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!

Admittedly, sometimes we need a fire under our asses to get up and do the things we want to do, be…read morethe people we want to be. OYFP is a match for all young profs that want to "do good" but are commitment 'tarded fools and/or don't want to get deep in the trenches. They host monthly events to benefit local charities by getting buzz going about these honorable endeavors. I recently attended a wine tasting event at an art gallery downtown and the crowd was smiling and supportive. Basically you pay a bit, get to drink and feel good about spending some scrilla knowing it's going to the right place. Plus their volunteer staff is a dynamic, awesome and gorgeous bunch!

It's because of On Your Feet Project that I've been able to:…read more Meet like minded people Meet NEW people Drink at their events around the city Learn how to make pasta and ravioli FROM SCRATCH(!) -- AWESOME Feel good about drinking and eating pasta and meeting people. Why? Why not? On Your Feet Project is a wonderful organziation that benefits local charites. What's not to like?

I frequently come here every month or two and find the best stuff!! I've gotten real leather…read morejackets for $20, a faux fur coat in great condition, a $5 vintage beaded jacket, a backpack shaped like a bottle of nail polish, and many other items! There's a lot of older/vintage type clothing here so if you're into that like I am, you can have a lot of fun finding new pieces for your wardrobe. Tip: the jacket area in the men's section can sometimes have women's jackets mixed in, so take a look and don't be too hung up over the labling of sections of the store. Look all over! You can find some real gems here if you are willing to sift through racks upon racks of clothing. Also, make sure to get a rewards card if you come here often!

Small thrift store, but I always find a purchase and walk out the door happy. Mostly focused on…read moreclothing with some household items. I'll always stop by when I have a few minutes for myself!

FFF is a local nonprofit org that delivers perishable food and produce to many smaller charities…read moreand nonprofits such as homeless shelters that serve meals or have meal programs. FFF solicits surplus or leftover food from local restaurants and farmers that would otherwise go to waste. FFF daily delivers this food to the needy people that need it usually within 24 hours of it being donated. FFF is a great nonprofit that does great things. I volunteered here once and helped them build a huge walk in refrigerator. Bravo to this fine local charity.

I second how awesome food for free is. I work with them to organize their pickups at the whole…read morefoods market that I work at, and I honestly look forward to seeing them every day. The drivers are really friendly, and it's such a badass cause. I know that this isn't such a yelp-ish business or place, but I can't pass up giving these guys their props for helping to bring a little charity to an increasingly conservative/uber-capitalist city as boston has become. I can't remember who said it but on the back of all their trucks reads: "When I feed the poor, they call me a saint; When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist." I'm no communist but I can't say enough about this sort of thing.

I found out about the CH near Kendall Square through the Boston Calendar…read more The first time I went there was for one of their weekly Friday night movie nights a few weeks ago. I have since attended another movie night, a music concert and just gone with my friend to hang out and play ping pong, get a free bev (you can choose between coffee, tea and lemonade ) and just enjoy the space, maybe chat it up with some other ppl there etc. There have swings (), books, board games, free WiFi etc. All is free. They also rotate exhibits of artwork and put on a variety of workshops etc. Check out their calendar of events on their website or like their facebook page. The people who work/volunteer there are extremely friendly and nice. I love the concept! Every neighborhood needs one. It's essentially a community (play/hang out/connect) space.

What an amazing place! Bright, spacious, comfy - with free tea and coffee! And WiFi. And ping pong…read more And swings! Enjoy it while it lasts.

I volunteered here as an English teacher last year and was impressed with this organization. They…read moreoffer very low-cost English classes to immigrants, as well as various youth programs, including an interpreter training program for bilingual kids that have often grown up interpreting for their parents. They provide monthly training for the volunteer teachers and regular community events, including an annual fundraiser called Yum! that highlights local immigrant-owned restaurants. The Welcome Project is a great community that I'd recommend for students and volunteers alike.

Stephen was extremely helpful in switching my home, auto, and umbrella to a new insurance company…read more He got us a fantastic rate that was way cheaper than what we were paying previously. He did all of the leg work with setting up the new insurance and cancelling the old one. He asked the right questions to get the rate as low as possible and told us what are good options vs costly less utilized ones. Super responsive via email, even writing to us on a Holiday. Made it so easy. Can't say enough positive things about the experience.

Came to notarize a document, was in an out in less than 10 min. Super easy, way better priced than…read moreUPS and convenient

Volunteered here with One Brick and while it was kind of chaos at the start (putting the food in…read morethe appropriate boxes) it ended up going well and was nice to be able to directly see the impact that you're having. Overall you'll be sorting food then helping the people pick up the food that they want and figure out how much of each food item they can have.

I've been around a good deal of volunteer organizations in the greater Boston area. It breaks up my…read moredays when all I want to do is sleep in late and waste away in front of my computer playing games. Harvest Food Pantry is a small operation out of the Cambridgeport Baptist Church and it does it's best to serve poor in our neighborhood every first and third Saturday. I wake up (or at least try to) at 7am to get here for 9 in the morning. That in itself is a huge feat, mostly because as I said I'm lazy. But I really, do enjoy these volunteer opportunities as it makes me think I'm not being completely selfish with my free time. Usually, you come in the morning, let the volunteer at the front desk know you're here to help then you head down to the basement where there's never a shortage of things to do. I've been here with One Brick, Boston Cares also helps out here once and a while. But I've also been here by myself. You don't need to sign-up or register to help here, just try to get here on time and be ready to work. There is no commitment but, if you wanted to make one or do more than just Saturday help they've got other roles you can participate in. Anyways, after you sort food and bags and maybe some clothes you head up to the waiting area where all the people who came by for food are waiting. You then escort someone down to the basement who will then shop from the available food products available at the pantry. They've got a really good system setup and let people take food according to family size. During this time you're either carrying bags for the people shopping or downstairs restocking. It's all over pretty quick, usually it's an hour setting up, an hour helping the patrons and an hour breaking everything down. Now the reason for the 4 stars is because I think that because this is a volunteer run outlet sometimes the people working the administrative side forget to order stuff, like fruits and bread and this has happened on more than one occasion that I'd been here so that effects the families that need help more than my own volunteer experience but yeah there's room for improvement.

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.

I've been coming here for over a year, and my life has already transformed for the better. A great…read moreplace to work on becoming a happier, kinder person. The teachings are clear and approachable to everyone (including all beliefs and meditation intentions). The community feel is wonderful, and the people are warm, welcoming and inspiring. Give yourself this gift, you won't regret it.

An Oasis amidst busy life. This is a special place--everyone is welcome, no matter who they are or…read morewhat they believe, and the teachings here are simple, accessible, and easy to understand. The meditations are focused on how to become a better person and how to integrate Buddhist meditation into our life so people can find greater meaning within it. The people are kind. Can't recommend enough!