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!

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.

Went a few times. Mostly an older church. Everyone was kind and welcoming just was not the right…read moreplace for me. The pastor's name was Brian and he preached well and was very nice to speak with as well.

Paid this place a visit upon the proding of a person I met while shopping a while back. I finally…read moremade it there. It was not what the person who claimed to be a member of Mount Hope claimed it to be. Very weird place where there had to be a hundred people at a "sermon" but they said I was not allowed in yet and to just sit on the hard wood bench and wait...wow. After a half hour there were 2 "people" who kept asking me weird questions about me and my family. I finally got up and walked out and drove home..as soon as possible!! lol..

I've been a member at Artisan's Asylum since 2017, and it's been one of the most meaningful…read morecreative communities I've been part of. I started out pretty tentatively, just learning and exploring. Over time, I got more involved and eventually became the laser shop lead for four years. That experience opened the door for me to build a small business creating bamboo candle lanterns and piggy banks--something I never would have been able to do on my own without access to the tools and support there. That's really what makes a makerspace like this so special. You get access to equipment that would be wildly expensive (and impractical) to own yourself, and you're surrounded by people who are both learning and generously sharing what they know. A recent moment really drove that home for me. I needed to test out my tent system for an upcoming show, but the weather outside was terrible. I was able to set everything up in the common space and run a full test. Honestly--such a small thing, but incredibly helpful, and exactly the kind of flexibility that makes this place so valuable. These days, my focus has shifted to painting, and having studio space at the Asylum has been just as important for this next chapter. I have the room I need to work in encaustic, lay out panels, prep surfaces, and wrap finished pieces for transport. The shared spaces make all of that possible in a way that would be hard to replicate anywhere else. It's a welcoming, diverse environment with something for everyone--whether you're just curious or looking to build something serious. If you've ever thought about trying something new, take a class and see where it leads. You might surprise yourself. Time to get creative.

completed the jewelry 101 course. Fantastic instructor who led us through a series of steps…read morelearning the correct techniques on every tool in the Artisan's Asylum jewelry shop. We completed a ring (which my wife liked) over the two day 6 hour course. I have had some previous experience but this was an excellent learning process that taught me many things that improved my skills. Highly recommend taking this learning journey!! Great value for your money.

If I was one who exploited animals, Grey 2K USA would make me very nervous. With very limited…read moreresources, this organization has relieved or ended the suffering of greyhounds in this country and around the world. They are smart, devoted and they don't take no for an answer. I am extremely grateful to Grey 2K USA for doing such an excellent job for the dogs.

From the owner: Formed in March of 2001, GREY2K USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to passing…read morestronger greyhound protection laws and ending the cruelty of dog racing. To this end, we work nationwide to fight for greyhounds in state legislatures, at the ballot box, and in the courts. On the international level, we support the work of other advocates across the globe.

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.

Always on time! Always good pricing!…read moreAlways top-quality printing! Whenever dealing with Linda, Rich, or Brian they always go the extra mile to satisfy their customers in all aspects of producing printed materials.

I have used Belmont Printing Co. for the last four years to create and print our concert programs…read moreand signage for the Big Band Concert at the Beech Street Center, Belmont. Linda has been so skilled and helpful in the development of both, and the end products were wonderful. We received lots of positive comments on both. I highly recommend Belmont Printing. Judy T.

My daughter attended the boys and girls club drop in after school program for years. After leaving…read morethe club one day, she was playing at a nearby park and fell. She (to my horrors!) broke her arm... and wandered back to the club for help. they called me, called an ambulance, went to hospital in ambulance with her and stayed there until i arrived. Seems obvious but she was just a kid walking by that entered and asked for help. so obvs, have been a fan. FFWD _ my daughter is now a teen: This summer she did the leadership training program, volunteering- and learned so much. Created such a positive environment and opportunity for leadership growth for my daughter. This fall, my daughter applied for a job and now works part time in the after school and LOVES connecting with neighborhood kids and organizing games/ playing with the kids. Feel very grateful we have an org in this community that is so accessible and empowering.

I love this place. They offer amazing programs for the kids. My daughter did summer camp here…read more(creative explorers) and is now doing winter camp. The staff is fantastic. They have a nice space here with a big outside area right on spy pond. The pool. The gym. Tennis courts. Kayaking in the summer. I definitely recommend.

When I ask local parents about the Watertown Boys and Girls Club, there tend to be mixed reviews…read moreabout the swim lessons, etc. We had done swim lessons before a few years ago, and they were just okay. Nothing spectacular. When my daughter made the age cut-off (six years old) for summer swim camp, I signed her up for four weeks. I didn't expect too much, but my daughter basically learned how to swim this summer. The summer swim camp exceeded my expectations. It's is a hidden gem! My only regret is that I didn't sign her up for the whole six weeks as my daughter enjoyed coming here more than another fancier, more expensive camp that I sent her to for the other two weeks. I have only good things to say about the program. My daughter would talk about Erin and Theresa, two of the counselors, at home with excitement and looked forward to coming daily. We are looking to sign up for a school-year membership so that my daughter can return to swim weekly.

This Boys and Girls Club has a lot of wonderful programs including: Gym activities, swimming…read morelessons group and private as well as a swim hour from 3:00 to 4:00 for everybody, Monday through Thursday, on Friday free swim is from 2:30 to 4:00. As well as A wonderful game room. If you are free for tutoring this is the place to go. They also have events all year round.