Volunteer/Intern/Work Study/Community Service Descriptions

Bold job titles signify that the agency can really use people in these positions. They are the ones that are most in need.

Senior Center (Special Project Volunteer)
The Senior Center volunteer will create special projects to engage the seniors in various, fun activities. Possible projects could include: holiday gift card making, book making and ceramics, painting and drawing or teaching an introduction to computers workshop with the Senior Center members. Volunteers have he option of a one time or long-term commitment. This is an excellent opportunity for students to share their artistic skills and talents with a community that has limited access to these resources. Supplies will be provided.

College Tutor
This tutor will work one-on-one with first generation college students who are struggling to keep up with their course work or just need a little extra help. The tutor will pick subject area that they are strongest in and a student will be matched with that tutor. The tutoring sessions will focus on subjects such as Algebra, English, Science, and History that often present a challenge. Tutors are required to make a weekly commitment to their students.

GED/High School Tutor
The tutor will meet with high school or GED students one on one and tutor them in high school level work such as Math, Writing, English language usage, Literature and Arts, Science and Social Studies. Tutor can choose area of interest. Four-month commitment required.

ScienceQuest Coach
Science Quest is an after school Science learning project for children ages’ 10- 14. ScienceQuest engages children in research, science and technology. With teams of 3 to 5 children, a research question is formulated. With the help of a “coach,” the students research their question called the “I search”, perform tests and studies and then create a website dedicated to their question. The Science Quest coach will act as a mentor and guide to the student groups. ScienceQuest promotes the child learning through discovery so the coach will not be a teacher but a coach who encourages, inspires, and motivates the children. At the end of the research project, each team will have developed a website displaying their work and the results that they found.

Education Counselor
The Education Counselor will meet one-on-one with low-income youths and young adults to assess their educational goals and make referrals as necessary. The counselor will assist clients in filling out college and S.A.T. application and financial aid forms, and assist in writing effective college entrance essays. The Education Counselor will assist clients in accessing scholarship information and applying for funds. In addition, the counselor will refer clients to a number of education programs including alternative education and ESL programs. The opportunity is ideal for someone interested in the educational field and looking for an internship placement.

Employment and Training Counselor
The Employment and Training Counselor will assist the Education, Employment, and Training Coordinator by meeting one on one with unemployed clients who are in the process of a job search. They will assist the client with creating or updating their resume, creating cover letters, providing interviewing techniques and practice, as well as dressing for success. The Counselor also will assist the coordinator in creating an employment database of open job positions in the Boston area. The counselor could also organize Interviewing techniques, Dress for Success, or Resume Writing workshops.

Assistant Computer Instructor/Curriculum Developer
Volunteers and interns can work in our brand new computer lab in a short-term and/or long-term capacity. Short term could consist of assisting the computer instructor to teach one day or short-term courses and projects, such as e-mail and Internet search skills, card and calendar making and doing presentation. Long term would include developing a curriculum for an ongoing computer class or assisting to teach a Microsoft Application course. All computers are Internet ready and high-speed. Meeting time will depend on schedule and availability of intern/volunteer. This is a great opportunity to develop teaching skills while utilizing technology.

Administrative Assistant
The Administrative Assistant will assist with all Administrative duties such as: phone calls, faxing, photocopying, and providing support to all departments. The Assistant assists with mass mailing via emails and postal correspondence helps to maintain a series of computerized databases and maintain all files and resources up to date. Other duties include greeting clients, preparing client files, and assisting with Intake forms.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA):
Sponsored by the Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition (EIC) the VITA volunteers their time to help lower income members of the community prepare their taxes. Using a simple computerized tax preparation program (TaxWise), the volunteer inputs the correct financial information into the system and prepares the client’s income tax return for electronic filing. Each volunteer will take a short computer training given by the IRS to learn the software. Volunteers must commit at least 3 hours a week during the tax preparation season, which runs from January to April 15 each year.

Social Work Intern
The Social Work intern will provide intensive case management, advocacy, and follow up for our low-income clients to endure their access to safe housing and affordable day care, counseling services and other needed resources. Intern will also do a thorough assessment of the clients’ current situation and will make referrals to education and training programs, for furniture and clothing, to health care facilities and government programs. On occasion, intern will accompany clients to appointments. A licensed social worker and the Parent Center Coordinator will supervise the intern. This is an excellent setting to develop case-management, advocacy, and social work skills and experience. The intern will experience first hand the issues low-income clients are confronted with daily. Many of our clients are homeless, young, and victims of domestic violence.

Food Pantry/ Stock
Provides assistance with stocking shelves, keeping the pantry clean and organized at all times, bagging food for clients, and assisting with food shopping.

Maintenance
Responsible for keeping the center clean and organized at all times by regular dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and taking out the trash.

For more information, please contact (617) 445-6000.

All positions require the ability to work sensitively and effectively with clients of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Bilingual Spanish/English preferred but not required.

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