New to Town, Get Involved! - New Canaan & Darien Moms

Are you new to town and looking to connect with other moms?

Here are some amazing local organizations to get involved with. 

DARIEN

Darien Community Association (DCA):
Mom’s Morning In

Mom’s Morning In is a fun-filled program for toddlers/preschoolers and their parents or caregivers, with three popular events each year: a Halloween Parade in downtown Darien, with treat or treating at merchants followed by a magic show; a special holiday visit from Santa in the historic DCA mansion, and an Easter Egg Hunt on the sprawling great lawn of the DCA estate. Reservations are not required. Bring your infants as well!

📷 Darien DCA website

MOPS (Moms Of Pre-Schoolers)

MOPS International is about celebrating motherhood, meeting needs, making connections, and experiencing God’s love through relationships and resources.

MOPS offers not only childcare for little ones, but “mom-care” for Moms. Once her children are settled, the MOPS mom joins a program tailor-made to meet her needs. She can eat a lovely breakfast (and not have to share it!), and she can engage in adult conversation!

A MOPS morning includes a speaker who will inspire moms in topics relating to womanhood, marriage, child rearing and relationships from a Biblical perspective. Discussion follows in small groups where each mom is free to share her joys and struggles with other moms who truly understand. Finally, a craft time promotes a sense of accomplishment through creative expression.

📷 Darien MOPS website

OPUS FOR PERSON-TO-PERSON

OPUS is an organization dedicated to supporting Person-to-Person in their mission to provide more than 24,000 people in our community with food, clothing, emergency assistance and scholarship programs. They do so through fundraising, volunteering and generating awareness of these programs and initiatives.

Katherine Michele, co-founder and first president of OPUS, explains: “Our hope was to bring an entirely new audience, full of energy, creativity, professionalism, and a new perspective to Person-to-Person.”

Opus is a great way to make new friends and give back locally.

📷 OPUS website

ROWAYTON PARENTS EXCHANGE

The Rowayton Parents Exchange, best known as the RPE, is an association of parents with young children that was formed over ten years ago with the aim of helping parents meet other parents in the area as well as engaging our children in fun and fulfilling activities. Now, RPE members include over 150 families (and growing!) who live in Rowayton and neighboring towns.  ​

Each month, they host events that appeal to moms, dads, couples, and children that range from coffee dates, crafts, music classes, gym excursions, nature walks, cocktail parties, full blown theme parties, and so much more. So whether you are parents of a newborn, new to the area, a stay at home parent, full time working parent, or somewhere in between, the RPE has opportunities for you and your family.

📷 ANDREA CARSON PHOTOGRAPHY

YWCA

Clubs and activities include Network of Working Women (NOWW), International Club, Newcomers Club, Inspire Club, Town Club, Playgroups, Gourmet, Wine Tasters and more!

NEW CANAAN

NEWCOMERS CLUB OF NEW CANAAN

One of our town’s greatest strengths is its spirit of community and friendship. The Newcomers Club of New Canaan is dedicated to helping new residents feel welcome and at home when they move to town. The Club is one of the oldest and largest organizations of its kind and offers a wide range of activities that will provide opportunities to meet new friends and ways to get involved in our wonderful town. Whether you are interested in cooking, sports, children’s activities, charitable giving or just want to socialize, the Club is sure to have something for you!

Find out more and check out their new site: newcanaannewcomers.com

 

One of the Newcomers Club’s biggest events is the Holiday House Tour, a biennial event showcasing five New Canaan homes in varied architectural styles decorated for the holidays. Each home is paired with a professional designer who works with a team of Newcomer Volunteers to bring their vision to life.

While the Tour is a fun, festive way to kick off the holiday season, it is also an important fundraising event that highlights the true spirit of the season. All proceeds raised by this event benefit local charities and organizations that are the essence of our community. Over the last ten years, the Club has donated more than half a million dollars to a wide variety of worthy organizations.

Planning for the 2017 Newcomers Holiday House Tour is already underway, and we are currently seeking volunteers. If you or someone you know would like to participate please email [email protected].

YOUNG WOMEN’S LEAGUE

The Young Women’s League of New Canaan is a service-based social organization enriching Fairfield County through fundraising and volunteering efforts.

The YWL was founded in 1973 and, since 2001, has given over $1 million to deserving local charities.  The YWL hosts 4 fundraisers each year – including the annual Easter Egg Hunt, a town tradition – where we invite friends and community members to join us in support of our annual giving theme. There is also the Little Rams Service League, for young people in preschool and grade school, to start learning about philanthropy and our community.

To learn more about the League, please visit www.ywlnewcanaan.org or email [email protected]

Have a resource that helped you when you first move to town?

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