By Julia, Customer Service Specialist
Start out the new year by making an impact in your community and be a part of the change! This time of year can be especially hard, whether it’s trying to find shelter, putting food on the table, staying warm, or even just staying healthy. Mentally and physically. Want to make a difference? Want to help the community around you, but don’t know where to start? That’s what I’m here for! Not only am I going to help you find volunteer work, but I’m going to mention other ways to make a difference than just community service. And, research has shown that getting involved in a cause and helping others can have a measurably positive impact on your own sense of connection, mental health and well-being. So, win-win! I will also be mentioning a site that gives information about support groups that might help during this difficult time. I hope you find this helpful!
Based in the south shore, Interfaith Social Services is a nonreligious organization that provides a wide variety of ways to aid those in need. Their services include financial donation, homelessness prevention, plant grow share, food and clothing donations, volunteer work, counseling, help for the holidays, fundraising, and the bureau drawer thrift shop. This group values community, compassion, inclusion, and collaboration with other groups and organizations to further their cause.
Help For The Holidays is a seasonal program that allows individuals, businesses, and churches to give support to their food pantry client families. These kind volunteers buy gifts for the families that would not otherwise be able to provide for their children. Last year, this program helped almost 700 children. Thankfully all their client families are booked this year! Although if you still want to help you can make a monetary donation!
Plant Grow Share involves donating fresh fruits and vegetables from individuals or organizations who have a little extra to give from their own garden. This helps provide healthy food for the community! Also when available, seedlings are given out to local gardeners for the spring. Interfaith also has volunteers help grow a garden of their own in the alleyway at their office in Quincy. Thus showing us it’s possible to have a garden wherever you are, no matter the size!
Financial Donation is a general donation to support the group itself so they can continue to give aid and put that donation to use for programs like HomeSafe and Mental Health Counseling. You chose the amount to donate and whether you would like to donate monthly or just once!
Food Donations are put into use for the food pantry that provides essential nourishment to individuals and families in need. This food pantry has been around since 1975 and is one of the biggest food pantries of Greater Boston.
Fundraising gives you the opportunity to work together with your community and influence the people around you to take part as well. On the interfaith site, you can get information on how to start your own fundraiser and how to get the word across more efficiently.
Volunteer Work at Interfaith includes a 3-hour weekly shift in all different kinds of roles in assisting the food pantry and thrift shop. They provide opportunities for individuals, youth groups, and business groups. These shifts also involve a morning shift or afternoon shift.
Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop is a thrift shop that gives 100% of its proceeds to Interfaiths food pantry, mental health counseling, and homelessness prevention program. This thrift store is completely run by volunteers and sells everything from clothes to houseware. If you love to thrift, there’s no better place than this! Get some goodies and make a difference!
Homelessness Prevention is a program at interfaith called HomeSafe. In this program, eligible clients can get assistance with things like budgeting, help with rent, utilities, and more! They also give additional information to other resources for financial assistance on their website. Want to take part in this program? All you have to do is donate!
This organization provides support for students by giving them the tools they need to succeed. They work hard to show kids their potential and capabilities, as well as helping them believe in themselves. Thus creating more motivation and drive. City Year works with over 29 cities to give students the opportunity to connect with a mentor. Allowing these kids to have an adult figure to help guide them and give them the support they wouldn’t otherwise have. To be a part of this life changing program you could either fill out an application to volunteer or just donate to the cause!
Since 2000, Groundwork has been striving for more accessible fresh produce, hands-on education, youth empowerment, and civic engagement, making them an essential part of their community. Programs such as Green Team, School Gardens, and South Farm Street provide a multitude of opportunities for students and volunteers alike. The people of Somerville are able to take part in creating a safe place to learn and grow; bringing more vegetation into the city to work with mother nature instead of against her. Not only does Groundwork focus on the importance of the environment, but social, racial, and economic justice as well. They recognize that there is much to be done when it comes to equality. With their high school program, they discuss topics such as racism, sexism, environmental injustice. As well as ARMS program participants to address these important topics. Lastly, this farm provides space for community gatherings as well as a place for pollinators to thrive.
Green Team is a program that works on leadership and teen employment. Teens get paid to work at the garden and learn how to cultivate their own food. Not only that, but they also focus on civic engagement, environmental justice, urban agriculture, and biking.
School Gardens educate kids about all different kinds of fruits and vegetables that they can grow themselves, as well as cook the food they cultivate in their garden. This program is available in eight of Somerville’s public elementary and middle schools, as well as a charter school. Groundwork offers both in-school and after-school programs for kids to learn how to plan, plant, and harvest. School gardens also give kids the opportunity to learn about other subjects in a unique way. Subjects like math, biology, chemistry, art, and so much more! To be a part of this amazing program you can volunteer your time or donate!
South Farm Street is Groundworks urban farm site along with the Artfarm location. Between these two locations, approximately 2,000lbs of food is harvested to provide fresh and affordable food to the people of Somerville. This is also the location for the Green Team, school groups, and volunteers to take part in helping their community. As well as working together with mother nature! In turn, South Farm Street provides a wonderful home for pollinators in the city.
As the first ever only women's shelter, Rosie’s Place has been providing shelter and meals to women in need since 1974. Their mission is to help women who struggle with homelessness feel safe as well as giving them more opportunities with mental health care, recovery, job applications, rent, utilities, and transportation. Rosie’s Place offers a safe haven to women of the LGBTQA+ community as well and has a place for any women, no matter religion, ethnicity, age, race, or perceived ability. To be a part of the impact you could make a donation, whether it's financial, food, clothing, or utilities. If you have the capabilities, volunteering is a great option as well. Rosie’s Place provides volunteer opportunities for groups with catering and workshops. As well as individual volunteering in serving meals, prepping meals, teaching classes, and leading an art workshop.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness):
This site gives information on all kinds of support groups. From recovery, and mental health, to groups that are for friends and family members of those who are struggling. Currently, these group meetings are done remotely and are available Monday to Friday with multiple time slots. This site also provides other resources as well, like information on housing, employment, family support, health insurance, and so much more!
There’s always a way to help and give back to your community. Even if that means just talking about these important topics and spreading the word. If you are someone who needs a little extra help, please don’t hesitate to reach out and find support.