Common Cause in Connecticut is a nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens lobby dedicated to improving the way state government operates. Whether it is advocating for opening committee meetings to the public or compelling the passage of the strongest campaign finance law in the nation, Common Cause in Connecticut has been a leading voice in reforming state government.
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American Civil Liberties Union Inc. – Connecticut
The ACLU of Connecticut defends, promotes, and expands the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Connecticut through litigation, community organizing and legislative advocacy, and civic education and engagement.
They are comprised of three nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations: the ACLU of Connecticut, a 501(c)(4) organization which does legislative and organizing advocacy work; the ACLU Foundation of Connecticut, a 501(c)(3) which does litigation and public education work; and the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC, a 527 organization which builds the necessary relationships, public awareness, public narratives, and pressure felt by politicians in order to build the political power of people directly impacted by civil rights and liberties issues.
Connecticut Department of Children & Families
All children and youth served by the Department will grow up healthy, safe and learning, and will experience success in and out of school. The Department will advance the special talents of the children it serves and will make opportunities for them to give back to the community.
Center for Children’s Advocacy at UConn School of Law
Their mission: To protect and promote the legal rights of Connecticut’s low-income children and youth so they have equitable opportunities for good health, a quality education and a successful transition to adulthood.
CCA provides legal representation and advocates for system reforms to ensure at-risk children’s basic needs are met and they receive appropriate services from the juvenile justice, education, child welfare, health care and court systems.
AIDS Ministries Program of Greater Danbury
Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury, Inc. (IAM) offers critical support services to families faced with the nutritional, physical, and spiritual challenges of living with HIV/AIDS while providing vital education programs that respond to the greater community. They serve the Greater Danbury area that includes Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Sherman, and New Milford.
AIDS Project Hartford Inc.
AIDS PROJECT Hartford, from a foundation of respect and compassion, provides education and support services for all people affected by HIV/AIDS in the Greater Hartford region, empowering them to maintain dignity and improve their quality of life.
Open Communities Alliance
Open Communities Alliance is a Connecticut-based civil rights organization that promotes access to opportunity for all people through education, organizing, advocacy, research, and partnerships. The Alliance works to build an urban-suburban interracial coalition to support policies that lead to housing choice.
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
Founded in 2002, the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security, for children ages birth to eight. Their goal is for all children in Connecticut to enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success. Their guiding vision is that families have strategies and capacity for early care and education so that each child is supported by comprehensive and interconnected services including early learning, nutrition, and social, emotional, and physical health.
The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors (CWCS)
The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors (CWCS) is a non-partisan arm of the Connecticut General Assembly. As staff to the legislature, the CWCS researches best practices, coordinates stakeholders, and promotes public policies that are in the best interest of Connecticut’s underserved and underrepresented women, children and older adults.
The agency recognizes that the experiences and needs of each population, while interconnected, are unique and may require individual public policy action.
America Reads
America Reads is a volunteer program that provides a valuable service to K-12 students. It stems from a nationwide effort to improve literacy and overall academic achievement in the U.S. This is a crucial aspect of education to focus on because we use our language skills so often. The ability to read fluently and comprehensively is often taken for granted, though it’s something that demands significant effort throughout K-12 education.
They attempt to create a more equitable, diverse learning environment to bridge achievement gaps that befall students. This is especially valuable as COVID-19 has introduced additional strain in the educational system.
Volunteers support this initiative by giving students direct help in the classroom through work in small groups or one-on-one. Mentors find fulfillment in providing children with an enriching educational experience that directs children towards meaningful careers.
Volunteers are expected to devote 2 hours a week and attend monthly meetings/trainings to develop tutoring skills and strategies.