It was so nice to finally get to see this place. You grow up hearing and reading about Thoreau all…read morethrough grade school and high school and finally coming into contact with the pond and the woods is very surreal. The shack where he lived is, obviously, no longer standing. But a pile of rocks is there in its place? I didn't really get the rocks, but there's a plaque explaining it. Obviously didn't do too much for me. There's a replica of his shack up by the parking area which is cool to see. The pond is cute. The beach is adorable. I love beaches with trees on them to provide oh-so-wonderful natural shade. It was packed though. It being packed might also have had something to do with the stagnant and dirty water. I don't suggest swimming in the pond. Or at least doing so at your own risk... There's a trail that runs around the entire pond. This was so cool too. It was also a little packed with people, but that's to be expected. My favorite part is there are little detours off the path right down into the water. The water was clearer there and was a little nicer to play around in. Only complaint is the fence along parts of the trail was very utilitarian (put up to keep people on the path). They could have put a little more effort into a fence that would have fit more into the surroundings, if they had to have one. The gift shop was small and not too impressive. The lady working there was a little standoffish/rude. But whatevs. Oh, and parking was a breeze...and free. Always good. It was a pretty good experience. Very close to the city too. Very nice for a quick trip to relax.

Beautiful & serene wooded area, and on Walden pond, of course. Thoreau came here b/c they wouldn't…read morelet him on the pond near the de Cordova - funny, huh? ANYWAY, it's beautiful & very near Bedford Farms Ice Cream! They have a library full of Thoreau literature, and scholars on hand to discuss the finer points of his life and works.

Today, the Food Project brought a farmers market to my office to sell fresh, locally grown,…read morepesticide-free produce and other food items. The vegetables were grown by teenagers in an urban garden in Dorchester. The Food Project's mission is to, "grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system." This is totally worth supporting.

A noble organization that aims to drive personal and social change through the development of…read moresustainable food systems. They have two local farms where youth are taught to plant food using traditional, organic methods. Half the produce is donated to shelters and the remainder is sold at farmers' markets or in crop shares. They also host community meals with guest chefs from top-notch chefs from all over the city. And of course, offer group and individual volunteer projects, great for company outings or a free weekend. Their whole staff is simply awesome, especially the outreach coordinator, Michael Iceland. Come support these guys motivate, educate and change!

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!

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.

For five years I worked for this company within a year of working for the company i came to…read morerealised that this Company is a Fraud and not only that but also discriminatory in their dealings contrary to what they put out for the community served ..Eliot claimed to have their clients best interest at heart but yet treat them in a neglectful manner. Eliot neglects their clients by not only providing them with necessary care be it personal or medically they would rather done on a particular client just because the client fetch them a lot of money from the government and regardless of how difficult and or dangerous the client is. Eliot hired staffs who mismanaged the daily affairs of the residential most of these managers did not get training on how to tackle both clients and staff issues and no one from the Human resources department follow up on these house managers. Most clients do not receive their medications in time and usually miss their daily medications and has being a continuous issue. When a staff reports this incidents the staff is viewed as a nuisance and yet both the house manger and regional manager does nothing about it and it continued for years most clients who relied on narcotics usually goes without their medications for days causing the clients to become agitated and misbehaved and staffs usually just ignore and not follow up with their managers to report the issues or find solution. The company has being short staff for few years now due to the fact that staff either quit or got terminated then replacing staff became the taboo. Couple of years back I was sexually harassed by a fellow staff it was reported but nothing much was done after my statements were taking no one followed up with me I was not informed of the conclusion of the so-called investigation that was done by the company. Instead I was asked if I needed to change the residence I work at I refused to leave because of that they allowed the offender to continue working with me side by side and the harassment continued in a different form. A male staff attacked me at work while I was eight months pregnant few months back I reported the incident but the company did nothing beside allowing me to leave five minutes earlier so the offender can come to take on the shift.. Eliot allowed discrimination in any form one can think of not only that they turned their staffs against one another to create a hostile environment for their staffs. When I got hired by Eliot I informed them of my health issues and i provided them with doctors notes to support my claim but few years later Eliot started to write me up and suspended me for calling out sick and made me provide a doctor's note whenever I called out sick though the union couldn't and did nothing about it. While was eight months pregnant on my way to work I became violently ill my fiance had to park the car due to the fact I could not get to work on time or call but the company called and was informed of situation but I was suspended for over a month just for this reason they claimed they were working on getting my cell record tower to prove that I was actually on my way to work. They promised to pay me the wages they owe after their initial findings but while we (the union and I) were in a meeting they informed us they did not follow up on retrieving any cell tower record.. Eliot terminated my employment with them while I was on medical leave of absent without any good reasons Am still waiting on getting the wages owe though they refused to pay they stated that I did not put in an earlier request for it the company caused me stressed throughout the past three years and loss of wages ending my insurance and financial hardship..

Horrible! They hired very creepy people to help me move . I didn't feel safe. They broke my…read morefurniture , stuffed my belongs into a little van. They don't fully support you. When you move. I have psoriatic arthritis. They have left me with very uncomfortable mattress. It's been a nightmare. I wake up with pain and numbness.

Great non-profit camp for kids 8-17 interested in LARP, gaming and meeting others with similar…read moreinterests. Heroes (campers) spend their days adventuring and exploring the grounds, making choices that will impact the story moving forward. It's an inclusive community for those wanting to get outdoors and bring the stories of literature, history, and myth to life (while swinging a foam sword). I've worked there several summers. It's home to many campers and staff, finding the magic of The Story School calls them back to answer the call of adventure! They also offer scholarships, sibling discounts, and multi-session discounts to make camp accessible. They are also hugely focused on inclusion within the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. I wish we could host camp all year!

From the owner: The Story School is an interactive, immersive, and inclusive nonprofit summer camp for heroes ages…read more8-18. Campers are transformed into heroes at this overnight eduLARP camp. Stories from history, mythology, and literature come to life in an engaging plot that reacts to the choices of the campers. Level up your character by solving STEAM puzzles, navigating moral challenges, battling monsters with foam swords, and making lifelong friends. In-person camp is a two-week overnight adventure. The Story School also offers online roleplaying adventures, D&D games for all ages, and birthday adventures to top it off. What adventure interests you? Contact us today!

My son has been enrolled at Magic Garden for 3 years now. He has grown in so many ways and adores…read morehis teachers and the directors! Lori is very involved with all the students and their circumstances and does an amazing job making sure they are happy, healthy and safe. Magic offers enrichment almost everyday whether it's gymnastics, sports, music, yoga, swimming, Spanish or outdoor explorations! They work hard for my son and have helped me get him extra help with our towns preschool for OT and PT. I love this school so much and will be so sad when he graduates in 2023. He will be prepared and then some for transitioning into kindergarten and I couldn't be happier with the team he has on his side.

The operative word for the Magic Garden Children's Center is definitely 'magic'. After a spending…read morea few years at a national chain daycare center, we moved and enrolled our son at Magic Garden. Starting from the application process, and our first day of attendance, the experience has been nothing short of wonderful. Director Lori Leo sets the tone for the entire center, and did an amazing job welcoming us to the Magic Garden community. Our very first experience with the center was during the Lincoln Winter Carnival when the center opened its doors to the Lincoln community by hosting a morning of activities for toddlers in town. We followed up with an official visit and the teachers each took time getting to know my son, and alternatively talking to my wife and me. We jumped at a chance to enroll mid-year. Of course, the teachers at Magic Garden also do so very much to develop an entertaining and educational curriculum, and this shines through in the experience they create on a daily basis. With four primary teachers in my son's classroom, and support staff added on top, I know he isn't lacking for attention or entertainment. Indeed nearly every morning the teachers have planned and setup multiple activities and the kids have their choice of what to discover. The teachers also communicate well with us, sharing moments from our son's days and developmental goals and achievements. Further, the center does so much to ensure that the base curriculum is enhanced. Nearly every day, we hear stories or participate in some type of enrichment activity. From tumbling classes and swim lessons, to nature walks and story time with the Lincoln library, I am constantly amazed at the variety of activities my son participates in. My son also participates in the school's 'Starlight' program, which provides daycare for those needing care after the core program completes at 3pm. While most afternoons include lots of time on the playgrounds (there are four playground options on the campus!), I was blown away to discover that the afterschool teachers develop their own curriculum as well, and try hard to keep the kids engaged for the last few hours of the day. Most days I pick up, my son has a huge grin on his face and doesn't want to leave, and nothing makes a parent feel better than that! Most importantly, Magic Garden is a community. While it's not required to put a lot of additional time into the center, parents will find themselves rewarded and enriched for every effort they do make. My wife and I have both visited our son's class to teach about art or music, and it's so great to see how much fun all the kids are having. The community events are all well attended and provide a great way for working parents to connect. We've had a blast at class BBQ's, the annual hoedown, and the tremendous fall apple picking event. This has been a long review, but it's an important one. Magic Garden is a fantastic community. The teachers, the director, the support, and the parents all ensure that the kids are well cared for, educated and entertained. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.