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!

Use extreme caution with this organization. Despite what they say, they are hired and paid by DCF,…read moreand in my experience they ultimately do what DCF tells them to do. When ethical or moral issues came up, those concerns did not matter if they conflicted with DCF's interests. Rather than advocating for the family, they followed DCF's direction, including working with the abusive party and pushing the mother out of the process. Promises were made but not honored. Based on my experience, they are not independent advocates and are not acting in families' best interests.

I didn't have a good experience with Youth Villages. It was devastating to my daughter for them to…read morebe telling my daughter to stay on the electronics for over 72 hours, to not assist when there was an emergency, and to tell my daughter that she doesn't have follow any rules. On one ocasion when a stray loose dog was in my neighborhood Youth Villages demanded that I let the dog into my home with my 17 year old cat. I was terrified yet the worker was demanding that I let the dog into my home. They said let my daughter do whatever she wants including staying on electronics for up to 72 hours without getting off. The didn't help but were very aggressive with me as a parent and were all about their numbers as were presented to me and not actually caring about the child.

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.

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.

Right now, you can go to the Arts & Crafts Society to get your fix of handmade woodwork, pottery,…read morescarves, shirts, table runners, bottle stoppers, purses, jewelry boxes, vases, decorative plates, spoon rests, earrings, necklaces, watercolor paintings, and... I think that's about it. This month, the members have exhibited their wares - and everything's available for a very fair price. Perfect for getting that little "New England gift" for a family member. The staff is really friendly and talkative, asking lots of questions and giving you advice on how to make your own homemade things. Also, classes are available in everything from jewelry making to ceramics (hand building AND wheel throwing!), woodworking to knitting. Very nice, and perfect for those with too much energy.

From the owner: The LexArt is a non-profit regional education center dedicated to the preservation and promotion of…read moreexcellence in both the traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. LexArt supports and inspires artists and craftsperson by providing classes and workshops for our members and for the general public in all mediums by well-known, professional instructors for adults, and teens at all levels of skill at reasonable prices. We have four fully equipped studios: Ceramics, Metalworking, Weaving & Fiber Arts, and Woodworkers. We also have areas in Painting, Photography, Need Arts, Decorative Arts, and Polymer Clay & Beading. Each month, LexArt host free exhibitions and sales of quality fine art and fine crafts created by our members and local Artists .