Greetings!
Welcome to the October 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.
Our last issue focused on ways to fill a busy and productive schedule with volunteer opportunities, internships, and various extracurriculars. Now that you've settled into the new school year's routine, you'll want to make sure you find time for yourself in between those many activities. This month we're highlighting many exciting classes and workshops to help you relieve stress and explore new areas. We hope you'll find something enjoyable and relaxing.
I hope you find this issue helpful and informative. Please send your feedback and suggestions to newsletter@teenlifeboston.com.
Sincerely,
Marie Schwartz
TeenLife Boston |
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Reducing Stress and Exploring Opportunities |
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Although stress is part of each of our lives, we experience it in different ways. Stress can result from changes in our relationships, deaths or illnesses in our families or friends, physical changes in our bodies, moving or changing schools or jobs, or perhaps feeling overwhelmed with work. The key for each of us is to find healthy ways to cope during these difficult times.
While the source of the stress needs to be identified and addressed, it is also important to take a break from stress and to find helpful ways to combat these feelings. A simple way to deal with these feelings might be to listen to music, talk with a friend, write in a journal, work on a craft or art project, or take a walk. Another way to cope is to learn relaxation techniques such as abdominal breathing, muscle relaxation, or meditation. Exercising is an excellent stress reducer. Getting involved in sports and other socially oriented activities not only helps manage stress but also promotes a healthier body. Such activities can also help one feel more a part of his/her school or community.
Although joining another activity can feel as if one is adding to an already stressful day, studies have shown that students, in particular, manage their schoolwork better when they have a busy schedule and are forced to develop time management strategies. A body and mind that have been relieved of the stress of the day can focus more easily on the task at hand and can help the individual be more, rather than less, productive. In addition, the connection to others also enjoying the sport or activity helps with feelings of isolation and can lead to new friendships.
Below you'll find listings for places in Boston to help you relieve stress, express yourself, and focus your productivity in all areas. We hope you'll find something that will enrich and balance your schedule.
Upcoming Workshops and Classes
Raster/Render - 3D Design
Institute of Contemporary Art
Wednesdays, October 22 - December 17, 4-6 pm
Discover the work of Tara Donovan, then design your own digital sculptures! Over eight weeks, students will visit the exhibition and create their own sculptures in a virtual rendering of the ICA, using the 3D design program SketchUp. Final projects will be exported to Quicktime, and the digital museum model will be mashed up in Google earth. Fee: $250/$200 members, and free for Boston Public School students. Required lab fee for all digital media studio classes: $10. Open to high school students ages 14 - 18; no prior experience necessary. For more information or to register, please contact Rosanna Flouty, Associate Director of Education, by email or call 617-478-3132.
Teens In Print: Want to see your name in print?
Teens in Print, a citywide newspaper for teens by teens, is looking for articles, reviews, essays, letters, pictures, poems, art, photos, and stories from BPS high school students. Email your original work to Angela with your full name and age. For information on joining the T.i.P. teen staff call 617-541-2651 or visit their website.
Workshops at the Cloud Foundation
Learn about various art forms! Participate in free workshops about performance art, art as process, and digital animation. Various dates from Oct-Dec. 617-262-2949 or email.
Citi Performing Arts Center Master Classes for Teens
In these FREE intensives, participants will learn skills to become more professional in the arts and beyond. Topics can include: movement for actors, building a resume, auditioning and interviewing. Sessions on Mondays, October 20 and November 10 from 4:30-7:30 PM (you can sign up for one or both). They will be held at the Citi Performing Arts Center at 247 Tremont Street. For more information, or to register, please contact Anthony Victoria, Manager of Performance Programs, at 617.532.1221 or email.
Brookline, MA 617-232-9642
Fine Arts
Museum Learning, Studio Art Classes and Workshops
Boston, MA 617-369-3295
Other Opportunities
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| Volunteer and Internship Opportunities |
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| Work for MyTown, Inc. |
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What: MYTOWN Open House
When: October 24 & October 29 4pm-6pm
Location: MYTOWN Office, 70 Burbank St. in the Fenway neighborhood
Why: We are looking to hire new Youth Tour Guides for school-year jobs. Come visit the office, meet the staff and current Youth Guides as well as have the opportunity to fill out an application. For more information visit their website or contact Kris at 617-536-8696x13 or by email. |
Support Habitat for Humanity
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You can support Habitat for Humanity by participating in the 13th Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run to be held on Sunday, November 2, in Lexington. The event consists of 5K and 10K runs, as well as a 5K walk. Participants' entry fees of $20, plus any pledges they raise, are divided among local community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston. Register as an individual or family, or organize a group of friends to enter as a team. For more information or to request an entry form for the race, please call Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston at 617-423-2223.
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| Work with the Samaritans to Prevent Suicides |
Samaritans is looking for TEEN volunteers to answer our TEEN HelpLine at both our Boston and Framingham locations. Samariteens is the youth peer leadership program at the Samaritans. It is dedicated specifically to the prevention of suicide among teens. Begun in 1986, this teen help line provides confidential peer support and understanding to teens who are struggling with feelings of depression, loneliness, and stress. The Teen Helpline is staffed by volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18. In Boston, please email or call 617-536-2460; in Framingham, please email or call 508-872-1780.
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Volunteer at GREEN FEST
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Greenschools is looking for Middle and High School students to volunteer their time for a great GREEN cause! November 22nd is GREEN FEST, the first GREEN Festival for Middle School students looking to make a difference in their school community. We are looking for students to organize/lead sessions, guide tours, and participate in our Organic Fashion Show. GREEN FEST for High School students will be coming this spring. For more information, email Robin Organ, President/Founder, or visit their website. |
| Serve at Chelsea Community Kitchen |
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The Chelsea Community Kitchen invites guests, friends, and volunteers to join our ever-standing battle against hunger. The Chelsea Community Kitchen has been operating since 1991. The kitchen opens on Saturdays at 9:00AM - 12:00 Noon. We serve a light breakfast (9:00AM) and follow with lunch (11:30AM). We serve until 12:00 noon each Saturday. Participation in our meals can be for up to 100 people, which includes a diverse population of adults, children, and elderly guests. We welcome willing volunteers to cook, serve, or greet. We offer free training and our humble thanks to anyone who wants to join our just cause. Your support or donation is urgently needed to help us feed the hungry and offer a compassionate hand. We look to serve and impact the community of Chelsea and its neighbors. Please feel free to contact Keith Jones, Director at (617) 417-3705 or Sarah Hart, President at (617) 817-8952. |
| Sub/Urban Justice Programs |
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Sub/Urban Justice is offering two free peer-led education/action programs this fall. One begins October 19th in Jamaica Plain. This engaging program meets Sundays from 2:30-5:30PM and will continue for 8 weeks (excludes Thanksgiving weekend). The program is led by high school students and is offered to anyone who is interested age 13-18. Participants can expect to develop leadership skills, learn about the issues affecting our communities (specific focus on race, class, and housing), meet like-minded young people, learn how to make change in our schools and communities, and have fun! The second program is based in Needham (date and time to be announced), with a focus on making our community more engaged around issues of race and class. Space is limited, so email Christopher or call 617-276-5873 for more details soon! |
| MAPS Meeting on Climate Change |
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Massachusetts Power Shift (MAPS) Network Meeting on Climate Change Solutions, October 18th. Students and community members from across Massachusetts are coming to Boston on Saturday, October 18th, to plan actions in their schools and communities to help solve the climate crisis. MAPS is currently working on a national effort to get 1 million young voters to pledge to vote for climate and clean energy, and is promoting the We Campaign goal to get 100% of our electricity from carbon-free sources within the next decade. To get involved, or for more information (including exact location and time of the meeting) check out our website or email co-coordinator Craig Altemose. |
| Donate to Cradles to Crayons |
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In 2007, Cradles to Crayons received more than 5,000 orders for winter coats. We were only able to fill 3,500 of them. With the skyrocketing cost of home heating oil, we expect the demand to double. You can help! Host a drive to collect essential gear to keep local children warm this winter OR host a fundraiser to outfit a child in winter gear for as little as $25. Email Lindsay Jensen for more information. |
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Work with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts |
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Nocturnal Nights Program Volunteers
Rowley, Bolton, Norton (Oct 24, Nov 1,2)
Nocturnal Nights is a one-day event for girls in Grades K-5 to explore the lives of nocturnal animals. Volunteers are needed for many different volunteer roles, including being costumed animals in the forest, parking attendants, handling registration at the event, acting as runners to assist the "animals", or pre-event set up. Volunteer skills should include a desire/experience to work with girls and be creative/have fun! The event will be held on October 24th in Rowley, on November 1st in Bolton, and on November 2nd in Norton in the late afternoon/evening. Set up will be in the hours before the event. Help with one event or all three! Minimum age for volunteers is 13 (accompanied by an adult). For more information, please contact Jennifer van Buren at or 978-689-8015 x258, or by email.
Girl Scout Shop Volunteers
Middleboro, North Andover, Waltham (Ongoing)
The Girl Scout Shops are gearing up for a very busy season and we need your help for a successful season! If your talents are behind the scenes or you like interacting with people, we have a variety of things to offer you! Tasks will include merchandising, stocking, ticketing, and receiving. Minimum age for volunteer is 15. Great work experience, and fulfillment of community service hours is offered. Stores are located in Waltham, North Andover, and Middleboro and hours vary by location. For more information, contact Paula Brackett at 781-893-6293 or by email.
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Teens for Tzedek |
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Teens for Tzedek is the social justice program of TJCC, the teen program of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston. For more information on the opportunities below, visit their website and click on "Social Action" or contact program coordinator Robyn by phone (617-558-6512) or email.
Jewish Youth Literacy Corps (JYLC) is a partner of the Telem Teen Service Initiative. Teens in the Corps spend one afternoon a week reading to children at schools around Boston. Transportation is provided after school from Newton South, Needham, Milton and Lexington High Schools (inquire about new locations). This is a great opportunity to help provide a child with the tools to succeed in school and later on in life. The due date for the applications is October 19th and the starting date is October 28th.
Empower yourself and others: GirlsLEAD
Contribute your ideas and experiences in a new program designed with input from girls like you! GirlsLEAD, open to all Jewish teenage girls in our community, will bring us together to explore women's issues -- spirituality, feminism, body image, nutrition, gender equality, and more -- in a warm and safe environment. Activities will include dialogue around topics important to the group, weekend retreats, and plenty of time for getting to know each other and making friends with other girls interested in Tikkun Olam, or healing the world. We'll work and play together, and we'll document our experience on film as a model for other Jewish communities.
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| Volunteer for the World Computer Exchange |
The World Computer Exchange (WCE) needs volunteers for their Computer Testing and Packing Day on October 18. Students over the age of twelve are invited to help test computers and prepare them for shipping to young people in need all over the world.
The event will last from 9:00AM-4:00PM, and volunteers may pick their own hours within that time frame. The event is located at WCE's site 936 Nantasket Ave. Hull, MA 02045. No special skills are required, tasks may include turning on units and a simple protocol, counting mice, power cords, etc. or loading equipment onto pallets. You may sign up as a group or as an individual.
Lunch will be provided, and transportation charges can be reimbursed within Massachusetts, from your location to our location in Hull (if arranged beforehand with us). Those taking public transportation can be arranged to be picked up at the Braintree T station on the Red Line at 8:45 AM. Some work will be outdoors, weather permitting. Please dress according to the weather. Visit our website or email Pam for more information. | |
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| Sponsor of the Month |
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| Opportunities through
Boston Cares |
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Sign up for a Boston Cares membership through TeenLife Boston!
Boston Cares provides an excellent means through which to organize your community service work. They'll help you find service opportunities in your community, track your volunteer hours, and fulfill service-related requirements.
Visit the TeenLife Boston page at Boston Cares for information about their New Volunteer Orientations, membership details, and service projects. |
| Opportunities through Idealist |
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Idealist.org is an online hub for turning good intentions into concrete action. Check out over 80,000 social good organizations that list information about their programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. Search for teen-friendly opportunities based on your interests - such as Green Living, Disaster Relief, Housing and Homelessness, or Voting and Democracy. Create a profile and connect with others, or set up an email alert to be notified of new opportunities that match your interests. Also, be sure to check out Generation Idealist, a resource center specifically for up-and-coming community leaders and world changers.
Find us on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. |
| Opportunities through the Massachusetts League of Women's Voters |
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The League of Women's Voters has compiled a directory of Civic Engagement and Leadership Development Programs for Massachusetts Youth. These listings include nonprofit organizations and social justice programs that both serve teenage populations and are seeking teenage contributions. Visit their website for full listings. |
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Roots and Shoots Mini-Grant Opportunity |
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Roots & Shoots, a youth service program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is thrilled to offer grants of $250 to $750 to support youth-led service projects in New England. As part of the Roots & Shoots New England Diversity Initiative, up to 10 mini-grants will support youth groups that represent underserved communities or populations. We encourage youth to address the theme of "Promoting Engagement in World Harmony." This is based upon a recent initiative of the New England Youth Leadership Council, which seeks to translate a vision of World Harmony into speech, art or action. For more information and application forms, email Christine Ellersick or visit their website.
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Special Sale on 2008 TeenLife Boston Guides
Our comprehensive 2008 Guide to Summer Programs and Guide to Community Service can help you plan in advance and give you a head start on planning your summer.
Only $19 each or $35 for the set, including tax and shipping.
 
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 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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