Category Archives: Social Outreach

Newton at Home, a member organization dedicated to helping Newton seniors age in their own homes, is looking for volunteers who can give rides to seniors.  Make a new friend while helping someone get to a doctor’s appointment, the supermarket, a social event or the airport.  Volunteer as much as you can at your convenience, and know that you have made a difference in a Newton senior’s life. You’ll meet interesting people and share great conversation along the way!  Upcoming training sessions will be held on: Thursday, March 1, from 12:30-2pm; Wednesday, March 14, from 10-11:30am; and Monday, March 26, from 10-11:30am.  For more information, call Julie Plaut Mahoney at volcoord@newtonathome.org.

A Call to Newton Artists!

The Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Newton Community Pride (NewtonSERVES) and the Department of Public Works, Environmental Affairs Division are collaborating on a new pilot public art program called NewtonSERVES BoxART.

To aesthetically enhance village space for people who both live and work Newton, this program is calling on all Newton artists, amateur and experienced alike, to submit proposals for the painting of those drab, green utility boxes seen around the city. Between five and twelve artists will be chosen to paint the boxes between April 27 and May 12 as part of NewtonSERVES.

The NewtonSERVES BoxART Committee feels vibrant public art creates Continue reading →

Do you have an unused bike in your garage? Turn it into a tax deduction while also supporting Bikes Not Bombs. Bring your bikes to the First Unitarian Church in West Newton, 1326 Washington St., on April 15th between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm along with a $10 donation per bike. Bikes of all styles and sizes are accepted…even old bike parts! Bikes are sent to developing countries and are used here in New England to teach mechanical skills to worthy kids who get to keep the fruits of their labors. For more information go to Bikes not bombs website or email joyce.pollock@gmail.com.

The Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) cordially invites you to a uniquely entertaining evening to benefit lower income Newton students aspiring to participate in our international educational programs.

Come celebrate a five-course tasting menu with selected wines inspired by the various international regions our scholarship students have explored. Your hosts and servers for the evening will include the Superintendent, and our high school, middle and elementary school principals. Yes, this means our own Mr. Griffin! The evening concludes with dancing to live music.

Your $125 donation per person ($100 tax deductible) will benefit students who would otherwise be unable to partake of Newton’s rich program in global education. Student recipients this year will travel to Italy, France, China, Nicaragua, Spain, and Prague in a quest to serve, to learn, to share, and to grow.

You can purchase seats by clicking here. You will be charged a fee for this service, or you may send a $125/person check (made payable to Newton Schools Foundation) to Newton Schools Foundation, 100 Walnut Street, Newton MA 02460. If you plan on sending in a check, please click here and register so we know to include you on the registration list before your so we know to include you on the registration list before your check is received. Please write GELF on the memo line of your check and include guest names and your email address.

Saturday, March 24th, 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm

American Legion Post 440
295 California Street
Nonantum, MA 02458

Whole Foods in Newton Four Corners (Beacon St. and Walnut St.) is doing a 5% Day for the Centre Street Food Pantry on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28.  The Food Pantry will receive a cash donation from Whole Foods equal to 5% of the amount of their gross receipts that day.  If you are interested in supporting this donation effort, please shop that day.

Newton at Home (NAH) is a quickly-growing non-profit organization in Newton, dedicated to enabling older adults to remain living in their homes safely and independently as they grow older. NAH is looking for a volunteer to serve as an office adminstrator. This means providing general office support for the Executive Director, handling member requests for services, maintaining and entering data into NAH databases, assisting with events and mailings, and scheduling meetings. Volunteers need good computer and communication skills. Must be willing to commit to three days per week from 9:30 am-1:30 pm through the rest of the school year (until June 2012). For more information please contact: Julie Plaut Mahoney, Ph.D., Coordinator of Volunteers, Newton at Home, 617-795-2560 or volcoord@newtonathome.org.

New England winters are long and there are storms aplenty. Newton at Home has designed a new Winter Buddy Program to encourage connections between seniors and other community members when the snow and wind are swirling outside.  Being a buddy means that a volunteer or volunteer family would connect with a Newton at Home member to:
 
1. Advise that a storm is coming.
2. Assess the need for essential supplies (milk, bread, flashlights and batteries, etc).
3. Develop plans for snow removal.
4. Call your buddy every day of the storm.
5. Direct your buddy to appropriate help when necessary.
 
Volunteering as a Winter Buddy will require minimal time commitment, but would give Buddies a sense of connection and satisfaction from helping others. If you would like to participate, please contact Bonnie Katz at bkatzdesign@gmail.com or 617-244-0694. 
 
We will hold a short Winter Buddy Training session on Wednesday, Dec 14,  at 11:30am  as well as several dates in January. Training sessions will be held at our office, 206 Waltham St, in the Scandinavian Living Center building. For more information about the Winter Buddy program and Newton at Home, please check our website at www.newtonathome.org.

Feeling stressed, alone, or overwhelmed? Come join a parent support group! Sponsored by Parents Helping Parents, a program promoted by The Newton Partnership. Meet on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm at the Brigham House, 20 Hartford St., Newton Highlands. Childcare available. For more information, call Meg at 617-926-5008 x102 or visit www.parentshelpingparents.org.

Save the date of Sunday Dec. 11 for the First Unitarian Society in Newton’s Alternative Gift Fair.  With the stress, expense, and expectation surrounding the holidays, it’s no wonder they more often exhaust rather than uplift us. It’s not too late to re-think your family routines.

How does it work? When you make a donation toward a specific charitable organization, you receive a card detailing your gift to give to your recipient. A perfect opportunity to buy for those folks who have everything. Tax- deductible gifts starting at $10. 00.

Sunday, December 11th  11:30 am – 1:00 pm 
1325 Washington Street, Newton