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Volunteer Opportunities with Community Partners

At the University of Hartford, we believe in helping our local communities. Choose from a wide range of service opportunities with our local community partners.

Our Partners

  • Ebony Horsewomen empowers youth and guides them toward successful lives through the use of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning-(EAGALA) model. They use equine assisted therapy and therapeutic riding, along with educational programs, to cultivate leaders, prevent risky behaviors, and encourage academic achievement.

  • Shepard Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center supports the growth and well-being of all individuals, including those with special needs, by providing Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) in a safe and professional environment.
  • Charter Oak Cultural Center is a vibrant multi-cultural arts center committed to doing the work of social justice through the arts.

  • Real Art Ways is an alternative multidisciplinary arts organization that presents and supports contemporary artists and their work, facilitates the creation of new work, and creatively engages, builds, and informs audiences and communities.
  • Autism Families CONNECTicut connects individuals on the autism spectrum to each other by providing recreational, social, and learning opportunities as they build a meaningful, active, and engaged community for their families.

  • The AVID Program is an educational program for middle school students in grades 6 through 8 that supports their preparation for college in an academic elective course that teaches necessary learning skills, reinforces the academic core, and encourages rigorous student course taking. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

  • The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford enables all young people to realize their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens.

  • Charter Oak Cultural Center is a vibrant multi-cultural arts center committed to doing the work of social justice through the arts.

  • Children's Reading Partners at the Jewish Federation is a program of volunteers who work to build and improve the reading skills of pre-kindergarten to grade six, educationally at-risk public school students in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, New Britain and West Hartford.

  • Girl Scouts of CT builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

  • Girls For Technology, Inc. is a program committed to closing the Technology and Engineering gender gap one girl at a time. They partner with schools and other community providers to inspire girls to realize their potential in the fields Technology and Engineering.

  • Hartford City Mission (HCM) operates after-school and summer character-based programs for children and youth throughout North Hartford. HCM affirms the inherent value of each person, and empowers young men and women to become transformational leaders, taking an active role in creating social, economic, and spiritual renewal.

  • Hartford Communities That Care, Inc. (HCTC) provides a non-violent and drug free environment through the coordination and collaboration of services, promotion of education, healthy lifestyles, and practices and by the formation of effective partnerships with key members of the community.

  • Hartford Public Library provides free resources that inspire reading, guide learning, and encourage individual exploration.

  • Jumpstart advances equitable learning outcomes for young children in underserved communities by recruiting and supporting caring adults to deliver high-quality programming to children and drive systems change through teaching, advocacy, and leadership.

  • Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Inc. inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy.

  • Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford strives to create a community of fully literate adults through student-centered instruction that catalyzes career readiness and advancement.

  • Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

  • Our Piece of the Pie is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth with the key competencies needed to overcome barriers and succeed in education and employment.

  • The Scribe’s Institute is a non-profit organization wholly dedicated to reducing the opportunity gap in children through strengthening literacy skills, promoting S.T.E.A.M. learning, and experiential training.

  • True Colors works to create a world where LGBTQ+ youth thrive. Their mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ youth — of all backgrounds — are safe, valued, and able to be their authentic selves. We do this by providing education, advocacy, and support to LGBTQ+ youth, their families, communities, and those who work with them.
  • The Bushnell Park Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Hartford, is dedicated to the protection, preservation and enhancement of Bushnell Park.  We support and encourage programming for all ages.

  • Keney Park Sustainability Project's mission is to provide hands-on training, on-site demonstrations, education outreach and community collaborations that help families become more self-sustainable and environmentally conscious, while preserving the historic Keney Park.

  • KNOX, Inc. uses horticulture as a catalyst for community engagement to forge partnerships between residents, businesses, and government, providing leadership to build greener, stronger, healthier, and more beautiful neighborhoods in Hartford.

  • Riverfront Recapture manages, maintains, and operates four riverfront parks and their connected riverwalks and trails.
  • Children's Reading Partners at the Jewish Federation is a program of volunteers who work to build and improve the reading skills of pre-kindergarten to grade six, educationally at-risk public school students in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, New Britain and West Hartford.

  • Faith Congregational Church is the oldest black church in the city of Hartford. The church is still a vibrant community of believers who holds high a witness to God’s grace in the midst of human life. As a congregation of the United Church of Christ they are a very justice-minded church, often on the cutting edge, and in a denomination that often leads the way in our nation as we celebrate many firsts as part of our history.

  • Hartford City Mission (HCM) operates after-school and summer character-based programs for children and youth throughout North Hartford. HCM affirms the inherent value of each person, and empowers young men and women to become transformational leaders, taking an active role in creating social, economic, and spiritual renewal.

  • St. Justin - St. Michael Parish

  • Union Baptist Church
  • AIDS CT increases Connecticut’s capacity to ensure that all people impacted by HIV/AIDS and related health issues have access to health, housing, and support services

  • AIDS CT - Connections Wellness Center is a safe, supportive gathering place for individuals living with HIV. An array of services are offered at Connections including medical case management, support groups, meals, nutrition counseling, periodic outings, and social activities.

  • AIDS CT - CT Center for Harm Reduction is dedicated to providing harm reduction and drug user health services throughout Connecticut. They educate individuals, social service providers, and communities on the techniques to reduce overdoses, sites to receive clean syringes (and dispose of used ones), and practices that reduce the spread of HIV, Hep C, and other transmissible infections. The Center is a division of Advancing CT Together.

  • The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

  • The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​

  • Connecticut Children's Medical Center welcomes, cares for, and protects all children who walk through their doors. They are an institution of acceptance and compassion regardless of nationality or immigration status.

  • Hispanic Health Council strives to improve the health and social well-being of Latinos and other diverse communities.
  • AIDS CT increases Connecticut’s capacity to ensure that all people impacted by HIV/AIDS and related health issues have access to health, housing, and support services

  • AIDS CT - Connections Wellness Center is a safe, supportive gathering place for individuals living with HIV. An array of services are offered at Connections including medical case management, support groups, meals, nutrition counseling, periodic outings, and social activities.

  • AIDS CT - CT Center for Harm Reduction is dedicated to providing harm reduction and drug user health services throughout Connecticut. They educate individuals, social service providers, and communities on the techniques to reduce overdoses, sites to receive clean syringes (and dispose of used ones), and practices that reduce the spread of HIV, Hep C, and other transmissible infections. The Center is a division of Advancing CT Together.

  • The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​

  • Autism Families CONNECTicut connects individuals on the autism spectrum to each other by providing recreational, social, and learning opportunities as they build a meaningful, active, and engaged community for their families.

  • Center for Children's Advocacy (CCA) combines three advocacy strategies – individual legal representation; legal rights training for youth, parents and professionals; and advocacy for system reforms. 

  • Chrysalis Center, Inc. is a socially innovative, multiservice organization helping those living in poverty, veterans, men, women, children, and young adults who are struggling with mental health, addiction, HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

  • Community Renewal Team (CRT) services are designed to support holistic change, addressing human needs by building on the unique strengths of individuals, who can then create opportunities for themselves and their families. Individuals and families are encouraged to take steps toward long-term economic stability.

  • Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) uses intersectional strategies to address gender inequality and advance the rights, opportunities, and status of women and girls 

  • Covenant to Care for Children provides a safety net for abused, neglected, or impoverished children in Connecticut by providing essential support in moments that are critical for a child’s ability to thrive and a family’s ability to stay together.

  • Ebony Horsewomen empowers youth and guides them toward successful lives through the use of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning-(EAGALA) model. They use equine assisted therapy and therapeutic riding, along with educational programs, to cultivate leaders, prevent risky behaviors, and encourage academic achievement.

  • End Hunger CT is the only statewide anti-hunger nonprofit in Connecticut and is dedicated to eliminating hunger and promoting healthy nutrition through outreach, public education, and legislative and administrative advocacy. 

  • Foodshare is the regional food bank serving Hartford and Tolland counties. It is the largest anti-hunger organization in the Greater Hartford area. They connect surplus food to their neighbors who struggle with hunger through a network of more than 260 food pantries, meal programs, and Mobile Foodshare sites.

  • Gifts of Love reduces financial crises for working individuals and families in the Greater Hartford area by offering short-term programs and education that support and improve sustainability.

  • Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants bolsters, assists, and learns from immigrants as they strive towards happiness and success in this country.

  • Hands on Hartford is a social service nonprofit organization that serves Hartford’s most economically challenged residents in the areas of food, housing, and health.

  • HARC provides special needs support for a lifetime. Their services begin at the birth of a child and support them throughout their life journey.

  • Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

  • Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity - ReStore is a home improvement and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. All ReStore proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope in the Hartford area and around the world. 

  • Hartford Communities That Care, Inc. (HCTC) provides a non-violent and drug free environment through the coordination and collaboration of services, promotion of education, healthy lifestyles, and practices and by the formation of effective partnerships with key members of the community.

  • Hartford Public Library provides free resources that inspire reading, guide learning, and encourage individual exploration.

  • Hispanic Health Council strives to improve the health and social well-being of Latinos and other diverse communities.

  • House of Bread offers food, housing, shelter, education, medical, psychological, and legal services. 

  • ImmaCare Inc. strives to eliminate homelessness in the Hartford region, while building a more vibrant community, by creating safe and affordable housing options and increasing the skills, income, and hope of those who struggle with housing crisis.

  • Journey Home is a non-profit organization that leads the effort to end homelessness in the Capital region of Connecticut.

  • Loaves and Fishes Ministries directly impacts families throughout the Asylum Hill neighborhood and in greater Hartford who eat in their soup kitchen and then use their related programs to move beyond immediate crisis needs.

  • My Sisters’ Place is committed to ending homelessness by empowering women, families, and others in Greater Hartford to achieve independence and stability in their community by providing housing and supportive services.

  • Open Hearth helps men experiencing homelessness enhance their capacity for self-help, self-respect, and dignity, and to achieve their full potential as responsible citizens of Greater Hartford and Connecticut.

  • Our Piece of the Pie is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth with the key competencies needed to overcome barriers and succeed in education and employment.

  • South Park Inn’s mission is to assist men, women and veterans experiencing homelessness and to help improve their life situation by providing temporary and long-term housing, as well as supportive services.

  • True Colors works to create a world where LGBTQ+ youth thrive. Their mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ youth — of all backgrounds — are safe, valued, and able to be their authentic selves. We do this by providing education, advocacy, and support to LGBTQ+ youth, their families, communities, and those who work with them.

  • United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut focuses on youth success, economic mobility, access to health and basic needs. They look to create lasting change by ensuring people in their region receive a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.

  • Urban League of Greater Hartford provides programs and services in the areas of:  Adult Education; Youth Development; Workforce Development and Training;  Economic Empowerment; and Health and Wellness.

  • The Village for Families & Children continues to achieve their mission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

  • YMCA - Downtown Hartford is a charitable association open to all and committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. This commitment is reinforced by their belief in living out universal values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

  • YMCA - Wilson-Gray

  • YWCA Hartford Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.