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The Community Fund of Darien – Youths Making a Difference
By Peter Saverine, The Community Fund of Darien, Director of Development, and Amy Clarke, Director of Marketing
Philanthropy — from Ancient Greek,” Love of humanity.” — the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for others.
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that the smallest actions can make the biggest difference in people’s lives in ways we may not even realize.”Darien Youth Community Fund Volunteer
Since 1951, The Community Fund of Darien has granted over $28 million to local nonprofits and community initiatives serving our neighbors in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk and impacting thousands of lives in our community. Their mission is to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community. Their vision is for all community members to have the opportunity to reach their full potential as healthy, educated and self-sufficient individuals.
Maggie Domont, Executive Director of The Community Fund of Darien, enthusiastically shares, “Each year, in addition to over $750,000 in grants carefully awarded by scores of diligent adult volunteers, The Community Fund engages over 155 youth volunteers in multiple programs spanning the middle school and high school years. Youth Give Back (YGB) is a program for 7-8th graders, Freshmen Community Group (FCG) for 9th graders, Youth Asset Team (YAT) for 10-12th graders, and Youth Community Fund (YCF) also for 10-12 graders.”
“Participants are immersed in age-appropriate activities focused on community service, giving back, making a difference, team building, fundraising, and promoting positive mental health and substance abuse prevention. Our youth programs shine a bright beacon on our local impact as we accept our role in developing the next generation of philanthropists. Just as parents invest in our youth sports training at an early age, it is essential that we, as a community, teach kindness, empathy, gratitude and philanthropy as essential life skills.”
This early training often culminates in the 64-member Youth Community Fund (YCF) for 10-12th grade students who, under the direction of Lisa Haas, Grants Director, receive a Master Class in philanthropy that is life-changing not only for the students, but for the people who benefit from the grants they award.
Lisa proudly speaks of the young philanthropists, “Each year I am awestruck by the commitment, energy, and personal growth exhibited by the youth committee members—many who have participated in our youth programs for several years. The diligence with which they read and evaluate the grant applications, conduct site visits, and decide on grant awards shows a maturity and understanding beyond their years. I know, as future philanthropists, they will help make the world a better place.”
This year, the Youth Community Fund students volunteered over thirty-three sessions/shifts at 11 different nonprofits and held three fundraisers for a total of 434 volunteer hours. In addition, YCF had ten meetings where the students heard from nonprofit leaders, learned about different community needs and conducted the grant review. Popular volunteer locations included Filling in the Blanks, Darien Road Race, Person to Person, Fairgate Farm, Soundwaters, Building One Community and Children’s Learning Center. Inspiring speakers included those from Future 5, Rowan Center and Kids in Crisis.
The Youth Community Fund students engaged in three fundraisers: Darien Road Race Silent Auction and Bake Sale, Rally Towel Sales and a Middlesex Middle School Bake Sale, raising $4,340 — a record high for the sixteen-year program. Registration fees and a restricted individual donation enabled the YCF to raise $15,500 for their grant pool.
YCF students split up into fourteen groups of 3-5 students, and each group reviewed a local nonprofit organization for a potential grant. Students were required to conduct site visits at each of their nonprofits. Students then presented their nonprofit to the rest of the Youth Community Fund and recommended funding levels. As a group, the students chose to allocate $15,500 to 14 local nonprofits.
One participant recently shared, “The most valuable lesson that I have learned through the program was that there are so many people that are not as fortunate as we are, and it is very important to help those people in need any way possible. Volunteering at the nonprofits not only helps a lot of people who are not as well off but also is really fun.”
Others expressed, “My experience with YCF this year has been great. This organization has taught me so much about the impact we can have in our communities and has grown my love for philanthropy. My favorite part is being able to research the grants later in the year! I think being able to experience it in person is so fun. I loved the site visits and seeing the impact certain organizations have.”
Youth Give Back (YGB) 7-8th Grade
The classic song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young who preached, “Teach your children well” sums it up well. The song speaks a universal truth in the first verse directing parents to teach their kids to be kind…and to understand the why’s of our values.
Training for Youth Community Fund starts in the 7-8th Grade Program Youth Give Back (YGB.) From September 2024 – April 2025 (spring and fall semesters), 38 students participated in two semesters of Youth Give Back. Students learned about human service needs in the surrounding community by volunteering for over 200 hours at local nonprofit organizations such as Person to Person, Darien Nature Center, At Home in Darien, Waveny Lifecare Network, Open Doors Shelter and Fairgate Farm.
Freshman Community Group (FCG) 9th grade
In 9th grade, 30 students participated in the Freshman Community Group (FCG) that is a youth enrichment program where students participate once or twice a month in mental health and wellness activities facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker and engage in meaningful discussions about the transition to high school, including stress management, friendships, and substance use. Students also learn about local human service needs by volunteering at local nonprofit organizations such as Filling in the Blanks, Fairgate Farm, Darien Nature Center and Person to Person.
Youth Asset Team (YAT) 10-12th Grade.
The Youth Asset Team (YAT) is an enrichment program for 10th–12th grade students in Darien focused on promoting positive mental health and substance use prevention. The group is led by The Community Fund of Darien’s Youth Program Manager, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a team of elected student leaders. YAT students meet regularly to engage in meaningful conversations and hands-on activities that support their wellbeing and that of their peers.
This year 25 students participated.
A 2024 Darien High School graduate recently wrote, “YAT has left such a huge impact on me that I find myself talking about it all the time. I’ve become a mental health ambassador for my college lacrosse team because I was so inspired by what I learned in the program.”
Activities included: Question Persuade Respond (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training with two trainers from catalyst CT the hub, regional behavioral health action organization as facilitators. The students left with concrete skills and a QPR certificate. They also attended an opioid awareness event — One Pill Can Kill –listened to Song for Charlie advocate, Brigitte Lattimer, and participated in an Intoxicated Driving Presentation from Darien Police Lieutenant TJ Moore learning about DUI’s and the social host law in CT. Participants had the opportunity to try performing a field test in the ‘Drunk Goggles’ that simulate the effects of alcohol. Finally, the group attended the Out of Darkness Walk at DHS bringing awareness to youth mental health and aims to reduce stigma and strengthen peer support.
Sign-ups for The Community Fund of Darien Youth Groups take place at the end of each school year, with priority given to current participants rising to new grade-level programs. Due to the popularity of the programs, a wait list is also created. A recent Darien High School graduate who participated in the full series of programs from 7-12th grades shared the impact of the experience on their personal growth and success, echoing, “My experience on the Youth Community Fund, and the programs that preceded it, taught me how to be a better person. In addition to having fun doing good things with my peers, I gained self-confidence and realized that helping others who are less fortunate makes me feel good, too.”
Information about the youth programs, volunteer opportunities or supporting The Community Fund of Darien can be found at www.communityfunddarien.org.