There is something quite extraordinary about offering your wisdom, skills and talents to benefit others. Oak Hill has volunteer opportunities in locations across the state and at our main campus in Hartford:

• Classrooms
• Day sites
• Community-based group homes
• Hartford Artisans’ Center
• NEAT Center

Some ways that you can help:

How do I get started?

Call Trish Hesslein, director of community relations today at (860) 769-3876 or email us at hessleint@ciboakhill.org 

Helping out at Oak Hill Group Homes

Every week, Helen Roth volunteers her time to read to the residents of the Newington Group Home. Helen brings a great deal of joy to adults with intellectual disabilities.

“I was part of the CIGNA group that came to the Glastonbury group home for a “Day of Caring.” It was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling days I’ve had in a long time and I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to help out. Oak Hill did a wonderful job of expanding our understanding of your organization and the vital services you provide to so many. Thank you again.”

- Pamela Bonin

Students from Region Seven High School in Winsted planted flower gardens at several group homes in the northwest corner of Connecticut.

A group of energetic and enthusiastic volunteers from Otis Elevator Company provided a much-needed spring clean up to one of Oak Hill’s group homes located in Glastonbury.

“People were power washing the house, cleaning the windows, planting flowers, trimming trees, building stone walls and spreading mulch. What a difference! It looks so much nicer. Thank you, Team Otis!”

- Mary Ann Corder, Oak Hill group home manager

Bristol Eastern High School Industrial Arts students helped to build an accessible gazebo for residents at the Watertown group home.

“I want to help…get more experience with construction and building projects and to help others less fortunate than myself.”

- Franklin Kirschner, Bristol Eastern High School student

Killingly High School Technical Education students came out to show off their newly acquired skills in construction and helped to build three storage sheds for Oak Hill. Their teacher said,

“The shed building projects are good framing exercises for the students and we’d like to do more for Oak Hill in the future.”

-Bonnie Beland, Killingly High School Technical Education teacher

Over fifty volunteers from the Phoenix Life Insurance Company provided two Days of Caring to Oak Hill group homes in Vernon and restored the Braille Trail, an adapted hiking trail for blind and visually impaired located in Vernon.

Helping out at Oak Hill Camp

Bristol Eastern High School Industrial Arts students helped to build an over-sized storage shed for camp.

“I like building in class, but this is better. You actually see your structure go up. I have never built anything like this. It is great to help out and make a difference.”

- Ryan Amadio, Bristol Eastern High School student

Members of South Congregational Church Youth Group in East Hartford helped to cook and serve meals, assisted with arts and crafts and presented a Sunday non-denominational service to the campers.

Connecticut Department of Corrections Canine Unit and the Governor’s Horse Guard gave captivating presentations to the campers.

Helping to restore durable medical equipment

Marsh USA, Inc. spent a day volunteering their time at NEAT Equipment Restoration Center cleaning, sanitizing and disassembling durable medical equipment that is re-sold at a reduced rate to people with disabilities.

“I enjoy volunteering; it allows me to learn about new companies, try new things and help others.”

- Renee Bracken, Marsh USA, Inc.

Trinity College students volunteered their time to clean and restore durable medical equipment at the NEAT Equipment Restoration Center.

Helping artisans

Dory Hunt has been weaving sine 1975 and was looking for meaningful volunteer work since she had retired and for the past three years has been volunteering her time and skills with the artisans at the Hartford Artisans’ Center.

“When you don’t have a job, it is a good place to go. I enjoy being here and it is easy to get a sense of community. I enjoy the people and I have fun playing around with the colors and designs.”

Providing music & entertainment

“I heard about Sour Grapes of Manchester and their willingness to perform for Oak Hill program participants. Larry Ruhl and Ellen Iovino, who make up Sour Grapes, are energetic and talented performers who contribute their time free for the musical pleasure of the program participants. Their sound is pure joy. Sour Grapes performed for the Oak Hill Adult Social Club in Bloomfield and the club members danced and sang from the opening beat. It was our best turnout ever. I asked Larry Ruhl what motivated them to give these free performances for people with disabilities and he said the warm and enthusiastic response they receive from these audiences is what motivates them.”

- Lucille Duguay, director of the Oak Hill Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education

The West Avon Congregational Church, Alleluia Players entertained participants at the Oak Hill Spring Dance party.

Al and Marion Pereira have provided funds for music therapy and have donated many musical instruments that are being thoroughly enjoyed by program participants.

Internships

Mary Cummins and Darlene Alvarado, University of Connecticut School of Social Work graduate students served their second year internships volunteering full time at Oak Hill where they completed projects including researching the incidence of blindness and employment among blind people in Connecticut; helping to organize our Parents and Guardians Advisory Committee; creating a database on resources in the 59 towns where Oak Hill has a program; and developing grant proposals for additional funding.

“Their extraordinary work will benefit Oak Hill for years to come. They not only provide valuable service but bring to the agency fresh ideas and new perspectives.”

- Patrick J. Johnson, Jr., president, Oak Hill

Two graduate students from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, Erich Anderson-Krengel a clinician employed by the Capitol Region Mental Health Center, and Tim Monahan, Investigations Social Worker of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families offered their talents to Oak Hill by providing individual and group counseling for program participants, evaluating existing programs, researching potential service initiatives and funding sources, staffing and special projects, supporting our parents’ group, helping with government relations, and providing effective liaison with many community resources.

“The perspective and insight from graduate interns is like fresh air constantly and gently flowing through the agency,” says Patrick Johnson, Jr., president, Oak Hill.

Pat Johnson supports and encourages Oak Hill as a site for advanced training in a variety of professions.

Committees

Fundraising Events

University of Connecticut students volunteered to help clean up and organize items for Oak Hill’s annual tag sale.

Suggested Photo images: (Day of Caring volunteers; Hopewell School in South Glastonbury; direct mail campaign volunteers; interns; music and pet therapy; New Britain High School Marching Band and Madrigal singers; Bristol Eastern H.S. and Killingly H.S. building projects, etc.)

CVS Caremark "All Kids Can" Volunteer Website

CVS Corporation generously supports the NEAT Center at Oak Hill, which provides people with temporary or permanent disabilities, seniors, families and the professionals with access to products, new and used equipment, training and services that enhance the independence and quality of life for people of all ages. 

CVS Corporation offers volunteer opportunities for their employees - CVS Caremark "All Kids Can" Volunteer website.  To learn how to volunteer click on this website and type in our agency name: Connecticut Institute for the Blind, d/b/a, Oak Hill

http://www.volunteersolutions.org/cvs-communitycrew/agency/signup.tcl?return_url=%2fcvs-communitycrew%2fvolunteer%2fhome%2f