Social Justice Committee News
Volunteer Opportunities for Youths and Adults
Our Social Justice Committee works on many projects unique to TBT and in conjunction with other social service agencies. Here are just a few:
Community Dining Room in Branford – Help cook and serve lunch in the community dining room with fellow TBT members on the second Sunday of each month. A one-hour zoom session is required before starting. After the zoom training (which is easy, no test), sign up for a shift to help prepare lunch and serve. The time commitment is 9:30 am -1pm on the second Sunday of the month. You do not have to do this every month. If you can do four sessions a year, that would be great! If you are age 16 or older, you can volunteer by yourself. If you are under 16, you can sign up to work but must work along with a parent. If you are interested in learning more contact HERE
TBT Food Collection - Help us promote donations of groceries to be placed in our lobby. Encourage food donations from your friends and their families. For more information, contact HERE
Common Good Garden – This is a possible volunteer opportunity for aspiring gardeners. Help plant and harvest vegetables in Old Saybrook. The volunteers at the Common Good Garden grow thousands of pounds of produce each summer which is donated to food pantries in multiple towns from Old Saybrook eastward. To inquire if there are gardening volunteer opportunities, send your questions HERE
Guilford Social Services- Occasionally Guilford Social Services has one time opportunities for high school students to help a senior citizen in need such as by mowing their yard or taking them to the supermarket. Contact the executive director, Donna Grieder, at 203-453-8009 if you would like to be put on a list to be called when opportunities arise.
TBT Backpack Drive – Help raise funds to help TBT purchase backpacks and school supplies for kids in need in Madison, Guilford and Branford. Perhaps organize a bake sale with your friends to raise money for these supplies. Help stuff backpacks with school supplies at the end of August 2025 in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Contact HERE if you would like to volunteer.
Raise the Roof – Raise the roof is the shoreline’s connection to Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Volunteers 16 and older with no skills needed can help build a house with a family. The majority of houses built are located in New Haven. The next home will be built in Madison, CT sometime this summer/fall. Date to be announced. Throughout the year there are several shoreline events and activities that take place in the community on weekends. For more information on ways to get involved click the link –“How to Volunteer” or contact HERE with questions.
On November 15, 2024 the 10th annual Raise the Roof: Dancing for the Cause Gala took place at Woodwinds in Branford, CT. Ten couples danced with heart and soul to raise funds to sponsor another Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven home. The event raised over $ 114,000 showing what the power of a community coming together can accomplish. It was a fun filled and heartfelt evening!
Congratulations to TBT's own Aden Chorney and partner, Megan L. who received the grand prize "Shoreline Stars" trophy for raising most funds.
And, Congratulations to Jodie Ambrosino and Stu Weinzimer, who received the trophy for Best Dance Performance! We are so proud of all the dancers and supporters who made this a successful and magical evening!
For more information about Raise the Roof and ways to get involved contact Linda.brody@comcast.net or go to www.raisetheroofct.org
Over 20 years, our Temple volunteers have had the honor of being part of this worthy cause of building homes, working with families, strengthening communities, and improving lives.
The photo to the left is the Wahidi family at their groundbreaking ceremony in late summer 2023. So much build progress has been made, with help from TBT volunteers, that the family should be in their home in the near future.
For more information go to www.raisetheroofct.org and click on How to Volunteer or I Want to Build. This will guide you through the Volunteer Up registration process with Habitat for Humanity. If you need help with registration you can email Heather at contactus@raisetheroofct.org or Allison Mangles, Volunteer Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven amangles@habitatgnh.org or call (203) 785-0794 ext. 110.
For questions regarding our next TBT build day, contact Linda Brody
If you are interested in joining the Social Justice Committee, please contact Robin Baslaw or Susan Smith