News

A Day ON, Not a Day OFF

by Boston Cares
Thursday Jan 13, 2022

January 12, 2022 - January 17, 2022

Boston Cares has organized A Day ON, Not a Day OFF projects for MLK Day to honor Dr.King's legacy through service in 2022.

Boston Cares will host a Community Weekend of virtual opportunities focused on ways to serve and improve our community through educational opportunities, discussions about community issues, volunteer trainings, and remote service.

Training and Information Sessions:

New Volunteer Orientation

Sessions offered Friday 1/14, Saturday 1/15, Sunday 1/16, and Monday 1/17

Attend a Boston Cares New Volunteer Orientation with us this MLK Weekend to learn about Boston Cares and how to get involved! Individuals who complete a New Volunteer Orientation have access to approximately 400 service projects each month, ranging from 1 to 6 hours. Our web-based system allows volunteers to register online for projects in advance and also to track and print out their volunteering history. Volunteers under the age of 18 must submit a completed Parent Guardian Form and email it to volunteers@bostoncares.org before your NVO to participate.

Allies For Immigrants New Tutor Training

Monday 1/17 from 4:00 - 6:00pm

Attend our New Tutor Training, in partnership with English For New Bostonians, to become an Allies for Immigrants ESOL Corps Volunteer. Corps volunteers are a part of a network of volunteers who share a passion for enhancing English skills for adult learners. Volunteers support a classroom teacher, facilitate a small group in an integrated ESOL/technology skills course, lead a conversation group or citizenship class, tutor a student one-on-one, or coordinate Allies for Immigrants tutors at a program. No prior experience in ESOL teaching or tutoring is necessary. Currently, some Allies programming and tutoring opportunities are virtual, and some are in-person.

College Bound Dorchester Info. Session & Panel
Friday 1/14 from 11:30am - 12:30pm

College Bound Dorchester is a Boston nonprofit poised to be a national model for using education to end systemic generational urban poverty and violence through its Uncornered solution. Their mission is to equip young people with the attitude, skills and experience to graduate from college, focusing on engaging gang-involved youth to become positive leaders in their community. Come learn about the organization, about the work that they do, and how you may be able to get involved in their community. College Bound Dorchester will have a Staff member and Student join to share what they do, how they go to where they are and what their organization has done in their lives.

Prison Book Program Lunch & Learn

Friday 1/14 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Prison Book Program mails books to people in prison to support their educational, vocational and personal development and to help them avoid returning to prison after their release. They also aim to provide a quality volunteer experience that introduces citizens to issues surrounding the American prison system and the role of education in reforming it. Come learn from the Prison Book Program about prison reform and the criminal justice system, as well as who they are as an organization, and how you may be able to get involved in their organization.

Catie's Closet Listen & Learn

Friday 1/14 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Catie's Closet transforms unused areas inside schools into safe, welcoming spaces where students in grades preK-12 can discreetly shop, free of charge, for clothing, toiletries, and other necessities. By arming students with the power of choice, Catie's Closet fuels their confidence, encourages them to stay in school, and unlocks opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. Come learn about the issues that children in your local communities are facing. Catie's Closet will share current events and tell you how you can support the physical and emotional wellbeing of students.

Boston Cares Volunteer Leader Training

Becoming a Volunteer Leader is a great way to increase your impact as a volunteer and gain leadership skills. Volunteer Leaders are the backbone of the work we do at Boston Cares. The course will cover how to lead a project, the functionality of our website, and tips for making each volunteer experience engaging and exciting. *This opportunity is for Boston Cares members who have attended 3 Boston Cares Calendar volunteer projects already.

Virtual Volunteering Opportunities:

Write Cards for Essential Staff and Clients

Join with other volunteers virtually to create well-wishes cards for staff and clients at a variety of nonprofits throughout greater Boston. Hear from agency partners what these cards mean to their staff and clients during these challenging times. Please note that volunteers will be asked to create cards and write letters using your own supplies and postage. If this is a barrier to your participation please reach out to us at volunteers@bostoncares.org. *Volunteers under the age of 18 must submit a completed Parent Guardian Form and email it to volunteers@bostoncares.org by Wednesday, January 12th to participate.

Make Valentine's Cards for Seniors

Join with other volunteers virtually to create well-wish Valentine's Day cards for seniors throughout the city of Boston. Hear from agency partners what these cards mean to their staff and clients during these challenging times. Please note that volunteers will be emailed a PDF template card to print and use for this activity. If you are unable to print your own cards, volunteers can complete a Google Form upon sign up to request materials to pick up from our office. Volunteers under the age of 18 must submit a completed Parent Guardian Form and email it to volunteers@bostoncares.org by Wednesday, January 12th to participate.

Knitting for the Greater Good

Monday 1/17 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Volunteers will join a virtual knitting circle to create hats and scarves for people in need. Basic knitting skills recommended - session offers peer support but is not instructional in nature. Participants will learn about the agency that will receive donations, and where volunteers can send completed items. *Volunteers under the age of 18 must submit a completed Parent Guardian Form and email it to volunteers@bostoncares.org by Wednesday, January 12th to participate.

More information: www.bostoncares.org, www.bostonusa.com