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.

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.

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is a non-profit organization run by Wakefieldians for…read moreWakefieldians. This volunteer association provides food to any Wakefield resident in need. They have a "supermarket" on the bottom floor of the Americal Civic Center where they host drop in hours. A personal shopper will help you choose your food and check out! It's a great place to get food if you need some, or to volunteer or donate as well. To learn more about it, check out their website and follow them on facebook. Wakefield is lucky to have such a great organization!

This is a review for their donation process, not for the organization itself…read more Scheduling a pickup is very easy and convenient. It can be done online or over the phone. I entered how many bags or boxes of items I had, where they would be placed (in back of the house in my case), and special instructions on my address since I live on one of those streets that has duplicate house numbers (like 100, 100A, 100R). The special instructions box claims it allows 100 characters but in reality it was more like 50. Well I followed the directions exactly and had my items out and clearly labelled well before 8am on the day of the pickup. Well I get home and everything is still there, but there was a receipt in my mailbox. Huh? Well I called the number on the receipt and it's just a recorded message. Every selection on the phone tree just leads you back to scheduling another pickup. What I believed happened is the driver didn't bother to read the donation form to see my items were in back of the house or possibly didn't want to take a 40 foot walk from the street to the backyard. There's not even a fence. If the drivers are not going to pick up anything that isn't located directly on the curb (and at huge risk of theft), do not give us the option of placing donations anywhere else. I will probably go back to just driving my stuff to a donation center. It's easier.

I'm a professional organizer who takes donations away for my clients. I've tried a bunch of…read moredonation companies and thrift shops, and the VVA has been the easiest to use by far. I just schedule a pickup online, and I can sometimes get one as soon as the next day (I can even schedule on Sunday for a Monday pickup), but always within a week. I put the stuff out on my front porch the night before, and at some point that day, it vanishes. They will even accept toys, which many charities do not. Also, I have had bad experiences with Big Brother Big Sister and the Epilepsy Foundation sometimes not coming when they said they will. The VVA has *always* come on schedule. I might have a different experience if I had to be home when they arrived, but so far, it's been nothing but awesome. Oh, and when I do encounter a driver, he is always polite and professional.

Selection is limited as it's a small space. Most of the clothes were very small sizes and sadly I…read moream not. Good prices if you're a small size. I found like two size 14 items. Time to hit the gym

The EnKa Exchange is a great consignment shop run entirely by volunteers in a Winchester based…read morewomen's group called the En Ka Society. It's one of the few consignment shops in the area that takes MEN'S, CHILDREN'S and WOMEN'S clothing! The shop is in a huge yellow Victorian home with two floors and MANY ROOMS full of clothing, shoes, purses, a womens section, juniors section, men's suits, coats, casual clothing and kids clothing and shoes! This is one of the most organized consignment shops I have been to. The wonderful EnKa volunteers group similar types of clothing together. All blouses on one rack, all skirts on one rack, etc. So, if you're looking for the perfect pair of jeans, you don't have to go through ten racks of shirts, skirts and sweaters....go right to the jean rack! When you've made your selections, there is a large fitting room with a huge mirror at the top of the stairs! At the end of the year the unsold clothing is put into the En Ka Fair in Winchester, and they then close for the summer. In my opinion this is the only downfall to the EnKa Exchange...but it gives me time to check out other consignment shops in the area and clean out my closet by the time they open again. Great place to stop if you're in the Winchester/Woburn/Wilmington area....right on rt 38. They can be reached at 781-729-6146

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.