About Us
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What We Do
We enroll children ages 7-14 from single parent homes or homes where they have little or no contact with one or both parents. These children, also known as “Littles”, are matched with a caring adult mentor, also known as “Bigs”, for a minimum of one year. We ask our matches to engage in free or low cost activities. These activities should take place outside of the child’s home at an agreed upon location., such as the volunteers home, park, the library or museum.

Our Mission
The mission of the Good Friend Mentoring Program is to empower promising youth in our community, through intergenerational relationships, to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential and become confident, competent and caring adults.

History
Good Friend became affiliated with Green Chimneys in 1991. It originally started as BBBS in 1975 and then changed to Good Friend in 1989. Good Friend is a not-for-profit youth mentoring program.

Programs
Besides matching Big Friends and Little Friends, Good Friend also offers additional community service programs designed to strengthen relationships between adults, teens, children and their community.
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Susan (big), Genesis (little)

After School Program
Targeting college students and high school seniors to serve as volunteers along with other responsible adults who do not have a driver’s license (as that is currently a qualification for our community based component) to be a mentor to a child at the AIS elementary school at Western Connecticut State University. The mentor will come and work with a child one day a week for 2 hours at the school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The first hour will be focused on school work and the second hour will be for recreation.

The A-Team
A group of volunteers who plan and chaperone 2-4 activities per month for all children in Good Friend, but specifically focused on those children on our waiting list. Some of the activities have included a sports night, Fall Festival, high ropes, skiing and much more.
In addition to chaperones, we have had groups and individuals lead one-time events or a series of classes which teach a skill.

Tutoring
Providing one-on-one tutoring for kids in the program that need extra academic support.

Adopt-A-Family
Each year around the holidays, Good Friend looks to provide families with limited resources the help they need. Not just a toy drive, the needs of each family member, some of the wants of each person, and the overall family needs are met by individuals, families, churches, corporations and foundations. Planning begins in early October.

Back to School
Together with the volunteer center we work to get elementary aged program participants school supplies to prepare them for their upcoming school year.

185 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810 * (203) 790-0032

This web site and its entire contents Copyright 2007 by Good Friend except for articles and other citations whose copyrights and/or credits are noted. No portion of this web site may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form without the consent of Good Friend.

“Genesis brings wonder and enthusiasm to whatever we do...”

“Susan treats me well and
she loves me!”