ReachOut! Basic Information
Our Volunteer Partner Sites for Cycle Seven are:
Adult Education @ JVS in Longwood
JVS’ Healthcare Training Institute works with employers in the Longwood Medical Area (including Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) to provide entry-level and incumbent workers with education, training, and support to enable them to build skills, earn higher wages, and advance along career paths in health care-related occupations.
Your Role: Tutor one-on-one with adult students who are looking to improve their skills in Math and English.
Monday nights from 6-7:30pm.
The JVS location is in the Longwood area, a short walk from the Green Line stop.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: ReachOut! is thrilled to be partnering with JVS on this important issue. This is a new partner and a new volunteer location, but based off of a well established partnership. ReachOut! volunteers have worked previously on GED tutoring with the same structure– and same teacher—and look forward to volunteering in this new context! Register here!
Senior Connections @ Hebrew Senior Life in Brookline
Hebrew Senior Life’s mission statement calls upon a special responsibility to care for the frailest and neediest members of our community who are most dependent on our care.
Your Role: Take part in weekly discussion groups with Senior Residents and create intergenerational connections.
Monday nights from 6:30-7:30pm.
Hebrew Senior Life is located in Coolidge Corner, off of the Green line.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: ReachOut! volunteers find themselves inspired and surprised by the connections and relationships they develop with seniors. Relationships of surrogate grandparents often develop, as volunteers find themselves learning and growing from what they experience. Register here!
Hunger and Homelessness @ First Parish in Cambridge
The mission of the Tuesday Meals Program at First Parish is to offer warm hospitality and an evening meal in a safe, dignified environment to anyone in need of nourishment.
Your Role: Help prepare & serve meals to those in need.
Tuesday night from 5:15-7pm.
First Parish is located in Harvard Square, steps from the Harvard Square stop on the Red Line.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: First Parish volunteers interact with those in need by not only preparing and serving meals, but also by engaging in conversation with those there to eat. Register here!
Adult Education @ The Harriet Tubman House in the South End
USES has been a provider of quality Adult Basic Education and GED programming for more than 30 years in Boston providing 200 students annually with opportunities to develop reading, writing, math, social studies, science, and technology skills needed to qualify for further education, job training, and better employment.
Your Role: Tutor one-on-one with adult students who are looking to improve their skills in Math and English.
Tuesday night night from 6:45-8pm.
The Harriet Tubman House is in the South End, accessible by the Orange Line at the Massachusetts Avenue Stop, The #1 Bus or the Green Line at Symphony Hall.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: One ReachOut! Volunteer shared that she “started volunteering at the Harriet Tubman House with the ReachOut! program because of a general feeling of wanting to help people. I have continued to volunteer there because I am so inspired by the amazingly motivated and hard-working students who go there every week”. Register here!
Hunger and Homelessness @The Elizabeth Peabody House in Somerville
The Elizabeth Peabody House has been impacting the lives of children and their families in Greater Boston's immigrant community for more than 116 years. Our mission is to support those families reaching their full potential by providing early childhood education, youth enrichment opportunities and family support services.
Your Role: Work with Somerville residents as they chose from healthy options at the Elizabeth Peabody House Food Pantry.
Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30pm.
The Elizabeth Peabody House is a short walk from the Sullivan Square stop on the Orange line and directly across the street from the #101 Bus.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: This brand new partnership offers volunteers a chance to connect with Somerville residents as they actively fight against hunger. Register here!
Youth Connections @ The Boys and Girls Club in South Boston
The Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to help young people, especially those who need us most, build strong character and realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leader
Your Role: Participate in sports, arts and crafts and other activities with youth. Be a mentor and take an active role with the youth who benefit from the Boys & Girls Club’s offerings.
Wednesday night from 6:30-8:00pm.
The Boys & Girls Club of South Boston is accessible by the #11 Bus.
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: Besides working with the resources of the Boys and Girls Club, ReachOut! is partnering with the Mem Project to create a mural based on the concept of “community”. Volunteers will work side by side with the youth to finish this project. Register here!
Why ReachOut! is excited to offer this opportunity: Puppies. Register here!
Commonly Asked Questions:
What, exactly, is ReachOut?
ReachOut! presents the opportunity for Young Professionals (20s &30s) in Boston to volunteer and build community through shared learning and Jewish experiences. You and a small group of your peers will work with one of our partner sites one evening a week for 10 weeks. ReachOut! has a wide variety of community service opportunities available, ranging from working with teens, spending time with seniors, helping the homeless, and providing adult education. In addition to service work, you will have the chance to get to know your fellow participants through two Shabbat dinners and social opportunities at your volunteer site.
What's the time commitment?
8-10 weeks of volunteering, plus two Shabbat dinners. In an effort to respect our partner organizations, please only sign up if you can commit to being present for at least 7 of the 9 sessions.
Will I get my first choice site?
Reach Out! will do its best to accommodate all site requests. Please note that some sites may fill up quickly.
Will ReachOut! fill up?
As there is limited space in Reach Out!, if the program reaches maximum capacity we will notify you that you have been added to a waiting list. Register early to guarantee yourself a space!
What if I can't do the program this time around?
Can't do the program this round? Sign up for our list to receive information about future rounds, and let us know how the program could fit your schedule or other needs better.
What are the dates for Cycle Seven?
Registration will run from January 28th through February 18th . Volunteering begins during the week of February 25th.
The ReachOut! committee
Rachel Scudder (chair), Rina Zampieron (chair) Alan Decklebaum, Alex Rogers, Diana Leader-Cramer, Elise Kigner, Georgi Vogel-Rosen, Jodi Nemser-Abrams, Jonathan Sclarsic, Josh Fialkoff, Josh Ritz, Leah Robins, Leora Perkins, Matt Brown
Please contact Jordyn Rozensky at JRozensky@jcrcboston.org with any questions about the program.
