Not enough food…read more More important, almost every review here is from a VOLUNTEER saying "this is a good place to volunteer." Shouldn't the key issue be the opinions of poor people who are actually eating the food, reviewing the quality of the food, the freshness, the amounts, the dignity with which they're treated (or not?) Rather than that of the volunteers?

It's a really awesome place to volunteer! There are no special skills required, and the people here…read moregive really clear instructions. The place is doing so well that they are expanding, but I'm sure they would appreciate donations. The first time I cam here I was really impressed by the professionalism. You have to waah your hand pretty thoroughly, wear gloves, an apron, and a hairnet. Hairnets are super weird balls of hair that magically unravel to cover your hair. If you want to be a cool kid, you can wear a hat so your hair doesn't fall in the food. Duties range all over the place, but don't expect to cook anything. You will be packaging a lot, moving things around, and also maybe cut up some vegetables or meat. If you pick the morning session, you will usually be rewarded with a meal at lunch that's pretty good.

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!

rio was mad cool, helped me out and looked out for my laundry while I went to the storeread more

I've visited this laundromat several times on a Saturday. Each time the lady Gregoria was very…read morepleasant and helpful. She also does a great job keeping the place clean. I enjoy talking to her as well.

" Nifty bike shop with a social change mission " If you…read moreneed a bike or a repair this is your place . Check out their site so you can read about them and their mission . The staff is ultra friendly. They have reasonable pricing. It's definitely the at to go . They have a big parking lot; so parking should not be an issue .

Excellent values! I totally endorse their views and…read moreachievements. A donated bike can be utterly transformative for an individual to build a real life.

I applied for a position here, interviewed for an hour and was promptly ghosted. No follow up…read moreemail, even after I reached to request an update. No courtesy rejection notice. Nothing. This just isn't how you operate an organization.

826 National is a great organization created by the folks at McSweeney's publishing. 826 Boston is…read morethe newest edition to the family, offering drop-in tutoring services for local kids and much more--all free of charge. They help kids develop writing skills, offer workshops and field trips. They also throw some of the most creative fundraisers you'll ever see. The Boston storefront will be The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute. If you've been to SF's Pirate Store or Brooklyn's Superhero Supply Company, you know that this store is sure to be a blast. They are still looking for volunteers, so get in now and be a part of what is sure to become one of the coolest nonprofit educational programs in Boston.

I love the Nonprofit Center!…read more It's T accessible - right near south station. In addition to being the office of over 40 nonprofits, it also has meeting space available for other nonprofits to use (you do not have to be a tenant). I've been to meeting here sponsored by Tech Networks of Boston, Women in Development (fundraising), The Communications Network, Public Relations Society of America, and Third Sector New England. The event space is great, but my one warning is to triple check the microphones with the nonprofit center events staff if you have speakers. About half the times I've been to events there, audio problems occurred, so I always sit in the front to be sure I can hear. I'm jealous of the employees of the nonprofits in this building! What a lovely place to work!

I work for a nonprofit that needed a venue for an event of 50-75 people, which was fast approaching…read morein about 6 weeks when I started my quest. I researched every venue I could find, over 55 in total. We couldn't afford to spend thousands of dollars, and time was running out - as were my options. Then I came across The NonProfit Center - after my initial inquiry I was contacted by Faisal and literally everything was smooth sailing from there! I took a look at the space and it was perfect, they were available the date I needed, and the price was right. Faisal answered all of my (many) questions and kept in touch to make sure there was nothing else I needed. Next time I will save myself the run-around and go here first - can't say enough good things, we had a wonderful experience!

One of the most efficient and well run non-profits in Boston. Betsy Cowan has had a major impact in…read morethis community since coming on as the director. This org has done a great deal for local businesses and the neighborhood at large.

There are a lot of places you can choose to volunteer with in the Boston area. There's various…read morewebsites that will put you in touch with finding the organization just right for you. I was looking for something to do for the holidays and stumbled across Little Brothers. During the holiday season there's an incredible outpouring of help so you've got to get in on the holiday volunteer work a few weeks in advance. While there's never a shortage of soup kitchens and shelters that need people Little Brothers does something a bit different. First of all they primarily only do work with the elderly. During the Thanksgiving holiday I decided I'd help out to bring meals for the elderly. When I got to their event location at Northeastern I sat through a quick orientation. I learned that their motto is "flowers before food". You're not just providing a hot meal to an elder you're sitting with them for a while and talking to someone who might not have anyone visiting them during the holidays. Sure the food is good but I got the sense that the socializing with them was just as important. After I finished people were lined up according to which neighborhood they wanted an elder from and someone provided me a name and a map. The Little Brothers coordinators were also excellent with providing exact directions to where I needed to go and understanding that I didn't have a car so the location had to be T accessible. My Thanksgivings was a bust as my elder had surprisingly went out for Thanksgiving. But I tried again during Christmas and gave a bit of my time to a very nice old Russian couple who couldn't go anywhere for the holidays. It was a pleasure having some tea and a chat with people who were very happy and grateful for some company. Do note that Little Brothers does have need for volunteers year round and not just the holidays but if you're in need of something different than the clique homeless soup kitchen then consider helping out here. You can do what I call 'Adopt an elder' where you make a yearly commitment to spend I think 2 hours a week with an elder. You can also volunteer to chauffeur a group of people to a community event and drive them back to their home at the end. There's many different ways you can help the elderly and Little Brothers is an organization that really cares about the work they do.

I have to thank my cousin Brad for introducing me to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly…read more Their staff and volunteers are wonderful and super-organized. I've been serving holiday meals and gifts to their 'extended family' who stay at there homes either because they may have no family with whom to share holidays or are unable to leave their homes or choose to stay at home. I have met, visited and re-visited several elders in Boston and always gain a lot from them at each visit. It is a lot of fun to do these visits and stay in touch with them. Michelle gives an excellent description of the services offered by Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly and they have a very dynamic and informative web site. Check it out and have a great year ahead!

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.