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STAMFORD, Conn. The sounds of hammers, electric drills and quiet conversation filled the air as about half-a-dozen teenagers worked away in a small basement workshop on a quiet street in Stamford. In one corner, three young men were building an Adirondack chair from scratch. In another, the groups resident artist sat quietly at a massive, handmade sandwich board, sketching out a sign promoting next week's East Side holiday tree lighting. This hive of activity is the Trafigura Work & Learn Program at nonprofit group Domus. A few days a week, groups of teens come to the workshop to learn life skills meant to help them get and keep jobs. The engines behind this program are Director Mitch DePino and Business Manager Mario Sarro. DePino and Sarro run the workshop like a well-oiled machine, keeping it clean, safe and friendly. The pair, along with volunteers, teach teens small engine repair, bike repair, woodworking and other skills. They have also provided instruction in nutrition, safe food preparation and cooking. The program is a collaboration among Domus, the Trafigura Foundation and the Work Place, Inc. Since the fall of 2010, the program has been working primarily with at-risk Stamford residents, ages 16 to 25. Participants in the program are referred by a number of programs, such as Domus Group Homes, Stamford Academy, Project Hope Street Outreach and the Juvenile Review Board. To date, more than 100 people have gone through the doors at Work & Learn.One of the projects the teens are tackling this week is a festive one: pinecone fire starters. The group collected pinecones from underneath a giant pine tree in front of Domus, and purchased wick, wax and inexpensive gift bags. The fire starters will be produced, packaged and given as holiday gifts this year. All of these projects are effective ways to teach the students about the power of business and entrepreneurship, Sarro says. And the program is an effective way to teach practical skills and intangible life lessons like respect, self-worth and professionalism, DePino adds. Weve seen our volunteers be just as impacted as our participants, says DePino. The more volunteers and new faces we have come through our doors with varied skills and expertise, the better an education we can give to our participants. Thats a beautiful thing. The program is always looking for some extra hands, Sarro says. We have volunteers helping us in the workshop, of course, but we also have opportunities for volunteers to work with the youth on mock interviews, public speaking and other professional skills," he says. "Volunteers are an essential part of our mission and anything that someone can offer to help further the life of a youth is a gift. According to Work & Learn, 100 percent of the programs participants say they want to attend college and 87 percent say they now have a specific desired career track. To learn more about the program, visit its website. If youd like to get involved with Domus and Work & Learn, visit Fairfield-County based www.VolunteerSquare.com for a variety of volunteer opportunities. Rachel Reese is executive director of VolunteerSquare.com, a free site that helps nonprofits and volunteers connect and collaborate with a powerful database and social networking capabilities. Reese, a Fairfield County native, previously worked as director of community relations at the YMCA of Greenwich. She also worked in Hartford for the Connecticut state legislature as a press secretary and is a two-time Emmy-nominated television news producer with years of experience at News 12 Connecticut. She received a degree in communications from Fairfield University.
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