Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, you may get in touch with the coordinator(s), call the office, or stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some programs require a long-term time commitment while others require a very short commitment; most programs, however, are extremely flexible. Additionally, LCS runs various one-day events throughout the semester—keep your eyes open for these opportunities. If you have other questions or are interested in becoming a future LCS Staff member, email the President, Jen McNally, at lcsexecutives@gmail.com.
Program groups:
- Programs Concerning Issues of Hunger and Homelessness
- Youth Mentoring Programs
- Programs Concerning Literacy and Education
- Programs Concerning Health Issues
- Special Interest Programs
In addition to these groups, we maintain a list of non-LCS organizations that would be eager to have Tufts volunteers as well.
Group #1: Programs Concerning Issues of Hunger and Homelessness
Food Rescue
Help stop food waste by picking-up excess and unwanted food at local grocery stores and restaurants and then delivering that food to Medford/Somerville area homeless shelters and food banks.
Contact Amar Hansen (amar.hansen@tufts.edu) or Max Geisinger (max.geisinger@tufts.edu).
Habitat for Humanity/Volunteer Construction Corps
Help with the construction of low-income housing, painting, and other fun projects in the local area. No construction experience necessary. Trips will be on weekends. Also, on-campus frame building, fundraising & educational events, or join the planning committee of the Boston Habitat affiliate.
Click here for more information (MS Word format).
Contact Lauren Morris (Lauren.Morris@tufts.edu@tufts.edu) or Rebecca Droms (Rebecca.Droms@tufts.edu).
Hunger Project
Help prepare and serve meals to the homeless in local soup kitchens and shelters such as Rosie's Place and Boston Rescue Mission. You will view the world in a different light.
Contact Sarah Ullman (sarah.ullman@tufts.edu) or Connor Larwood (james.larwood@tufts.edu).
Shelters
Go to area shelters twice a month and enthusiastically assist the respective shelter in any way possible (serving meals, light construction, talking with guests). Also helps to fundraise or set up independent visits.
Contact Theron Corbin (theron.corbin@tufts.edu), Tracey Dafonte (Tracy.Dafonte@tufts.edu), Steve Zhu (shiyin.zhu@tufts.edu), Courtney Pittenger (Courtney.Pittenger@tufts.edu, or Sikyun Im (Sikyun.Im@tufts.edu).
Volunteer Vacations
Spend one week during either winter or spring break involved in a wide range of volunteer activities all over the country. Travel to exciting new places and make some new best friends.
Contact lcs@tufts.edu.
Group #2: Youth Mentoring Programs
All Stars
Help to get kids active and learn about cooperation! Join us and have fun while playing sports and games with elementary-level school children in the Medford and Somerville areas.
Contact Kyle Vangel (kyle.vangel@tufts.edu) or Cassie Title (cathryn.title@tufts.edu) or Jake Dell (jake.dell@tufts.edu).
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay
Make a huge impact in the life of a young boy by providing a positive male role model. This program fosters one-on-one relationships between the children and the volunteers.
Contact Matt Diffey (matthew.diffey@tufts.edu).
CHILD (Caring Helps In Living with Disabilities)
This program works with a group of physically and mentally challenged children from the surrounding area. We meet with the kids weekly in the Tufts Gantcher Center where we entertain them with various recreational games and swimming in the Hamilton pool.
Contact Alex Garnett (alexandra.garnett@tufts.edu), Liane Hunter (liane.hunter@tufts.edu), or Stephanie Hocking (stephanie.hocking@tufts.edu).
GIRLS (Girl Interaction Raising Levels of Self-Esteem)
Program encouraging connections between girls and Tufts women through sports, academics, and social activities.
For more information, see the program's Mission Statement (MS Word format).
Contact lcsgirls@gmail.com.
Kids' Day
Help organize the Tufts-sponsored annual big fun-filled day for Medford/Somerville kids that includes booths, games, rides, entertainment, food and thousands of smiling faces.
Contact KidsDay2008@gmail.com.
PALS
Work with local children who are currently living in homeless shelters. Visit the children and brighten their day by planning arts & crafts, reading stories, and playing games.
Contact Jennie Williamson (jennie.williamson@tufts.edu).
Special Friends
This program pairs Tufts students with children at the Tufts Educational Day Care Center. Students volunteer time playing, laughing, drawing, reading, building, and just having fun.
Contact Jillian Kenney (jillian.kenney@tufts.edu) or Meaghan Murray (meaghan.murray@tufts.edu).
Traveling Treasure Trunk
Tufts' only Children’s Theater Troupe. Through LCS, we put-on amazing performances for children in local area schools, day care centers, and hospitals.
Contact Ali Kutner (allison.kutner@tufts.edu).
Group #3: Programs Concerning Issues of Literacy and Education
Adult Literacy/English as a Second Language
Volunteer to help adults and children improve reading, writing, math and computer skills. Aid in teaching English as a second language to immigrants in a housing project or an adult learning center to help adults adjust and get better jobs. Volunteers need not know a second language.
Contact LCS.esl@gmail.com.
ASAP
Help local high school residents prepare for the SATs and work through the challenges of applying to college.
Contact Emerald Carter (emerald.carter@tufts.edu) or Amy Ni (amy.ni@tufts.edu) or Jenny Lau (jenny.lau@tufts.edu).
Junior Achievement
Go into local schools and teach your own K-6 grade class about the basics of economics and the importance of staying in school. No experience necessary in teaching or economics.
Contact (juniorachievementlcs@gmail.com).
Kids to College
Teach Medford/Somerville 6th-graders about college life, motivate them to think about the future, and help them to realize that college is attainable provided they stay in school and work hard.
Contact Alisha Bouzaher (alisha.bouzaher@tufts.edu) or Hunter Kopald (hunter.kopald@tufts.edu).
Tutoring
Spend time each week tutoring children and young adults from the surrounding Medford and Somerville communities on a one-on-one basis. Opportunities exist for tutoring on the Tufts campus as well.
Contact TutorLCS@gmail.com.
Group #4: Programs Concerning Issues of Health
Sex Talk
Be a part of the dynamic presentations and discussions on sex health and safety while raising awareness about sexual health issues.
Contact LCSSexTalk@gmail.com.
Blood Drive
Three Red Cross blood drives are held during the year. Through student and community support, close to 1000 pints are collected each year. Volunteers help in recruiting donors, advertising, and working drive sites.
Contact Katie Muller (katie.muller@gmail.com).
Cancer Outreach
Invokes awareness within the community. Visit children in local hospitals, work with education initiatives on campus, fundraise, and organize/participate in local & national cancer events.
Contact Jordan Thomas (jordan.thomas@tufts.edu) or Arlen Spiro (arlen.spiro@tufts.edu).
Hospitals
Matches students with medical & non-medical volunteer positions at New England Deaconess Hospital, New England Medical Center, Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, Children's Hospital, and other health-related groups.
Contact Jordan Thomas (jordan.thomas@tufts.edu) or Arlen Spiro (arlen.spiro@tufts.edu).
Group #5: Special Interest Programs
Animal Aid
Volunteer to help our furry friends. A variety of opportunities, as well as our new dog walking program.
Contact Amy Golesorkhi (amireh.golesorkhi@tufts.edu) or Meghann Wollitz (meghann.wollitz@tufts.edu).
Best Buddies
Provides opportunities for students & persons with mild to moderate disabilities to form relationships. Pairs maintain weekly contact and go on group outings with other pairs at least twice a month.
Contact Valorie Pastorelle (valorie.pastorelle@tufts.edu or Joel Hoyte (joel.hoyte@tufts.edu).
Elderly Outreach
Volunteer to bridge the gap between two generations. Tufts students and the elderly of the surrounding community bond through both group and one-on-one projects.
Contact lcs@tufts.edu.
Faculty Waits On You Dinner & Auction
Help raise money for the Somerville Homeless Coalition while enjoying delightful dinner served to you by campus celebrities! Bid on awesome prizes for events in and around Boston in a country-style auction.
Contact lcs@tufts.edu.
FOCUS (Freshman Orientation Community Service)
This program offers Tufts' incoming freshman an incredible one-week pre-orientation volunteering experience. For more information, visit the FOCUS web site.
Contact lcs@tufts.edu.
Tufts Mystic Water Watch
Provides a link between Tufts University and the communities of the Mystic River Watershed by collaborating on education initiatives, environmental health assessments, and encouraging community activism in order to promote recreational opportunities and improve watershed health.
Contact Morgan Cesa (morgan.cesa@tufts.edu).
NSP (National Student Partnerships
NSP strives to connect members of the community with resources available to them. This program provides assistance in job searching and resume writing to local residents in need.
Contact Allison Kornstein (allison.kornstein@tufts.edu).
Special Olympics
Help to coach Special Olympics athletes, raise funds, volunteer at events, and participate in the annual JUMBOLYMPICS. No athletic ability necessary.
Contact Ankeet Shah (ankeet.shah@tufts.edu).
Last Updated 2/4/2008