Greetings!
Welcome to the August edition of TeenLife Boston Connections. TeenLife Boston is committed to providing middle and high school students access to rewarding and enriching opportunities beyond school, right here in Greater Boston.
With September right around the corner, many families prepare for the school year by cleaning out the old and purchasing the new. With that in mind, this month's newsletter feature article provides great ideas of how to recycle these items by donating them to local organizations. Furthermore, Simon Malls, our Sponsor of the Month, has given our readers some great deals on back-to-school shopping.
Sincerely,
Marie Schwartz
TeenLife Boston |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & DONATE
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Before heading into another school year, consider a little fall cleaning, and the possibility of donating items that you no longer use to organizations that need them. The organizations in this article either recycle your old items, or refurbish them and use the proceeds to support people in need. Please remember that most of these organizations need new items, or items in excellent condition. You would not want to wear old, ripped clothing or play with a broken toy, so try to donate items that you yourself would use. Unless an organization says that they can use less than new items, please do not donate them, because it ends up creating more work for the organization.
Featured in this article are organizations that help those in need by reusing things that you no longer use. Each paragraph features an organization, the items they need, and how you can go about donating to a particular organization. Attached at the end of an article is a list of all the organizations and their websites, so you can log on for more information about the non-profit, and a more extensive list of the items that they need.
Clothing:
Everyone has a lot of clothing that they no longer wear, and it most likely sits in the back of your closet or at the bottom of a drawer. Donate your gently used clothing to The Thrift Shop of Boston located at 17 Corinth St, Roslindale. All of the proceeds directly benefit the Home for Little Wanderers, an organization that supports at risk children and their families, and those children without a home.
While you are searching through your extra clothing, ask your parents if they have any baby items left over from you or your younger siblings. Room to Grow is an organization that helps parents raising children in poverty. They provide parenting support as well as essential baby items, until the child is three. They can use toys, blankets, high chairs, and baby monitors in addition to clothing, so if your parents have any in excellent condition they would be willing to part with, have them donate with you. Items that your family is willing to donate can be dropped off at 142 Berkeley St, Boston, and you can call ahead at 617-859-4545 to have someone help you with unloading.
If your parents have any women's clothing to give away they should donate it to the Women's Lunch Place. Located in Boston, the organization helps poor and homeless women and their children. The organization needs not only women's clothing, but basic home essentials, such as towels, blankets, and laundry detergent. Items can be dropped-off at 67 Newbury St between 8:30-11:30 and 1:00-2:00 or call 617-267-0200 to arrange a different drop-off time.
Toys & Art Supplies:
Everyone has toys that they no longer use, so consider donating them to Cradles to Crayons. This organization provides basic essentials to low-income and homeless children. They serve kids from preschool to pre-teen, so they need essentials for a wide age-range, and they could use the ones you have outgrown. Clothing, books, and art supplies are all needed, so if you have any of those items to donate please bring them to the "Giving Factory" located at 82 Myrtle St, North Quincy, Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 11am-3pm.
Clothing, art books, paint brushes, and acrylic paints
can all be donated to Artists for Humanity. This organization attempts
to bridge economic, racial, and social divisions by helping underserved
youth find paid employment in the arts. If you think you have supplies
that this organization can use, please email Quyen Truong to arrange a drop-off at 100 West Second St,
South Boston.
Bicycles:
One thing you may never have thought of donating would be your old bike. If you have outgrown or stopped using a bike because of minor problems, Bikes Not Bombs would love to have it. This organization collects bikes and restores them, and then uses those bikes to promote bicycle technology as an alternative to war and environmental destruction in Boston and nations of the Global South. Drop your bike off at 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain from 7-10pm on Wednesday nights. If you can't make it at that time, call 617-522-0222 to set up a different drop-off time.
Cell Phones:
Wondering what to do with your old cell phone now that you have an upgrade? If you are getting a new phone at Verizon Wireless, bring your old phone and any others lying around the house with you to Verizon and donate them to the Verizon HopeLine. Old cell phones and accessories from any carrier are either recycled or refurbished by Verizon. The funds from the sale of the refurbished phones provide phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence.
Another organization, Cell Phones for Soldiers, recycles old cell phones and uses the money it receives to buy prepaid phone cards for troops overseas. These prepaid phone cards are used by soldiers to call home. The organization was started by a Norwell, MA teen and her younger brother in April 2004. There are over 50 drop-off locations in Boston and the surrounding area; visit the website for a drop-off location near you.
Computers:
If you are heading off to college and have bought a new
laptop, consider donating your old computer and accessories to World
Computer Exchange. Computers, monitors, educational CD-ROMs, mice,
flash and zip disks, and digital cameras can be dropped off at a World
Computer Exchange in Chinatown. These working computers are used to
connect youth in developing countries with the internet. Please send an email to arrange a drop-off time.
Books, Magazines, CDs, & DVDs
The West End House in Allston is looking for books and DVDs for their Boys & Girls Club. The Club serves kids ages 7-18 so if you have any DVDs and books that are age appropriate bring them to the West End House on 105 Allston St between 10am and 6pm. Ask for Katie Healey, or call 617-787-4044 to make sure someone is there to receive your donation.
If you have any old books, CDs, DVDs, or magazines for any age, donate them to the Brookline Public Library. Bring them to 361 Washington Street, where they will be sold to the community. If any of the donated items are not sold they will be given to book charities for prisons or to 3rd world projects.
Disks for Dogs is an organization that collects DVDs and CDs and sells them at animal shelters, with all the proceeds benefiting the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Visit their website to print a shipping label and to learn more about how your donation can save a furry friend.
Other Items:
If you have something you want to donate but did not see an organization that would benefit from having it, consider posting the item on FreeCycle. This website lists the items that people no longer want, but do not want to throw away. The website can be browsed, or people can search for specific items, so you know that your item is being seen by people who want or need that donation.
Reducing Waste:
To decrease the number of items recycled and donated, sort through your mail and consider which peices are unnecessary. Then, log onto Catalog Choice's website and elect to decline
paper catalogs and reduce unsolicited mail. By stopping the creation of
unwanted catalogs you are saving paper and helping to preserve the
environment.
Thank you for taking the time to donate items that you no longer utilize. Please be sure to only donate items that are gently used. Organziations that receive donations have staff and volunteers that then sort these items. Sadly many of the items are in too poor condition to be utilized again. These damaged items are not only rejected by the donation site but also waste volunteer time and the organizations' space. By donating items that are still in good condition and perhaps sorting large donations will greatly help the collection site. Thank you for helping the environment and those in need. Good luck with fall cleaning and a new school year!
Organizations Accepting Donations:
Artists for Humanity, www.afhboston.org
Bikes Not Bombs, www.bikesnotbombs.org
Brookline Public Library, www.brooklinelibrary.org
Cataloug Choice, www.catalogchoice.org
Cell Phones for Soldiers, www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Cradles to Crayons, www.cradlestocrayons.org
Disks for Dogs, www.disksfordogs.org
The Freecycle Network, www.freecycle.org
Home for Little Wanderers, www.thehome.org
Room to Grow, www.roomtogrow.org
Verizon Hopeline, www.aboutus.vzw.com
West End House, www.westendhouse.org
Women's Lunch Place, www.womenslunchplace.org
World Computer Exchange, www.worldcomputerexchange.org
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ZUMIX Free Summer Concerts
Aug 1 - Sept 7 |
As part of ZUMIX's effort to build community through music, we will be hosting our 15th annual East Boston free summer concert series. ZUMIX holds two concerts a week, in East Boston's beautiful waterfront Piers Park on Sunday evenings from 5-7PM, and on Tuesday evenings from 5-7PM in the new Bremen Street park outside of the airport stop. These concerts are free outdoor events and are for the entire community. Both locations are accessible by T at the Maverick Square and Airport Stations respectively. The series is kicked off and concluded with big festivals, the Seaport Festival and our Harvest Festival both from 2-6PM. Come early and bring a picnic!
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FREE Teen Performance:
Living Out Loud
Aug 12 |
| Cambridge Community Services, Creative Action Project
presents: Living Out Loud, a free public performance written and
performed by teenage girls of Cambridge. Tuesday, August 12 at 6:30pm.
Location: Morse Elementary School Auditorium. 40 Granite Street
Cambridge, MA 02139. For more information, call Maura at 617-876-5214. |
Artists for Humanity:
Open Studios for Teen
Aug 21
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Artists for Humanity holds open studios on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-10pm, when we open up our art studio space to high school youth to create art, to enjoy a nurturing environment, and to take part in additional night programming in a safe, supportive space. We provide a full nutritious, free dinner for each youth, consisting of healthy sandwiches, salads, and dessert.
In addition, programming includes hip-hop sessions on Tuesdays, and movie nights on Thursdays. Interested youth need to call Liz Kapp at 617-268-7620 by 1pm on Tuesday or Thursday to secure a spot. Please email Liz with question. Space is limited--it's first come first serve.
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ServiceNation
Sept 27
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The goal of the campaign, ServiceNation, is to establish
service as a universal American ethic by providing more opportunities
for citizens to serve and thereby address critical issues facing our
country.
We are launching a two part campaign that features
both the "grass roots" and the "grass tops" in order to expand service
opportunities in this country. We have assembled a bi-partisan
coalition of over 80 non-profit and service organizations, including
Americorps, City Year and Vista, as well as major leaders like Alma
Powell, Caroline Kennedy and both presidential candidates, to join in
this national effort.
However, it is only through the
grassroots campaign that this movement can truly succeed; it is up to
the citizens of this country to make their voices heard and demonstrate
to their legislators and president the need and impact of service in
this country. We plan to do this is by organizing a "Day of Action" on
September 27th where citizens and organizations from all over the
country will host events in their communities. We hope to have at least
one thousand events going on all around the country on this day.
To get involved in the Boston Day of Action: you can look up an event in your area's website
and RSVP online to attend and participate. We are also looking for
individuals and organizations that are leaders in their communities to
organize events; they can register to online.
There will be a morning kick-off to the day and an end of the day
celebration that all are welcome to attend. More details are to come,
please contact Irene via email or phone 617-252-2129 and/or visit the website for more information.
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Teen Leadership Council: Applications DUE
Sept 6
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We are looking for middle and high school students who share our vision of helping children in need in Massachusetts receive the items they need most. Through our Teen Leadership Council students will join together to make an immediate and tangible difference in the lives of other kids. Visit our website to apply or to learn more about our TLC Community and Factory Crews.
Applications are due on Friday, September 6th.
Contact Lindsay Jensen with any questions.
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Making Strides:
American Cancer Society Walk
Oct 4 & 5
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Making Strides is your opportunity to honor breast
cancer survivors, remember those we have lost, and raise funds to help
end this disease.
Join breast cancer survivors, their
families, and volunteers at the American Cancer Society Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 5, 2008, Charles River
Esplanade, Boston, DCR Hatch Memorial Shell. Sign up to walk on the website.
You
can also volunteer to support the walkers. Each year, the American
Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Boston
attracts 40,000 participants and we need your help to ensure a safe and
enjoyable day for all.
On Saturday, October 4, 200 volunteers
are needed from 3pm to 6pm at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell to help us
prepare yummy snack bags for our walkers, as well as help us set up for
the following day's event.
On Sunday, October 5, 400
volunteers are needed to help us in a variety of roles including:
finish line cheerers, route monitors, clean up and set up crews, water
stops, T greeters, and snack distribution. These volunteer roles begin
between 7am and 9am and run until approximately 1:30pm.
To sign up or for further details, please contact Jennifer Gallagher 781-314-2659 to request your volunteer brochure.
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Create-a-Cook Classes
Sept 8 - December 15
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Sign up now for kid's Fall cooking classes and save!
Classes
start September 8. AUGUST SPECIAL: sign your child up for two
consecutive Create a cook class sessions (September 8- October 24 and
October 27- December 19) and SAVE 10%.
Cooking 101: 9-11 year olds
Let's
get back to the basics in the kitchen! In this class, you'll learn the
basics of cooking while making recipes that aren't so basic in taste!
Try your hand at chopping potatoes safely while making a Potato Leek
Soup and work on your folding technique while making Spiced Waffles.
Together, we'll put the "fun" into the fundamentals of cooking!
U.S. Food Tour: 11+ year olds
We'll
travel around the US and visit some of this country's most famous
culinary capitols. Some of our stops might include a visit to Georgia
for some Peach Cobbler as well as Wisconsin for some Creamy Cheese
Soup. It will be the yummiest tour around the country you have ever
taken!
Classes for children ages 3-9 and adults are also offered.
We
are also happy to announce our new Create-a-cook 2008/2009 workshop
schedule. Workshops will run from early September-December 15. Our
workshops are offered on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30. One part series
are $50 per person. Adult/child workshops are $80 per pair. Two part
workshops are $80 per person.
Call 617-795-2223 to register. |
Samaritans' 5K Run/Walk
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Participate in a fantastic community-building event that is organized each fall. "Run for Someone Else's Life." is a 5K Run/Walk / Family Fun event in which individuals and teams come together for a wonderful day to celebrate life and raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. Each year many schools put together teams of runners and walkers to participate, and still others put together teams of volunteers to help us staff the event. If you are interested in more information about the event, please contact our development director, Beth Schultz at 617-536-2460 x2239, or go to our website.
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| GreenSchools' Environmental Festivals
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Greenschools is in the process of organizing 2 Environmental Festivals [Middle/High] for Students and Advisors in the state of MA. If you are interested in volunteering to make these festivals a success, please contact Founder/Director of Green Education, Robin Organ.
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West End House Boys & Girls Club
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The West End House will remain open for teens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 8:30 p.m., and remain open for teens until midnight on Thursdays and Fridays. The teens will also receive free and safe rides home. This special initiative is in addition to the club's summer program hours of 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., for kids 7 to 18.
With the extended hours, the West End House Boys & Girls Club provides a quality extended evening program for teens ages 12 and older this summer.
Activities offered to teens include leadership and educational programs, music lessons, swim lessons and free swim, dance classes, fitness programs, gym activities, recreational games and much more will be available to all teens.
In addition to all of these free offerings, all teens will receive a hot and nutritious dinner each night and be able to attend staff-led field trips on Saturdays. For more information, contact program coordinator Zak Elgart via email or phone at 617-787-4044.
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Get the Definitive Guides to Summer & Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
Place your order now for the 2008 editions of the Teenlife Boston: Guide to Summer Programs and the first Guide to Community Service.
 
These two guides list hundreds of interesting summer programs and non-profits in the Greater Boston area that welcome students in middle and/or high school.
Order Guides Now
About TeenLife Boston
TeenLife Boston connects middle and high school students in Greater Boston with "opportunities beyond school" such as summer programs, community service, internships, and others that they never knew existed. We publish printed guides, manage online discussion groups, offer presentations for parents and students, help schools to implement internship programs, and organize face-to-face events that make it easier to find the right opportunities for teens.
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Sponsor of the Month
Simon Malls
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The Atrium Mall is proud to introduce the Simon Visa Olympic GiftCard! For every Simon Visa Olympic Card purchased, Simon donates $1 to the U.S. Olympic Committee to support our nation's athletes. These cards are available in any denomination from $20-$500 now through December 31, 2008.
And, from now until August 31st, receive a free Coca Cola CD Plus Connect Card with every Olympic GiftCard purchase! The CD Connect Card will link to a microsite on the Web with Olympic Partner Offers, free downloads and more!For more information, visit our website or call Guest Services at 617-527-1400. |
Volunteer Opportunities Heifer International
Aug-Oct
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Heifer International is an organization that seeks to end hunger and poverty globally while caring for the earth. Heifer provides gifts of livestock, trees, and training in organic, sustainable agriculture to communities in need. These gifts improve nutrition (e.g., milk), and income (e.g., through the sale of materials such as wool, or draft power to increase product yields) so that families can pay for their children to go to school, improve their living conditions and provide for medical care.
We are looking for one or two volunteers to work approximately 20 hours over the course of August through October to conduct research on school and library contacts and assist with mailings on Heifer's new elementary global education. While the positions are unpaid, we can provide you flexibility in conducting the work at home, a letter of recommendation at the conclusion of the project, and if interested, an opportunity to visit Overlook Farm, our learning center in Rutland, MA with your volunteer sponsor. Experience in spreadsheet data entry desired.
Please contact Rachel Brown, Area Volunteer Coordinator, Heifer International in the evenings at 508-359-6701 or by email.
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People Making a Difference
Aug 17- Sept 13
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On Sunday, August 17 from 9:45-12:15 in North Quincy, help kids get ready for school. Stuff backpacks with school supplies and fill orders for Cradles to Crayons.
On Saturday, September 13, participate in the Nurture Youth & Promote the Arts: "Spring" clean and paint Puppet Showcase Theatre, in Brookline, 10:15-3:45,
To sign up to participate in any PMD project, each individual must email or call 617-282-7177 no more than one month ahead and give the project date, your complete name, USPS mailing address, phone numbers (indicate cell, home, work, etc.), and email address. |
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WGBH Pledge Volunteers
August 21 & 31
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We need volunteers at least 16 year in age for the following two pledge drive shifts next month:
Thursday, Aug. 21, 6-11pm: This shift will feature our popular Brain Fitness Program, followed by some terrific music specials with Johnny Cash.
Sunday, Aug. 31, 1-5:30pm & 4:30-9pm: We'll be featuring some of our beloved viewer favorites, and the phones are sure to be ringing off the hook.
Dinner will be provided during the evening shifts, and snacks and beverages will be provided on the afternoon of Aug. 31.
All volunteers will receive a complimentary one-year membership to WGBH to keep, apply to extend your current membership, or gift to a friend or family member.
We're happy to accommodate both group and individual volunteers, but with so few opportunities to help out with this exciting event, spots are sure to go fast. Please RSVP ASAP, by email or phone. 617-300-5715.
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| Hub on Wheels' Citywide Ride
Sept 21
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We're currently looking for volunteers for a one-day event on Sunday, September 21. The opportunity is appropriate for parents and/or educators, as well as older teens (15+).
Hub On Wheels is Boston's only citywide bike ride and largest city-sponsored sporting event. The annual ride raises money to fund Technology Goes Home, an innovative technology-training program in the Boston Public Schools. Up to 5,000 participants are expected at this year's event.
We rely greatly on volunteers to help us pull off this event and we need volunteers in many different capacities, both the day of the event and in the weeks prior. Whether your passion is biking, kids, or computers, we want you involved! Sign up online or email Amy. The volunteer page on the Hub on Wheels website also has more informaiton.
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Roots & Shoots
Day of Peace
Sept 21
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Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's global environmental and humanitarian youth program.
The event, honoring the United Nations International Day of Peace, will be held at Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain on Sept 21 from 11am to 3pm. Everyone is invited to join us in music, art and a Giant Peace Dove parade around the pond. All attendees will also be invited to make "I am a Root of Peace" peace pledges for action in our communities and to join the Roots & Shoots international community.
Last year Roots & Shoots held Day of Peace celebrations in over 15 countries and 50 cities around the world. Join Roots & Shoots for this year's Day of Peace celebration to encourage better relationships between individuals, a greater understanding of different cultures and a more balanced coexistence among people, animals and the environment.
To volunteer at this event or to find out more email, call 617-439-9090, or visit the website.
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Samaritans' TeenHotline
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We have two great volunteer opportunities for teens this fall! Our teen hotline volunteer program is Samariteens.
Samariteens is a teen-to-teen support helpline delivered from our Boston and Framingham offices and staffed by a remarkable group of teenage volunteers. These teens come from all over the Boston and Metro West area to assist those who are lonely, despairing, in crisis, and sometimes suicidal.
Teens staff the helpline between the hours of 3pm and 9pm on weekdays and 9am and 9pm on weekends. We require a 3 hour/week commitment for 9 months. In Boston, please contact Ron White at 617-536-2460 and in Framingham please contact Eileen Davis at 508-872-1780 for more information.
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The Women's Lunch Place
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We can use kitchen help between 7am-2 pm, Mon-Sat. To volunteer, please visit our website. |
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Mother/Daughters @ the Women's Lunch Table
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It is a well-known fact that the mother/daughter relationship is both sacred and special. Due to the many demands that life places upon us, it can be challenging to find time to spend with one another. Many mother/daughter teams have found community volunteering as a meaningful way to fill this void and to make a difference in the lives of others. Those of us who are mothers know that it is important to teach our children to help those in need. As children, we want to make our parents to be proud of the people they've raised us to become.
The Women's Lunch Place welcomes mother/daughter volunteer teams to share in our incredible work serving poor and homeless women.
We offer food, friendship and supportive services to those in need, serving approximately 130 women daily. We treat our guests with dignity and respect and foster a community committed to meeting each woman's individual needs.
We invite mother/daughter teams to work in our kitchen, help with special events (including our annual Mother's Day lunch) collect toiletries, clothing, and other needed items, support our holiday giving/birthday gift program, and play bingo or board games.
Kitchen volunteers must be 14 and older. Our hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm. Requires a minimum 3-month commitment - exceptions can be made during the summer.
For more information, please contact our Community Relations Manager at 617-267-1722.
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Juniors & Seniors Volunteer @
Room To Grow
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Room to Grow
is an organization that works to enrich the lives of
babies born into poverty by providing parents with one-on-one parenting
support and essential baby items throughout their child's critical
first three years of life.
We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help organize and prepare
our inventory of infant and toddler clothing, toys, books and equipment
to help ensure that babies receive a healthy and secure start in life.
A minimum of 2 hours per visit, from Mondays through Fridays, 9:00 am -
5:00 pm is required. For more info, For more information, please contact Golsa or call 617-859-4545. |
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Volunteer for Ethos
July-August
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Visit elders in your neighborhood! Ethos serves frail home-bound elders in Roslindale and Hyde Park, and we need more volunteers to help seniors with shopping, getting the books out of the library, visiting them. If interested, please contact Olga, via email or phone at (617) 522-6700 ext. 323.
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One-to-One
Volunteers
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Please consider volunteering your time in meaningful relationships with GWARC consumers. You don't have to be an artist, a chef, a tailor, or have a particular skill to share and enrich the lives of GWARC consumers and yourself!
Previous activities have included: looking at magazines, drawing, painting, making a collage, reading from the newspaper, stringing Cheerios™ for bird feeding, singing favorite songs together, and listening to music.
If you have an hour or two, we invite you to contact one of GWARC's Waltham sites. Staff will introduce you to our participants and arrange 30-45-minute visits for a
one-to-one partnership. You may bring your own activity or get suggestions from GWARC staff.
Please contact Heidi for more information at 781-899-1344 or visit GWARC's website.
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