Volunteer Opportunities
Below are a few select opportunities. Most volunteer placements require a commitment of at least one hour a week for three consecutive months.
Multilingual Multicultural Learning
Work with multilingual students to support literacy, conversation, writing, mathematics, sciences and more. Classroom setting or 1:1, Grades PK through Grade 12. Fluency or proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole and multicultural competency and experience preferred. Multilingual volunteers and volunteers with experience working with newcomers and adults also welcomed!
Somerville High School Volunteers
Support students in mathematics, sciences, writing, study skills or meet weekly for regular check-ins. One-to-one tutoring or in-class opportunities, minimum requirement of one hour a week, school day and early afternoon availability preferred (7:55am-4:00pm).
Somerville High School First Gen Mentoring Program
This mentoring program pairs first generation college-going juniors with a community mentor for the college application process. Mentors should have cultural competency, the ability to connect well with young people, have experience with the college application process, strong communication skills, and able to meet for monthly group meetings. Facilitated by the SHS College and Career Readiness team. For more information contact Melanie Kessler: mkessler@k12.somerville.ma.us.
Engineers, Programmers, STEM, Robotics
Volunteers with mechanical or electrical engineering, computer programming experience and/or robotics skills welcomed to assist during classes, or as mentors with the SHS FIRST Robotics team. Contact STEAM and Computer Science Teacher and Lead SHS Robotics Team Mentor Laura Peters: lpeters@k12.somerville.ma.us.
This program empowers immigrant youth to reach, achieve and succeed in career, college and personal goals through experiential learning and mentoring. Enroot partners with Somerville High School to pair adult volunteer mentors with high school students for conversation, activities, homework support, college and/or careers exploration and more. Volunteer Tues or Thurs evenings, 6:00pm-7:30pm. Multilingual, fluent Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole candidates and mentors with direct immigrant experience especially welcomed. Submit an Enroot Mentor Application or reach out to Molly McCafferty, Enroot Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement: mmccafferty@enrooteducation.org.
After School Enrichment
How students spend time outside of the school day matters. Come share a passion for an hour a week. Help run an enrichment activity, volunteer to teach a skill you'd like to offer: music, yoga, hip hop, Zumba, knitting, chess, debate, visual or theater arts, STEM or outdoor explorations. Elementary grades PK-5. From 3:00-4:00pm or 4:00-5:00pm one afternoon a week.
SWB partners with Somerville Public Schools delivering coaching and mentoring to newcomer and immigrant middle grades students after school. Come play or coach soccer, tutor or help with homework. Tues, Thurs or Fri 2:45pm-4:45pm at Winter Hill Community Innovation School @Edgerly, 8 Bonair St. Girls practice Tues and Fri, boys Thursdays. Contact SWB Coach Pilar Valentin pvalentin@soccerwithoutborders.org to learn more.
El Sistema Somerville is a daily after school music mentoring program at the East Somerville Community School. Volunteers may serve any time 3pm-5pm to help with music instruction and performances practice, homework help or tutoring. Grades 3-8.
Therapy Dog Team Volunteering
Somerville Public Schools has welcomed, screened and matched therapy dog teams to serve in our schools since 2012. Certified therapy dog teams are matched by request with educators or counselors for small group or individual sessions, classroom visits, or for serving as Reading Partners. Teams also may serve for staff wellness visits or special school-based events. Certified teams serve once weekly or bi-monthly with the same classroom or student(s) and are provided safe, quiet spaces to meet. To learn more contact jcapuano@k12.somerville.ma.us.
SCALE (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences)
SCALE empowers adults ages 16 and older by providing literacy instruction, career and college readiness classes and guided supports. ESOL classes held daily and some evenings. Volunteers with adult teaching, mentoring and experience working with English learners preferred. Contact Director of Continuing Education Joselyn Marte jmarte@k12.somerville.ma.us for more information.
Community Volunteering
Want to support students, families and your community outside of the classroom? Check out these local organizations where your time and talents are welcomed:
CAAS Community Action Agency of Somerville helps identify and access resources for local families and individuals.
Community Cooks coordinates more than 80 cooking teams to provide meals to local human services and civic group organizations, shelters, schools and faith-based institutions.
Elizabeth Peabody House offers early childhood education, youth development and enrichment and food security for local families.
Food For Free supports food programs, providing access to fresh fruits, vegetables and shelf-stable foods for students, families, seniors and individuals most at risk of hunger and poor nutrition.
Groundwork Somerville works to empower youth to help 'change places and change lives' through urban farming, improved and equitable food access and community engagement.
MAMAS Mutual Aid Medford & Somerville is a mutual aid organization connecting local resources with people and local people with each other.
Mystic River Watershed Association
Project Soup, Somerville Homeless Coalition offers food assistance through their food pantry, free community meals, Somerville Community Fridges and more.
Somerville Public Library use this form to check out volunteer opportunities.
Somerville Community Growing Center
Union Square Main Streets, East Somerville Main Streets