Uplifting and uniting our community
By providing caring services and resources to meet our neighbors’ needs with dignity and respect.
WAIM Voted Best Non-Profit!
We’re honored to be named Best Non-Profit in the Willimantic Chronicle’s "Best Of" Reader’s Poll! Thank you to our amazing community for the support!
Toys for Tots Collection
Support Toys for Tots this season! Hosted on WAIM’s 4th floor, Toys for Tots collects gifts for children in need. Please note, WAIM does not run this program; it is facilitated by the Toys for Tots team.
Learn More: Windham County Toys for Tots
Contact: windham.ct@toysfortots.org
Walk For Warmth
Join WAIM's two-mile Walk for Warmth in Willimantic to raise funds for our Private Energy Assistance program. Your support helps ensure that neighbors can live in heated homes with warm showers and hot meals this winter.
Adopt-a-Family Program
Bring joy to local families this holiday season by participating in WAIM’s Adopt-a-Family program.
Your support provides holiday meals and gifts for children in families with limited income who are experiencing crisis.
Cupid’s Run (February 2025)
Get moving for a cause this February with WAIM’s two-mile Cupid’s Run or walk through downtown Willimantic! Part of the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival, this urban challenge benefits WAIM’s local support initiatives.
Material Donations
WAIM accepts donations of clothing, furniture, appliances, and household items, which are distributed to community members in need at no cost. These items are given a second life and provide essential support to families in our community.
WAIM (Windham Area Interfaith Ministry) provides basic needs and support to area residents with insufficient income. Our goal is to keep people safely housed, meet basic material needs and connect them to resources that sustain their stability.
Our Programs
Emergency Financial Assistance
WAIM is dedicated to helping our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet. Emergency financial assistance from WAIM can help with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, transportation expenses, and other basic needs.
Material Donations
WAIM distributes donated clothing, furniture, appliances, and other household items to people in need in our community for free. Literally, tons of useful items are kept out of local landfills and welcomed into the homes of individuals and families who give them a second life.
Partners in Independence
Meet with a trained mentor who will provide thoughtful guidance and help you identify goals and develop strategies to achieve them.
Get Involved
Events
Support engagement with our community partners, schools, churches, and individuals like you.
Material Donations
WAIM distributes donated clothing, furniture, appliances, and other household items to people in need in our community for free.
Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to achieving our mission of uplifting and uniting our community.
There's still time to register! The proceeds will go to our Emergency Financial Assistance Fund for Fuel Assistance and Rental Assistance. These funds go directly to the people that WAIM serves.
Fundraising efforts are currently just over $5,000. Help us reach our goal of $55,000 by walking and fundraising. You can also donate directly at
www.my giving.net/donate/WAIM-Giving
Choose "Walk for Warmth" from the pull down under "Is your donation for a specific program or fundraiser?"
You can also register day of starting at 12:30 pm at First Congregational Church in Willimantic.
Join us for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 1:30 pm. It is a beautiful service that honors all faiths and traditions. Let's celebrate our commonalities.
The walk starts after the service at 2:15 pm.
See you then! ... See MoreSee Less
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One of the many clients that WAIM has recently helped is an elderly client, who depends solely on her disability check of about $800 a month. She has managed to budget her expenses, but paying her water bill every 3 months is a serious stretch. Though she allocates as much money as she can into her water bill, she turned to WAIM for assistance, and we help her keep her water on!
WAIM helps real people facing real problems. Join us on Sunday, November 24th to walk for a person just like her! For more information and registration details, please visit waimct.org/walk-for-warmth/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Our supporting faith organizations and our community make up the back bone of WAIM.
It was a sad day when Ebenezer Lutheran Church decided to close its doors.
The congregation has been ardent supporters of WAIM. Lenny Patera (pictured right) still drives a SAG wagon (cyclists support vehicle) in the Steeplechase Bike Tour every year.
We are touched and incredibly grateful to accept their donation of $77,000. The remaining members chose WAIM as one of the benefiting organizations as they disburse the remaining assets of the church.
This contribution has helped us to close a deficit and stabilize our organization as we
move into one of the busiest times of the year.
We appreciate all of the support that Ebenezer Lutheran has given us over the years. Thier legacy will live on through our mission of uplifting our community with dignity and respect. ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
What a way to keep the legacy of their church history of supporting the wider community going while creating a model for other religious nonprofits to emulate! Thank you for this gift to WAIM!
Wow how amazing and incredibly generous!! 🙌🏻❤️
That it so amazing! WAIM is such a wonderful program!!! ❤️
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The Holiday Gala was a huge success!
A huge thank you to Xiomara Capo for your vision and hard work. Ariana Perez and Dawn Ducot did a lot of the leg work as well. Thank you, thank you!
A huge shout out goes to Bill Sayers. He had tProject Imo, Inc.vent and was the magic behind it.
All of the proceeds benefit WAIM, Windham/Willimantic Cares and Project Imo, Inc.
It was a fun night of music, dancing and a lot of food! Everything was delicious.
Thank you to all the businesses who donated to the silent auction.
A huge shout out to our sponsor, Liberty Bank.
Temporaries of New England bought 14 seats for the event.
We could not have done it without all of you! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Here’s what happened to a WAIM client recently, it can happen to anyone. A single mother of 3 was in a car accident and unable to work. Luckily, she still received a portion of her pay, but which should she pay, her rent or oil? She reached out to WAIM for assistance with oil and with WAIM’s help, was able to manage both critical needs.
WAIM helps real people facing real problems. Join us on Sunday, November 24th to walk for a family just like this one! For more information and registration details, please visit waimct.org/walk-for-warmth/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
I was honored to table on behalf of WAIM at Hartford Healthcare's Medical Mission in Willimantic yesterday.
Participants received free healthcare, screenings and vaccines. I was in the community resource section of the event to inform people of the services WAIM provides.
"Are you familiar with WAIM?" I'd ask.
The answers were:
"WAIM is great. You help the community so much!"
"I donate my clothes to WAIM. I love how they go directly to the people who need them."
"I shop at WAIM every month. The staff and volunteers are great!"
"WAIM is helping me with my electric bill. I need to stop back in and talk to my Case Manager."
"I haven't been to WAIM in years. You really helped me out back then. I was in a bad place. I am where I am now because of WAIM."
It was so affirming to hear how much we are valued in the community and how we positively impact people's lives.
I am deeply appreciative of the UCONN students who volunteered at the event.
Pierrette is a freshman in pre-med. She helped me at the table. It was lovely getting to know her. She loved learning about WAIM and was a wonderful
spokesperson for us.
She signed up to volunteer at WAIM when she can. I'm excited to follow this young lady through her career.
- Susan A Hunter, Executive Director ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook