The Stanwich School has been named Volunteers of the Month by Kids in Crisis for June 2009.  Each year, The Stanwich School Advisory Group, led by faculty advisor Jerome Murphy, selects a commitment and compassion project for the coming academic term.  After researching and interviewing several local organizations, the group chose to support Kids in Crisis beginning in Fall 2008.  Since then, Stanwich School students have made dinner on a regular basis for the Agency’s Teen House residents – no small task, cooking for up to 15 people – including meal planning, shopping, cooking and delivering the food.  Additionally, the students have hosted several fundraisers to support other needs at the emergency shelter, including a bake sale and make-your-own-sundae fundraiser to purchase gift cards to several popular area restaurants, a wonderful treat for children staying in the Kids in Crisis temporary shelters.

“Our children quickly became invested in the year-round project to help Kids in Crisis,” says Jerome Murphy.   “They quickly came together to work for a greater cause. Their efforts were bolstered by the kindness of the staff at Kids in Crisis; their commitment to improving the lives of children is inspiring to all of us.”  According to Mr. Murphy, the group’s support of Kids in Crisis reinforced an important lesson for each of the students:  “It often doesn’t take much to improve the lives of others.  Working as a group, you can accomplish and, at the same time, learn so much about yourselves in the process.”  Because this volunteer effort centered on helping other kids, “our kids felt more invested in the project.  As a result, they were willing to dedicate more time to the volunteer activities.  Their cooperation throughout the process was exceptionally strong.”

To learn more about the many volunteer opportunities at Kids in Crisis – weekly, monthly, quarterly or even annually – please contact Kristen Tomasiewicz at 203-622-6556 or ktomasiewicz@kidsincrisis.org