The BCCJ is a social-justice non-profit that runs two awe-inspiring leadership training programs:…read moreone for teens called InIt, and one for adults called LeadBoston. I participated in LeadBoston in 2009, and while I can't say it completely introduced me to the concepts of social justice, but what it did do was take all the theories and ideas about social equality and dump them squarely in my lap where I couldn't avoid them or pretend not to see them. LeadBoston takes about 50 adults each year, starting in September, to go through a 10-month program focusing on a variety of social-justice related issues: health disparities, racism/sexism/homophobia, and puts the participants into neighborhoods in Boston where those issues are a major concern. The program was an excellent way to get out into the city, especially to neighborhoods that I don't normally spend a lot of time in because they are far away. It also gave me a real close look at issues in my own neighborhood that I never noticed before. The real, serious value in this program is not only learning more about how our society isn't fair for everyone, but seeing that injustice IN ACTION in our own city, and meeting the people doing substantive work to change that. The staff who work at BCCJ are progressive educators incarnate. I thought I was lord of progressive politics, until the executive director (very gently) helped me see some serious white privilege I displayed. Pretty much they should all get a halo and angel wings for the wisdom and insight they provide the world. Now that I'm an alumni of the program, I have access to a vast network of previous LeadBoston alums, who span every conceivable job field and industry. They've already given me some seriously awesome life and career advice, and I intend to keep getting more from them over the years. In addition to the two major programs, BCCJ also runs regular movie nights, networking brunches, and an awesome (although pricey) fundraiser in the Block Party. The one limiting factor for BCCJ's amazing programs is the price, although comparing them to a commercial service isn't really a valid exercise. LeadBoston is about the same cost as a college class at a good university, and BCCJ usually asks the participant's employer to sponsor them for all or part of the cost.

PRIDE HAS ARRIVED AT PAGEANT FIELD AT 12-4 Booty Vortex is…read morenow performing Please come and enjoy the festivities it's getting busy by the minute. See my review update abit later with more photos ! Well, with all the vendors and Food Trucks and Beverages and the hundreds of families, men, women , dogs of all breeds and children having a blast one could not have had a better time or weather!

I've been a member of the Boston living center since 2002 when I was diagnosed with HIV I love this…read moreplace it's educational for everyone I learned a lot there and met a lot of friends arts and crafts everything computer classes I love the living center it really helped me out unfortunately I moved away but now I'm back and I'm coming back thank the living center for everything I couldn't have made it without the counseling the friends the loving support thank you again

You can tell the employees care about what they do here and see the direct impact on those in need…read more I've volunteered here a few times through One Brick but you can also volunteer directly and the staff are so friendly and helpful. There is downtime so be ready to ask what else you can do because there is always something else. The people you serve to are really sweet and always say thank you in a heartfelt way.

I'm not one to readily volunteer my time, but I think I've found my calling. This organization is…read moretotally driven to provide girls with girl power, while educating them in areas that aren't "typical" girl interest zones, like engineering, business, and science-y things that I never really explored when I was young. It might be a little selfish of me, but I like to feel like I'm cool and fun, and that my efforts are actually making good impressions on the kids I get to work with. I haven't started a troop yet, just helped out here and there at different events. Also, the camp at Cedar Hill is open to the public, and it's a great place to escape la vida de cuidad (the city life). You feel completely removed from the grind of Massachusetts. There are little chipmunks everywhere, and I saw a squirrel that was completely black last time! Oh, and another thing? You'll never go hungry when you volunteer at these events. These Girl Scouts love to eat, and the adult Girl Scouts always have fun noshing -- cupcakes, hoagies, s'mores, GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, you name it.

Thank you Girl Scouts for yelling "GIRL SCOUT COOKIES" in the Harvard Square T station yesterday…read more Without you and your Samoas, my pants wouldn't be nearly as tight this morning, but I wouldn't be nearly as happy!

TEDx Beacon Street is an amazing free conference in Brookline - with speakers giving short…read morepresentations in the style of TED talks. I went to the Sunday morning session and it was great! I was there to cheer for the founders of November Project but the other session speakers were interesting too. The CEO of Perkins School for the Blind and a Weather Channel staffer were my other favorite speakers in that session. Next year, I hope to be able to attend multiple session. TEDx Beacon Street is definitely an event to add to your calendar.

Special Needs Arts Programs, Inc., Volunteer Opportunities!…read moreSpecial Needs Arts Programs, Inc., is looking for volunteers for their summer programs and into the next program year, starting in September. Summer sessions range from four to six weeks. Fall programs range from four, eight, and sixteen weeks. They also have monthly Paint Nights at LexArt starting in September. SNAP is also in need of a volunteer with technical skills to support their Zoom participants at their Saturday, 10am, Special Artists art class at the Lexington Community Center. Volunteer with SNAP is a great opportunity to work in a music or art program, providing support to SNAP staff and encouragement to their singers and artists with special needs. For more information or to sign up, visit their website at https://snaparts.org/volunteer-with-snap/

I usually prefer to help individuals I know rather than organizations, but made a donation to…read morePan-Mass challenge as part of a program to get a discount on my auto insurance. The website wasn't entirely clear to me so I called and reached a helpful, pleasant, easy to understand representative in the United States. She explained the process and I received the acknowledgement promptly. However, I did not get the receipt and had to call back the next day for it. I think their systems could be automated and upgraded. The insurer applied the discount to my policy after I took the receipt to my agent. The discount was almost 3 times the minimum donation amount I made. If you have Mapfre insurance and live in Massachusetts check out this promotion.

Having just completed my fifth Pan-Mass Challenge last weekend, i'm taking some time out of my busy…read moreschedule of eating everything in sight to tell everyone how awesome an experience it is. First and foremost, it raises a ridiculous amount of money, 99% of which goes to The Jimmy Fund, a great cause that pretty much every Bostonian knows about already. The folks who run the PMC are thorough and efficient, and get the most out of everything and every cent that's donated to them. Besides that, it's a really great experience, whether you're riding or volunteering; this is the closest thing we have here to something like the Tour de France; not in that it's a competition, but that it's a traveling show that brings people across the state to roadsides, to the foot of their driveways, to their front lawns, from 6am on, to cheer on, entertain, and be entertained by thousands of riders of all speeds. Whether you're a fast rider, or just starting out, strangers on foot and on wheels will be exhorting you to climb the hill, and thanking you for doing it. Volunteers will be keeping you hydrated, fed, and pointed towards the same goal, and you'll have a good time doing it. It's not any kind of luxury vacation; you sleep in a tent or a barracks, you eat sandwiches and grilled food, and drink gatorade and beer. But with the right folks, it all tastes good. The sleep, well, you don't get a heck of a lot of that. With legs burning and a few choice profanities, you'll top the last hills out towards P-town, and roll in to deafening cheers. Drink some beers, ride the party boat. Get home, get some sleep, eat everything in sight. And mark down the sign-up date for next year.

The staff member from the company was very nice and friendly. However, it appears they have…read morelimited knowledge of how to handle dementia/Alzheimer's patients. For a senior that just needs assistance that has all their facilities is probably more appropriate for their services.

We live in Frisco, TX and just signed on with Seniors Helping Seniors…read moreThe caregiver that they sent is just wonderful in how she is helping us to remain in our home as long as possible. She always asks at the end of the day if she did everything that was needed. She is a jewel. The only drawback so far is that she had a death in the family and needed a week off and Michelle in the office had several days to find someone to send for a day that week and she said she could not find anyone, we were seven days without help.