Volunteer with SCI Dorchester

Are you looking for ways to get involved in the community? Do you have some spare time or skills that you would like to use to make Dorchester a better place to live? Does your organization need volunteers to help you achieve your mission?

The Volunteer page at MyDorchester is where you can find and promote individual and group volunteer opportunities in the Dorchester area. Everyday, we post opportunities with local clinical and community services organizations. We also send out a biweekly volunteer blast that you can sign up for below.

Check out some of the opportunities below and if you are looking for more information or have any questions, email our Volunteer Coordinator or call our offices at 617-822-8269.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at the 9th Annual Safe Love Dance - February 17th

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 1:08pm
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Are you looking for a way to give back and help youth learn about healthy dating, eating and living? Then you should volunteer at the 9th Annual Safe Love Dance on February 17 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM.

 

The Safe Love Dance is an annual teen dance hosted by the GNA Teen Center where students get to have a good time and learn about issues like health relationships, STD awareness and safe sex practices, and respect for oneself and one's community.

 

Many teens in the area look forward to this event and we need volunteers to make it a success. We need help with set-up and clean-up as well as logistics for the dance.

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Averma@dotwell.org or call 617-822-8269

Volunteer with Horizons for Homeless Children!

Submitted by AVerma on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:07pm
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Did you know that 1 in every 45 children in the U.S will go to sleep without a home this year?
 

Horizons for Homeless Children seeks fun-loving, dependable people to play with children living in homeless shelters in Greater Boston. Dorchester is among their greatest-need neighborhoods. Horizons partners with shelters to create Playspaces, rooms full of toys, books, and art supplies. Day and evening hours are available, Mondays through Fridays. A commitment of 2 hours a week is required for at least 6 months, and Horizons will work with your schedule. The next initial trainings are on January 31st and February 1st (both nights) from 6 to 9 pm, and then March 3rd from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
 

To apply for a training, please visit www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/How_To_Help_PAL_opportunities.asp or call Jenn at (617) 553-5484.

Volunteer at the Annual DFSI Community Night Resource Fair - March 14th

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 2:40pm
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Providing safe spaces and enriching activities during the summer months is a key part of any healthy community.  The Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative (DFSI) and the Dorchester-Franklin Field Community Learning Initiative (CLI) are helping to build this community for four elementary schools in Dorchester’s Codman Square neighborhood.

 

DFSI and the Dorchester-Franklin Field CLI will hold the eighth annual DFSI Community Night Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 14th, from 5:30-7:30PM at the Lee Complex in Codman Square.  Families will meet with more than 20 different organizations, learning about summer programs in and around Dorchester as well as scholarship or reduced-tuition options.  The resource fair highlights the many ways to make a safe, healthy, and engaging summer possible and affordable for Dorchester families.

 

In order to make this event successful year after year, DFSI needs enthusiastic volunteers. Volunteers will help with family registration, set-up and clean up.

 

If you are interested, please contact Averma@dotwell.org or call 617-822-8269

Volunteer at Upcoming Events with Ethos!

Submitted by AVerma on Thu, 01/19/2012 - 11:36am

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of seniors? Ethos is a local community organization that promotes the independence, dignity and well-being of the elderly and the disabled. Ethos will be hosting three great events in the next few months and they are looking for some volunteers!

 

If you want to volunteer, please contact Alex Freeman (617-522-6700 x 323, afreeman@ethocare.org).

 

HEART HEALTHY LUNCHEON

Thursday, February 16, 10:00 — 2:00

St. George's Church, 55 Emmonsdale Road, West Roxbury - Join Ethos in celebrating heart health for our annual Heart Healthy Luncheon.  This nutritional and informative event will feature a healthy lunch and programming.  Volunteers will help with set up, socialization, food service and clean up.

 

ETHOS EQUALITY FUND LAUNCH

Thursday, February 16, 5:00 - 9:00

Boston Public Library, Copley Square, 700 Boylston Street, Boston - Ethos is leading a new effort to expand our ongoing commitment by taking on more challenges that face lesbian, gay, bisexuals and transgender older adults.  Our Ethos Equality Fund Launch will feature a reception at the library's Courtyard Restaurant and Film Screening of Gen Silent. Volunteers will help with set up, registration, ushering and event coordination. 

 

WEST ROXBURY ROCKS:  CELEBRATING AGEWELL WEST ROXBURY'S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

Saturday, March 24, 5:00 - 9:00

Irish Social Club, 119 Park Street, West Roxbury - Ethos is celebrating the fifth anniversary of their pilot-initiative, AgeWell West Roxbury, which helps seniors "age in place" though a variety of cutting-edge evidence-based courses and social events.  This lively event will feature live music and dance demonstrations. Volunteers will help with set up, registration, ushering and event coordination. 

 

 

Volunteer at the Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market - January 22

Submitted by AVerma on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 10:17am

The Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market is looking for volunteers on Sunday, January 22 from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. The Winter Market is one of the only farmers' markets in Boston this season and represents a significant step in the effort to ensure year-round, affordable farm fresh food access in Dorchester.

 

If you want to help make the Winter Market a success, please consider volunteering. Hours are flexible and volunteers can stay for as long as their available. Volunteers are also welcome to shop at the Market. Volunteers will be asked to:

 

  • Help farmers bring in food from trucks and set up tables
  • Staff tables and pack up bags
  • Replenish produce from trucks
  • Assist with face painting and crafts tables
  • Clean up after the market ends
     

Interested? Contact Arjun at 617-822-8269 or email Averma@dotwell.org

 

 

Winter Volunteer Day at Franklin Park - January 21

Submitted by AVerma on Fri, 12/23/2011 - 10:45am
CANCELLED - due to weather
Believe it or not, there's important woodlands restoration work to be done during the coldest months!
An invasive vine that wraps itself around trees and kills them is easiest to cut in the winter. Wear old clothes and layers, heavy cotton or wool is best, nylon will snag on branches. Those with cold hands - bring liners for under leather gloves! Meet at Valley Gates Parking Lot midway along the main park road.
 
RSVP or Questions? Check www.franklinparkcoalition.org and call 617-442-4141.

Become an Asset Building Volunteer!

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 12:48pm
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The Opportunity:

As an Asset Building Volunteer at a DotWell VITA tax site, you will have direct impact on improving both the immediate and long-term economic health of low to middle income individuals in Dorchester.

With the support of committed volunteers, our tax sites assist thousands of community members between January and April each year by preparing taxes for free and providing connections to other asset building opportunities. For ten years, our volunteers have told that that they volunteer at our site to: 

  • Help low-income tax filers avoid predatory tax preparers
  • Gain satisfaction from helping people who otherwise are unable to get the tax breaks, such as the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) as well as other credits that are rightfully theirs. 
  • Experience the satisfaction of seeing the direct monetary impact of one hour of volunteer time for a low to moderate-income worker
  • Enjoy the camaraderie of a group of really nice helpful people.
  • Bridge communication gap between taxpayer and VITA volunteers if bilingual.

Please see the attached documents to see what specific position is right for you. Once you have decided, please go to http://www.bostontaxhelp.org/ and register an account.

If you have any questions, please contact Averma@dotwell.org or call 617-822-8269.

Tutor and Mentor Students in Dorchester!

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 11:16am
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Boston Partners in Education is looking for volunteers to tutor and mentor students in the Boston Public Schools of Dorchester and needs you! Volunteers will work one-on-one or with a small group of students for an hour a week during the school day. Opportunities are available in all grades (K-12) in either English Language Arts or math. Training and background checks are mandatory, at no expense to you.

To apply for this opportunity, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/bpevolapp

For more information about opportunities to make a difference in the lives of students in the Boston Public Schools, please contact Boston Partners in Education at bostonpartners@bostonpartners.org or 617-451-6145.

 

Help End Young Adult Homelessness with MHSA

Submitted by AVerma on Wed, 11/16/2011 - 10:26am
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The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) Young Adult Committee needs your help in their efforts to end young adult homelessness!

Unaccompanied homeless young adults, ages 18 to 24, fall into a gap between services for children and adults and are left with few age-appropriate homelessness prevention and intervention resources. The MHSA Young Adult Committee recently conducted a survey of homeless young adults from across Massachusetts to help them gain a more accurate and in-depth picture of this population. Now all they need are volunteers to help them process the data!

Data entry is straightforward and will give you a fascinating glimpse into the experiences, challenges and goals of homeless young adults in Massachusetts. Volunteer at their Boston office on your own time, or at another time and place that works for you. No experience is necessary.

If you have an hour or two to spare to help MHSA in their efforts to end young adult homelessness, please contact Caitlin Golden at cgolden@mhsa.net or 617-367-6447 ext. 28.

Help Children Succeed at the Computer Learning Center!

Submitted by AVerma on Thu, 11/10/2011 - 1:10pm

Do you love children and want to help them succeed in their educational goals? Do you have 4-6 hours free during the week? Then the Computer Learning Center on 108 Columbia Road needs you! The CLC is looking for volunteers to assist with tutoring and homework assistance.

 

Interested? Please contact Barbara at 617-606-7078 or email averma@dotwell.org

Last Chance to Volunteer with Neponset Greenway Gardeners

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 12:57pm
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It's not even November and snow is on the ground! This Saturday, November 5, Neponset Greenway Gardeners will be planting trees and shrubs at Pope John Paul II Park. For those of you green thumbs, you may not get another opportunity to volunteer your time and beautify the area!

 

Greenway Gardeners will be at the Park from 1:00PM to 4:00PM on Saturday. All you need to do is bring yourself and a water bottle, and shovels and gloves will be provided! Please dress in warm layers as you will be outside.

 

School and community groups are especially welcome! If you are interested, contact candice@bostonnatural.org or call 617-542-7697

Bi-Lingual Speakers Needed for St. Mary's Food Pantry

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 10:18am

The Food Pantry at St. Mary's Epispocal Church is looking for bi-lingual speakers of English and Cape Verdean or Portuguese to conduct a survey of Pantry clients over the next 5-6 weeks.

Bi-lingual speakers will be needed through November and December on Tuesdays from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. A small stipend will be offered to all participants.

 

If you're looking to practice your language skills or just want to help the Pantry better fulfill its work to the community, please consider donating your time.

 

If you are interested in volunteering, please email averma@dotwell.org or call 617-822-8269

Volunteers for VIN Etching Program - October 29th

Submitted by AVerma on Tue, 10/25/2011 - 12:26pm

On October 29, the Boston Police Department District C-11, in conjunction with the Savin Hill Historical Advisers, and the Governor's Auto Theft Task Force will sponsor an auto theft prevention Program called VIN Etching. The event will be held at Peter's Towing, 150 Freeport Street, Dorchester, MA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Savin Hill and C-11 are looking for volunteers to help with registration and VIN etching. By volunteering just a few hours this Saturday, you will be improving public safety and deterring crime in the community.

 

If you are interested in volunteering for the VIN Etching program, please call 617-822-8269 or email savinhillotb@aol.com

Haiti Movie Award(s), Nov. 20

Submitted by JoelWool on Thu, 10/20/2011 - 10:57am
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Volunteers are needed for the 2011 MPAH Haiti Movie Awards, a celebration of Haitian film and culture to take place Sunday, November 20, from 5:30 p.m. on, at UMass Boston, 1 Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA. Some volunteer responsibilities include: ushers, guest registration, catering to needs of VIP actors and filmmakers, etc. If interested, please email Hans Patrick Domercant: contact@mpah.org. Visit the event website at http://haitimovieaward.com/ to learn more.

Dress up and Volunteer at the Teen Center Haunted House!

Submitted by AVerma on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 4:16pm
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The GNA Teen Center is looking for some fun and energtic volunteers to dress up and help set-up the Halloween Haunted House and Canned Food Drive on Thursday, October 27 from 4:00 to 8:00pm. Volunteers can help set-up the haunted house, staff the event or even dress up in costume to terrify the children and families who attend!


Volunteers can come in on Wednesday or Thursday before the event to set-up or can volunteer during the event for as long as they are available. By volunteering, you will make an impact by helping provide food to those in need in the community.


If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please email Arjun Verma or call 617-822-8269

Carney Hospital Needs Greeters!

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 4:33pm
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Carney Hospital is looking for mature and dependable volunteers to greet and assist patients and families entering the hospital. By serving in this role, you will help create a caring and efficient atmosphere for everyone who enters Carney.


Carney is looking for caring individuals who have the ability to communicate courteously and effectively with patients, families, visitors and staff.  Greeters must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and be able to stand/walk for a three to four hour shift.


This is a great opportunity to have a direct impact on patient care. If you are interested, please email Arjun Verma or call 617-822-8269

The Boston Debate League Needs Judges!

Submitted by AVerma on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 10:37am
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The Boston Debate League is looking for Volunteer Judges for its upcoming citywide tournament on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19. The Boston Debate League is an innovative after-school program that blends competition and fun with rigorous academic work by teaching high school students how to debate. By serving as a Volunteer Judge at the citywide tournament, you can help students cultivate their social and academic skills.

 

The commitment for Volunteer Judges is 4 hours, including a thirty-minute training and two debates. No prior experience is necessary and you are welcome to stay for other debates if you like. For more information, click here.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Grimes at matt@bostondebate.org

Volunteer at the Farm Day Open House

Submitted by AVerma on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:22am
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The Dorchester Historical Society is looking for 4 volunteers to serve as greeters and guard exhibits at the Farm Day Open House on Sunday October 16 from 2:00 to 4:00pm.

 

The Farm Day Open House takes place at the old Clapp Farm and includes exhibits on pottery and Baker Chocolate as well as free demos, games, pony rides, cider and donuts. This is a great free event and the Historical Society is looking for some volunteers to help make it a success.

 

Interested? Contact Earl Taylor or call 617-822-8269

Volunteers Needed for HealthWorks 3rd Anniversary Celebration - October 27th

Submitted by AVerma on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 3:16pm

The Healthworks Community Fitness Center at Codman will be hosting an Open House and 3rd Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, October 27th from 9:00AM-8:00PM.

 

On the day of the event, Healthworks is looking for some volunteers to help with children in the nursery, registration and set-up. Healthworks is an institution in the community and it would be great to have some local faces help make this day a success. Volunteers can commit to the whole day or a few hours, depending on their schedule.

 

Interested? Email Arjun Verma or call 617-822-8269

Neighborhood Service Day in Main Street Districts on October 6th

Submitted by AVerma on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:17am
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Cone Inc. - a strategy and communications agency located in Boston - will visit the St. Marks Area Main Street (SMAMS) and Fields Corner Main Street (FCMS) districts for a day of service on Thursday, Oct 6.  They will be sweeping, planting, painting, and engaging with local businesses from 9:00am to 5:00pm.


To make this even more of a neighborhood event, Cone, SMAMS and FCMS invite Dot residents to join them, for the full day or any amount of time. To get in on the work/fun, or for more information, please call the SMAMS office at 617-825-3846.


For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities please contact us at 617.822.8269 or email Arjun Verma to learn more about how you can get involved!