Volunteer Opportunities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay

Phone: 

617-542-9090

Email: 

info@bbbsmb.org

Website: 

www.bbbsmb.org

Mission: 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay’s mission is to promote the healthy development of children through the nurturing of continuing, one-to-one friendships with caring, responsible adults, supported by trained professional staff. For more information please call 617-542-9090 or visit www.bbbsmb.org.

Location

75 Federal Street 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Becoming a Big takes just a few steps You: -Complete and submit the on-line application – we’ll contact you when we receive it -Submit names of references -Join us for a face to face interview (it’s helpful if you bring answers to the pre-interview questionnaire with you) We: -Review your application and references – we also do a background check -Get to know you, your background, interests and hobbies better in a 60-90 minute interview -Consider how well your skills and interests match those of youth on our waiting list and talk to both you and the family about this potential friendship -Set a date for you and the youth to meet, accompanied by an agency staff member. The process to qualify as a Big takes a few weeks: the time before you’re matched with a Little depends on how many youth living in your area and sharing your interests are waiting for Bigs.

Me? A Big Brother or Big Sister? Yes, you! It's really simple. All you need to do is have fun with a great kid doing stuff you already do (or want to do) like: play video games, play sports, enjoy free tickets to events, wash your car, go hiking, or watch TV. Whatever. You decide!

Friends of Ronan Park

Email: 

info@friendsofronanpark.org

Website: 

http://friendsofronanpark.org/

Mission: 

In 2001, the Friends of Ronan Park (FoRP) was established under the premise that a park has the distinct ability to transform and rejuvenate a community, and should thus be nurtured and protected by everyone. Urban parks are particularly vital as they are the heart of so much daily activity for children and families. Conversely, if they are neglected, parks become a cancer that attacks the heart and spirit of a neighborhood. One of the goals of FoRP is to encourage usage of the park in constructive, creative and fun ways as well as build towards leaving a more permanent legacy that speaks directly to all who visit and use the park. Since the inception of FoRP, Ronan Park has witnessed success through events such as Shakespeare in the Park, park clean-ups, National Night Out, the annual Multicultural Festival, and more. A recent influx of new homeowners in the community surrounding Ronan Park has sparked an increased interest in revitalizing the park

Location

230 Bowdoin Street
Dorchester, MA
United States
See map: Google Maps

Dorchester Park Association (DPA)

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Dorchester Park Association
P.O. Box 240081
Dorchester, MA 02124

Website: 

http://www.dotpark.org/

Mission: 

Dorchester Park in Dorchester, Massachusetts was established in 1891. Having changed size over subsequent years, it remains a beautiful part of the community. Please take the opportunity to explore our website; you'll learn a lot about Dorchester Park's history and future. You'll also discover a variety of events held for the community throughout the year.
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In recent years, dwindling resources have prevented Boston Parks and Recreation from taking a proactive role in maintaining Dorchester Park. The Park Association has done what it could to fill the gaps. However, experience has shown us that volunteers and free public resources are inadequate to the task.

To assess the scope of the Park's problems, the DPA obtained preliminary reports from two landscape and forest management specialists. We learned we face two tasks – restoration to undo damage that has accumulated through years of neglect, and maintenance to preserve those gains and to enhance the forest.

Location

Dorchester Park
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Contact Richard at Cedar Grove Gardens

Created: 
01/17/2011

DotHouse Health

Phone: 

617-288-3230

Website: 

http://www.dorchesterhouse.org/

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Mission: 

To be an essential resource for our community in its efforts to achieve the highest levels of health, well being and quality of life for its residents.

To provide affordable, accessible, and exceptional health care and other essential services in an environment that respects our consumers, our staff and our diverse community.

To be a leading force for change in the health, economic and social well being of our community.

Location

DotHouse Health Center
1353 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Codman Square Health Center, DotWell, SCI

Key Programs Offered: 

DotHouse Health (Formerly Dorchester House) is a federally qualified health center located in the Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester. 127 years ago, our founders had a brilliant vision. They understood that a person’s well-being wasn't just about one facet of a person’s life, but it was about the well-being of the whole person. It’s about taking care of the whole person across their life span. We continue to follow this vision by not only offering healthcare but, also community and social services to the people of Dorchester. We offer our 23,000 patients extensive case management, financial and legal services as well as a number of community programs. By connecting our patients with comprehensive primary care, social services and internal programs – all under one roof – we support the overall good health of our patients and build a stronger, healthier community.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Dot House/Dorchester House

WORK Inc.

Phone: 

617-691-1500

Email: 

info@workinc.org

Website: 

http://www.workinc.org/

Mission: 

All individuals have the ability to grow, the right to make choices and to participate in community life. It is the mission of WORK Inc. to join with others in creating the conditions under which all persons with disabilties will experience:

Presence and participation in community life
Opportunities to develop and exercise competence
Encouragement to make choices in the pursuit of personal growth
Opportunities to develop good relationships with family, friends, neighbors and peers
Respect and dignity through the promotion of human and civil rights
Protection from abuse and neglect
Assurances that services are flexible and person-centered and delivered by trained personnel
Respect for their unique ethnic and cultural backgrounds
The chance to take risks and have experiences that promote growth and development
Opportunities for self-advocacy that empower individuals and their families to articulate their needs and desires.

Location

Work Inc
25 Beach St
Dorchester, MA
United States
See map: Google Maps

Perkins Community Center

Phone: 

617-635-5146

Email: 

perkinscc@cityofboston.gov

Website: 

www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf

Location

Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Ave
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Boston Centers for Youth & Families Joseph Lee Elementary School Lee Academy Pilot School Codman Square Library DotWell

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

For Adult Education, including GED and ESOL classes, contact Papa Diop at (617) 635-1894. Drop-in registration every first and third Wednesday of the month. For all other after-school, summer, and recreation programs: call the front desk at (617) 635-1895.

Key Programs Offered: 

School Age Child Care After-School and Summer Program Piranhas After-School Program: Meets M-F, 3:20 - 6. 4 - 5pm writing. 5 - 6pm pool. $150/year. 1st month: Deposit and &35. Then: $35 every 3 months. Piranhas Swim Team: Membership overlaps with After-School Program, but open to others also. Swim meets 6pm Fridays.** Open Swimming: Saturdays. 10:15 - 11 Children, 11 - 12 Lap Swimming, 1 - 2:30 Community/Open Swim, 2-4:30 Adults.** Fire Star Homework Drop-in: Call center for more info Boston Raider's Mentoring: Academic help for youth aged 7-18. M-F, 3-8pm. $20/month. Strong Women, Strong Girls: Mentoring for girls in grades 3, 4 and 5 at Perkins on Thursdays, 4 - 5:30pm. Open Gym Peewee Basketball: Saturdays, 9am - 1pm. $65/season. Season runs approximately October - April. Self-Defense: Free self-defense classes taught on Saturdays from 9 - 11:30 am. 16 years and up. Karate: Classes offered for ages 5 and up, adults included, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6-8. Call center for pricing information. Dorchester Adult Literacy Coalition site

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
11/29/2011

Codman Square Health Center

Phone: 

(617) 825-9660

Website: 

http://www.codman.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Urgent Care: 
Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 10:00pm 
Friday 8:30am - 9:00pm 
Saturday 9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Primary Care:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday & Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Mission: 

To serve as a resource for improving the physical, mental and social well-being of the community. *** We opened our doors in 1979 with a dream: to build the best urban community in America. As part of this dream, we recognized that though health care begins by alleviating sickness, the journey to a true "culture of health" is achieved through the health of the whole person, and through the health of the whole community.  Our two-physician staff that summer of 1979 may have been small, but our mantra was not: while disease is a lack of health, health is not simply a lack of disease.

Today, with a staff of 280 employees, expert clinicians and medical staff, and an astounding depth and breadth of community programs, we believe that we are on our way toward reaching our dream of building the best urban community in America. The Codman Square Health Center is committed to continued progress and we hope you will join us in fulfilling our vision of a culture of health in our community.

Location

Codman Square Health Center
637 Washington St
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

DotWell, Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Codman Academy Charter Public School, HealthWorks Foundation

Key Programs Offered: 

Clinical Services: 
Primary care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Women’s Health)
Urgent care
Dental care
Eye care
Behavioral Health 
Specialty care (Podiatry, Cardiology, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Dermatology, Smoking Cessation, WIC office) Pharmacy (w/ Eaton Apothecary, 617.265.7400)

Full Service Laboratory 
Diagnostic Care (X-ray, mammography, ultrasound, radiology) 

Case Management: Asthma, Diabetes, Pre-natal, HIV Client support: insurance services, interpreter services, on-site childcare, financial counseling, legal advocacy, multilingual staff, referral management

Civic Health through DotWell

Public Health Services: Cooking Classes & Nutrition Programs Healthy Eating for Diabetes Eat Green, Save Green HIV counseling, education, outreach, support Support groups for new parents, dads, moms (drop-in!), as well as AA, & HIV

Food Security:
DTA Food Stamp program: There will be a representative at the Health Center on Fridays from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm in the Nutrition Office in the first floor lobby. Half hour appointments can be made in MSI. Walk-ins also encouraged.
Food Pantry: Pantry will reopen at Greenwood UMC. Details forthcoming. MORE!

Created: 
02/07/2011

Healthworks Community Fitness

Phone: 

(617) 825-2800

Email: 

kchipman@healthworkscommunityfitness.org

Website: 

http://www.healthworksfoundation.org/codman/

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday 6:00am – 9:00pm
Tuesday 6:00am – 9:00pm
Wednesday 6:00am – 9:00pm
Thursday 6:00am – 9:00pm
Friday 6:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday Closed

Mission: 

Healthworks Community Fitness provides a fun, safe, and supportive environment in which women can become empowered to take control of their physical and emotional wellbeing. The member/scholarship program gives women free access to the environment needed to develop the whole woman- mind, body, and spirit. Healthworks Community Fitness understands that gaining access to fitness is the first step for many women towards empowerment. Since this is often a difficult step, it is crucial for women to obtain support.

Location

Codman Square Health Center Branch
450 Washington St
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Please call for more information!

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes, meeting space available during the day for women's groups

Created: 
11/28/2011

Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester: Walter Denney Youth Center

Phone: 

617.822.3701

Email: 

Office Manager Tara Lewis, tlewis@bgcdorchester.org

Website: 

www.bgcdorchester.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

September 8 - July 1
Bantams/Cadets/Juniors – Monday – Friday 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Intermediates/Seniors – Monday - Friday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday.

July 7 - August 15
Bantams/Cadets/Juniors – Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Intermediates/Seniors – Monday – Friday 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Mission: 

To inspire and enable all young people, from diverse circumstances, to realize their full potential by providing opportunities for personal growth to become contributing, caring and responsible members of the community.

Our Boys & Girls Clubs Provide
A safe place to learn and grow.
Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals.
Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences.
Hope and opportunity.

Location

Boys and Girls Club, Walter Denney Youth Center
270 Mount Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Membership in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is open to all children between the ages of 6 and 17. Our Club has an "open door" policy. Members are well supervised while in the program areas, but may come and go as they please. The membership fee for all ages is just $5.00 per year, or $10.00 per year for immediate family members registering at the same time. All members must furnish proof of age when signing up.

Bantams: ages 6 - 7 (limited membership; no drop-in, programmed activities only.)
Cadets: ages 8 - 9
Juniors: ages 10 - 12
Intermediates: ages 13 - 15
Seniors: ages 16 – 17
Orientation
After registering, members must attend a member's orientation. Parents are encouraged to attend as well. The orientations are held according to the following schedule:

Fall 2008 – Spring 2009 (September 8 – July 1)
For the Marr & McLaughlin Buildings (Deer Street & Dorchester Ave.)
(Held in the Marr building lobby)
4:00 – Monday - Friday

Summer 2008 (July 5 – September 8)
For the Marr & McLaughlin Buildings (Deer Street & Dorchester Ave.)
(Held in the Marr building lobby)
9:15 – Friday
9:30 - Monday & Wednesday
4:00 – Monday - Friday

Key Programs Offered: 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester offer club members the chance to participate in programs that foster the intellectual, artistic and athletic interests of its members. Each program is age appropriate, supervised, structured and most importantly - designed to accommodate the wide variety of learning styles, social skills and intellectual abilities that our children bring to the Club each and every day. Members are grouped according to age and interests with activities falling into the following categories:

Triple Play – A comprehensive wellness program that weaves physical fitness, nutrition, stress reduction, healthy lifestyle choices together by drawing upon the 200+ programs that take place at the Club

The Arts – Painting & drawing, sculpture, photography and digital design

Music - Comprehensive music program including instruments, voice, and dance lessons. Partnership with Berklee College of Music

Education - Daily homework help, one-on-one tutoring, reading & writing enrichment, MCAS & SAT preparation

Life Skills - Leadership groups for 13-17 year olds (Keystone Club) and 10-13 year olds (Torch Club) teach civic responsibility and pride

Technology - Three computer learning centers, each with 10 computers, are available to members for educational and research purposes

Athletics - Basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, track, volleyball, gymnastics, Judo and more

Aquatics - Organized swim teams, swimming lessons and drop-in swimming for all ages and levels

Social Recreation - Chess and other strategic board games, puzzles, pool, foosball, and movies

Career Service – Career preparation, placement and guidance for teens seeking employment support

Child Care - Licensed care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers; after-school care for children ages 6-12

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
10/23/2009

Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester: Paul R. McLaughlin Youth Center

Phone: 

617.288.7120

Email: 

mjoyce@bgcdorchester.org

Website: 

www.bgcdorchester.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

September 8 - July 1

  • Bantams: Programmed activities only;
    Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
  • Cadets: Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; 
    Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
  • Juniors/Intermediates/Seniors:
    Monday - Friday 3:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.;
    Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. 

July 7 - August 15

  • Cadets & Juniors:
    Session 1– July 7– July 25; 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
    Session 2 – July 28 – August 15 ; 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
  • Bantams:
    Session 1 Morning – July 7 – July 25; 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
    Session 1 Afternoon – July 7 – July 25; 1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
    Session 2 Morning – July 28 – August 15; 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
    Session 2 Afternoon – July 28 – August 15; 1:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
    Intermediates/Seniors Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:45 p.m.; Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
Mission: 

To inspire and enable all young people, from diverse circumstances, to realize their full potential by providing opportunities for personal growth to become contributing, caring and responsible members of the community. Our Boys & Girls Clubs Provide A safe place to learn and grow. Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals. Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Hope and opportunity.

Location

Boys and Girls Club, Paul R. McLaughlin Youth Center
1135 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02125
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Membership in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester is open to all children between the ages of 6 and 17. Our Club has an "open door" policy. Members are well supervised while in the program areas, but may come and go as they please. The membership fee for all ages is just $5.00 per year, or $10.00 per year for immediate family members registering at the same time. All members must furnish proof of age when signing up.

Bantams: ages 6 - 7 (limited membership; no drop-in, programmed activities only.) 
Cadets: ages 8 - 9 Juniors: ages 10 - 12
Intermediates: ages 13 - 15
Seniors: ages 16 – 17

Orientation: After registering, members must attend a member's orientation. Parents are encouraged to attend as well.

Key Programs Offered: 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester offer club members the chance to participate in programs that foster the intellectual, artistic and athletic interests of its members. Each program is age appropriate, supervised, structured and most importantly - designed to accommodate the wide variety of learning styles, social skills and intellectual abilities that our children bring to the Club each and every day. Members are grouped according to age and interests with activities falling into the following categories:

Triple Play – A comprehensive wellness program that weaves physical fitness, nutrition, stress reduction, healthy lifestyle choices together by drawing upon the 200+ programs that take place at the Club

The Arts – Painting & drawing, sculpture, photography and digital design

Music - Comprehensive music program including instruments, voice, and dance lessons. Also home to the Dorchester Music Clubhouse. 

Partnership with Berklee College of Music Education - Daily homework help, one-on-one tutoring, reading & writing enrichment, MCAS & SAT preparation

Life Skills - Leadership groups for 13-17 year olds (Keystone Club) and 10-13 year olds (Torch Club) teach civic responsibility and pride

Technology - Three computer learning centers, each with 10 computers, are available to members for educational and research purposes

Athletics - Basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, track, volleyball, gymnastics, Judo and more

Aquatics - Organized swim teams, swimming lessons and drop-in swimming for all ages and levels

Social Recreation - Chess and other strategic board games, puzzles, pool, foosball, and movies

Career Service – Career preparation, placement and guidance for teens seeking employment support

Child Care - Licensed care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers; after-school care for children ages 6-12

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
10/23/2009
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