Philanthropy credits can be fulfilled by any kind of volunteering (not just those that are neuroscience related) and for any amount of time. If you already have volunteered this semester or volunteer regularly, that’s great and 100% counts for credit, just let us know what you did! If not, here are a few suggestions, for both one-time events and also those that require a longer commitment.
*Note: if applications ask, you do not need written verification of volunteer hours*
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Short Term Opportunities
The Greater Boston Food Bank
Volunteers at The Greater Boston Food Bank play a critical role in helping to end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts. Join us for a unique and meaningful experience where you will learn about hunger in our community and help your neighbors in need.
Most volunteers work in our warehouse, inspecting, sorting, and packing food and grocery products. All volunteers are trained at the beginning of their volunteer shift, and are introduced to GBFB – what we do and who we serve. Volunteers then work together as a team (possibly alongside other groups) on an assembly line to complete their project. Some volunteers load boxes onto conveyor belts, some inspect or sort products, and others check and label boxes. While a few of these tasks require the ability to lift a 30-pound box, most tasks require only that a volunteer stand and inspect products for a few hours.
https://www.gbfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/individual-volunteering/
Rosie’s Place
Rosie’s Place was founded in 1974 as the first women’s shelter in the United States. Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives. Volunteer to serve meals, work in our food pantry, teach a class or connect with women in the community.
http://www.rosiesplace.org/volunteer/individuals
Long Term Commitment:
MSPCA Boston Adoption Center
Want to devote your time to helping animals in need? Volunteer at the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center! We care for over 5,000 animals annually and are here 365 days a year! We rely on our volunteers to help us with everything from cleaning to matchmaking.
Volunteer opportunities are available year-round. All positions require a six-month commitment to a scheduled time each week. Certain positions are only open during specified hours each day, but typically each position is a two-hour per week assignment.All volunteers must attend a two-hour orientation as well as a follow-up training with a mentor before starting their position.
Positions include Cat Caretaker, Cat Room Monitor, SafeWalk Volunteers, Small Animal Cage Cleaner and Socializer, Pet Paparazzi, Housekeeping Helper, Little Book Worms, Medication Administration Assistant, and Spay/Neuter Clinic Discharge Assistant.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Volunteering at Dana-Farber is a rewarding and enriching experience. Dana-Farber staff, donors, and volunteers all work toward a common goal of defeating cancer. As a supplemental resource for patients and families, volunteers who work at Dana-Farber are closely linked to this mission, as are those who volunteer at events that raise essential funds to support it. Volunteers are committed and reliable people who make a very real difference, everywhere they work.
There are many different positions available, including in the hands-on care program, which provides a complimentary, personal program for patients to increase satisfaction and enhance their quality of care. Trained volunteers, under the guidance of the licensed massage therapist, will provide a 15-minute hand massage. The service is the application of a gentle, tender, soothing, touch to the hands. This service is not a treatment. Through the application of a gentle hand massage by trained volunteers, patients will experience comfort and care during their chemo therapy infusion treatments. Through this volunteer and patient interaction, we are looking for decreased anxiety and increased satisfaction in overall care of the patient.
Volunteers will be available Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The expectation is that the volunteer be available for the same three-hour block, one day per week. This assignment is for one full year.
https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/volunteer/opportunities/