These days, it seems like the bad news just won’t stop. In a 24-hour, traumatic news cycle, it’s hard to know how to give back when so many people need help. At the same time, you have obligations and time constraints of your own. So, we’ve done the research for you and compiled this wide-ranging list of do-good organizations in the Boston area. No matter your favored cause, schedule, or skill set, you’re bound to find at least one that will make you, and so many others, feel good.

Raise Women Up

Photo courtesy of Rosie’s Place

Volunteers serving meals at Rosie’s Place

Rosie’s Place
889 Harrison Ave., Boston
Ruggles T stop, limited street parking
617-442-9322
volunteer@rosiesplace.org

Rosie’s Place is one of Boston’s best-known, women-oriented charities. Founded in 1974, the nonprofit was one of the first women’s shelters in the United States. Rosie’s Place provides sanctuary and support for 12,000 poor and homeless women each year. When women are desperate and defeated from trying to scrape together meals and handle hygiene with limited access to facilities, Rosie’s Place provides them with peace of mind. Volunteers work on programs that offer dignity and assistance to the women who need it most.

How You Can Help
Volunteer opportunities include teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), visiting women who isolate themselves from others at the shelter, preparing and serving meals, leading an arts workshop, or assisting guests shopping in the food pantry. You can also choose from a list of more industry-specific volunteer opportunities utilizing various skill sets.

Take Action
If you have a busy schedule, Rosie’s Place makes it easy to volunteer: Just fill out a simple online application. Once you’re approved, you will receive access to the online scheduling system VolunteerNet. That system shows volunteer opportunities for the next 30 days, and volunteers can choose up to three slots per month. This flexibility means you can participate on a regular basis or when your schedule allows.

Women’s Lunch Place
67 Newbury St., Boston
Arlington T stop, limited street parking
617-449-7211
Jennifer Hanlon Wigon, volunteer manager, Jennifer@womenslunchplace.org

Women’s Lunch Place provides hot meals and community support to women who have experienced trauma, abuse, or loss. The organization goes far beyond serving breakfast and lunch; it offers specific resources for victims of physical or psychological violence. Free medical care is provided on site by Healthcare Without Walls, women can use the resource center and library to apply for jobs or housing, and classes are offered in everything from drawing and painting to yoga and meditation.

How You Can Help
Women’s Lunch Place’s biggest volunteer opportunity is helping to prepare and serve meals. On average, 225 women are fed there every day. Volunteers working the Welcome Center can help women sign up for showers, wash laundry, and request medical services. The nonprofit is also looking for attorneys, interpreters, and fund-raising assistance. Check out the full list of available duties.

Take Action
Fill out an online application to get access to a database to claim hours. Women’s Lunch Place also offers an online volunteer self-assessment, so you can see if this organization is a good fit for you. Shifts are available six days a week, but a consistent commitment of one day per week is preferred.

Keep Children Warm, Safe, and Engaged

Lend a helping hand to children in need

Cradles to Crayons
155 North Beacon St., Brighton
Warren Street T stop, street parking available
617-779-4700
volunteerboston@cradlestocrayons.org

Many low-income families are forced to choose between food and other essentials like clothing and school supplies. This can leave children without the resources they need to thrive or even to stay warm in the harsh Boston winter. Cradles to Crayons is a national organization that collects donations of new and nearly new children’s items from the local community and distributes them to disadvantaged children through nonprofit partners. The donations consist of everything from clothing and shoes to backpacks, school supplies, toys, and diapers. Cradles to Crayons also manages yearly initiatives like Gear Up for Winter, which provides children with cold-weather clothing.

How You Can Help
If you don’t have extended or consistent time to volunteer in person, Cradles to Crayons accepts item donations at its factory locations and monetary donations online. In person, volunteers inspect, sort and package goods at the factory to go out to children in need. You can choose shifts scheduled Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 am–12 pm and 1:30 pm–3:30 pm.

Take Action
Start by filling out the online volunteer application form. In a few days, a coordinator will get back to you to schedule your individual or group visit. Before your volunteer day, Cradles to Crayons asks that you collect goods for the program either through donations at work or from friends and family. This opportunity is good for those who can’t commit to a regular schedule but want to give back periodically.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
Eleven Boston area locations; Parking available at some locations
617-994-4700
info@bgcb.org

The Boys & Girls Clubs provide education, recreational programming and, most importantly, a safe space for Boston-area youth. For children who may not be receiving the emotional support they need, BGCB makes the club feel like home. This organization serves nearly 16,000 children and teens by addressing crucial mental and emotional developmental areas. In addition to classes in arts, academics, and technology, BGCB has full-time, licensed social workers on site to help children make good choices and build healthy habits.

How You Can Help
Volunteers provide a wide spectrum of support to BGCB. If you’re a professional in a specific area, you can utilize your skills here. For example, teach a music course or coach a swim team. Volunteers also assist children with homework (see, you are using that algebra again!) and contribute to the administrative functions of the club. You are also asked to commit at least one hour per week for a 12-week period.

Take Action
Fill out the online inquiry form with your interests, skill set, and availability. A coordinator will get back to you to discuss what position will be best for you. All volunteers must undergo a sex offender registry information (SORI) check, a criminal offender record information (CORI) check, and a national CORI background check before beginning volunteer work.

Provide Shelter and Services for the Weary

Donate some time to Boston’s homeless population.

Friends of Boston’s Homeless
12 Wise St., Boston
Jackson Square T stop, street parking available
617-942-8671
Mariann Bucina, executive director, mariannbucina@fobh.org

Friends of Boston’s Homeless is a solution-oriented shelter that works to secure permanent housing, employment, and stable health care for its residents. Since 2009, Friends has helped over 1,000 people move into safe, long-term housing. Ninety percent of those people are still housed today. Based on the strategy that secure housing improves quality of life in all areas, Friends of Boston assists with initial move-in costs like a security deposit and first month’s rent and provides essential furniture and household items.

How You Can Help
Because of its emphasis on permanent housing, Friends of Boston’s Homeless encourages volunteers to collect or purchase essential items, like sponges and toilet paper, and to make welcome baskets with first-time home necessities. Volunteers looking for an in-person experience can serve a meal at Woods-Mullen Shelter, which is supported by Friends. Also at Woods, you can host a recreational activity like a bingo night or teach a class in one of your skill areas.

Take Action
To get started, review the list of volunteer opportunities on the Friends of Boston’s Homeless website, then contact Executive Director Mariann Bucina for more information.

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Albany St., Boston
Massachusetts Avenue, Ruggles, Andrew T stops, limited street parking available
857-654-1000
Allison Seitz, manager of volunteers & service programs, aseitz@bhchp.org

Since 1985, BHCHP has provided accessible health care to men, women and children struggling with homelessness in Boston. The program began with a staff of just eight and now supports a team of more than 400 people conducting clinics in 45 locations in greater Boston. BHCHP offers comprehensive medical, dental, and psychiatric services and also works with shelters around Boston to provide these services to their residents.

How You Can Help
You don’t have to have medical experience to support BHCHP. Volunteers don’t participate in the clinical work, but they do provide services such as escorting patients from waiting rooms to exam rooms; planning and supporting activities for long-term patients, such as games, computer training, arts and crafts; preparing trays for meal service and serving meals; and assisting patients in filling out forms. BHCHP requests a once-a-week commitment over a six-month period.

Take Action
Apply through the online application, then attend an in-person orientation upon acceptance. You must complete a criminal offender record information (CORI) check and submit immunization records before beginning to volunteer.

Fight for Immigrants and Refugees

Photo courtesy of MIRA

U.S. District Judge Donald Cabell leads the soon-to-be citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance

Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
105 Chauncy St., Suite 901, Boston
Chinatown T stop, limited street parking available
617-350-5480
Joel Rivera, field organizer, jrivera@miracoalition.org

MIRA represents the largest coalition in New England supporting the rights of immigrants and refugees. The organization provides assistance through education and training, institutional organizing, policy analysis, and advocacy. It works to affect policy on a local and national level and to assist Boston-area immigrants in gaining citizenship.

How You Can Help
MIRA hosts citizenship clinics in the Boston area, providing instruction and guidance on the citizenship process. Volunteers are needed to help new immigrants through the paperwork and required steps. You can also assist new citizens in registering to vote. These events are on a schedule so don’t require a weekly commitment. If you’re looking to get more politically involved, this is a great organization.

Take Action
Take a look at the opportunities page and e-mail field organizer Joel Rivera with “volunteering” in the subject line. If MIRA isn’t as hands-on as you’d like to be, it also has a list of coalition members you can scroll through to find an alternative organization.

Catholic Charities of Boston
275 West Broadway, Boston
Broadway T stop, on-site parking available
617-464-8122
volunteer@ccab.org

Catholic Charities of Boston supports the hundreds of thousands of refugees and immigrants who enter the United States every year into a system that’s actively working against them. The organization provides refugee resettlement support to secure jobs and housing, interpreter services to enable those who don’t speak English to navigate health and education services, and legal assistance in attaining citizenship, political asylum, or family reunification.

How You Can Help
English teachers and aides who can assist immigrants with the cultural transition to the United States are in high demand. Catholic Charities is also a great outlet for your creative work. You can donate handmade items like hats and mittens or lap robes for new immigrants not used to the frigid climate. You can also peruse the list of volunteer opportunities for specific positions like administrative work or youth mentoring.

Take Action
Check the list of current opportunities and decide which is right for you. Reach out by e-mail or phone.

Care for Our Furry Friends

Woman’s best friend: Make a difference in an animal’s life

MSPCA-Angell
350 South Huntington Ave., Boston
Heath Street, Stony Brook, Jackson Square T stops, on-site parking available
617-522-5055
bostonvolunteer@mspca.org

The MSPCA-Angell is committed to stopping animal suffering due to cruelty. When Boston-area animals are abandoned or rescued from abusive homes, the MSPCA shelters and advocates for them. The organization also finds animals new homes through adoption programs. On a broader scale, the MSPCA works to effect legislation in favor of animals and to promote animal rights education throughout the United States.

How You Can Help
The MSPCA needs you to play with dogs. Well, not just that, but it’s on the list. The Boston adoption center looks for volunteers to feed the animals, educate visitors, facilitate adoptions, and clean the center. Volunteers can choose whether to work with cats, dogs, or other animals. Duties can get as intensive as assisting in medication administration or answering questions for owners after spay and neuter surgeries.

Take Action
Check out the list of available positions, decide what’s best for you, then complete the online application form. The Boston MSPCA is a popular volunteer spot; it gets about 200 volunteer applications a month and can only accept 100 new volunteers a month. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply, but it may take a little time for the right opportunity to become available. You can also check other clinics around Massachusetts that are less inundated.

Animal Rescue League of Boston
10 Chandler St., Boston
Back Bay, Arlington, Broadway T stops, on-site parking available
617-426-9170
Brittany Monteiro, volunteer supervisor, bmonteiro@arlboston.org

In addition to providing veterinary care and adoption services, the Animal Rescue League of Boston works with law enforcement organizations to actively investigate crimes against animals. They log thousands of miles each year investigating reports of animal cruelty and abuse. For the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the mission isn’t just to help abandoned animals but to prevent them from being mistreated in the first place.

How You Can Help
The Animal Rescue League recruits volunteers to help feed, train, and provide care for the shelter animals, as well as to staff special events and provide general office support. Volunteer opportunities vary with the current need, and there are Dedham and Brewster locations that may have different opportunities. You can also provide a home for foster animals so they get the love and attention they need until they find a permanent family.

Take Action
Choose your preferred location, and fill out the online volunteer application. A staff member will contact you within seven days if you’re a match for a current opportunity. If need is low, they’ll keep your application on file for a year to fill future positions. Once you’ve been matched, you’ll attend orientation before starting.

Check out additional Boston-area volunteering opportunities.