More Than Words is a nonprofit bookstore that sells new and used books while supporting young…read morepeople ages 16-24 who are system-involved, including youth from foster care, court-involved backgrounds, housing insecurity, and more. The young people help run the store, learn job skills, and work toward personal and career goals--and it truly shows in the care and pride behind the space. The shop itself is small but mighty. I walked out with four excellent-condition used books (three of which had already been on my TBR list) and somehow also added two cookbooks because... no regrets. Everything was very affordable, and it felt good knowing my purchase was directly supporting youth in the local community. If you're near one of their locations (I believe there's another in the Boston area), I highly recommend stopping in or checking out their online storefront. Great books, great prices, and an even greater mission--absolutely worth supporting.

Great place to shop and support your community. I live that there are brand new housewares at…read morefraction the cost of retail. One can feel good in shopping and supporting a worthwhile cause.

Outstandingly fresh vegetables will make you a homebody all summer. It's a crime to eat out when…read moreyour pantry is full of such delicious produce. Shares seem a bit pricey when you write the check at the beginning of the season, but they are more than fair if you make the pick up every week, and are true bargains if you fully avail yourself to the abundance of herbs, beans, tomatoes, peppers and flowers that you pick yourself in the fields. Management bends over backwards to satisfy diverse shareholder preferences and has struck a fine balance between the need for sufficient quantities of staples and a wide variety of choices for the foodies. One share will easily feed a family of four, but a share can be split, making it work well for couples, too. Sign up early. Shares sell out fast.

We rejoined the CSA this year and enjoyed it as much as ever. My wife purchased a flower share as…read morewell so for 10 weeks we had lovely flowers at our table as well. As always, I had to scramble to use all of the shares once the summer started warming up and the volume started to increase, but it was fun to try and/or to give away fresh tomatoes and other produce to friends for them to try. Very glad we rejoined and looking forward to doing it again.

The JF&CS is a thoughtful warmhearted marvelous organization! I'm perplexed at how well they treat…read moreand care for their clients and mine. They are open and willing to assist their person in need no matter how challenging it becomes, its rarely if ever easy. The difference? Each parent and child is case by case, not "cookie cutter" pass them along and forget. The staff members at the JF&CS who facilitate (Katya, Viktoria, Mary, Peggy) have the passion, knowledge, empathy, valued resources, and heart. Its a genuine pleasure knowing the JF&CS exists and still provides the heart felt charitable services that they do. I'm a supporter, believer, and even a student of the JF&CS learning simply how to treat people with love care and respect. Frederick Brewer

We are huge fans of JF&CS! We used their services to adopt our wonderful son. Thank you, thank…read moreyou, thank you! We cannot recommend the organization, staff, and services enough!

This small training center in an office park in Waltham is used by the American Red Cross for…read morecertification classes in adult and pediatric CPR and first aid. They do a good job with the training, the location is not hard to find, there's parking. Note that there are not a lot of amenities in the area so if you have an all-day class it's a good idea to bring a lunch with you.

What an amazing place that carbs about the community. Was here for volunteer work and quality…read morematters when it came to separating items for donations. I like that care is put into this organization. Donations that were damaged, stained, smelled, etc were trashed. Just because people get donations doesn't mean the deserve poor quality items. I truly enjoyed volunteering here and would definitely do it again. Please donate any new or gently used goods here. It helps people who need it.

I've volunteered here 3 times in last 4 or so months and it's truly incredible. I need to sign up…read morefor more! You get grouped off to different stations (shoes, big sort, sizing, or building outfits, etc.), and by the end of the two hour shift, the staff is able to summarize everything each station completed. You can see and hear the immediate impact you're making on children at risk of clothing insecurity in the Greater Boston Area. It was super easy signing up online as a volunteer group, and I couldn't recommend it more.

I recently began volunteering weekly at the National MS Society. I have participated in the Boston…read moreMS Walk for over 7 years, and am serving on the Boston Walk Committee for the 2009 walk. They really have their act together when it comes to preparing for volunteers. Unlike other non-profits I've volunteered for, they always have a task prepared for volunteers upon their arrival. If walkers need to receive walk packets, assembly line stations will already be set up by the time you walk in the door. You really feel the organization values the time you're donating. Brenda Barbour, Director of Volunteer Development, makes sure you enjoy your volunteer experience by matching your expertise with the MS Society's needs.

I volunteered for the MS Volvo 5K run on Thanksgiving Day. Because really, who doesn't want to…read morevolunteer at 7AM on turkey day? :) I was assigned to food prep for the runners.. slicing bananas and bagels while chatting with other participants and volunteers. After volunteering through Boston Cares, I realized that the run would interfere with something else I had volunteered for at 10AM. Both Brenda Barbour, the director of volunteer development, and Sandy Baldi were both very nice and accommodating and I was able to go to both (and on time). It was actually pretty awesome helping out that morning and seeing all those that were taking time to do something extra special on their Thanksgiving. I even bumped into two volunteers that were getting married the next day. Love and volunteerism = Long marriages. haha.. The New England Chapter of the National MS Society is a great resource for people with MS, along with their friends and families. There are tons of links/forums/programs including dinners, phone/in person support groups, message boards, educational/advocacy links etc. on their website. If you'd like to volunteer throughout the year they have lots of walks in New England, the Thanksgiving run, and four bike rides. If you're in the Waltham area, they also need help in the office with everything from admin work to event planning. And of course if you'd like to participate in any of these events by fundraising or being a runner/walker that is also great! And for all you super athletes, they look for people to represent them for the Boston Marathon. MS may not be the "hip" cause these days without celebrity backing (RIP Richard Pryor), but they're definitely worthy of your time. Check out their website for more details on MS and the New England chapter!

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!

Springwell offers home services for seniors. I have been a client of Springwell for quite a few…read moreyears. At first I had a few different aides which is always difficult because each time a new aide is assigned they must learn what you need and how you like things done. Finally I had an aide that worked well for me and she has helped me for the last 5 years (I will refer to her as CC). At this point I would have given Springwell 4 stars. Recently my assessment has gone down to one star. My aide, CC, that I have had for so long has been taken away and they want me to start over. I am deeply disappointed and am very adversely affected. Since my aide started 5 years ago my health has deteriorated and I am more in need of her help than ever. Most ADL are either very painful for me to do or impossible. CC has done my grocery shopping, vacuuming, floor washing, laundry, cooks, cleans bathroom, helps me in shower and getting dressed and many other tasks. She has done this with a smile and with care and compassion. Springwell will not communicate with me concerning why they have made this change which makes it frustrating and unfair. At a time when the leaders of our country commit many crimes and still keep their jobs it is very unfair that a kind person taking excellent care of a senior has lost hers. Springwell needs to do a better job of communicating with clients and being up front and honest with them. I am currently protesting and am very stress by all this. Isn't there enough stress and strife in the world without inflicting more in this small corner. Please please if you truly are a caring company, send my aide back

I am in my late 70's and at an age where most men die. This morning I woke up thinking about just…read morethat. And had to think of my Mom and Dad. They passed away 15 and 14 years ago. In trying to keep my parents alive, Springwell was no help. My mother had Alzheimers and could be easily upset. My mother needed stability and quiet in her life but I had a brain injured sister and a brother with financial and substance abuse problems and both brought upset whenever they were in the neighborhood. I turned the care of my parents over to a in- house health aide. My mother became fearful and she was hospitalized. In the hospital, she got pnuemonia and died within 2 weeks. I imagine dying of fluid building in my lungs. My Dad's death was approx one year later. My Dad had been attacked by my sister, she expressed a real hatred for him and for me. After my Mother died, my Dad decided he would go to a nursing home. My brother and sister and some other family members started a law suit that required my father's testimony. In the middle of the night before he was to testify, he suffered a heart attack. He died alone in the middle of the night. I wasn't there to help him or tell him I loved him. He knew I did, just as I loved my mother. My point??... Springwell was of no use to my parents. Springwell could not help my parents calm the malcontents in my family. My parents had estate plans and wills but the MA courts decided to listen to the malcontents and my parents belongings have been in storage now for 14 years. I don't know how I might die or the circumstances, only that I won't die in Massachusetts. I'll die far from the MA courts and far from Springwell. The lesson I learned is that there is chaos at death, but no need to permit Springwell or the MA Court system extend the chaos for multiple decades as they have in my parent's case.

Right now, you can go to the Arts & Crafts Society to get your fix of handmade woodwork, pottery,…read morescarves, shirts, table runners, bottle stoppers, purses, jewelry boxes, vases, decorative plates, spoon rests, earrings, necklaces, watercolor paintings, and... I think that's about it. This month, the members have exhibited their wares - and everything's available for a very fair price. Perfect for getting that little "New England gift" for a family member. The staff is really friendly and talkative, asking lots of questions and giving you advice on how to make your own homemade things. Also, classes are available in everything from jewelry making to ceramics (hand building AND wheel throwing!), woodworking to knitting. Very nice, and perfect for those with too much energy.

From the owner: The LexArt is a non-profit regional education center dedicated to the preservation and promotion of…read moreexcellence in both the traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. LexArt supports and inspires artists and craftsperson by providing classes and workshops for our members and for the general public in all mediums by well-known, professional instructors for adults, and teens at all levels of skill at reasonable prices. We have four fully equipped studios: Ceramics, Metalworking, Weaving & Fiber Arts, and Woodworkers. We also have areas in Painting, Photography, Need Arts, Decorative Arts, and Polymer Clay & Beading. Each month, LexArt host free exhibitions and sales of quality fine art and fine crafts created by our members and local Artists .