This is a review for their donation process, not for the organization itself…read more Scheduling a pickup is very easy and convenient. It can be done online or over the phone. I entered how many bags or boxes of items I had, where they would be placed (in back of the house in my case), and special instructions on my address since I live on one of those streets that has duplicate house numbers (like 100, 100A, 100R). The special instructions box claims it allows 100 characters but in reality it was more like 50. Well I followed the directions exactly and had my items out and clearly labelled well before 8am on the day of the pickup. Well I get home and everything is still there, but there was a receipt in my mailbox. Huh? Well I called the number on the receipt and it's just a recorded message. Every selection on the phone tree just leads you back to scheduling another pickup. What I believed happened is the driver didn't bother to read the donation form to see my items were in back of the house or possibly didn't want to take a 40 foot walk from the street to the backyard. There's not even a fence. If the drivers are not going to pick up anything that isn't located directly on the curb (and at huge risk of theft), do not give us the option of placing donations anywhere else. I will probably go back to just driving my stuff to a donation center. It's easier.

I'm a professional organizer who takes donations away for my clients. I've tried a bunch of…read moredonation companies and thrift shops, and the VVA has been the easiest to use by far. I just schedule a pickup online, and I can sometimes get one as soon as the next day (I can even schedule on Sunday for a Monday pickup), but always within a week. I put the stuff out on my front porch the night before, and at some point that day, it vanishes. They will even accept toys, which many charities do not. Also, I have had bad experiences with Big Brother Big Sister and the Epilepsy Foundation sometimes not coming when they said they will. The VVA has *always* come on schedule. I might have a different experience if I had to be home when they arrived, but so far, it's been nothing but awesome. Oh, and when I do encounter a driver, he is always polite and professional.

Box office was very helpful. All the seats have excellent sight lines. The seats are comfortable…read more I have seen four productions there and they all have been entertaining and totally professional. The actors and sets have been high quality. They are equal to any play you might see in Boston or New York. The tickets are excellent value for the money. They have a small bar and concession stand at the entrance.

I have now frequented the greater Boston stage company multiple times. I have enjoyed various plays…read moreand just want to say that the performances here are fabulous. This is an awesome venue with a small crowd with top end performances. Kudos to all the actors and actresses that have participated in the 2024 season. You all did a fabulous job. I'd also like to thank The Wonderette's for including me in their performance, it will be the highlight of my Christmas season. Thank you very much.. As for the venue, they have a small gift shop with wonderful trinkets to remember your time at the theater. The box office is usually open at the beginning of any performances last minute tickets sales are usually available. There was also a wonderful snack bar with some great homemade goodies and drinks. The staff is always very polite and accommodating. I highly advise anyone that has not visited to make it a point to purchase some tickets to a show here you will be very pleased. FYI, I believe it's only on street parking. Just come a little bit early to secure a spot on the street close to the theater.

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is a non-profit organization run by Wakefieldians for…read moreWakefieldians. This volunteer association provides food to any Wakefield resident in need. They have a "supermarket" on the bottom floor of the Americal Civic Center where they host drop in hours. A personal shopper will help you choose your food and check out! It's a great place to get food if you need some, or to volunteer or donate as well. To learn more about it, check out their website and follow them on facebook. Wakefield is lucky to have such a great organization!

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.

Just to add to the great review by Adrienne -- The Women's…read moreLunch Place is an amazing community run by dedicated and caring people. I've volunteered there many times, and the experience was wonderful. The staff is as open, kind and welcoming to volunteers as they are to their ladies. The ladies? Wow. Having the opportunity to really get to know some of the women in this community is a real blessing. The WLP is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Try it out!

The msw eho handles funding requests is so warm and approachable. The offices are inviting ss wellread more

I was admitted to Operation ABLE's Work/Study program a few years ago in my late Sixties. I was not…read morelooking to get a Full Time Job but I did know I wanted to either learn some Technical Computer Skills which I never thought I would ever learn at my age so that I could do some part time work somewhere or a Home Business which definitely would need Excel, Word, and make Presentations. I also learned while there they had a 'Medical Terminology Course', which would feed my previous Army Medical background and learn more up to date terms for work at a Hospital or similar area. The many weeks I was there; with the absolutely patient, understanding, and very loving and talented 'Friends' made there; I have made my life ; because of Operation ABLE's Staff much more enjoyable; and made money I never dreamed of. Let us all support this program as long as God keeps us here. They will always be part of my Heart's 'Family' and I wish them well........ A Check is on the way. Well Deserved. Frank Pignone Stoneham Mass. Age 72 and as active as 40.......due to this program.

From the owner: Since 1982, Operation ABLE, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, has provided job seekers with training…read moreprograms and employment services. Our mission and passion is to empower our community of job seekers, the underemployed, those in career transition, and military veterans who need job support services to re-enter the workforce. We offer a variety of services including occupational and computer skills training, workshops, job search training and support, coaching and counseling, and some training programs offer internships.

I have taken two classes and one pottery series at FYA. I love that they make art accessible, I…read morehave been able to use their scholarship program for financial assistance. I enjoyed the two classes but the pottery class has been an amazing experience- I've seen myself improve during the short time I've been a pottery student (I made my first not crooked bowls last night!) and I think I could improve even more with more practice. I like how the pottery class allows for open studio time on top of the class time too, it makes it a better value for me.

From the owner: Arts and pottery classes and workshops all year round for youth and adults, theatre classes for…read morekids, live music events, live storytelling events, birthday parties, writing workshops, art studios, rotating art gallery, and more! We offer tuition assistance and adaptive services through our Arts for All Program.

Hadn't been back here since before the pandemic, so I was amazed at the complete makeover and 100%…read moreimprovement of this place! Back then, they stupidly had a huge men's locker room on one floor, and a similarly huge boys' locker room on another floor---and I'm assuming, ditto for a women's and a girls' LR. In other words, huge waste of space, since all the actual workout space was crammed into a claustrophobic cellar space with low 8ft ceilings, and the equipment was pretty old and fairly rickety. NOW, however, they've combined the locker rooms and have a palatial high ceilinged 2nd floor workout space with excellent and all new equipment including something I had never seen in a Y before: Concept ski ergs! (Google it if you have no idea what I'm talking about.) Said equipment is not all that intelligently laid out, though---but compared to how it used to be, no complaints here! Locker room looks pretty much the same but the showers and restroom are nicely redone. Not so crazy about their cardio equipment, though. All their stationary bikes are the geriatric recumbent ones, with only one ancient Keiser on the floor. They have Precor treadmills and ellipticals that have nice big screens with the wonderful "interactive terrains" similar to Life Fitness's current models found at other Ys---but unlike the LF machines, these Precor machines' video screens are buggy as hell, constantly freezing up and having to be reset within 15 minutes of starting your workout! Also, the one and only (coed) sauna they have, while being brand new and beautiful, sitting right next to the pool, BUT---is uselessly weak. Even on the highest settings, it feels like it only gets to maybe 160F tops. Nothing like the Cambridge Y's sauna which is around a divine 200F, or the Malden Y and Waltham Y's saunas which are closer to a still-passable 180F. I suppose it's meant more for people who just want to dry out after swimming, not for anyone who wants to really SWEAT, which is the whole purpose of a sauna. A good thing about this Y is that it's one of the all too few that stays open until 9pm on Fridays. Sadly, on Saturdays and Sundays they close at a lousy 4pm, just like the Cambridge Y.

My family and I have enjoyed our membership at this YMCA for over a decade now. I've worked out in…read morethe gym, played in the men's basketball league, taken swimming lessons with both of my children, taken sports lessons with both of my children and we've all had great experiences. I can't imagine Melrose without the Melrose YMCA! As an aside to other yelp reviewers of this YMCA, I would encourage you to voice any misgivings you might have directly to the personnel. My experience at this YMCA is that the staff are receptive to any concerns and will work with their members to find an amicable solution.