Youth Give Back (YGB)
YGB is a program for 7th-8th grade Darien students. Students learn about human service needs in the surrounding community by volunteering at local nonprofit organizations including Person to Person, Darien Nature Center, At Home In Darien, Waveny Lifecare Network, Open Doors Shelter, and Fairgate Farm.
There are 7 meetings per semester.
*Meeting Locations TBD*
Meetings will be held at local nonprofits where students will be volunteering.
Youth Give Back $200 registration fee funds the operation of the youth program:
-
Personnel
-
Refreshments/ snacks
-
Supplies
-
Any remaining funds are contributed to The Community Fund of Darien's grant giving pool to be invested in helping our community.
Questions? Please email info@communityfunddarien.org
2025-2026 Youth Program Recap
From fall through spring, 41 Darien 7th and 8th grade students participated in Youth Give Back (YGB), contributing over 300 hours of volunteer service. Through meaningful experiences volunteering at local nonprofits, students gained insight into the needs of our surrounding community and the importance of giving back!
"My favorite part was being with all of my friends while also helping the people around me."
Fairgate Farm - Stamford
Students volunteered at Fairgate Farm, where they got hands-on experience harvesting tomatoes and peppers in the fall and repotting tomatoes, peppers, and herbs in the spring. They also weeded the garden, stocked the community fridge, and washed and weighed produce for the Saturday market. Through their work, students learned about the value of healthy food access and the importance of supporting local food sustainability.
Waveny LifeCare Network - New Canaan
Students spent time with senior residents at Waveny LifeCare, enjoying balloon games, a juice reception, and warm conversation. In the fall, students shared handmade cards with residents, and in the spring, they led a lively game of categories. The visits brought joy and connection to both the students and the seniors.
At Home In Darien
In November, students lent a helping hand to older adults in our community by raking leaves, cleaning up a yard and porch, and removing trash. This intergenerational service supported local seniors while teaching students the value of simple acts of kindness.
Person to Person - Darien
Person to Person remained a favorite among our YGB students. Whether working in the clothing center or food pantry, students sorted, folded, unpacked, and stacked items to help ensure families in need had access to well-kept clothing and groceries. Our fall group also painted gift bags to help prepare for the popular PtoP Toy Store.
Darien Nature Center
Both fall and spring students helped care for local nature trails and playgrounds by raking trails, filling sandboxes, and spreading fresh wood chips. Their work supported local outdoor spaces and helped ensure these areas remained safe and enjoyable for the community.
