Needs From: United Way of Central Massachusetts

Each year, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester hosts a "Holiday International Potluck" at the conclusion of our semester to celebrate our learners and community. This year, we're looking for volunteers to cook/bake a dish or help with sign in.

As a volunteer tutor with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, you have the opportunity to directly change the life of your student.

Our students are primarily adult immigrants and refugees who wish to improve their English so that they can gain better employment, further their education, become US citizens, and strive for financial stability. We also serve English-speaking adults seeking to improve their literacy skills.

Learn more here!

Meryl’s Safe Haven is looking for a community organization or group of volunteers to help us “Deck the Halls” and make the season bright for the young adults in our Transitional Youth Empowerment Program.

We’re seeking donations of:

Get ready for a night of smooth grooves and world-class jazz as The Zaleski Brothers Duo take the stage at Apple Tree Arts! As part of our ongoing Jazz Concert Series, this performance brings intimate, expressive musicianship right into the heart of our community — and we need your help to set the vibe.

We’re looking for friendly, dependable volunteers to support the event and help create a seamless experience for guests and artists alike.

Volunteer Roles May Include:

Front of House Support: Greet guests, manage check-in or ticketing, hand out programs, and help guests find their seats.

Event Setup & Breakdown: Assist with room setup, signage, light décor, and cleanup after the show.

Concessions / Refreshments: Help with light food or beverage service before the show and during intermission (if applicable). TIPS certified/bartender needed.

Artist Hospitality: Assist with basic hospitality tasks to welcome and support our guest performers.

Come be part of a night of top-tier jazz and community connection — your time and energy make all the difference in helping us bring live music to life at Apple Tree Arts.

Join us for the grand finale of our season — a stunning evening of music featuring a larger ensemble of talented faculty and guest artists performing two beloved chamber masterpieces:
Mozart’s Gran Partita for Winds and Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds & Strings.

This celebratory performance is the perfect way to close out the season — and we’d love your help behind the scenes to make it an unforgettable night for our community!

Volunteer Roles May Include:

Guest Services: Greet concertgoers, hand out programs, assist with seating, and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Event Setup & Cleanup: Help set the stage (literally and figuratively!) with light setup before the performance and assist with breakdown at the end of the evening.

Concessions or Hospitality Support: Assist with refreshments or usher guests toward any post-concert gatherings.

Venue Flow Management: Help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for guests from arrival to departure.

Apple Tree Arts is thrilled to be part of the Claflin Hill Chamber Series with a dynamic Faculty Showcase — a pop-up-style "flashmob concert" that brings surprise, spontaneity, and stunning musical talent to the stage!

This isn’t your typical concert — and we need some amazing volunteers to help us pull off this creative musical experience!

Volunteer Roles May Include:

Greeters & Guest Guides: Welcome attendees and help them navigate the space for this unique concert layout.

Event Setup: Assist with arranging seating, signage, and any light staging elements before the show begins.

Audience Flow & Flashmob Coordination: Help guide audience members through any transitions or movement-based surprises during the performance.

Clean-Up Crew: Support quick breakdown and cleanup following the concert.

Photography/Videography Support: If you have a creative eye, help us capture moments of the night for social media and future promotion.

What to Expect: A casual, community-centered event full of energy, artistry, and surprise performances from our talented faculty — and a night to remember for audience and volunteers alike!

Apple Tree Arts theatre students are bringing the spooky, spectacular world of Beetlejuice to life on stage — and we need your help to make it a hauntingly unforgettable experience!

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support the show on performance nights. Whether you're a theatre lover, a supportive parent, or just love helping behind the scenes, there’s a role for you!

Volunteer Roles May Include:

Front of House: Greet guests, hand out programs, assist with ticketing, and help patrons find their seats.

Concessions: Sell snacks and drinks before the show and during intermission.

Backstage Helpers: Assist with costume changes, props, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes (limited roles).

Set Up / Clean Up: Help prepare the space before the audience arrives and assist with light cleanup afterward.

Whether you have a few hours or the whole evening, your support makes a huge difference — and you'll get a front-row view of the energy and talent of these amazing young performers.

The radiant Sierra Lary, soprano—who captivated audiences in CHSO’s Carmina
Burana Season Finale—returns to open our Chamber Series with an evening of
“Seasonal Love Songs" and we need your help! We are looking for volunteers who would help us set up, breakdown, usher guests, check tickets, assist with bar/food sales, and more. This night is a fundraiser to support youth and the arts by providing musical education and resources to all.

In Kind Donations - Donations are accepted at the main SMOC office in Worcester, 237 Chandler st, Worcester, Ma from 9-5, or the front Door of the Queen st Shelter, 25 Queen st Worcester, Ma. The shelter is 24/7, always open for donations. We are always in need of these items for clients (below), especially in a variety of clothing sizes. We are typically in need of Men's XXL+ sizes. Sweatshirts and pants are always needed.

Blankets

Sheets

Winter items (hats, gloves, handwarmers)

Shoes/Boots

Backpacks

Pants

Shirts

Sweatshirts/Coats

Socks

Underwear

Toothbrushes

Shampoo/conditioner

Soap

razors

Toothpaste

Feminine hygiene products

First aid items

cleaning supplies 

If inclined to help from afar, we have an Amazon Wish List below- 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39C7IUNDM274U?ref_=wl_share

Thank you!

The Playspace Program is looking for volunteers to play with children experiencing homelessness in your community for just two hours each week. Whether you're passionate about arts and crafts, storytelling, or building community, there's a place for you in Playspace! Your commitment will directly contribute to fostering moments of joy, laughter, and fun for children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts.

What is a Playspace?

Playspaces are child-friendly rooms that Horizons has installed in family homeless shelters across Massachusetts. Playspaces are designed to reflect the needs of children ages 0-6 experiencing trauma, creating a dedicated place for children to play and grow, and build connections with other caring adults who are committed to their success.

Playspaces are staffed by a dedicated volunteer corps of Playspace Activity Leaders (PALs) across the state of Massachusetts.

What is a Playspace Activity Leader (PAL)?

PALs are volunteers who staff Horizons’ Playspaces. And by staff, we mean play! PALs go to their assigned shelter for a 2 hour shift each week to play with the children living there. The majority of our shifts take place Monday through Thursday in the evenings, but some programs also have morning shifts. We do not have shifts on Fridays or weekends.

Who can be a PAL?

What does a PAL do?

How do I get started as a PAL?

For the safety of our children the following is required prior to starting as a PAL:

Pancakes & Pajamas is our annual holiday party for the kids, families, and mentors we serve. Guests join us for holiday themed activities, crafts, and games. We serve up a fun buffet of pancakes, goodies, and hot chocolate.

The highlight of the event is a 'shopping' activity where kids can pick out gifts for their loved ones so they are able to give this holiday season. Our volunteers help the kids shop and even help wrap the gifts. We are searching for new or very gently used items to provide the kids with plenty of options. Ideas include scarves, hats, books, games, jewelry, coffee mugs, candles/decorations, anything that would make a nice gift!

Donations can be dropped off at our office at 18 Chestnut St., Suite 340, Worcester, MA 01608. Thank you!

At Open Sky Community Services, we serve thousands of individuals across Central Massachusetts, including those living with mental health challenges and intellectual or developmental disabilities. These individuals are part of our broader community.

This holiday season, we invite you to help us show these neighbors that they are not alone. With your support, we aim to provide a $20 gift card to every individual in our programs who would otherwise go without a holiday gift. Last year, thanks to generous donors like you, we distributed over 1,500 Target and Walmart gift cards, allowing recipients to purchase essential items such as warm clothing, personal care products, or household necessities.

How to Help:

If you have questions about our Holiday Gift Drive, please contact events@openskycs.org

Spread holiday cheer by organizing a gift drive or giving tree to support our Club kids and families. Volunteers collect new, unwrapped gifts or essential items, then deliver them to the Club to help ensure every child experiences the magic of the season. Perfect for workplaces, community groups, or families looking to make a meaningful impact this holiday season.

Help fund our holiday celebration for Club kids with a financial donation, and join us to set up for the big day! Volunteers will decorate, prepare activity stations, and help create a festive, joy-filled event for our youth.

Each year, with the help of thousands of volunteers, we deliver and serve meals on both Thanksgiving and Christmas to housebound elders, individuals with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those who may otherwise go without a holiday meal.

Join us for Thanksgiving and Christmas and make a difference! Whether you’re packing meals, delivering them, or serving at our sit-down dinners, your help is needed and appreciated.

Register on our website at https://www.ccworc.org/bishopsdinnervolunteer/ and be part of a holiday tradition that brings joy to our community!

Meal Packing and Deliveries:
When: Volunteers can arrive, any time starting around 7:30 to 8:00 AM for meal packing and around 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM for meal deliveries on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Where: St. Peter’s Catholic Elementary School, 10 Hammond Street, Worcester, MA 01610.
Process: Volunteers will pick up their delivery route and packaged meals drive-through style, so there’s no need to exit your vehicle.
Sit-Down Dinners:
When: Between 11:30 AM and 11:45 AM on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Where: Cathedral of St. Paul, 38 High Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Process: Assist the long-time volunteers in serving meals.

Turkeys for Vets Program 2025

“Where Veterans Rebuild with Honor”

Dear Community Partner,

As the holiday season approaches, we at Project New Hope Inc. are proud to launch our annual Turkeys for Vets Program — an initiative that ensures Veterans and Military Families across Central and Western Massachusetts can gather around their tables and enjoy the dignity of a warm, nourishing Thanksgiving meal.

This year, our goal is ambitious but achievable: 500 supermarket gift cards —

These $20 supermarket or Walmart gift cards will be distributed directly to Veterans and Military Families through Sully’s Veterans Food & Baby Pantries, empowering them to choose what best suits their family’s table — turkey, ham, fish, vegetables, or other essentials. Along with these gift cards, we provide all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings — stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and more — ensuring every Veteran household receives a complete and dignified holiday meal.

Why Your Support Matters

For many Veterans, holidays can be a challenging time. Your support helps turn what could be a season of struggle into one of warmth, togetherness, and gratitude.

How You Can Help

Your Impact at a Glance

Together, we can ensure that no Veteran family goes without Thanksgiving.

With your generosity, we will meet — and hopefully exceed — our goal of five hundred gift cards, bringing dignity, joy, and gratitude to those who have worn the uniform in service to our nation.

On behalf of all of us at Project New Hope Inc., and the Veterans we proudly serve, thank you for your kindness, patriotism, and willingness to make a difference.

With deepest gratitude,

During November and December, we run a large holiday program.  This provided full thanksgiving dinners to over 350 families for a total of 10,000 pounds of food and toys and clothing for over 1,200 kids for Christmas.  We need help sorting and organizing food in November and toys and clothing in December. 

Interested: Reach out to Genevieve at GDowd@cmhaonline.org to learn more or sign up.

Make a Difference in Your Community—Right from Home!

Are you passionate about your local community and want to help others discover how to give back? We're looking for seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us update and enrich local pages on Ways to Connect, our national directory of volunteer sites.

Ways to Connect is a crowdsourced platform designed to boost traffic and engagement to local volunteer websites—like this one! With just a bit of online research and your enthusiasm, you can help neighbors easily find volunteer opportunity platforms, service clubs, mutual aid groups, and more—making it simpler than ever for everyone to make an impact locally.

Volunteer contributors have already helped us identify 711 volunteer resources across 324 communities in the US!

What You'll Do:

Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

Enhance your community's page on Ways to Connect by ensuring the information is current, accurate, and inviting for potential volunteers.

Optional: Promote your community’s page on social media to help friends and family find a path to service.

Why Volunteer with Inspiring Service?

Easy and flexible: Volunteer remotely at your convenience.

Immediate community impact: Help your neighbors discover meaningful ways to contribute.

Small commitment: Volunteer for as little as 2 hours, or as much as you'd like.

Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering more accessible for everyone.

As we gear up for the new school year, Planting the Seed Foundation is proud to revamp our annual Back to School Drive to meet the real and rising needs of students and families in Worcester. This year, it’s more than just notebooks and pencils. Thanks to our continued partnership with WPS Wraparound Coordinators, we've identified critical areas where our local students need extra support.

Our 2025 drive Amazon Wishlist will now focus on:

The Veterans Inc. Holiday Harvest provides Thanksgiving meal supplies to over 700 Veterans families including turkeys, trimmings, stuffing, and fresh produce.

We are always grateful for volunteers who can donate their time to assist with setup & breakdown, line assistants, cart runners, security, assistant shoppers, mini market food stations, to-go box distributors, and food runners. 

On Tuesday November 11th from 8:30 -11 am. Veterans Inc. hosts the Annual Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast at our Historic Armory and headquarters in Worcester, MA. located at 69 Grove Street. The pancake breakfast is a special occasion to honor over 300 Veterans and their families.

We seek volunteers to serve as kitchen staff, servers, food runners, greeters, children's corner assistants, setup & breakdown support, as well as marketing support.

We are looking for volunteers to assist us at our Annual Run4Veterans 5K Walk/Run at Polar Park! 
Volunteer duties include but are not limited to Finish Line Crew, Water Station Crew, Cheering Team/Greeters, Runner Bags, Mile Markers, & Event Preparation the week before. 

The Playspace Program at Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for volunteers to play with children experiencing homelessness in Worcester for just two hours each week. Whether you're passionate about arts and crafts, storytelling, or building community, there's a place for you in Playspace! Your commitment will directly contribute to fostering moments of joy, laughter, and fun for children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. To learn more or apply visit horizonschildren.org/playspace or reach out to us by email at mnally@horizonschildren.org.

We are looking for community members who want to build relationships with refugee teens at our Friday Pick Up Soccer Program. Ideally, you enjoy soccer too! At this program, refugee teens from all over Worcester come out to play scrimmages for 2 hours every Friday. The goal is to be active and have fun in a safe and positive environment and to build relationships between our volunteers and our teens in order to be positive role models and to encourage them as they adjust to life in a new country. 

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in teaching driving to newly arrived refugees, especially to women. Refugee women have often lacked the opportunity to learn to drive and find it difficult to learn even after they have arrived in the United States. Learning to drive is important for a family's sustainability as well as the empowerment of disenfranchised women. 

At our facility, we have a number of areas that have old and worn carpets.  We're looking to have a volunteer install updated vinyl plank flooring.  

Amazon Gift List

Back-to-school shopping is often a favorite time of year for many children who look forward to a new year of learning, fun with friends, and new supplies and clothes. That is not usually the case for the children we serve whose lives are unstable and inconsistent within the child welfare system. Our CASA volunteers are consistent and reliable adults in the lives of the children we serve, and they will be delivering another year’s worth of new supplies to the children on their cases. Help us bring a positive, hopeful outlook to the children we serve for this upcoming academic year!

Can children experiencing homelessness count on you? 

The Playspace Program is looking for volunteers to play with children experiencing homelessness in your community for just two hours each week. Whether you're passionate about arts and crafts, storytelling, or building community, there's a place for you in Playspace! Your commitment will directly contribute to fostering moments of joy, laughter, and fun for children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts.

Please visit our website for more information

Be part of one of the area’s most exciting holiday happenings! The Festival of Trees is a family event featuring a unique display of beautifully decorated trees, a variety of entertainment, and fun for all ages. Join us by sponsoring a tree, which can be decorated reflecting your interests, your business, or a holiday theme. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your company’s visibility and image. The only cost to you is your donation of a tree, lights, decorations, and some gifts. Our sponsors will include individuals, families, civic and social organizations, hospitals, schools, and businesses.

•    ARTIFICIAL TREES ONLY! Non-tree displays will also be accepted (e.g. menorah, winter scene, etc.)
•    Trees/displays can range from 4-8 ft. tall 
•    Trees must have a skirt and lights
•    Do not glue anything onto the tree/display 
•    Do not include anything perishable or edible on the tree/display
•    Do not include any liquor, cannabis, liquor/cannabis paraphernalia, adult-only content, weapons, illegal items, or gift cards/certificates for these or similar items 
•    Be mindful of heavy objects on your tree/display that might make it unstable/top-heavy 
•    Maintain a list of wrapped items that will be included with your tree to be displayed 
•    Create “ghost” gift certificates on the tree/display to ensure against loss; real certificates will be given to the Club staff to secure and distribute to raffle winners when the event ends

•    Tree/display donor will be directed to assemble their trees in a designated location indoors•    Do not hang or connect objects to the walls or ceilings at the venue 
•    Boxes or storage containers for trees, display items, gifts, or decorations should be clearly marked with donor name and brought to set-up; boxes will be stored and used by raffle winners to take items home
•    All trees must be ready for display by 9pm on December 3 so that the Festival workers can prepare the space 
•    Bring ALL supplies needed to set up tree/display: scissors, tape, wire, hooks, step-stool, extension cord, batteries, etc.
•    All items on and around the tree/display will be given to the raffle winner, do not include any items in the display that you would like returned to you after 
 

All items on and around the tree will be given to the winner of your tree. Do not include any items you would like returned.

The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items!

Select window of time to drop off and set up at Worcester Area Mission Society: *

Thank you for considering a donation to support patients at Family Health Center of Worcester. Many of our patients face challenging circumstances that make even basic necessities difficult to obtain. We will gladly accept donations of any of the following items:

GSCWM brings Girl Scout programming to girls in schools and community-based programs throughout Central Massachusetts. Help support this work with a gift that will provide supplies for the programs such as arts/crafts materials, books, LEGOs, and more. Gift cards from C.C. Lowell, Target, Amazon, Walmart much appreciated.

Anyone 16 and over can volunteer to help us Tuesdays through Saturdays during business hours (10 am to 5 pm) at the ReStore in Leominster 637 Lancaster Street (Route 117). No experience is required and there are many different ways to help out at the store.

Volunteer opportunities at the ReStore include:

TerraCorps is an environmental nonprofit working at the intersection of the land conservation, sustainable farming, food justice, and community resilience movements. Our role in the conservation sector is to nurture the network of front-line local and regional nonprofits by helping them gain access to the AmeriCorps national service model to build their staff and volunteer capacity.

Functionally, we manage the bureaucracy that comes with securing government funding and running a compliant federal program.Succinctly, we do the heavy lifting so our partners can focus on doing their best community work, their own way.

Our vision is to create a future where land is the foundation for health and well-being for ALL people in EVERY community.

TerraCorps operates in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. At this time we are seeking new members for the TerraCorps Board of Directors. We’re looking for civically minded people who care about their community and want to serve with a nonprofit Board. Board members serve a term of 3 years.

Last year, people like you helped to provide Thanksgiving dinner baskets and Christmas presents for vulnerable families. Because of this generosity, 360 families received all the fixing to make a Thanksgiving meal and the children of 400 families awoke to gifts on Christmas morning.    Please consider helping.  Find out more information here: https://tinyurl.com/pernetholiday24

We need your help to keep great books accessible to communities 24/7. Visit Little Free Libraries in your community to distribute books! 

We can suggest where to look for free or inexpensive books, or if you already have some, you can share those too. You can find book-sharing boxes near you using our world map or free mobile app. 

Register on our website to get started. Once you sign up, you will get access to tips & resources. Our Little Free Library staff can answer your questions. You can share books whenever it works for you.  

Purpose: By keeping Little Free Libraries full of books, you are helping to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access. 

Responsibilities:

Time required: You set your own schedule. It could be a one-time project or a regular book distribution schedule.

How we can support you: We'll help you start with some online training, and we will suggest sources for books.

Qualifications:

Questions: You can contact the Community Engagement Manager to ask questions. We also offer virtual Q&A sessions where you can ask questions.

Communities are hungry for books! Help Little Free Library fulfill its mission of book access for everyone by coordinating a local book drive. You can lead a book drive and distributed the collected books to local Little Free Libraries. Little Free Library staff can answer your questions along the way. 

This is a flexible volunteer opportunity. You can coordinate your book drive during the times that work best for you and your community. 

How to get started: Sign up on our website. After you register, we will send you a guide about how to coordinate a book drive. 

Purpose: By keeping Little Free Libraries filled with books, you are helping to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access. 

Responsibilities:

Time Required: A typical book drive lasts about two weeks to one month, plus time beforehand to plan and promote the drive. 

Training & Resources Available: We will help you get to know our organization and share our tips for planning a successful book drive. 

Qualifications:

Benefits: Experience the satisfaction of getting more books into the hands of readers while connecting with your community. Volunteers in the US and Canada will get a free Little Free Library t-shirt after you record your impact here in the Team LFL online hub. 

Supervision & Support: You can connect with the Community Engagement Manager to ask questions. We also offer virtual Q&A sessions for volunteers. 

Make a Difference in a Student’s Life

Join EnCorps’ STEMx Tutors program to virtually tutor math to middle school students who are under-performing in Foundational Math, Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1. 

Do you have a green thumb and a little bit of time to volunteer?  We're looking for someone to volunteer a few hours a month to help with yard work and landscaping.  We are also building a few raised garden beds that will need some love and attention.  

Can children experiencing homelessness count on you? 

The Playspace Program is looking for volunteers to play with children experiencing homelessness in your community for just two hours each week. Whether you're passionate about arts and crafts, storytelling, or building community, there's a place for you in Playspace! Your commitment will directly contribute to fostering moments of joy, laughter, and fun for children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts.

Please visit our website to learn more and apply.

We are looking for daily volunteers to assist in our food pantry as well as our programs area. This would be assisting our clients with food, personal care items and anything else that we may be providing that day. This is flexible and in shifts. 9:00-1:00, 12:00-4:00 and 3:00-7:00

We are looking for volunteers in our warehouse. This would include helping restock shelves, breakdown boxes, assist with incoming deliveries etc

Each Monday morning, we pick up thousands of pounds of food from the Worcester County Food Bank.  Once we arrive back to our facility, we need help unloading the truck, stocking shelves, and prepping food bags for distribution.  We ask that volunteers commit to helping at least 8 different days

Each Monday morning, we pick up thousands of pounds of food from the Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury.  Simply put, we could use an extra hand or two.  This is a repeat opportunity and we ask that volunteers commit to helping a minimum of 8 times. 

Please consider supporting the United Way's Diaper Fund, so that we are able to provide diapers to families in need who are caring for their infants and toddlers. The United Way of Central Massachusetts is committed to financially supporting and coordinating this effort. We will work in collaboration with organizations in Worcester who have a proven track record of coordinating relief and support services for those in need in our community.  

The Playspace Program at Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for volunteers to play with children experiencing homelessness in Worcester for just two hours each week. Whether you're passionate about arts and crafts, storytelling, or building community, there's a place for you in Playspace! Your commitment will directly contribute to fostering moments of joy, laughter, and fun for children experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts. To learn more or apply visit horizonschildren.org/playspace or reach out to us by email at mnally@horizonschildren.org.

In Kind Donations - Donations are accepted at the main SMOC office in Worcester, 237 Chandler st, Worcester, Ma from 9-5, or the front Door of the Queen st Shelter, 25 Queen st Worcester, Ma. The shelter is 24/7, always open for donations. We are always in need of these items for clients (below), especially in a variety of clothing sizes. We are typically in need of Men's XXL+ sizes. Sweatshirts and pants are always needed.

Blankets

Sheets

Winter items (hats, gloves, handwarmers)

Shoes/Boots

Backpacks

Pants

Shirts

Sweatshirts/Coats

Socks

Underwear

Toothbrushes

Shampoo/conditioner

Soap

razors

Toothpaste

Feminine hygiene products

First aid items

cleaning supplies 

If inclined to help from afar, we have an Amazon Wish List below- 

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/39C7IUNDM274U?ref_=wl_share

Thank you!

Volunteer Opportunity: Sully’s Veterans Food Pantry – Project New Hope Inc.

We are looking for compassionate and dependable volunteers to help support Sully’s Veterans Food Pantry at Project New Hope Inc., located at:

We need assistance with the unloading of food received from the Worcester County Food Bank and Restaurant Depo.  We also need assistance with the staging of the food to be ready for distribution to the community.  We need people on hand to also distribute the food and restock as needed.

Always in need of backpacks and school supplies for children in grades K-12.

The core of our program has two volunteer slots each day. The Evening Volunteer comes in at 5:30 and stays until 8:30. We encourage the Evening Volunteer to bring or prepare their own dinner as families prepare, serve, and clean up after themselves.  Evening Volunteers may plan activities, help with homework, assist with a particular need, be present in the house and provide program consistency and communication. The Evening Volunteer is relieved by the Overnight Volunteer, who does just that-spends the overnight.  Overnight Volunteers provide support and assistance to the families; they socialize with them, help older children with homework, and are available in case of an emergency. They are relieved at 6:30am Monday through Friday or at 8:30am on Saturday and Sunday by Shelter Staff. Sometime we need short notice coverage for these opportunities, some volunteers choose a monthly commitment, and some volunteers form a whole team of coworkers/friends/families and cover these slots for an entire week.

Only 3% of high-performing, under-resourced students end up in a great first career experience. On our social platform, professionals like you can help change that.

Here's how:

1. Sign up via your computer at my.backrs.com or by downloading the Backrs mobile app from the Apple App or Google Play Stores.

2. Tell us a little about your background and experiences by completing your profile. This takes 5 mins. (Up to 15 if you'd like to give students more details about your hobbies and interests.)

3. We add you to identity-based, regional, university, and career-path Affinity Networks where you can connect with students you're well-positioned to support.

4. In Networks, you can answer students' questions, post resources or job/internship opportunities, and share insights into your college and career journey by responding to Backstage Pass posts. Though each of these actions takes a few minutes, they all have meaningful impacts on young people.

5. If you'd like to play a more involved role in a student's journey, you can join their panel of backrs. This enables you to view their goals, post on their personal feed, schedule Zoom check-ins, and even contribute to their Flourish Fund. It's a great choice for those looking to offer low-lift, relationship-driven support.

Best way to see how convenient and rewarding being a backr really is? Give it a try, commitment-free:

Sign up on your computer: my.backrs.com

Or get the Backrs mobile app: Apple App Store or Google Play Store

Research shows that cross-class relationships are the biggest predictors of social mobility. And financial margin increases the odds of college persistence four-fold.

We partner with schools and youth organizations to recruit committed high school and college students into our community. Then, by removing the barriers the keep well-resourced adults from connecting with under-resourced young people, our technology builds bridges across socioeconomic strata, enabling people like you to empower students like Diego R.

Diego R. joined Backrs so he could pursue his dream of becoming a biomedical engineer. Thanks to his talent, hard work, and the support he's received from his backrs, he's well on his way to making that dream a reality. As he explained:

"My brother was born with Chronic Kidney Disease. He’s the man who gives me the strength to pursue Biomedical Engineering and become an accomplished technician. I strive to make the lives of those who suffer like him better. I want to be the change he needs to be healthy."

All of the students in our community are driven to build a better world; when they're given the resources to do so, everyone around them benefits.

Watch this video to learn more about the difference Backrs makes for students: Kaothara's Experience

Being a great backr isn’t about grand gestures or having all the answers. It’s about the small things: sharing a word of encouragement. Passing along a helpful resource. Making an introduction. These actions make a big difference--take it from some of our current backrs: 

"As a backr, I love the opportunity to support and mentor my three proteges as they grow and develop. I feel grateful to be able to guide and shape their future in a positive way. Through Backrs, I have been able to watch them grow into confident and capable individuals, and it has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment that I can't put into words. It's made a tremendous difference in my life to see them achieve their goals and know that I played a role in helping them get there."

- Ahmed Dawood, Marketer at Apple

"Backrs gives me an opportunity to utilize my expertise to provide mentoring and support to students. Even though my students are a couple time zones away, I have the flexibility to connect with them on my time and have been dedicated to checking my app weekly at minimum to engage in conversations and answer questions. Its exciting to celebrate their wins and talk about future plans. Mentoring was very impactful in my life so it gives me joy to give back in this way."

- Lori Hunt, College Provost

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Happy Holidays!

This holiday season we are looking to gather some items for the the residents within our homes. We would greatly appreciate new twin size bedding, such as sheets and comforters, towels, pillows, personal hygiene products, and gift cards. 

We hope you have a great holiday season and can make it special for those within our homes. 

Volunteer drivers to pick up food from donors and deliver it to agencies that feed the hungry

Please submit a video reading your favorite book for us to add to our YouTube channel and to play for our members!

To learn more about this opportunity please email Leah Motsis at lmotsis@bgcworcester.org

Seeking volunteers to help distribute food in our emergency food pantry and assist our guests in applying for community services if need be. The ability to walk up and down a flight of stairs and carry 25+ lbs. is very helpful, but accomidations can be made for those who are unable. 

Do you love to paint?  Here at Pernet, we are conducting a facility-wide upgrade and need help painting walls, ceilings, and trim and we could use your help!  

Volunteer once or on a more consistent basis.  Come by yourself on with a small group.

Thanks! 

Maintenance at Pernet Family Health

Come once or be a regular volunteer.

Can include painting, landscaping and more!

Join us in supporting a supply chain from farms to families in Massachusetts! We organize volunteer projects to harvest, sort, and pack fresh produce from local farms for distribution to families facing food insecurity. No experience is necessary-only a willingness and ability to lend a hand in physical, active work. 

To Register: Visit our website (www.bostonareagleaners.org) and click "Get Involved," then follow the links to register. Once you registered your name, we will email you whenever there are volunteer opportunities. You can check our upcoming projects via the Volunteer page on our website, and can sign up for any project that fits your schedule.

Volunteer projects may take place at the Gleaners' headquarters at Stonefield Farm (91 Martin St. in Acton) or at partner farms throughout Eastern Massachusetts. We may be harvesting, sorting produce, or packing food boxes for distribution. Be sure to register on our website to stay in the loop about goings-on!

The Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP) is looking for kind and compassionate individuals who can provide rides for our after-school /summer school programming at the Ascentria Care Alliance office on Mondays at 5.30 pm and for return trips at 7.30 pm.

If interested, you may be teamed up with a family and have the opportunity to take the kids to the library to pick up their summer reading books etc.  All volunteer drivers will be CORI checked prior to engagement.   For more information on WRAP, please go to our website https://www.worcesterrefugees.org/

CASA Volunteers come from many different places and all walks of life. Whether you are a captain of industry or a quietly concerned community member, whatever your schooling or own life experiences, you can be a successful volunteer. All you need is the shared passion and commitment to advocate for children!

There are three steps:

The course is offered quarterly and provides an overview of CASA Volunteer roles and responsibilities. The training includes the following topics:

Upon completion of the training course, you will receive your first case assignment. A staff case manager will assist you, guide you, and provide any resources you need. Administrative assistance is provided by the CASA office.

The average time commitment for a CASA Volunteer is 10-15 hours per month. We ask that volunteers commit to the case until it is closed. A typical case lasts 9 -15 months.

Meals On Wheels Volunteer Drivers deliver nutritious meals to homebound older adults in their community (not in the city of Worcester, but in the surrounding towns). This opportunity involves delivering meals, and also checking on the consumer to ensure their safety. Often times the driver is the only person the consumer may see throughout the day. Volunteer Drivers may commit to one or more days per week. Meals are delivered Monday – Friday between the hours of 10:00am – 2:00pm.

Applicants must have valid Massachusetts Driver’s License and reliable transportation.

A part of the National Senior Service Corps, the Senior Companion Program is sponsored locally by Seven Hills Foundation.

Senior Companions are volunteers 55 years of age and older who devote 15 – 40 hours per week providing individualized care and assistance to frail, often isolated, elders in the community.

They may go for walks, play games, or prepare a light meal for their clients. Other time spent might include reading together, reminiscing or just visiting.

Volunteers visit with clients at the clients' homes.  If interested in becoming a volunteer Senior Companion, please contact Family Services of Central MA/Seven Hills: 508-796-1805