Community Volunteering During COVID-19
Please be advised that Somerville Public Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year due to concerns of containing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Please visit Coronavirus Information and Prevention, Somerville Public Schools for updated school information, and sign up for City of Somerville alerts here.
The safety and health of students, families, staff, volunteers and the community is of utmost importance to Somerville Public Schools. We recognize that many SPS volunteers are older adults. Early information from China where COVID-19 first appeared shows that older adults, and people with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease are at higher risk of getting sick from this illness. There are ways you can impact and support community needs while staying home and social distancing. Please know that you are serving your community and keeping others healthy if you are staying home! Thank you for doing your part to curb the spread of COVID-19. There are plenty of remote ways volunteers can serve, from making facial masks to launching a diaper donor circle or raising community funds to serve vulnerable individuals or families. Here are a few ways you can support your local community:
If you are new to volunteering with City of Somerville and interested in volunteering during this time with the City of Somerville, or be referred to a City program, department or a community partner, please contact City of Somerville's Community Services Manager Jennifer Mancia: JMancia@somervillema.gov.
IMMEDIATE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
STEM Kit Assembly, June dates TBD. Help assemble STEM kits for middle grades hands-on Summer program. No experience necessary, social distancing and all health and safety protocols followed. Contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Food For Free, Somerville Weekend Backpack Program, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. Food For Free runs the Somerville Backpack Program in partnership with the SFLC and SPS and is providing additional food distribution during this time. To be added to volunteer outreach list contact Food For Free Backpack Program Coordinator Ellenor Barish: ellenor@foodforfree.org.
Diaper Drive and Distribution
Diapers can be expensive, are not covered by WIC or SNAP programs and are a basic need. With generous support and in collaboration with the Beautiful Stuff Project, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) distributes free diapers to vulnerable Somerville families. Monetary donations for diapers may be made to The Beautiful Stuff Project. Individual packages of diapers also accepted, contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us for details. To volunteer to distribute diapers either outside at school sites or individual deliveries contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Biologists, Geneticists, Environmental and Climate Change Scientists! Come visit a science class (remotely!) to talk about your work, how your research and work relate to world events and your favorite pursuits. Contact JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us to be matched with an educator.
Somerville and United Way Emergency Assistance Applications Support, CAAS
The City of Somerville and United Way have partnered to create the Somerville Fund to provide emergency assistance to Somerville residents, workers, and parents affected by the pandemic. CAAS, the Community Action Agency of Somerville, has been asked to manage the fund. We have received over 600 applications in one week and need help. Volunteers will be trained on how to process applications and expedite aid. We need people with internet access who are computer literate and who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole or Nepali. You can work at your own pace in your own time and we'll be grateful for your support. Volunteer training sessions are every Wednesday and Thursday at 3pm. Contact Jacob Kramer jkramer@caasomerville.org with any questions or if you can volunteer.
COVID-19: How to Donate and Volunteer. See this City of Somerville site for ways you can spend time or provide resources to serve emerging basic needs.
CENSUS 2020 takes about ten minutes to complete and you can submit online. Your response helps direct needed federal funds to local schools, roads and other public services.
Somerville Cares Fund is a collaboration with the City of Somerville and the United Way, and was created to support the essential needs of Somerville community members most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will provide emergency funding to all Somerville residents, regardless of immigration status, as well as all Somerville workers, including those recently laid off from their jobs.
Project SOUP Community Food Center, 165 Broadway, Somerville Homeless Coalition Food pantry offers variety of foods to Somerville residents, including fresh produce, dairy and baked goods, frozen fish and meats, a variety of other shelf-stable foods, and basic needs. Help is needed with daily operations at food pantry. Sign up for shifts any day M-F and weekends. Assist with set up of pantry, fill bags with groceries for pantry patrons, sort donations, restock shelves, or help break down and clean at end of day. Sign up here.
Project SOUP seeking drivers with access to large cargo capacity vehicles to assist with supplemental food pick ups from Greater Boston Food Bank. Pick up times vary weekly. Contact Ben Wyner for details.
Project SOUP also accepts donations of supplies, including: Powder-free nitrile gloves; new reusable shopping bags; Disinfecting wipes; Hand sanitizer; Hand soap; toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, bar soap, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes. For donations that need to be dropped off at 165 Broadway in Somerville, please contact Assistant Manager Ben Wyner, Project SOUP, Somerville Homeless Coalition 617-776-7687 or email Ben Wyner: bwyner@shcinc.org.
Community Cooks temporarily suspending cooking operations but has admin and organizing volunteer openings. Community Cooks mobilizes individuals, businesses, civic, educational and faith-based groups to offer home-prepared food to vulnerable neighbors struggling with food insecurity. Community Cooks harnesses the energy of volunteers, supporting 41 direct-service partner agencies, preparing and delivering meals that serve more than 5,100 people every month. Sign up as an individual cook or part of a team to cook once a month, providing part of a nutritious home-cooked meal to a local neighbor: https://communitycooks.org/join-us/.
MAMAS (Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville) is an entirely volunteer-led resource connecting community needs with community resources. Join a working group, help distribute resources or work toward redistributing resouces for most vulnerable and at-risk community members.
Guidelines, Community Prevention
Prevention is a community effort. Minimizing risk among students, staff, families and the community is critical during this time. Please adhere to these precautions to help curb the spread of COVID-19:
Stay home.
If you are not feeling well, have a cough, are sneezing, have fever, or are exhibiting any signs of illness, please call your medical provider.
Wear a facial mask if you have to go out or enter any building. Anyone older than 2 years old should wear a facial mask if going out. Even if you're running, biking, hiking or walking. Maintain at least 6 feet social distance at all times.
Individuals suspected with positive case of COVID-19 should not come in contact with anyone until they have completed the mandatory or self-imposed quarantine period, as recommended by the CDC;
Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds; If soap and water aren't available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that you touch frequently such as doorknobs, railings, sink handles, phones, and computer keyboards.
What is Coronavirus Disease 2019? Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus first identified in 2019. A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified, and a disease never seen before in humans.It is different from other human coronaviruses that cause the common cold. It gets its name from a distinctive corona of sugary proteins (corona is Latin for crown) that project from its surface.
Serve and Inspire with SPS
Please note that all in-school volunteer opportunities are suspended until further notice.
Why Volunteer? Volunteers in schools leads to greater student achievement and self-confidence, better attendance, improved conversation skills and social relationships, and stronger community connections. As a volunteer with Somerville Public Schools, you will work with students, educators, parents and guardians, and community volunteers to enrich and expand student learning. Whether you have an hour a week or an hour a month, we'll work to match you with a rewarding volunteer experience.
Getting Started
NEW TO SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS? If you are interested in serving regularly, please take a moment to self-register as an SPS Volunteer here and rsvp for a Volunteer Orientation.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: Thank you for sharing your time and talents with SPS! Please remember to submit your CORI Form for the current school year. CORI requests may be submitted remotely at this time by contacting JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Thank you for reviewing this Guide for procedures and best practices for serving with Somerville Public Schools.
Serving and Inspiring, Volunteer Spotlights
Volunteer Opportunities
Academic Support and Tutoring
Individual weekly tutoring and study skills supported by qualified, caring community volunteers have shown to improve student academic achievement and generate more interest in the subject. Opportunities in Literacy, Mathematics, Languages, Sciences and more. Preference given to volunteers who can serve during school day hours or immediately after school (8:30am-2:30pm; or for an hour or more 2:45pm-5:15pm). During the school year, before and after school hours available for individualized tutoring and projects.
Computer Scientists, Engineers, Innovators and Problem-Solvers
Looking for ways to connect with our next generation of innovators? Help light the spark that will make math matter and bring creativity to coding. Volunteers and STEM enthusiasts serve in and out of the classroom assisting with computer sciences courses, after school clubs, STEM nights, Maker Space events, Science Fair judges, Robotics team mentors, STEM career mentors and more.
Classroom Educator Aides
Volunteers who enjoy working in a classroom environment, for two or more hours a day, Grades K-4. Assist with transition times, help students with independent work, assist with a small reading group, assist with recess monitoring, and provide students with another caring adult in their classroom.
Musicians / Artists / Performing Artists
Support Somerville Public Schools' vibrant arts scene! Somerville schools offer free in-school instrument lessons, in-school music and music theory, chorus, band, percussive bands, orchestra and after school instruction and performance opportunities and visual and performance arts. Volunteers may help in a weekly music class, provide string or wind lesson support, volunteer to perform at a school or district event, plan or assist with a music fundraiser, or assist in a Summer strings program. Visit the Music Department to learn more.
El Sistema Somerville
Launched in Fall, 2012, El Sistema is an after school music education program providing ensemble-based music instruction to third, fourth and fifth grade students. In addition to music instruction, students receive weekly academic support, cultural enrichment activities, field trips, and frequent public performance opportunities. Volunteers serve as music mentors, tutors, homework and academic aides, fundraiser and special events planners and more. Hours M-F, 2:45pm-5:30pm, volunteers may serve one hour/week or more, at East Somerville Community School. Contact El Sistema's Evan Perry at eperry@k12.somerville.ma.us or call 617-625-6600 ext. 3716 for more information.
Therapy Dog Teams
Initiated in 2012 by the SPS Volunteer Program and with ten teams now serving regularly, trained and certified Therapy Dog Teams serve as Reading Partners, and provide consistent, social, emotional and wellness support to students and staff. Therapy Teams are matched with educators and counselors for weekly or monthly classroom visits, as Reading Partners for individual or small group reading, for enrichment activities, or serve during counseling sessions. Teams are screened prior to placement, all teams must be trained and certified through reputable organization and meet all requirements for visits in a school or classroom environment. For training and certification resources or to arrange a screening, contact jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Serving Lifelong Learning and 18+
SCALE (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences)
SCALE provides adults opportunities to achieve their goals in a supportive, diverse, welcoming learning community through academic programming and guidance. Volunteers work alongside staff to support adult learners with basic reading, writing and math skills, English instruction for non-native speakers, or a high-school credential. Classes meet in the mornings, afternoons and evenings on weekdays. Visit SCALE to learn more.
Supporting Public Schools, Growing Community
Are you a company, group of friends or organization looking for fun ways to work together and support Somerville schools and families? Take a look below and find ways to serve and connect with community while having fun!
School Community Events
PTA Events / SFLC Events / Math Nights / Game Nights / Literacy and Author Visits / Arts / STEM / Physical Improvement Projects. Parent and community volunteers are encouraged to assist schools with hosting engaging, family-friendly events--on and off-site. School communities plan, host and attend a wide variety of events year-round. Come help at an event, bring a dish to share, offer a fun hands-on activity and connect with families and students. Choose a school or we'll connect you with a school in your neighborhood.
Grantwriting, Graphic and Web Design, Events Planning, Fundraising and more
Not interested in interacting with students or only available evenings? Not a problem! Volunteers in Somerville enjoy sharing their expertise in graphic arts or design, web design, photography, logo creation, serving on a local nonprofit education board, grant writing, data entry, events planning, community outreach, fundraising for school needs and more. If you have a skill to share, we'll find you a rewarding way to use it--short- or long-term--in support of public schools. Several Somerville nonprofits and organizations serve to minimize achievement and experiential gaps and welcome community volunteer support. For a list of local education organizations seeking volunteer support: JCapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Garbage to Garden School Food Waste Volunteers
Want to earn free monthly curbside food waste pickup and a bucket of compost while supporting schools’ food waste recycling? Garbage to Garden is offering volunteers who serve 2.5 hours a month at a Somerville school their next month of residential curbside food waste pickup at no cost. Volunteers need to create an account with GTG and pay for first month of service ($15). Each month you volunteer at a Somerville school for 2.5 hours, your next month's food waste pickup is free. All Garbage to Garden participants are also welcomed to a complimentary bag of finished compost on their service day upon request. To sign up to participate as an GTG Volunteer and see terms and conditions for this service visit: https://www.garbagetogarden.org/start-composting.php. For questions about volunteering as a Garbage to Garden Volunteer in a Somerville Public School email: volunteer@garbagetogarden.org.
School Gardens
Groundwork Somerville, a longtime partner with Somerville Public Schools, maintains and runs programming in Somerville’s school gardens. GWS is updating their volunteer outreach records, and hopes to continue to engage more community members through learning in and caring for Somerville's school gardens and urban farms. To help more students enjoy hands-on learning in Somerville's school gardens--including for short-term and one-time workshops and activities--and be added to the GWS volunteer outreach, please complete Groundwork Somerville's online form: Volunteer Interest - School Gardens & Urban Ag. Conract Madeline Lee at urbanag@groundworksomerville.org with any questions about volunteering with GWS.
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