Touch-a-Life

The “Touch-a-Life” fund is in place to assist Darien residents with urgent financial needs. In cooperation with the Department of Human Services, The Community Fund of Darien will pay essential bills for Darien residents in need (up to $500 per emergency/client). Payments are made directly to the vendor on behalf of the client.
​For residents in need of assistance, please contact the Darien Department of Human Services.
This year we were able to:
  • Pay the rent for a senior who lost their job as well as a single mother who was temporarily unemployed.
  • Pay for heating oil for a family who house was in foreclosure and who income had decreased substantially.
  • Pay the electric bill for an elderly woman who was in need of financial assistance. 
Did you know 1,100 Darien residents live at or below the poverty line? Please consider a gift to the Touch-a-Life fund today. 

Meet david, a touch-a-life fund recipient

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David and his wife settled first in Stamford, then Darien, after leaving his South American country over 20 years ago to seek a better life for his family.  He has worked steadily for the same employer since his arrival, except for 3 months in the spring of 2020 when he was laid off - without pay -- due to COVID-19.  When the company reopened, he returned to his day job (other co-workers without childcare were not so fortunate), and he also tries to make ends meet with a 2nd job cleaning the office after his shift twice a week and a 3rd part-time cleaning job with his wife on the remaining evenings. His two children in the Darien public school system require assistance with special needs, and a third child is due later this year. In addition, David attends community college to earn his degree and increase his job prospects.

Although the family has faced dark times when he didn’t know if they were going to make it, David says that help from local organizations such as Darien Human Services and kindness from others made it possible. He is grateful for every bit of assistance they receive, and makes a point to remind his children how lucky they are and how important it is for them to help others when they are in a position to do so. 

Help other Darien neighbors with a gift today.
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