Families

Columbia Washington Street Neighborhood Association

Phone: 

(617) 989-8668

Email: 

dms152w@aol.com

Mission: 

Our mission is to promote social, economic, environmental justice, crime prevention, neighborhood development, and increase access to resources via transportion. We engage residents to be more active in their community in order to accomplish our mission.

Key Partners: 

Four Corners Action Coalition

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Attend the Monthly meetings

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Cradles to Crayons

Phone: 

617.779.4700

Email: 

volunteer@cradlestocrayons.org OR jen@cradlestocrayons.org

Website: 

http://boston.cradlestocrayons.org/

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Tuesdays-Fridays, 10am-5pm 1st, 2nd, and 4th Saturday every month, 10am-4pm 3rd Sunday every month, 10am-4pm

Mission: 

Our Mission: To provide, free of charge, low-income and homeless children from birth to pre-teen the basic essentials they need to be safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. We also set a foundation for lasting change through the meaningful, tangible volunteer opportunities we provide to thousands of youth and adults each year. Our Model: We're the glue between communities that have and communities that need. We make it simple for children, families, corporations to give their time, treasures and talent to benefit other children in their community. By partnering with social service agencies for distribution, we have a direct channel to serve tens of thousands of children in need each year.

Location

155 North Beacon Street
Brighton, MA 02135
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Our work relies on adults and kids, coming together in their neighborhoods and in our warehouse

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Boston Centers for Youth & Families

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

1483 Tremont St Boston, MA 02120

Phone: 

617-635-4920

Website: 

www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Community Centers are open during the summer and during school vacations. Many provide special school vacation activities and camps. Call your neighborhood community center for a complete schedule.

Cleveland: 11 Charles St., Dorchester, MA 02122; 617-635-5141,
Grove Hall: 51 Geneva Ave., Dorchester, MA 02121; 617-635-2643,
Holland Community Center*: 85 Olney St., Dorchester, MA 02121; 617-635-5144
Leahy-Holloran*^: 1 Worrell St., Dorchester, MA 02122; 617-635-5150
Perkins Community Center*: 155 Talbot Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124; 617-635-5146; Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

*Denotes location with pool
^Formerly the Murphy Community Center

You can see the all-BCYF calendar here for some special citywide events.

Mission: 

The Mission of Boston Centers for Youth & Families is to enhance the quality of life for Boston's residents by supporting children, youth and families through a wide range of programs and services. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Boston residents by partnering with Community Center councils, agencies and businesses to support children, youth, individuals and families through a wide range of comprehensive programs.

The Perkins Community Center Adult Learning Program's goal is to provide student-centered adult education classes which help learners meet their education and life goals.

Location

BCYF
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

The Dorchester Adult Literacy Coalition (DALC)

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Residents join the Community Center through membership. Many activities are free.

Many community centers rent their facilities out for meetings and events. Contact your neighborhood community center to get more information about fees and availability.

Go to www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf/volunteer.asp to find out more about volunteer opportunities at Boston Centers for Youth & Families or call the BCYF Administrative Offices at 617-635-4920.

If you would like Boston Centers for Youth & Families to attend your community event, contact Sandy Holden at 617-635-4920 x2213 or sandy.holden@cityofboston.gov.

Key Programs Offered: 

Education, recreation, childcare, community meetings, and more. BCYF Program Guides can be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf/. You can also view information about each center at the guide entries linked above.

GIRLS Initiative (Growth, Intervention, Respect, Leadership & Support for Girls): The GIRLS Initiative features the Girls' Leadership Corps made up of peer leaders representing all of Boston's neighborhoods. These peer leaders will be leaders both at their local community center and as part of a citywide corps. Each week, they will facilitate workshops at their assigned neighborhood community centers and support programming for girls. During the summer, the GIRLS Initiative sponsors several "Girls' Night Out" events at various community centers around the city. Contact Erika Butler at 617-635-4920 x2314 for more information about the programming available just for girls through the GIRLS Initiative.

Almost all neighborhood community centers provide a free, walk-in breakfast and lunch to youth 18 and under during the summer through the school department. Contact Boston Public Schools at 617-635-9000 for more information about free summer meals. Many community centers also offer a free senior lunch program. Call your local community center for details.

Created: 
02/23/2011

Dorchester Locations:
Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Avenue
Dorchester 02124
617-635-5146

Cleveland Community Center (Grover Cleveland School)
11 Charles St.
Dorchester 02122
617-635-5141

Holland Community Center
85 Olney St.
Dorchester 02121
617-635-5144

Marshall Community Center - CLOSED
35 Westville St.
Dorchester 02124
617-635-5149

Leahy-Holloran Community Center
1 Worrell St.
Dorchester 02122
617-635-5150

WIC Program, Dorchester South

Phone: 

617-825-0805 (Fields Corner); 617-825-3822 (Codman Square); 617-265-4380 (Neponset);

Email: 

abaptista@hhsi.us; loconnor@hhsi.us

Website: 

http://www.hhsi.us/metro-boston/women-infants-and-children-wic-nutrition-program/; www.mass.gov

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Codman Square Health Center
Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday		 9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM		 Codman Square Health Center

450 Washington Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

Phone: (617) 825-3822

Fax: (617) 436-4093

Dorchester House-Fields Corner
Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday		 9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 7:00 PM

9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM		 Dorchester House Multi–Service Center

1353 Dorchester Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02122

Phone: (617) 825-0805

Fax: (617) 825-1109

Neponset Health Center
Wednesday

Thursday

Saturday		 8:30 AM — 7:00 PM

8:30 AM — 12:30 PM

9:00 AM — 1:00 PM		 Neponset Health Center

398 Neponset Avenue

Dorchester, MA 02122

Phone: (617) 265-4380

Fax: (617)825-1109
Mission: 

The WIC Program improves the health status of families by providing nutrition and health education, nutritious foods and referrals to other health and human services. WIC achieves this by collaborating with community, healthcare,retail food stores, state and federal patners.

You can download a WIC program brochure here.

Location

Dorchester House Multi-Service Center
1353 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Massachustts WIC Program

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call for an appointment and apply.

Key Programs Offered: 

WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under age 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:

  • Personalized nutrition consultations
  • Checks to buy free, healthy food
  • Tips for eating well to improve health
  • Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, child care, housing and fuel assistance, and other services that can benefit the whole family 

But that’s not all! WIC also offers breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, as well as immunization screening and referrals. wiC also provides parents with opportunities to talk with other parents about nutrition and other health topics that are important to their families.

Breastfeeding Warmline: Please call us at (617) 533-2243 with your breastfeeding questions or concerns. A breastfeeding peer counselor will contact you within 24 hours.

Free Drop-In Mom's Group: The Mom group offers information and education about parenting and nutrition, breastfeeding support and the chance to connect with other moms. Every Friday 11:00 AM-12:30 PM at the WIC room, the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA. For more information please call the WIC office at (617) 825-0805.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
05/06/2011

College Bound Dorchester

Phone: 

(617) 282-5034

Email: 

mcaldeira@collegebounddorchester.org

Website: 

www.collegebounddorchester.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Mission: 
To equip Dorchester students with the attitude, skills and experience to graduate from college, using education as a means to transform the neighborhoods of Dorchester.
 
At College Bound Dorchester, formerly FDNH, we believe in the transformative power of education. Every day we have the privilege of working with students from ages 3 months to 70 years. Our teachers, mentors, peer leaders and staff provide the supports these students need to realize their future goals. We take this responsibility seriously and know that, if we are successful, we have the power to change not only individual lives but also the entire Dorchester community.

We are creating an organization that will provide all of our students with the attitude, skills and experience to graduate from college and succeed in life. We know there are challenges ahead and obstacles in our way. However we also know that as we work harder and focus on high expectations and data driven assessment, the paths of opportunity will open for all.

Location

18 Samoset Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Visit collegebounddorchester.org

Key Programs Offered: 

Bartholomew Family Child Care The Little House Log School Ruth Darling Child Care Center

Provide ABE/ESOL and Child Care: 9am to 2pm.

Computer Skills classes for enrolled students.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, Inc. (FDNH)

Created: 
11/29/2011

On November 4th 2009, College Bound Dorchester received the Coming Up Taller Award for its Art a la Carte program at a ceremony hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House. At the ceremony, Mrs. Obama commended Art a la Carte and all of the award winners by stating, "Ultimately, each of your programs is using achievement in the arts as a bridge to achievement in life." She continued, "You ask our young people to dream, and you give them the tools to fulfill those dreams. You affirm that their contributions are valuable, and their success matters to all of us. You help them see beyond the circumstances of their lives to the world of possibility that awaits them. And for that, we honor you."

Peace First

Phone: 

(617) 261-3833

Email: 

mroberts@peacefirst.org

Website: 

http://www.peacefirst.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday-Friday

Mission: 

Peace First is dedicated to building effective school climates by focusing on two major efforts within a school: teaching children the skills of conflict resolution and civic engagement; and providing educators with the critical skills and knowledge to integrate social-emotional learning into the school’s curriculum and culture. Combined, these efforts strengthen schools’ social and academic environments, creating stronger schools and more successful students. This is accomplished through an innovative, weekly curriculum taught by young adult volunteers and reinforced by intensive coaching for principals and teachers.

Location

25 kingston street; 6th floor
Boston, MA 02111
United States
See map: Google Maps
Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Child Witness to Violence Project

Phone: 

(617) 414-7425

Email: 

ashley.schiffmiller@bmc.org

Website: 

http://www.childwitnesstoviolence.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

M-F: 9am-5pm

Mission: 

The Child Witness to Violence Project is a counseling and support program for young children ages 0 to 8 and their families who have been affected by violence and other trauma. Goals of the project include: 1) To identify young children who witness acts of significant violence. 2) To help young children heal from the trauma of witnessing violence by providing developmentally appropriate counseling for them and for their families. 3) To provide consultation and training to the network of caregivers in the lives of young children in order that they may more effectively help children who are exposed to violence.

Location

Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center
88 East Newton Street Vose Hall
Boston, MA 02118
United States
See map: Google Maps
Community Meeting Space Available: 

No

Created: 
10/19/2010

Child Care Project

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Phone: 

(617) 825-6554 / Fax (617) 825-7862

Email: 

info@child1st.org

Website: 

http://child1st.org/

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

M-F: 9am-5pm

Mission: 

Provide innovative, practical, and innovative programs in a quality nurturing environment with an emphasis on promoting positive learning, social experiences, and most important, quality care for children (in a home setting).

Location

42 Charles St
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

EEC, Department of Education Nutrition Program

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Key Programs Offered: 

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Members Plus Credit Union

Phone: 

(617) 265-6967

Email: 

gpaluzzi@memberspluscu.org

Website: 

http://www.memberspluscu.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Mon.- Wed., Fri.: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 12 noon

Mission: 

As a non-profit organization owned by over 10,000 members, we serve the community and various employer groups. Our mission is to provide quality, innovative, competitive, and secure financial products and services to our expanding membership.

Location

Adams Village Branch
494 Gallivan Blvd
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

In order to become a member, a resident must open a savings account

Boston Public Library, Codman Square Branch

Phone: 

(617) 436-8214

Email: 

jknight@bpl.org

Website: 

www.bpl.org/branches/codman.htm

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Mon & Thurs: 12pm-8pm, Tues & Weds: 10am-6pm, Fri & Sat: 9am-5pm

Location

BPL Codman Square Branch
690 Washington St
Dorchester, MA
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 
  • Dorchester-Franklin Field Community Learning Initiative

    Partnership with Perkins Community Center, Joseph Lee Elementary, Lee Academy Pilot School, DotWell

  • LiveWire Learning Community

    New initiative between Dorchester-Franklin Field Community Learning Initiative and FableVision Learning. Read more about this exciting new project here.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

To register for a library card online, click here!

Key Programs Offered: 
  • Homework Assistance Program

    Free one-on-one homework help for students in grades K-8 from high-achieving high school mentors. Available at every BPL branch Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30PM.

  • Boston Teachers' Union Tutors

    Tutoring for students in all grades from BPS teachers. Days and times vary by location. Codman: Monday and Thursday 4-6PM.

  • Ongoing programs

    Tuesdays: 11am, Preschool Storytime: stories and activities
    Thursdays: 4pm, Chess Time: Every Thursday at 4 we will get out the library's new chess boards for kids to play chess with.
    Fridays: 10:30am, Preschool Storytime: Daycares and camps are welcome to an hour of stories & preschool-appropriate movies and TV shows from the library's collection. 3pm, Game Day: Ask at the desk for the board games - there will be a variety of board games for you to choose from. All are welcome!

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Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
05/21/2010

DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTION
The branch holds a very good reference collection on African-American history. There is a large Children's section of biographies as well as an excellent collection of material in large print format. We have a large urban fiction collection. Local History collection is for in-library use and cannot be borrowed. Additional copies, if found elsewhere in the library, may be available for borrowing. Codman Square has medium sized collections of Spanish and French language materials.

RECURRING PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Preschool Story hours, Toddler Tales, Chess and Movies programs are offered weekly for children.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Book readings by local authors and programs that respond to the community interests and hobbies. Summer reading programs are offered for children.

The Codman Square Branch is teamed with the Joseph Lee Elementary School and the Lee Academy Pilot School and the Perkins Community Center as part of Mayor Menino’s Community Learning Initiative, a multi-department collaboration aimed at helping Boston’s youth reach their full potential by coordinating learning and recreation throughout the day.

HISTORY
Opened in 1905 the branch was named for John Codman a local preacher and patriot. Originally housed at 6 Norfolk Street, the branch moved to its present location in 1978. The building was designed by Eco-Texture, Inc.

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