Volunteering is a great way to enrich your life and the life of someone less fortunate. There are many worthy organizations in Boston, Massachusetts that need volunteers. The groups listed here are all reputable organizations that provide help in the Boston area. Whether you want to help the disabled, homeless or abused animals, there is an organization in Boston that you can help.
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts
15 Court Square Ste. 540
Boston, MA 02108
Phone:1-888-466-1313
Website: www.lvm.org
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts is a program that tutors adults in basic reading skills. L.V.M has been tutoring adults since 1972. It is the number one volunteer adult literacy program in Massachusetts. To apply to be a volunteer for L.V.M contact them over the phone or on their website.
Best Buddies Massachusetts
45 Bromfield Street, Third Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 1-866-33BUDDY
Website: www.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver. Best Buddy works with developmentally disabled people, helping them develop meaningful, healthy friendships and aids them in gaining suitable employment. They have groups in all 50 states. To volunteer for Best Buddies in Massachusetts call them or visit their website.
Samaritans: Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention
Call 1-617-536-2460 or 1-508-872-1780 for information or to volunteer.
24-hr. Befriending Hotline (suicide hotline): 1-877-870-HOPE
Teen Hotline: 1-800-252-TEEN
Website: www.samaritanshope.com
Samaritans is an organization that provides a friendly ear for any person experiencing a crisis. Their main service is for suicide prevention, but they will talk to anyone in need of a friend. Samaritans of Boston has been helping people cope since 1945. They will provide service to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Call the Samaritans at the information line listed above or go to their website.
Animal Rescue League of Boston
To report animals in need call: 1-617-426-9170
Website: www.arlboston.org
The Animal Rescue League of Boston is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to rescuing domestic and wild animals. Their motto is "Kindness Uplifts the World." They have been rescuing animals since 1889 when the organization was founded by Anna Harris Smith. To volunteer for the Animal Rescue League go to their website and fill out an application.
Horizons for Homeless Children
Phone: 1-617-445-1480
Website: www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org
Horizons for Homeless Children provide playspaces in homeless shelters across Massachusetts. The playspaces give the children a place to interact with volunteers, learn to read and just have fun. They also provide help on a family level. They assist parents with job training, and GED and college courses. To volunteer for Horizons for Homeless Children just give them a call.
Volunteering can be an emotional and sometimes heartbreaking experience. It can also be life changing for you and the person or animal that you are able to help. Teaching someone to read, feeding someone a decent meal or just being someone's friend in their time of need can make a huge difference. If you don't have the time to volunteer on a regular basis there are plenty of soup kitchens and shelters that could use you whenever you have the time. Every little bit helps.
Sources
Horizons for Homeless Children, retrieved 5/21/09, www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org
Samaritans, retrieved 5/21/09, www.samaritanshope.org
Animal Rescue League, retrieved 5/21/09, www.arlboston.org
Best Buddies, retrieved 5/21/09, www.bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org