Fall 2015 Community Partners CISS 200

Fall 2015 Community Partners
CISS 200

Abby’s House

52 High Street Worcester, MA 01609

Staff Contact:

Jean Anger, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: (508) 756-5486 ext. 27

Organization Description:

Abby’s House was formed at the beginning of the battered women’s movement – there were no paradigms to follow in organizational development. Instead, the volunteers who ran the shelter listened carefully to the needs of the women and responded accordingly. The spirit of empowerment, sisterhood and mutuality embodied by the original volunteer activists continues to inform our program delivery today.

CBL Opportunities:

The Abby's House Thrift Shop continues to be our largest single source of revenue. All of the profits from sales at the Thrift Shop fund our emergency shelter. The Thrift Shop is full of quality clothing, accessories, home goods, and bargain-priced cosmetics. We encourage you to visit the store today, not only to donate clothing and home goods, but to add some great pieces to your wardrobe! Two hours a week is needed within the following time periods: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00am - 3:00pm; Fridays: 10:00am - 2:00pm.

Volunteers needed: 4

Pre-service Requirements: Volunteer Application (

African Community Education (ACE)

24 Chatham St. Worcester

Staff Contact:

Volunteer Coordinator

508-799-3653

Organization Description:

The African Community Education Program (ACE) has a mission to assist African refugee and immigrant youth and families in achieving educational and social stability through access to academic support, leadership development, cultural expression, and community outreach in Worcester, MA. ACE focuses its attention on recent refugees and immigrants, especially those coming from countries of conflict. ACE students are English Language Learners with limited or interrupted formal education, are low-income, and adjusting to American educational culture.

CBL Opportunities

After School Program Volunteer:

Our After-School program combines homework tutoring and extracurricular activities to provide students in Grades 5-12 with supportive, structured, enriched learning opportunities during out-of-school hours. The goals of the After School Program: (1) provide a structured environment for students to receive academic support and assistance to complete school & assignments and become independent learners; (2) provide interactive extracurricular and recreational activities that enrich students’ academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being by hosting facilitators from our partners in the Worcester community.

Volunteers commit to at least 2 hours/week for at least 1 semester to serve as tutors and activity assistants. Volunteers assist students with their homework assignments, projects, and academic enrichment and guide them to become independent learners. Volunteers also assist extracurricular, gym, and leadership activities to guide students to engage in learning, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and develop positive leadership skills. Volunteers must be flexible to work with one student or in a small group as needed. Volunteers may state preference for age/grade level and academic subject, which ACE tries to honor.

When: Monday- Thursday, 3:00-6:00pm. September 8, 2014 – June 2015 (closely aligned to the Worcester Public Schools calendar)

Pre-service Requirements:

Volunteer Application, Emergency Contact Form, CORI form & photocopy of photo ID, & attend a 2 Hour New Volunteer Orientation

Volunteers needed: 10-15

St. Mary Health Care Center

39 Queen Street, Worcester

Staff Contact:

Sandra (Sandy) Geller, Activities Director

508-753-4791

Organization Description:

St. Mary Health Care Center, a Catholic rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, was established as a continuing expression of the vision of St. Marguerite d'Youville, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, the ""Grey Nuns."" In the spirit of Marguerite, whose legacy we share, we seek to "‘bring the miracle of LOVE to all’” through compassionate care.

In partnership with others committed to providing holistic and inclusive care for all, we develop innovative and creative means to enhance the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of those we serve.

CBL opportunities:

CBL students will have an opportunity to be matched with a St. Mary's resident, or to help run an activity such as art, music, games, etc. Students will visit St. Mary's once per week to have conversations, play games, or participate in an activity, based on both individuals' interests. The schedule is flexible (approximately 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, including weekends), based on students' availability. Most volunteers should expect to serve 1.5 hours per week minimum (including travel and settling in time).

Pre-service Requirement: CORI form, Volunteer application, TB or PPD test, Flu shot

Volunteers needed: 6-10

Training Resources of America Worcester (TRA)

2 Foster Street, Worcester Mass. 01606

Staff Contact:

Michael Quigley

508-753-2991

Organization Description:

Training Resources of America Incorporated (TRA) is a private, non-profit organization that has been providing quality education, employment and training services in Massachusetts since 1975.

TRA has made it possible for thousands of educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and adults to improve the quality of their lives. Our clients have been successful in:

• Increasing their basic reading, language and math levels
• Improving their English speaking/comprehension capabilities
• Obtaining a High School Equivalency Credential
• Learning new skills
• Developing self-confidence
• Finding and retaining gainful employment
• Improving opportunities for increased earnings and job advancement
• Becoming active and productive members of their communities.

In addition, hundreds of employers statewide have met their employment needs by hiring TRA-trained employees and utilizing TRA's customized workplace literacy services. Workforce Investment Boards and funding organizations have benefitted from TRA's ability to provide high quality workforce development services.

TRA's training programs are customized to be current with employment trends and responsive to the specific occupational needs of each particular area of the commonwealth. We bring the two ends of the labor market together by preparing people in need of marketable skills for actual jobs that are in demand.

Training Resources of America Incorporated (TRA)’s mission is to help:

• Educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and adults improve the quality of their lives by learning new skills, developing self-confidence and finding pathways to self-sufficiency;

• Employers strengthen and maintain a vitalized workforce by delivering better prepared, educated and work-ready employees;

• Workforce Investment Boards and Funding Organizations achieve their employment and training goals in an optimal time frame by providing diverse, customized and high quality workforce development services;

• Communities grow and prosper by preparing and challenging disenfranchised residents to become active and contributing members, by increasing tax rolls and economic stability, and by creating positive role models for community development.

CBL Opportunities:

Adult Education:

TRA offers classes to adult learners who are trying to improve their reading, writing and math skills on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 4:15 to 7:45. Students from the college of Holy Cross could work with our adult learners in a one on one setting on their math, reading and writing skills. Volunteers must serve 1.5 hours weekly at a minimum.

Pre-Service Requirements: CORI, Volunteer Packet, Orientation

Volunteers Needed:12 (6 per evening)

Worcester Public Schools Adult Learning Center

Staff Contacts:
Katie Gomes Lyons

Family Literacy/Curriculum Coordinator

508-769-9711

John McGovern

Director, Worcester Adult Learning Center

508-799-3090

Organization Description:
Worcester Public Schools Adult Learning Center serves adults 16 years old or older, who left school during the traditional schooling years and now have a desire to resuming their education. Classes are offered on English proficiency, HiSET (formally the GED) preparation and basic literacy skills at essentially no cost. The Center also offers a Family Literacy course to encourage reading as a family, as that is an essential skill for children and parents to increase their English proficiency.

CBL Opportunities:

Literacy Program Volunteer – Assist teachers with classes; provide tutoring, homework help, and other educational support for the children of the adult learners. Family Literacy Classes run for 32 weeks, but volunteers can join at any point. They meet Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30p-8p at the Canterbury Street School. CBL students are expected to volunteer on a weekly basis for one full class (Tues or Thurs).

Tutor – The Adult Learning Center offers ESL courses and other educational opportunities for adult learners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9a-11:30a and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5p-7:30p or 5:30p-8p. CBL students can serve as a tutor for the adult learners in math, writing, and reading, as well as assist in the computer labs. CBL students are expected to volunteer on a weekly basis for one of these class sessions.

Students must volunteer 1.5 hours weekly at a minimum.

Additional Opportunities (class-specific): Marketing, data collection/analysis, digital literacy, projects for education majors

Pre-Service Requirements: WPS CORI Form, Orientation, Volunteer Agreement

Volunteers Needed: 10+