughout town.
I chose to sponsor the Boys and Girls Club because my younger brother grew up going to the Greenwich club. I saw how much he loved it, and I welcomed the opportunity to give back to the organization that offers so much to our community.
This year, the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich and Storybooth are offering a modern approach to supporting our children’s emotional needs and challenges. With four kids of my own, the emotional health and wellbeing of our children is something that I would like to see prioritized more.
Over 37% of students reported poor mental health, and over 44% reported persistent sadness or hopelessness. To combat this, schools and after-school programs have been implemented to support students.
Storybooth, founded in Greenwich CT, is helping to bring Social Emotional Learning Workshops to the Boys and Girls Club this spring. Using storytelling to build empathy, connection, and compassion, Storybooth explores stories of bullying, social media, mental health, and more. This spring, they’ll be covering the following topics:
Mental health awareness
Social dynamics
School pressure
Bullying and peer pressure
World events
The Boys and Girls Club has serviced Greenwich for over 100 years, and I’m so excited to play a larger part in it this year! For more information, visit the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich website.
Greenwich Youth Conservation Program (GYCP) and Greenwich Youth Corp.
If you’re looking for a way to get your teens more involved in the community, then the Greenwich Youth Conservation Program (GYCP) is a great place to start. It’s one of the most popular programs with kids in the area, drawing in hundreds of applicants each year.
The GYCP teaches 112 youth, ages 14 to 15, to help preserve the town and learn valuable life skills. Four groups spend two-week sessions doing outdoor activities and projects at Greenwich parks, nature preserves and other facilities in town. This is a great option to get involved, as well as explore all of the gorgeous Greenwich landscapes. Most of the work sites are popular green spaces in Greenwich, including:
Babcock Trails
Bruce Park
Tod’s Point
Byram Beach
Most participants in the GYCP continue on to join the Greenwich Youth Corp, an additional work opportunity for teens ages 16 to 17. Selected from their work in GYCP, two groups take part in this partnership with Greenwich Land Trust.
All stipends are provided by community donations – if you’d like to donate, head to the Greenwich Youth Conservation Program website.
Greenwich United Way
A trusted partner organization of the Greenwich community for over 85 years, Greenwich United Way focuses on offering solutions in the areas of education, financial stability, and health.
Over the last decade, they’ve provided over $20 million to partner initiatives, which are also amazing ways to get involved. Within the last year, over $1,000,000 in grants have been made to local organizations, such as:
American Red Cross, Metro NY Chapter (disaster services training)
Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich (after-school programs)
Family Centers, Inc. (childcare, counseling, & tutoring)
Neighbor to Neighbor (food and clothing for those in need)
River House/Greenwich Adult Day Care (support for seniors, care givers, & families)
To check out the different volunteer opportunities, head to the Greenwich United Way website.
A town is only as amazing as the people in it, and Greenwich CT lucked out in all departments! This town is overflowing with individuals who care about their fellow neighbors, making it one of the best places to live and raise a family.
I’ve lived in Greenwich for my whole life, and I’m so proud to be a part of such a caring, close-knit community. Being able to give back is a great way to get involved in Greenwich.
If you need more information on life in Greenwich CT, I’m more than happy to share my knowledge! Reach out below:
