New Canaan CARES

New Canaan CARES New Canaan CARES is an independent, non-profit community organization whose purpose is to advance the health and well-being of youth and families.

Founded in 1979, CARES acronym stands for Community, Awareness, Responsibility, Education, Services.Over the years, CARES has grown from a small, narrowly-focused organization into a broadly-focused, responsive organization supported by a wide cross-section of community leaders and led by a highly-qualified professional staff.

Stay Connected with New Canaan Cares! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming CARES events, i...
06/10/2026

Stay Connected with New Canaan Cares! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming CARES events, important resources and volunteer opportunities!

Be a part of our mission to empower youth, strengthen families, and build community. Together, we can create a healthier, happier New Canaan!

Sign up today through the link in our Instagram BIO or at newcanaancares.org. 💙💚

Many counterfeit pills are made to look like real prescription medications, but they’re often produced without any quali...
06/09/2026

Many counterfeit pills are made to look like real prescription medications, but they’re often produced without any quality control or precise dosing. Just one fake pill can contain a deadly amount of fentanyl.

The DEA found that 42% of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl had a potentially lethal dose.

As parents, one of the most important conversations we can have with our kids is this:

Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed specifically to you and filled by a licensed pharmacy.

Fentanyl can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted — and it only takes a tiny amount to change a life forever. Learn more: https://beintheknowct.org

New Canaan CARES honored to be among the 90+ nonprofits awarded grants by the New Canaan Community Foundation this month...
06/08/2026

New Canaan CARES honored to be among the 90+ nonprofits awarded grants by the New Canaan Community Foundation this month!

With over $1 million invested in local impact, NCCF’s Annual Grant Awards not only support vital community work, it also celebrates the power of collaboration, generosity, and shared purpose.

We’re so grateful to NCCF for believing in the mission of New Canaan Cares. These grants help us continue empowering youth, strengthening family and building community. TOGETHER we are building a stronger, healthier, more connected New Canaan. 💙💚

Also, a big thank you to our NCHS intern, Chloe Perkins, pictured here with Colleen Prostor, our Executive Director and Maureen Asiel, our Education & Program Manager, It was a been pleasure having Chloe at CARES over the past few weeks!

CARES Celebrating Leadership, Service, and Community 💙💚Today, we gathered for a special luncheon to thank the incredible...
06/03/2026

CARES Celebrating Leadership, Service, and Community 💙💚

Today, we gathered for a special luncheon to thank the incredible individuals who help make New Canaan CARES such a strong and impactful organization.

We said goodbye to several outgoing Board members, including Board Chair, Natalie Jones, whose dedication, leadership, and service have helped guide CARES through the years, and we warmly welcomed our new Board members, including our new Board Chair, Jane Crawford, as they begin their journey with us.

We were also honored to recognize two extraordinary volunteers:

Felicia Jamin received the Founders Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment and contributions to New Canaan CARES.

Ann Spilker received the Exceptional Volunteer Service Award for her unwavering dedication and generous support of CARES mission.

Both Felicia and Ann have generously shared their time, talents, and passion with CARES, and we are deeply grateful for all they have done for our community.

To all of our Board members, Advisory Board members, volunteers, supporters, and partners, THANK YOU. Your commitment makes our work possible, and we are incredibly thankful for everyone who supports New Canaan CARES.

CARES is pleased to announce the 2026 Substance Use and Misuse Campaign, anti-ni****ne pouch sticker design selections. ...
06/02/2026

CARES is pleased to announce the 2026 Substance Use and Misuse Campaign, anti-ni****ne pouch sticker design selections. This initiative was led by CARES NCHS Senior Intern Chloe Perkins. The stickers, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of ni****ne pouches.

Last year's anti-vaping campaign was highly successful in using youth-driven messaging to engage and educate the community. This year builds on that momentum while veering off onto focusing on ni****ne pouches. Stay tuned for a list of local businesses that will feature the student-designed stickers on to-go bags and coffee cups in the coming weeks.

If you are a local business and would like to participate please DM us or reach out to Jen at [email protected]

In Connecticut, each municipality has a Local Prevention Council (LPC) composed of stakeholders for twelve community sectors. The LPC's mission is to increase public awareness around alcohol, to***co, and other drug prevention-with a particular focus on youth. CARES leads the LPC in New Canaan.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Whit O'Reilly and Cara Passios on receiving the New Canaan CARES Scholarship at the NCHS Awards Ceremony!

This award is given to two seniors who have participated in either the CARES High School Leadership Program or the CARES Youth Advisory Board and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and volunteerism in our community.

Congratulations Whit and Cara and all the award winners!

Stay Connected with New Canaan Cares! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming CARES events, i...
05/29/2026

Stay Connected with New Canaan Cares! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming CARES events, important resources and volunteer opportunities!

Be a part of our mission to empower youth, strengthen families, and build community. Together, we can create a healthier, happier New Canaan! 💙💚

Sign up today through the link in our Instagram BIO or at newcanaancares.org.

A lethal dose of fentanyl can be smaller than a pencil tip.Many counterfeit pills are made to look like real prescriptio...
05/26/2026

A lethal dose of fentanyl can be smaller than a pencil tip.

Many counterfeit pills are made to look like real prescription medications, but they’re often produced without any quality control or precise dosing. Just one fake pill can contain a deadly amount of fentanyl.

The DEA found that 42% of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl had a potentially lethal dose.

As parents, one of the most important conversations we can have with our kids is this:
Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed specifically to you and filled by a licensed pharmacy.

Fentanyl can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted — and it only takes a tiny amount to change a life forever. Learn more: https://beintheknowct.org

Join our friends at The MindWell Center for a special community mosaic event in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. ...
05/26/2026

Join our friends at The MindWell Center for a special community mosaic event in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, they will create a large-scale mosaic made up of individual messages of hope, support, kindness, and connection — because one kind word, one moment of understanding, and one person showing up for another can make all the difference.

Friday, May 29, 2026
3:00–5:00 PM (Drop in anytime!)
New Canaan Library

Write a message. Add your tile. Be part of something meaningful. You are not alone.

This program is presented in partnership with:


CARES Home Tour Guidebook & Ticket Pickup is TODAY, Thursday, May 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Resource 360, 99 M...
05/14/2026

CARES Home Tour Guidebook & Ticket Pickup is TODAY, Thursday, May 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Resource 360, 99 Main Street, New Canaan.

A huge thank you to Resource 360 - for being a Gold Sponsor, we are so grateful for your support and for hosting the ticket pick up!

We truly hope to see you at the Home Tour on Friday, it's going to be a wonderful day!

Tickets are still on sale at www.newcanaancares.org or via the link in our bio.

The Home Tour is CARES' biggest fundraising event and a cherished tradition. 100% of proceeds directly support youth leadership programs, parent workshops, and health and wellness initiatives, helping build a stronger, more resilient New Canaan.

Address

91 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT
06840

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+12039667862

Website

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