Hello MGB PBA members! The Volunteering and Community Outreach Committee has compiled a list of volunteering and outreach opportunities that you may be interested in checking out. Please see below for brief descriptions, and if you’d like to explore any of these options, each entry has a link and/or contacts for more information.
Otherwise, please check out the PBA newsletter for upcoming events organized by the Volunteering and Community Outreach Committee!
If you have any questions regarding this list, or have any suggestions on what other opportunities we can include, please email pbavolunteering@research.mgh.harvard.edu.
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Ongoing Volunteering Opportunities
Friday Night Supper Program
Description: Cook and distribute meals at Arlington Street Church on Friday evenings. Donations of clothing, shoes, and personal items are also accepted. For information from a fellow MGB employee, contact ACHEN42@mgh.harvard.edu.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: Proof of vaccination is required for all volunteers
Contact Information: contact@fridaynightsupper.org
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.fridaynightsupper.org/
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Big Brother of Massachusetts Bay
Description: Choose from different programs on their website and get matched with a child in the Greater Boston Area to support them and have fun.
Commitment Level: High
Requirements: Must apply and interview before getting matched. All interviews are online.
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://emassbigs.org/volunteer/
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Big Sister Association of Greater Boston
Description: Be matched with a girl in your area to provide a role model, have fun, and grow together.
Commitment Level: High
Requirements: Must apply and receive training prior to the interview and getting matched with a child.
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.bigsister.org/volunteer/become-a-big-sister/#apply
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Boston Living Center
Description: Serve meals, work the coat check, or volunteer in the computer lab.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: orientation
Contact Information: volunteer@vpi.org
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.vpi.org/boston/careers-volunteers/volunteer-opportunities/
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Boston Medical Center
Description: Choose from several ways to help out such as providing support and companionship to patients, helping at the outpatient food bank, or providing career coaching.
Commitment Level: Medium
Requirements: Application required. A 20-minute phone interview is used to confirm information on the application and in person interview will help place you into a particular role. Must complete health clearance and orientation.
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.bmc.org/volunteer-services/volunteer-opportunities
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Boston Rescue Mission
Description: Volunteer to help in the office or the kitchen, do maintenance in the building, become a driver, or help with cleaning or laundry.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: Must be vaccinated, apply online
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.brm.org/volunteer
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Boys and Girls Club of Boston
Description: Help with homework, daily activities, athletics, or administrative tasks to support the children and program.
Commitment Level: High
Requirements: Fill out inquiry form online to begin the process. Background checks will be required (Sex Offender Registry Information, Criminal Offender Record Information, National CORI)
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.bgcb.org/get-involved/volunteer/
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East Boston Community Soup Kitchen
Description: Help with Tuesday serving days or pick up food donations.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: application
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.ebkitchen.org/new-page
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East End House
Description: This program provides childcare to low-income families and needs volunteers to lead activities at the after-school programs, help with administrative responsibilities, and mentor youth.
Commitment Level: Varies based on role
Requirements: application required
Contact Information: ryan@eastendhouse.org
Location: Cambridge, MA
Link: http://eastendhouse.org/get-involved/
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Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Description: Become a troop leader or community volunteer. Visit the website for more information on how to get involved.
Commitment Level: Varies based on role
Requirements: application required, background checks may apply
Location: Search opportunities near you on their website
Link: https://mygs.girlscouts.org/volunteer
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Greater Boston Food Bank
Description: Fight hunger in our area by volunteering in the kitchen.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: Apply online
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.gbfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/individual-volunteering/
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Horizons for Homeless Children
Description: Support play for children living in homeless shelters as a Playspace Activity Leader or support the organization from behind the scenes.
Commitment Level: Varies based on role
Requirements: See website and contact the point person for the role you’re interested in
Location: Several locations in suburbs around Boston
Link: https://horizonschildren.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-network/
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Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston
Description: Mentor a child through the children’s program or make a new friend through the programs for adults with disabilities.
Commitment Level: High
Requirements: background checks and applications required
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://www.jbbbs.org/volunteer/
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Jewish Family and Children’s Services
Description: There are several remote and in-person opportunities for volunteers to give back to the community and make connections with community members.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: applications
Location: Waltham, MA
Link: https://www.jfcsboston.org/Volunteer/Volunteering-at-JF-CS#1477673-caring-crafts
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Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly
Description: Join the communications or development committee to support the organization in its goal to provide companionship to the elderly.
Commitment Level: Medium
Location: Boston, MA
Link: https://lbfeboston.org/volunteer/
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Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)
Description: Help with food and clothing drives, no-sew blanket making, and more. See the website for a full list of volunteer opportunities
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: application
Contact Information: jsheflin@mspcc.org
Location: Lexington, MA/remote
Link: https://www.mspcc.org/volunteer/
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On the Rise
Description: Help with tangible essentials drives, making meals or bagged lunches, or coordinating a moving home drive. Volunteers do not work directly with program participants.
Commitment Level: Low
Contact Information: maddie.porter@ontherise.org
Location: Cambridge, MA
Link: https://www.ontherise.org/energy-time-talent
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Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Description: Mentor youth and lead extracurricular programs.
Commitment Level: Varies based on role
Requirements: application and training required
Location: Somerville, MA
Link: https://www.pyd.org/get-involved/
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Stand Up for Kids
Description: Support the organization behind the scenes. See website for specific volunteer positions that need to be filled in your area.
Commitment Level: Varies based on role/opportunities available
Requirements: Application required but background check is role-dependent
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Christopher’s Haven
Description: Brighten a family’s day by hosting a family meal or children’s craft event at Christopher’s Haven, a home for children with cancer and their families.
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: Fill out the form on linked their website to apply
Contact Information: info@ChristophersHaven.org
Location: Boston, MA
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Prison Book Program
Description: Help send free books to people in prison by picking books, invoicing, packaging, and more!
Commitment Level: Low
Requirements: Sign up for a shift on their website
Contact Information: info@PrisonBookProgram.org
Location: Quincy, MA