| Branford Community Foundation Grants
Volunteer
Services Center
The Volunteer Services Center is a social
service resource center where those in need can find
hot meals, food staples, clothing, books and fellowship
all in one central location. In addition, clients of
the Center may obtain referrals to other support services
in Branford and beyond including counseling, medical
care, emergency housing and other essential social services.
Several years ago, the need for new space in which to
house several of the town's social service providers
became acute. Both the Clothing Bank and the Food Council
needed to move from the Indian Neck School to make room
for expanding school programs; the Soup Cellar needed
a larger facility to meet increasing demand; and even
the Friends of the Blackstone Library needed a permanent
place to store books for their annual book sale.
Over a period of several months, the Community Social
Services Network (CSSN), a group of social service providers
in Branford, discussed these needs and agreed that the
best approach would be to cooperatively develop one
facility that would house all four efforts.
First Selectman Anthony "Unk" DaRos joined CSSN's discussions
and after careful consideration suggested that with
hard work and community support, the former police station
on Harrison Avenue could be rehabilitated to accomplish
this goal.
The old police station provides an ideal location for
the Volunteer Services Center. It is centrally located
one block from the Town Green and offers good access
to public transportation. There is enough room to house
all four agencies. And most importantly, once renovations
were completed, those in need would able to obtain essential
services efficiently and without unnecessary delay.
Today, the Volunteer Services Center houses:
• The Soup Cellar
• The Branford Food Council
• Harbor Health Services Inc. Clothing Bank
• Friends of the Library
As well as these on-site social services:
• Case Management
• Welfare Outreach
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