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!

Today, I was given ice packs, Motrin and Tylenol for extreme swelling in lower extremities due to…read moreacute osteoarthritis. They wouldn't allow me to elevate my feet for medical reasons on a chair because common sense did not prevail. A volunteer upstairs allowed me to elevate legs and a young woman Deseree attempted to pull chair out from underneath me when I said I need a minute as I had bilateral knee replacements as well. No common sense. She said if you have a bag (lol) put.your feet on that. Moments like that diminish the good that is accomplished here.

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!

cool place good parking…read moregood restroom friendly staff interesting history calm peaceful

This farm house was formerly located elsewhere. It once belonged to an African American family in…read morethe 1800's. At that time slavery had been abolished for quite some time in Massachusetts, so they would have been considered "free blacks" until 1865 when all slaves were formally emancipated in the USA. I didn't get to see the inside of this house but walked around the outside. I estimate that this house is roughly 16' x 32'. It looks like there is a tiny second floor area. From the front it looks probably much like it did when it was first built. The back has a wheelchair ramp, a piece of metal contemporary art and an air conditioning unit in one window. There is a large bell, some seating, and an informative sign out front. It is not owned by the National Parks but is right next to the parking lot for the North Bridge. It would be easy to visit the bridge and the Old Manse (owned by the trustees) at the same time. While this house is not grand, like the Old Manse, it is important to acknowledge how all Americans have lived, whether their ancestors were born on American soil, chose to start a new life here, or were forced to.

I don't suggest sending kids to this school, especially if your kids have special needs. The…read morefounder/board member/director Kate Yoder dislikes young kids and autism kids. She discriminated my kid as soon as we walked in the recital room. She asked us not to sit in the front row because she said my kids were "young". Approaching to the end of the recital, she ordered us to sit in the back because she said my kids were "noisy". She knew my kid had ASD. But my kid is high functioning and behaves pretty normally. There're other young children and baby(ies) in the audience making sound. My kid's teacher who was also in the audience approved in writing later that my kids were not disturbing. The teacher actually had suggested us to sit as close as to the front. We were targeted by Kate Yoder from the beginning. My kid has autism. We are minority. I had never met her before. My kid met her only briefly years ago. To rationalize her discriminated and targeted actions, Kate Yoder even made up some actions that my kids never did "legs in the air, lying on the floor" in writing. It was also proved by other audience not happening at all. It's so evil for an educator to put on innocent young children!! Whenever I requested Kate Yoder to apologize, the school canceled my kid's signup of the summer program and kicked my kid out from the school. And it happened twice. What a shame for a place that is supposed to be for beautiful things like music and care! Kate Yoder should step down from all her positions of this organization!

It's a good place to take lessons. My friend teaches a class for 0-12 year olds there.read more

I had an older leather sofa and recliner, along with two brand new bureaus. The leather sofa and…read morerecliner had a few tears but were perfectly durable and comfortable, nothing that a slipcover could have not fixed. I thought that by donating these items perhaps an elderly person or Veteran would have found these items useful. I was informed that the recliner and sofa were unacceptable but the bureaus were allowed. The catch was that I needed to pay to have the two bureaus picked up for 100.00, wear a Mask and stay away from the men that were loading the two bureaus. Lots of demands for free items. I do not deal with tyranny especially when I am trying to do a good deed, to help another in need.

Recently I donated to this organization. They were happy to accept my old coffee maker and other…read morekitchenware, etc. Met a lot of volunteers there. Wonderful people and great mission. Please consider supporting HGRM - not-for-profit organization based in Acton, MA that provides household goods, free of charge, to people in need.

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.

They are always friendly, courteous and helpful! The woman that helped me taped up the box for me…read moreand was super nice. Such a breath of fresh air - and honestly a little unexpected at the post office!

I came into the post office to mail a package and the person working took the time to let me know…read morethat I could spend less, half, and repackage my item. He took time to show me the box and offered to tape it. I appreciate his attention to detail.

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.