Greetings!
Welcome to the December edition of TeenLife Boston Connections. TeenLife Boston is committed to helping middle and high school students access rewarding and enriching "opportunities beyond school," right here in Greater Boston.
This month, we're featuring an article about the important reasons to make community service a part of your regular schedule for the entire year, rather than just the holiday season. In order to help students find a service opportunity that will pique their enduring interest we have, in addition to our usual listings, an important Save the Date for our upcoming TeenLife Boston Community Service Fair this February, which will feature 40 Boston-based service organizations looking for motivated teenage volunteers.
I hope you find this issue helpful and informative. Please send your feedback and suggestions to newsletter@teenlifeboston.com.
Happy Holidays!
Regards,
Marie Schwartz
TeenLife Boston
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| Making Community Service Count - The Whole Year
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Every holiday season, we're presented with a whole host of ways to help serve our communities: gift wrapping to raise money for non-profit organizations, donating presents to make the celebrations of those in need a bit brighter, or volunteering at a community kitchen to serve holiday dinners. Such projects represent the giving spirit with which we associate this time of year and ensure that everyone has something to celebrate this season.
However, it is important to remember that service should be an important part of our work throughout the entire year. There is always a community need, and there are not often enough hands to help fill it. Finding an enduring community service project that captures your interest and involvement not just throughout the year, but for several years, will ensure you make a critical impact within your community and will likely end up helping you as well.
Do Something, a national non-profit organization that works to help teens create positive change, surveyed 25 of the top 50 colleges and universities in the country, asking their admissions officers what type of service they would consider most favorably in applicants. (You can read the full report here.) Their findings: 100% surveyed considered long-term, regular commitment to an organization more positively than impressive one-time opportunities (like working in an African orphanage for a month), and the majority valued working consistently with one issue more than pursuing a variety of causes. The terms admissions officers most liked to see when talking about service were "commitment," "passion," and "dedication."
What does all this mean for a college-bound teenager? It means community service shouldn't be a chore, and even if your school has a service requirement, it doesn't have to be a burden. Find something that sparks your interests and makes you excited about serving others - your passion will be reflected in how you discuss your service (which will ultimately reflect upon how colleges view you, as an applicant). Are you interested in working with children? Helping the homeless? Coaching a youth sports team? Working for the environment? Whatever you're committed to, there's an organization that can use your skills and dedication.
If you're having trouble finding a non-profit that inspires you and taps into your interests, we encourage you to come to the TeenLife Boston Community Service Fair this February 8, from 1-4 pm at The Chestnut Hill Mall. Many organizations will be exhibiting there, just as eager to find excited teen volunteers as you are to begin your service. For more information, or to register, please visit our website.
This holiday season, as you reflect on what's most important to you, be sure you consider the ways you can help translate those values and interests into actions - not only will you help the community, but you may help yourself.
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| Volunteer and Internship Opportunities |
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Sort Baby Clothes at Room to Grow
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Room to Grow is a non-profit organization that provides
customized parenting support and essential baby items to families in need
throughout their child's critical first three years of life. We are
looking for dedicated volunteers to sort and prepare community donations of
baby clothing, toys, books and equipment for the families we serve. Our
hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. To set up a volunteer
orientation, please call 617-859-4545 or email.
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Volunteer for the World Computer Exchange
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The
World Computer Exchange (WCE) needs volunteers for their Computer
Testing and Packing Day on December 20. Students over the age of twelve
are invited to help test computers and prepare them for shipping to
young people in need all over the world.
The event will last
from 10:00am-2:30pm, and volunteers may pick their own hours within that
time frame. The event is located at WCE's site 936 Nantasket Ave.
Hull, MA 02045. No special skills are required, tasks may include
turning on units and a simple protocol, counting mice, power cords,
etc. or loading equipment onto pallets. You may sign up as a group or
as an individual.
Lunch will be provided, and transportation
charges can be reimbursed within Massachusetts, from your location to
our location in Hull (if arranged beforehand with us). Those taking
public transportation can be arranged to be picked up at the Braintree
T station on the Red Line at 8:45 AM. Some work will be outdoors,
weather permitting. Please dress according to the weather. Visit our website or email Pam for more information.
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Voice Your Opinion through a Mobilize Survey
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Mobilize.org recently launched the second annual Democracy
2.0 Survey. The survey was designed by Millennials to find out what the
Millennial Generation thinks about the economy, technology, democracy and their
government. It also looks at the way you think about yourself in this democracy
at the transition to a new government.
This national survey, Democracy 2.0: An Annual Survey of the Millennial Generation, is being taken by
thousands of young Millennials on the ground and online across the nation. If
you were born between 1978 and 2008, your response is very important as
Mobilize.org begins their 2009 campaign to upgrade the way our democracy works
to Democracy 2.0. If you were born prior to 1978, please pass this along to a
Millennial friend, co-worker, child, or relative.
Please respond to the survey by December 20. Visit Mobilize for more information!
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Volunteer with Teens for Tzedek |
Teens for Tzedek is the social justice
program of TJCC, the teen program of the Jewish Community Centers of
Greater Boston. For more information on the opportunities below, visit
their website and click on "Social Action" or contact program coordinator Robyn by phone (617-558-6512) or email.
Diller Teens for Tzedek Fellowship
Diller Teens for
Tzedek Fellowship is a prestigious national program that supports high
school sophomores and juniors to develop leadership skills and commitment to
service. Alumni of the program say it's "the best preparation for college and
beyond"! The program runs from January to October and includes eight
monthly events, three interactive weekend retreats, a community service program
of your own design, weeklong hosting of Israel teen partners, and a three week
cultural exchange in Israel. You'll be in a class of 20 local teens of
different backgrounds and interests, learning and growing together as leaders
and as Jews. The cost for Diller Teen Fellows is $2,500.
Applications are accepted from September until December 12th, with interviews
being held on a rolling basis. Participants are selected based on their
leadership aptitude, commitment to Jewish learning, interest in connecting to Israel, passion
for service, and ability to contribute to a diverse group.
Help a child read: Jewish Youth Literacy Corps
JYLC is a partner of the Telem Teen
Service Initiative. Teens in the Corps spend one afternoon a week reading to
children at schools around Boston.
Transportation is provided after school from Newton South, Needham,
Milton and
Lexington High Schools (inquire about new locations). This is a great
opportunity to help provide a child with the tools to succeed in school and
later in life. There are three sessions that take place in the Fall,
Winter, and Spring. Please get in touch with Robyn
if you are interested in this great opportunity.
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Volunteer through People Making a Difference
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People Making a Difference (PMD) organizes one-time volunteer opportunities for individuals. Please visit their website for detailed information on how to participate, as well as upcoming projects.
Saturday, January 10 - Serve dinner to the men at Pine Street Inn in Boston's South End, 4:40-6:30pm. Must be age 16 or older. Parking is available, and Pine Street Inn is T-accessible via Red Line's Broadway Station. Sign up to participate by January 3.
Sunday, January 25 - Salvage and sort donated clothing for the poor at St.
Francis House (day shelter) in Boston's Theater District (Chinatown), 10am-3pm. Sign up to participate by January 18. This is a good project for people who like clothes
and aren't afraid to get a little dusty in order to put quality items into the hands of those in need.
To sign up to participate in any PMD project, each individual must send an email to Lori or call 617-282-7177 no more than one month ahead and provide the project date, your complete name, your mailing address, phone number, and email address. Individuals can only sign themselves up to participate and must stay for the entire project duration.
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Make Your School Greener
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greenschools is
looking for teens who want to make The Green Difference in their school
community. For specific information, please contact Robin Organ,
Executive Director of greenschools, at 508-272-9653. You can also visit their website or email for more information.
Help us make The Green Difference in your community today!
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Join Roots & Shoots for First Night Boston
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Join Roots & Shoots New England for First
Night Boston! If you can join us for any of these
opportunities please contact Kellan Hays at 617-439-9090 or by email.
Please let her know the number of volunteers, your contact information and the
hours you would be available to help out. Thanks!
First Night Boston is the country's oldest and largest
New Year's arts celebration. On December 31, 2008 from 1pm to midnight, First
Night presents a day-long festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture,
fireworks and more.
Roots & Shoots Family Festival Table
1:00pm -
5:00pm
The Family Festival features all kinds of entertainment and activities
for all members of the family. Our table at the Family Festival will be a
combination of a hands-on project for young people and information about Roots
& Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute, and our work in New
England.
Regionally, our Youth Leadership Council, made up of 10 high-school-aged
members, created the campaign Peace
Through the Arts to address the issues of peace and conflict
holistically. The campaign works to bring hope and connection to communities
through words, visual art and performance. They also seek to provide for the
material needs of the survivors of conflict while protecting the world's
environment. We will be selling the Peace Through the Arts reusable bags at Family Fest for this
fundraiser. The bags are sturdy canvas and cost $10 each.
First Night Procession
5:00pm-6:30pm
The first night procession will go from Hynes Convention Center
to Charles St
at the Boston Commons.
As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, Dr.
Jane Goodall started the Roots & Shoots Day of Peace in honor of the UN
International Day of Peace. Each year at this celebration, Roots & Shoots
members participate in projects to promote peace and support their communities
as well as fly Peace Dove Puppets as a symbol of peace. The Peace Dove Puppet
walks and parades have grown to include community events year-round.
As part of the First Night Procession, we will fly 2-3 Peace Dove
Puppets with local Roots & Shoots groups. Each traditional Peace Dove takes
3-4 people to fly it, and we also have smaller, 1-person Peace Dove puppets
that Family Festival participants will have decorated.
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Wrap Gifts to Raise Money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure
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During this holiday season, the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for
the Cure is excited to host this year's Holiday Gift Wrap at South Shore
Plaza. We will be
wrapping gifts for all holiday shoppers, providing educational materials, and
selling breast cancer merchandise. 100% of the proceeds from gift wrapping will
go to the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Gift
wrapping will take place at the South Shore Plaza
in Braintree
from November 28th through December 24th.
If you're interested in volunteering please contact Jessica Smith at
617-737-5111 ext. 14 or at jsmith@komenmass.org for available
shifts. Thank you for your support in the fight against breast cancer!
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Donate to Jeans for Tweens
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| Collect jeans for kids in
need in Massachusetts.
We are in need of youth sizes 2T to 16. Engage your school, sports club, or place
of worship and see how many pairs you can collect, and then bring your donations to
Cradles to Crayons at 82 Myrtle
Street in Quincy, MA. For more information please
contact Lindsay Jensen by email. |
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Help WGBH Fundraise
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WGBH is seeking volunteers to help answer calls and
take pledges during our live televised fundraising drive on Sunday, December
14, from 6-11pm. Training and dinner will be provided, and all volunteers will
receive a complimentary 1-year membership to WGBH to keep or gift to a friend
or family member. This opportunity is open to all volunteers ages 14 and up, but
volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 18 or
older. This event will take place at the WGBH studios at One Guest Street, in Brighton.
If you have any questions or would like to sign-up to volunteer, please email
Stacy.
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Counsel Fellow Teens through the Samaritans
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Samaritans, Inc. has a great volunteer opportunity for teens!
We have a teen hotline volunteer program called Samariteens. This is a teen to teen support helpline
delivered from our Boston and Framingham offices and staffed by a
remarkable group of teenage volunteers.
These teens come from all over the Boston and Metro West area to assist
those who are lonely, despairing, in crisis, and sometimes suicidal. Teens
staff the hotline between the hours of 3pm and 9pm on weekdays and 9am and 9pm
on weekends. We require a 3 hour/week
commitment for 9 months. For more
information contact Ron White
in our Boston office or Eileen Davis
in Framingham.
For more information about, please check out our website!
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Train to be an Earned Income Tax Credit Volunteer
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Join Boston Cares and the Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC) Coalition in educating low- and moderate-income wage earners about
maximizing their tax returns through the Earned Income Tax Credit. Mayor
Menino's EITC Campaign is entering its eighth year of providing free tax
preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers and increasing EITC
awareness. During the tax season of 2008, Boston's
EITC Campaign served over 12,000 households to return $17.2 million in refunds
to taxpayers.
Volunteer opportunities are available to help clients prepare tax returns, pull
credit reports, and enroll in public benefits programs such as food stamps or
health insurance. Any volunteer is welcome, and bilingual volunteers are
needed. Comprehensive training is provided.
Boston Cares will be hosting three information sessions for you to "Meet the
Coalition" and get more information about how to be an EITC volunteer on the
following dates:
December 4 from 6-7:30 pm
December 10 from 7-8:30 pm
December 16 from 6-7:30 pm
All the sessions will be held at 190
High Street, 4th Floor, downtown. This project is open to the public. You may participate by registering
with Boston Cares.
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Create Change through Teen World
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Teen World, a non-profit organization, strives to provide opportunities for teens to
create a positive change in social, cultural, and environmental settings in
order to empower teens to get involved in their community, nation, and the
world. To do this, Teen World will provide opportunities for meetings,
networking, and workshops in an effort to bring teens together for brainstorming
collaboration, and a safe haven for energetic discussion. We will hold
introductory meetings in December on every Friday starting with the 12th. Please contact us via email for more information.
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Save the Date!
TeenLife Boston Community Service Fair 2009
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Get involved and make a difference!
Student, parents, and teachers are invited to attend the second annual TeenLife Boston Community Service Fair. Meet face-to-face with representatives from a number of non-profits and find out about a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students in grades 7-12.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
1 pm - 4 pm
The Mall at Chestnut Hill
The event is free; pre-register online to receive important updates and a gift bag the day of the event!
List of participating organizations coming soon.
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Anthony Williams'
Urban Nutcracker
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Ballet Rox presents Anthony Williams' Urban Nutcracker, running from December 5-21 at John Hancock Hall in Boston. This show features the Holiday twist with an inner city edge, setting the classic fairy tale in contemporary Boston, fusing ballet, swing, hip hop, and urban tap. Visit their website for more details or to buy tickets. |
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Kwanzaa Celebrations at the African American History Museum
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Kwanzaa
Events at the African American History
Museum in Boston: Celebrate Kwanzaa on December 10 and 11 at
10:30 am at the Museum, located on 46
Joy St. in Beacon Hill. Check the website for more up
to date information and added events or call 617-725-5225.
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Boston Children's Chorus
'Tis the Season FREE Holiday Concert
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Boston Children's Chorus will be performing in their 'Tis the Season Concert with the Back Bay Ringers on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The concert is free and open to the public.
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Winter Stars Holiday Concert
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Featuring Boston City
Singers Citywide Youth Chorus with special guests Dorchester Symphony
Orchestra, Hoa Sen (a Vietnamese dance ensemble) and Branches Pan Groove Steel
Orchestra. Tickets may be purchased at the door and are $10 per person and $20
per family. St Mark's Church, 1725
Dorchester Ave. December 13, 7pm.
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Artists for Humanity Open House
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Artists for Humanity is
hosting their "For the Love of Art" holiday open
house at the EpiCenter in downtown Boston
on December 15, 2008, from 4-8:00 pm.
Studio tours will be given, and one-of-a-kind gifts by teen artists
will
be available for purchase, including painting, photographs, posters,
and
apparel. The event will be catered by
East Meets West Catering and feature breakdancing by United Roots.
Please RSVP to Greg Brown by December 11 or
call 617-268-7620 for more information.
Artists for Humanity's mission is to bridge economic, racial, and social
divisions by providing under-served youth with the keys to self-sufficiency
through paid employment in the arts.
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Chanukah Grand Menorah Lighting on Boston Common
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See the lighting of the
Grand Menorah in celebration of Chanukah on the Boston Common near the Park St.
Train Stop. Special Grand Celebration on Dec 21, 4pm with special guest Mayor
Menino and music. Lighting of the candles to follow on Dec 22-25 at 4:30pm, Dec
26 at 2:30pm, Dec 27 at 7pm & Dec 28 at 4pm. Chabad House of Greater
Boston. Please call 617-424-1190 for more information.
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Chinese New Year Spectacular
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Divine Performing Arts presents the Chinese New Year Spectacular at the Boston Opera House on January 10-11, 2009.
Tickets are available online - enter Discount Code TLBOS15 for a TeenLife Boston 15% discount!
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Special Sale on 2008 TeenLife Boston Guides
Our comprehensive 2008 Guide to Summer Programs and Guide to Community Service can help you plan in advance and give you a head start on planning your summer.
Only $19 each or $35 for the set, including tax and shipping.
 
These two guides list hundreds of interesting summer programs and non-profits in the Greater Boston area that welcome students in middle and/or high school.
Order Now!
About TeenLife Boston
TeenLife Boston connects middle and high school students in Greater Boston with "opportunities beyond school" such as summer programs, community service, internships, and others that they never knew existed. We publish printed guides, host fairs and conferences, and license software that help high schools implement internship programs. Please call 617-868-5848 for more information or email us.
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| Opportunities through
Boston Cares |
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Sign up for a Boston Cares membership through TeenLife Boston!
Boston Cares provides an excellent means through which to organize your community service work. They'll help you find service opportunities in your community, track your volunteer hours, and fulfill service-related requirements.
Visit the TeenLife Boston page at Boston Cares for information about their New Volunteer Orientations, membership details, and service projects. |
| Opportunities through Idealist |
Idealist.org is an online hub for turning good intentions into concrete action. Check out over 80,000 social good organizations that list information about their programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. Search for teen-friendly opportunities based on your interests - such as Green Living, Disaster Relief, Housing and Homelessness, or Voting and Democracy. Create a profile and connect with others, or set up an email alert to be notified of new opportunities that match your interests. Also, be sure to check out Generation Idealist, a resource center specifically for up-and-coming community leaders and world changers.
Find us on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. | |
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