Harvard Opportunities
Harvard in the Community finds ways for Harvard to contribute to greater Boston. You can read about Harvard's efforts, make charitable contributions and contribute and read a blog about local service/volunteer effort
Environmental Health Education Project help to get elementary and middle school students interested in the sciences at an early age. Between the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and research specialist Marshall Katler, this educational project works with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) to develop curricula and projects that truly engage and stimulate students' interest in science and the environment. Open to all of BPS, current participating schools include the Tobin, Mission Hill, Chittick, Mattahut, Farragut, Young Achievers, and Boston Latin.
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants. Located on 265 acres in Jamaica Plain, this living museum supports research and education programs. Volunteers are essential to the Arboretum's educational mission. Volunteer positions include school guides, interpreters and docents.
Fisher Museum at the Harvard Forest, located on 3,000 beautiful acres in Petersham, Mass., depends on a committed group of volunteers to act as docents on Saturdays and Sundays from May through October, and occasionally at other times throughout the year. For information, contact John O'Keefe (978-724-3302).
Harvard Bridge to Learning and Literacy Program is an education program for eligible employees who want to improve computer and language skills, take career development classes and/or prepare for the U. S. Citizenship test. Volunteers tutor Bridge students one-on-one.
Harvard Film Archive's public film program offers the opportunity to view international and independent films and to interact with filmmakers and artists. If you would like to volunteer as an usher, contact Rebecca Meyers.
Harvard Museum of Natural History has a mission to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world, sparking a spirit of discovery in people of all ages. Volunteer Gallery Guides engage visitors through hands-on activities, nature-story readings and other public programs.
Harvard Square Homeless Shelter is entirely student- and volunteer-run. You can contribute your time or money to outreach and support services.
Host Program for International Students connects foreign graduate students with members of the Harvard community. As a volunteer, you can extend a welcoming hand to students coming to live here and help them get to know the area. (Students do not live with their hosts.) For more information contact Zarrin Foster (617-496-2816).
Health Literacy Project seeks volunteers. Doctors are the
main conveyors of health information and communication between patients
and doctors is a main ingredient of health care. Unfortunately, there
are nearly 90 million adults in the U.S. with low functional health
literacy ("the ability to read and write and comprehend prescription
bottles, appointment slips, and the other essential health-related
materials required to successfully function as a patient.") Thus, huge
amounts of information - from informed consent forms to health
education materials, from insurance forms to prescription directions,
are incomprehensible to millions of people (who are mostly older
people, non-whites, immigrants and low-income).
We are looking for ten students interested in teaching about health in
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) settings in Boston.
Goals of the project include better understanding of the health care
needs of low literacy patients; providing an early, hands on
experiences conveying health information to adult learners; increasing
knowledge about the inter-relationships of health literacy, cultural
competence, and social determinants of health and literacy; and
providing adult learners with health information and empowering them to
improve their communication skills, especially in health care settings.
Become a MA Certified HIV Test Counselor
and volunteer in community sites! Begun last academic year and
co-sponsored by OEP, the Division on AIDS (DOA) and the student-led HMS
AIDS Action Initiative (HMSAAI), this program trains students to become
certified (Massachusetts) HIV test counselors. After an all-weekend
training in October, students meet agency staff from testing sites
where they can volunteer and also receive rapid testing training from
the MA Dept. of Public Health. This is a GREAT, FREE opportunity and
gives you life-long skills!
STUDENTS OF COLOR AND SPEAKERS OF PORTUGUESE, SPANISH, HAITIAN CREOLE OR VIETNAMESE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!
For both of these programs please contact:
Jeannie Hess, Program Manager, Community Service
jean_hess@hms.harvard.edu Phone: 617-432-0951
Volunteer Position at BAGLY
as an HIV Test Counselor. (Must be certified in MA.) BAGLY is a
youth-led, adult supported organization, that creates, sustains and
advocates for programs, policies and services for the Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender youth community. BAGLY's HIV Testers reports
to the health promotion programs manager and will be responsible for
the following:
- Providing HIV testing services to all BAGLY members at risk for HIV infection
- Providing client centered, harm reduction/risk reduction counseling and education individualized to each person's situation
- Providing appropriate referrals for medical and mental health care, STD testing and other basic/supportive services as needed
- Specimen collection for OMT HIV testing
- Processing client data collection, keeping accurate and comprehensive charts on clients including information on client interviews, counseling sessions and referrals
- Assisting in organizing operation of on site HIV testing services in conjunction with prevention program
- Communicating with health promotions programs manager regarding issues and needs of on-site HIV counseling.
External Links and Resources
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/
McLean Hospital, the largest HMS psychiatric facility, offers inpatient and outpatient care for a full range of conditions. Volunteers can work with patients or assist with research and teaching.
Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of HMS, is the oldest and largest hospital in New England. You can volunteer to greet and help visitors find their way around, serve as a liaison to families or provide clerical support.
The Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) is an academic health care system serving more than 400,000 residents. Volunteers can help in a variety of offices, clinics and patient care areas.
Serve.gov is an online resource to help you find service opportunities in your community. You can search by keyword and zip code.
Sociedad Latina -Viva la Cultura!
Early adolescence is a critical period of transition for all youth, marked by biological and social changes, experimentation, risk-taking, and increased independence. To support Latina girls during this period, Sociedad Latina launched the Viva La Cultura! mentoring initiative, which matches 30 youth with strong female volunteers. VLC envisions a generation of Latina girls who demonstrate leadership skills and high self-esteem based upon an identity firmly grounded in an understanding of their cultural heritage.
VLC Mentor: Female mentors are needed for Latina girls' mentoring program. Mentoring activities include: promoting cultural understanding, pride through arts exploration, in-depth discussions, and healthy lifestyle workshops. Interested volunteers should be patient, have good listening skills and be available during Saturdays. For all Viva la Cultura! volunteer positions, please send resume and availability to nicki@sociedadlatina.org.
VLC Art Teacher: Arts instructors are needed for Saturday programming activities. The art projects should connect to VLC mission of focusing on building self-esteem and cultural pride in Latina girls. All types of art (sculpture, drawing, music, theater, etc) are welcome. Candidate should be able to commit 2-3 hours per week for at least 3 weeks. For all Viva la Cultura! volunteer positions, please send resume and availability to nicki@sociedadlatina.org.
Career Exploration Guides (VLC): Do you have an interesting career? Professional women are needed to give a one-time "day in the life" tour of what they do for a living and answer questions from middle school girls. For all Viva la Cultura! volunteer positions, please send resume and availability to nicki@sociedadlatina.org.
Unique Rhythm Volunteer: Dance instructor/Choreographer wanted for high school-aged dancers. The Unique Rhythm dance curriculum promotes cultural identity for youth as they explore the origins of dances from Latin and Central America. By developing the creative skills of youth through core artistic programming, youth can experience art as connecting to larger concepts, such as holistic healthy living. The ideal volunteer candidate would be able to teach Latin dance, hip hop, or African dance, and also be able to give the historical and cultural backgrounds surrounding the dances. This position is supervised by Sociedad Latina's Arts & Cultural Programming Coordinator. A volunteer should be able to commit to at least one afternoon per week for a minimum of four weeks. Please send resume and availability to nicki@sociedadlatina.org.