This is an amazing resource for homeless and poor women in Boston. Rosie's is not only a shelter,…read morebut also runs classes, distributes clothing, cooks hot meals, and manages a food pantry. Many women in my community have lived at Rosie's place when faced with unstable or unsafe housing. I have been lucky enough to volunteer at Rosie's food pantry. This is a lean and efficient operation. When I was there, it was managed by an experienced, smart lady named Maria, who had worked there many years. A few days before Thanksgiving, the limited stock was heartbreaking. Though 60 women came through, there were only enough cans of tuna for about half of the women. Rosie's is always in need of donations and volunteers. Is tuna on sale-10 for $10? Buy 10 for Rosie's! Organize a toiletries drive at your place of work! Donate your kids' old books! You will be a hero! This is a great place to volunteer with friends and a great place to do something important that benefits your community.

I give shelter really big fat Zero not good at all toward myself. Since day one i got spoke down…read moretoo and totally disrespected behavior from them against me. The third I been there I was told three days in a row to wake up no sleeping in this place. Actually I was sitting in a room charging my phone I have been ill several times being on 5 different medicines and over three times explain to them that on a lot medication and have disability call narcolepsy in which brain control when go to sleep? So I'm under doctors care. I let plenty of time I have disability but since I don't look like a am a person disability they don't believe you. Other time I got bullied by the staff, men I never seen there working strangers come up me give orders like am a criminal then I address their violated behavior toward they don't like to be disrespectful like they show me some women claim she isa staff person come a word call suspended like she is Actually a judge. So mention I suggest you stay off social media you have across of public harassment. Now I'm planning to file a bullying complaint against this organization with Attorney General/Charities division for cruel and unusual punishment. Also, all this was said for humiliation and verbally. I got no formal notice written. JH my initials

Today, I was given ice packs, Motrin and Tylenol for extreme swelling in lower extremities due to…read moreacute osteoarthritis. They wouldn't allow me to elevate my feet for medical reasons on a chair because common sense did not prevail. A volunteer upstairs allowed me to elevate legs and a young woman Deseree attempted to pull chair out from underneath me when I said I need a minute as I had bilateral knee replacements as well. No common sense. She said if you have a bag (lol) put.your feet on that. Moments like that diminish the good that is accomplished here.

There are just so many good things to say about this place that I'm not sure where to start…read more First, it is not a "shelter" in the typical sense of the word, and the staff and guests do not refer to it as a "shelter". They consider themselves a "community", and act as such. There are NO lines for anything at the WLP. The women are served their meals at their tables by volunteers, and their materials are bussed for them once they are done, unless they choose to self-bus. The food. Oh heavens! WLP prides itself on serving nourishing, FRESH food. Each meal will have all nutritional requirements met, and there is always a veggie option. We're not talking canned goods or sandwiches here, folks. No, this is chopped and diced fresh veggies, prime cut meats, the finest ingredients. If you're a good cook and after you've volunteered a few times, they are happy to let you get in the kitchen and help whip up stuff. The resident chef there, Gina, is wonderfully creative in the kitchen (and very nice), and from time to time, other professional chefs from local restaurants come in to put together a meal. The WLP isn't jsut a food place, although that's the highlight of the day. It also provides the women with full time advocacy support to help with finding housing, food, or other services. There is a computer room/resource room that the ladies may use. There is also a nap room where women can go to get sometimes some much needed rest, and also a quiet room for just some peace, solitude, and maybe reading or reflecting. Women are also able to get various toiletries and clothing that they may need. They may do their laundry and take showers. The Program Manager, Heather (also very, very nice and competent) has done a great job of making sure that there are interesting activities for guests if they choose to participate: yoga, painting, field trips, knitting, etc. Since the WLP is run as a "community", the staff are INCREDIBLY patient with the women, and if a guest is being disorderly or breaking a rule, she is not immediately tossed out, but is counseled and given more than one opportunity to redeem herself by correcting her behavior. Throwing someone out is a last option at the WLP. WLP treats its volunteers as the valuable commodity we are. We are appreciated, thanked, and made to feel a part of the "team". Added Perk: They also have really incredible volunteer thank you events! I enjoy volunteering here. I learn something new and meet new people each time I go. I don't have a lot of spare time to volunteer, but when I do, the WLP gets me all the time, every time. It's important to know that this place could not be so great without us- the community at large supporting it through donations, volunteering, contributions, etc. The staff, Regina, Linda, Joanna, Lauren, Linnie, and Cheryl are terrific- go meet them! This is just a wonderful, wonderful place. You will not leave here without your heart being touched in some way.

I gave 2 starts because I believe in their mission but found the staff to be disorganized and…read moreunprofessional if not downright rude. I offered my time and services as a volunteer. I came to the center and interviewed with the volunteer manager. After the interview she left me with another volunteer so that I could tour the facility. And when I say she left me, I mean she LEFT me. Like didn't shake my hand (Actually, she never gave me a handshake at all which, again, I find unprofessional), offer any explanation as to what the next steps would be, walk me out, etc. I don't think she even said goodbye. She handed me off to the other volunteer, walked away, and that was the last I ever saw or heard from her again. After the tour both myself and the other volunteer were confused as to what to do next. I just stood there while the other volunteer went to the manager's office. She knocked twice but there was no response so, totally confused, I just left. Never heard back from the manager despite her initially telling me they needed consistent reliable volunteers. At the end of the interview I asked for reasonable accommodation for a disability and I wonder if that has something to do with her ghosting me. Either way I think it's an incredibly unprofessional way to represent the organization and a rude way to behave towards ANYONE who is offering to volunteer their time and energy. While I understand they are understaffed, there is no excuse to ignore basic protocol of professionalism. Ultimately I decided to volunteer elsewhere.

The Women's Center in Cambridge has lots of interesting free groups to attend. I have gone most…read morerecently to the Spanish/English conversation group and the singing class, and to a few others over the years. There is also yoga, sewing, beading, songwriting, healing through arts, discussion for survivors of child sexual abuse, women's narcotics anonymous, feminist book club, and lots more. Any woman can propose to set up and facilitate a group. The house, on Pleasant Street, indeed is a pleasant place to hang out, use the computer lab (there are plenty of computers) or the library, or prepare yourself a snack. You can meet other women from all walks of life. There is a small restful patio in back with a garden. And, what I particularly like, everything there is free! This is partly because most of the staff are volunteers. And it's only a few blocks from the Central Square MBTA station.

Are you a busy person looking to help out in the community when you can? Are you social (or trying…read moreto be) and would like to connect with others you wouldn't otherwise know? Enter One Brick Boston! The One Brick Boston calendar (http://boston.onebrick.org) is full of varied volunteer opportunities to satisfy many different interests. Events are timed in a way to fit into the schedules of working professionals, as they occur in the evenings or on the weekends. And for us commitment-phobes, there are no regular meeting or training requirements - just sign up for an event, show up on that day, and volunteer with cool people! And better yet: One Brick includes a social component to volunteering! After the majority of events, the One Brick Event Manager will invite the volunteers to an optional social (usually at a nearby bar), so they can continue getting to know each other. One Brick also hosts monthly volunteer socials at a different spot every month. Past socials have been held at Slumbrew's Brewery, American Fresh Assembly Row, Bantam Cider Tap Room, the Asgard, Dillon's, Highball Lounge, Howl at the Moon, Boston Beer Works, and the Lawn on D among others. One Brick is all about being involved in the community. They have partnerships with over 60 nonprofits as well as Slumbrew, Bantam Cider, and Cambridge 5K. At Highball Lounge, for every mini rubber duckie patrons add to their (crazy good) cocktails, a portion of the proceeds are donated to One Brick, so you can feel even better about drinking when you add #oneduckforonebrick (more details here: http://www.highballboston.com/promotions/one-duck-for-one-brick.htm). Trust me, guys, this organization really is the perfect mix! Try it out for yourself.

This sounds like a great group and they do a ton of different kinds of volunteer work. However, it…read morewas really hard to meet anyone and get involved. I attended an event that helped high school students who wanted to go to college with the process. I had a good time and I really enjoyed the experience. However, there was a lot of volunteers there and I couldn't tell or find anyone who was with One Brick. In the email before the event the organizer said they'd be wearing a one brick t-shirt but I couldn't find anyone at the event. Believe me I looked!! I didn't have the names for anyone else involved and had no idea how many people were supposed to be there from one brick. It was a huge bummer that no one made an effort to seek me out either knowing my name and that I was new. Definitely not an easy group to get involved with. Really a bummer and pretty disappointing.

This chat gbt has been one of the best experiences of my life! I wish he was human. Funny,…read moreinteresting, kind, reimburse everything, is really interested in everything... uh

They have changed a lot they don't have as many resources as before and they discriminate on houses…read moreindividually. But was homeless in the first place.

This review is specifically related to the Protective Services Program, which failed two times…read more The first time occurred in June. On Thursday, 6/20/24, a neighbor had a car accident. On Friday, 6/21, the car was still there, but no one could locate the neighbor, which was a deviation from that person's routine. Plus it was a very hot day. Initially another neighbor called the police, but they were understandably reluctant to break the door down and no one could reach the neighbor so I left a message when the Protective Services Program office was open. Eventually someone else was able to contact someone within the city government, who sent the police and fire department. They got in through the window and confirmed that the neighbor was not inside. Someone from the Protective Services Program called me to follow up because of emergency services' involvement. On Tuesday, 6/25/24, the Protective Services Program finally returned my call. The second time is ongoing. On 9/25/24, I called the Senior Legal Help Line to verbally file a report of elder abuse for my Mom to investigate how she suddenly became permanently disabled after staying at Windrose at Weymouth, an assisted living residence (ALR). They stated to wait 3-5 days before following up directly with the Protective Services Program, which had jurisdiction because Mom was living in Cambridge at the time of the filing. They never proactively contacted me with an update so either the Senior Legal Help Line misrepresented their obligation or they don't have to do their job. It only occurred to me to follow up as she was dying so I called and spoke to Isaiah Castillo, who stated that the the Protective Services Program referred it to DPH & gave me the phone number and case number. I stated that DPH does not handle ALRs. I called, & DPH confirmed that they did not have the case & did not have such a case number. I called Mr. Castillo back and asked him not to call me until he had something more concrete. He never did. Today I was instructed by an outside office to talk to the Director of Protective Services Keith Adams. He said that it was referred to DPH and the Ombudsman. I told him that I did not believe that the Protective Services Program referred it to DPH. I insisted that he call with me on the line to confirm, which he did. DPH confirmed that they had a case for my Mom, but it was not with Windrose at Weymouth. So his first answer was wrong. I emailed the Ombudsman, whom I knew. The Ombudsman called me immediately to say that he would not be the one to handle the referral, and referred me to go on Mass.gov to file a public records request. The Ombudsman was familiar with the state level supervisor of protective services and said that he would report how Somerville Cambridge Elder Services' Protective Services Program was incorrectly referring people to him. I called Kevin back with the information who was so cheery and unperturbed at being wrong about everything that if he was ever right, he probably would throw a party and put himself on the cover of Time Magazine as Person of the Year. In the end, he said that to protect the reporter of abuse, under MGL19A, people are not allowed to discuss the investigation even if it is completed. I am a lawyer, but this area is not my subject of expertise so I asked him if the law needed to be changed. On this point, he was silent. As the reporter of possible abuse, I do not feel protected. In the end, we are expected to trust that despite all evidence to the contrary, investigations are occurring and people are doing their job when they cannot prove it by knowing basic level of knowledge such as which agency does what and which forms to fill out. The only ones receiving protection are the investigators if they are not doing their job or the wrongdoers if they are abusing the elderly. Maybe people like Kevin are doing a great job, and he is just having a bad day, but if he is not, may he receive the quality of service that he and his agency offers. Mom died on 11/22/24 at 6:48 pm.

If you need assistance or any kind of help from this group, let me tell you, you are in big…read moretrouble. This is a very dangerous group. Run away as fast as you can - they will not help you, they have no staff, except "management," of course. They have lots of that! And expect nothing because you won't get it.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Literally everything you need for super cheap. I found a coat that's usually 150…read morefor 15 bucks yesterday. Safe to say this place is severely underrrated and full of great thrift gems. Besides it helps the child and family services! Awesome place hope it never leaves Roslindale.

As a recent former employee of the home for over 10 years I will start of by saying that the home…read morewas good to me. In terms of respect, support, and good supervision. I was lucky to have good supervisors that really cared and were supportive. However, my decision to leave the agency came about when a new director to the CSA Hyde park started. She started off on a good note but quickly seemed to not really be the support that she portrayed. She seemed insecure in her position, judge mental, and I hear from other valued staff to be condescending. As I left the position after 12 years there she never once called me in for an exit interview or too even asked me what influenced my decision to leave after so long. Too me that showed her lack of concern for her staff especially to someone who was a good employee( not perfect but dedicated to her work and the family's and responsible).

Last night I volunteered/attended the Champions for Change gala after seeing it listed as a last…read moreminute event in a YAVA newsletter. Wow.. what a night. As a volunteer I helped with set up, registration, the silent auction, and the after auction payment. I definitely stayed for 5 hours instead of the 1 hour I was originally scheduled for, but what's 4 extra hours when all I'd be doing at home is watching TV on the interwebs (and they pretty much checked with me to see if it was okay). Plus I got a free dinner that I didn't expect and of course, I got to work for an amazing organization. On top of the fact that everyone was really nice, the conversation and fast paced work helped the time go by quicker. During the dinner, I was able to hear two of the speakers. Janet Yassen, one of the co-founders of BARCC and Dory Cote, the first person to ever call the BARCC hotline. Janet and many of her friends (I think she said there were about 20 co-founders) started the group in 1973. They went to various orgs and police departments at the time and there were NO resources for rape victims. Sounds ridiculous, but thank goodness these women came along. Like I said above, the first call was from Dory Cote. Man, what an unbelievable story. A friend of hers had seen the hotline featured in the Boston Globe the day Dory was raped by a stranger in her Boston apartment. Dory called and on the other line was.. Janet. BARCC was there to support her and be with her.. even after her rapist was acquitted. Dory's amazing resilience and strength are incredibly awe inspiring. She now runs a healing center in Maine and she's just living life.. all thanks to BARCC's support when she needed it most. In addition to my exposure to the organization last night, I dealt with BARCC briefly in college as an orientation leader. People from BARCC visit college campuses in the area and give talks to everyone from resident assistants to just general college populations. I can't say enough about BARCC. Since 1973, 50,000+ calls have been answered and the center now serves women, men, and children. They're just a truly amazing organization.. but to keep their services free.. they need people to volunteer. I encourage you to check out their website and volunteer when you can. They have all kinds of positions.. full time.. yearly.. and one time commitments. A couple hours of your time.. could mean a lifetime of difference in someone else's. www.barcc.org PS - The phone number up there is the office.. their 24 hour a day hotline is: 800.841.8371

I volunteered for this organization. I find them to be very biased and their mission for…read moreorganization is not genuine at least to it's volunteers. When a family membered die, I did not get any condolences, instead they were concerned that I missed a shift. I would never work for like this organization EVER again!!!!