Nonprofit partners

+BOX fights food insecurity by working alongside school districts to augment school nutrition programs with boxes of nutrient rich foods for students and their families. +BOX is designed to increase the capacity of public and community support programs and maximize impact by meeting children and their families where they are; at school. Each +BOX includes enough food for four servings and is provided weekly by leveraging existing school meal distribution systems.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

Access Youth Academy inspires underprivileged youth to excel via a program combining academics, physical fitness and the sport of squash, and community service. Its vision is to provide opportunities for enrichment and excellence to motivated, low-income youth so that they may fulfill their potential.

Break the generational cycle of poverty

Since its founding in 1981, ACHIEVEability works each day to permanently break the generational cycle of poverty for low income, single parent, and homeless families through higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, and community and economic development.

ACHIEVEability partners with individuals and families to address the inter‐related social challenges of poverty, high unemployment, and low educational attainment. They achieve this through their core programs: Family Self-Sufficiency Program, ACHIEVEability Connects, and WorkSmart West Philly.

Volunteers can participate in mentoring, tutoring, neighborhood clean ups, skills based projects, or hosting donation drives of food, holiday gifts, school supplies and home essentials.

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

Alexander Twilight Academy

Alexander Twilight Academy (ATA) is a free, longitudinal high school and college access program that catalyzes educational opportunity for hard-working, high-potential Boston-area students from under-resourced backgrounds.

Issue Area: Education

ALAS is dedicated to giving creative expression to Latino youth, families and farmworkers of Half Moon Bay with the mission to celebrate identity and preserves the rich cultures, traditions and values of Mexico and Latin America woven through cultural arts, education, mental health, farmworker outreach, social justice advocacy, immigration and COVID crisis response programs.

Issue Area: Education, Technology Access

Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) is a model organization for the positive development of youth, with a primary focus on Academic Success. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by preparing students who participate in our After School programs, from underserved situations, to be the first to go to College.

Barrio Logan College Institute values our relationships with the students we serve, staff, parents and our communities. It is important to us, that everyone associated with BLCI, has the best opportunities in life. We cannot do what we do, alone!

Issue Area: Education, College Access

Bethesda Project operates a continuum of care throughout Center City Philadelphia utilizing a Housing First approach that minimizes barriers to access and allows each individual to take their own journey of healing at one’s own pace. Rooted in the six values of social work, Bethesda Project seeks to meet the needs of individuals where they are and in what they need. As an Equal Housing Opportunity provider, Bethesda Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and/or disability.

Our services also offer individualized case management. The overall goal of Bethesda Project’s case management services is to assist its guests and residents in becoming more stably housed and increase their overall independence. Each guest and resident completes an Individualized Care Plan with their own case manager, which allows them to identify goals they wish to achieve. With the Care Plan in place, case managers and engagement specialists connect guests and residents to services in the community that assist in achieving their goals.

https://www.bethesdaproject.org/

Issue Area: Basic Needs/Survival

BioBus helps K-12 and college students in New York City discover, explore, and pursue science. We focus on students excluded from the scientific community due to factors such as race, gender, economic status, and physical access. Through this work, we envision a world where all people have the opportunity to reach their full scientific potential. We’ve reached 300,000 students at more than 800 schools and community organizations since 2008, primarily NYC public and charter schools and as far away as New England, California, and even Egypt and Jordan. BioBus students connect with scientists from diverse backgrounds, learn lab and research skills, practice science communication, and take steps to become the next generation of scientists and problem-solvers, making the world better for all of us. Our students access and become part of the scientific community through introductory science labs aboard our mobile labs at their schools; after school, weekend, and summer programs; and year-long internships. We offer programs city-wide with a focus on Harlem, the South Bronx, and the Lower East Side.

Bio-Link Depot’s mission is to empower teachers to engage students in hands-on STEM experience with donated scientific equipment and supplies. They prioritize distribution of donated materials to underserved communities by reserving the first half of each “give away event” exclusively for Title I school STEM educators.

Biotech Partners mission is to provide underserved youth with personal, academic & professional development experiences that increase participation in higher education & access to fulfilling science careers. They work with historically marginalized “at-promise” youth often facing far too few opportunities or paths out of intergenerational economic hardship.

BirdSEED operates with a mission grounded in good citizenship and committed contributions to the community, leaving a positive wing print in its wake. The journey began 13 years ago with a dedication of time to various community-building activities such as constructing playgrounds, planting gardens, serving meals, and supporting those in need. Over time, BirdSEED evolved to establish a microgrant program aimed at empowering activists and entrepreneurs, providing funding with minimal constraints and a focus on passion and determination rather than formal credentials. As the organization expanded its horizons, it recognized the need for more substantial contributions, leading to a focus on housing justice.

The latest endeavor involves supporting home buying for Black and Brown neighbors in the District, aiming to rectify historical injustices in an industry that has systemically excluded BIPOC communities. Embracing rapid philanthropy, BirdSEED aims to swiftly channel funds into the hands of individuals as they close on their forever homes, sowing seeds for a more just future. The community is invited to join this impactful journey as BirdSEED continues the important work that lies ahead.

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

Black Latin-X Indigenouse Institutes for Health (BLIIH) is a non-profit for BIPOC Life Science Research and Workforce Training. Its founding members are LucasPye BIO & HelaPlex. We work in partnership with our fidiciary partner – Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC). BLIIH demonstrates its support via the development and implementation of the following programs (in order of priority): 1. Financially support the HelaPlex Biotechnology Workforce Development Training Program 2. Propose Public Policy on African-Diasporic, Caribbean, Indigenous & Latin-X Health Disparities / Clinical Trial Diversity 3. Provide Incubator Lab Space at HBCUs & African Diasporic, Caribbean, Indigenous & Latin-X Universities, i.e., IncubateBLIIH 4. Provide Commercialization Support for African-Diasporic, Caribbean, Indigenous & Latin-X Life Science Start-Up Assets via HelaPlex Accelerator 5. Develop Regulatory Infrastructure for Drug / Device Commercialization in African- Diasporic, Caribbean, Indigenous & Latin-X Countries

Issue Area: Education

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia provide a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and hope and opportunity for more than 20,000 Philadelphia youth each year. Our Programs include: Arts & Culture, Character and Leadership, Education & Career Development, and Health & Life Skills. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia serves 22 sites in the area. Every day, thousands of kids flow through one of our doors on the way to learning, life, and culture. For General inquiries please reach out to us at [email protected]

Issue Area: Education

Launch talented students & inspire college students to pursue education careers

Breakthrough increases educational opportunity by focusing on the development of both students and teachers. Through academic enrichment and college access, Breakthrough prepares students who have limited educational opportunities to attend and succeed at competitive high schools and, ultimately, to envision themselves at four-year colleges. Simultaneously, Breakthrough develops future educators by providing professional teaching experiences to college students through its selective residency programs.

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is a tuition-free academic enrichment program committed to supporting academically motivated but under-resourced middle school students to enter and succeed in college-preparatory high school programs. Students begin the program the summer before seventh grade and continue during the school year until ninth grade, engaging in rigorous college-preparatory courses and transformative co-curricular experiences. Programming is offered for six weeks in the summers and on Saturdays during the school year. Breakthrough also employs experienced educators to coach its talented young teaching fellows, many of whom become career educators.

Volunteers provide tutoring, share career experiences and participate in scientific education programming.

Issue Area: Education

Breakthrough SF, believes all young people should have access to an excellent education and highly effective teachers committed to their success. In pursuit of this vision, they support young people with limited educational opportunities on the path to college, and train outstanding college students for education careers.

Bridge over Troubled Waters

The mission of Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Bridge) is to provide effective and innovative services that guide homeless, runaway and at-risk youth, ages 14-24, towards self-sufficiency and enable youth to transform their lives and build fulfilling futures.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

Practice Radical Hospitality

A “first responder” for vulnerable populations, Broad Street Ministry is a trauma-informed engagement center that provides meal services alongside essential needs such as clothing, toiletries, mail, and comprehensive on-site social services provided by our trusted collaborating partners. Our integrated Concierge Service helps guests navigate these and other services around the city and develop a coordinated, holistic care plan towards stability. Our core values of radical hospitality means our doors and services are open to all. Watch this video to learn more about volunteering at Broad Street Ministry.

Volunteers serve meals to guests of BSM and provide the service one would receive at a fine restaurant, and with the hospitality you would feel at your family’s holiday meal. Volunteers can also help sort and distribute mail to the numerous guests using BSM as their permanent mailing address.

Issue Area: Survival/Basic Needs

Building Pathways

Building Pathways is a non-profit organization based in Boston. Founded by the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions, they are dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of under-represented groups in the union building trades, including women, people of color, and other under-served communities.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Casa Myrna

Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, providing safety, resources, advocacy and information since 1977. They operate SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, and promote domestic and dating violence prevention through awareness and education.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Children’s Services of Roxbury (CSR) is one of the largest minority-operated nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, serving more than 6,000 children and families annually. CSR’s mission is to bring peace of mind to children and families across Massachusetts. When a family is at peace, children are healthier and communities are stronger.

Over 50 years, CSR has grown to meet the needs of diverse populations across the state of Massachusetts by offering children and families an array of programs and services designed to maintain continuity. CSR offers emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and stabilization services for homeless families; supports for children and families struggling with domestic violence and substance abuse including family stabilization, comprehensive foster care and adoption services, and parent mentoring; affordable childcare for Boston’s most vulnerable families, including homeless, abused, and neglected children, and children of teen parents; children’s mental health services, including an extensive partnership in 15 Boston Public Schools; youth development programs, including hip-hop therapy and our Youth & Police in Partnership program.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

It’s More Than A Cause, It’s A Kid

Cradles to Crayons works with families, individuals, community groups, and companies to serve over 70,000 children every year in the Philadelphia region. New and nearly new children’s items are collected through grassroots community drives and corporate donations.

Donations are then processed and packaged by volunteers in The Giving Factory. Packages from The Giving Factory are distributed to local disadvantaged children through Cradles to Crayons collaborative network of diverse service partners. Watch this video to learn more about how volunteering at Cradles to Crayons supports youth in our community.

Volunteers sort through donations, assemble outfits, and package items to go out to children in need.

Issue Area: Survival/Basic Needs

East Boston Social Centers

At East Boston Social Centers, they cultivate community, belonging, and joy for East Boston residents and our neighbors, through services to support children, families, and individuals of all ages.

Issue Area: Education

Citizen Science

The first and only citizen science program for biomedicine, eCLOSE provides training programs where all participants contribute data and ideas, uncovering dietary interventions for disease, removing selectivity, celebrating culture, and providing exceptional research experiences. Level 1 Classroom: Science teachers train as principal investigators, bringing ~100 students/year into cancer/diabetes research. >1000 students (80% Title 1) contributed in 2019. Level 2 Camp: 6th-10th graders advance classroom projects, pinpointing genetic targets of dietary compounds. Level 3 Undergraduate Bridge: Undergraduates train in developmental/cell biology, biochemistry, and behavior/population research, equivalent to graduate school rotations. Level 4 Workforce: Adults gain technical training to acquire paid internships.

Volunteers present their career trajectories, experience, and advice on the skills needed and requirements for given positions, and answer questions from participants that delve deeper into the steps needed to advance in particular career paths. Speaker opportunities are available in Summer Camps and BULB/Workforce development.

Issue Area: Education

Enroot’s mission is to empower immigrant students to achieve academic, career and personal success through inspiring out of school experiences. Their programs provide immigrant youth leadership development workshops, internships, workforce readiness guidance, academic tutoring, and matching all students one-to-one with an adult mentor.

Enroot’s program goals are to:

1. Develop a greater sense of belonging, self-confidence, self-advocacy, and a multicultural identity;
2. Accelerate English acquisition and improve academic performance;
3. Build marketable skills through professional internships;
4. Develop a clear and inspiring pathway for higher education and career, and graduate high school prepared to successfully transition to post-secondary education; and
5. Enroll, persist in, and complete a post-secondary education program.

Issue Area: Education

The mission of FamilyAid Boston is to empower parents and caregivers facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing and build strong foundations for their children’s futures. FamilyAid is Greater Boston’s largest organization solely dedicated to children and parents facing homelessness, providing prevention services, emergency shelter, housing placement and support, and comprehensive case management to 3,000 children and parents in FY21.

FamilyAid serves the lowest-income homeless and unstably housed families in the state facing the most complex societal and personal challenges: 93% in communities of color; 75% led by single mothers; and 57% children.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

Feeding San Diego provides more than 35 million meals every year to children, families, seniors, college students, military families, veterans, people facing homelessness, and other underserved populations. They distribute meals in partnership with 370 local charities, schools, faith communities, meal sites, and food pantries throughout the region. About 70 percent of the food provided to the community is rescued from local and national food donors. By diverting nearly 28 million pounds of high-quality food from the landfill, Feeding San Diego protects people and the planet.

First Tee of Oakland enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, they create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

About FirstHand

Girls Crushing It empowers girls ages 8–18 through entrepreneurial experiences that increase confidence and build leadership skills. Their programming includes, but is not limited to business workshops, pitch days, pop-ups shops and corporate field trips.

GLIDE works to create a radically inclusive, just, and loving community in San Francisco, mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization. Their programs are open to all and focus on meeting basic needs, stabilizing lives, and supporting individuals and families in realizing their goals and improving their overall wellbeing.

Issue Area: Homelessness, Poverty

Hack the hood provides Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and AAPI youth with tech skill-building programs and career navigation support that are grounded in justice and support economic development and growth.

In San Francisco, HR 360 has fifteen distinct locations where we operate four primary medical clinics, seven residential programs, four outpatient/day reporting centers, two gender-responsive jail programs, co-occurring programming, case management services, outreach, and prevention programs as well as employment, housing, and educational assistance. Together, these programs increase San Francisco’s diverse communities access to a continuum of care that increases their capacities to lead healthy lives.

Healthy Waltham (HW) is a community health organization that promotes healthy eating, active living opportunities, and mental wellness for the most vulnerable residents in Waltham–including recent immigrants, low-income seniors and families with young children. HW’s mission is to remove barriers to access, education and affordability, making healthy living more accessible to those who live and work in the community.

In April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Waltham immediately pivoted to fight the hunger needs of Waltham’s low-income residents. Today, HW is at the center of the emergency food response in Waltham. The organization has more than quadrupled its food emergency pantry service since then (from serving 400 families once a month pre-COVID to 850 – 950 families per pantry nearly 3-4x/month).

Issue Area: Basic Needs

When we give Black, Brown, and first-gen students real opportunities, our city thrives.

Heights Philadelphia connects Philly youth to careers and college with a network of people who believe — and invest — in their talents.

https://heights.org/

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

Home Start provides services to children living in poverty who require comprehensive solutions to ensure their safety and healthy development. Last fiscal year, Home Start served more than 17,000 individuals through programs that focus on housing, domestic violence prevention, parenting education, behavioral health services, hunger relief, employment readiness, and benefits enrollment.

With a focus on skill development, real-world job experience, and trauma-informed care, Hopeworks propels young adults into long-term living wage careers that put them on the path for healing and financial stability. https://hopeworks.org/

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

The mission of Horizons for Homeless Children is to improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and help their families succeed by providing high-quality early education, opportunities for play, and comprehensive family support services. Horizons for Homeless Children is the Commonwealth’s leading organization devoted exclusively to serving homeless children. They focus their efforts on helping young children mitigate the trauma and stress associated with homelessness and providing them with a solid foundation for school.

Issue Area: Education

Hyde Square Task Force

Hyde Square Task Force amplifies the power, creativity, and voices of youth, connecting them to Afro-Latin culture and heritage so they can create a diverse, vibrant Latin Quarter and build a just, equitable Boston.

Issue Area: Education

HYPOTHEkids’ vision is to create a biotech talent pipeline that is representative of the diversity of NYC with programs that spark interest and prepare students for jobs in this burgeoning industry.  Through the New York Bioforce program, underrepresented students learn essential lab skills to prepare them for paid internships in academic and industry research labs. The Hk Maker Lab provides a unique biomedical engineering design and entrepreneurship experience at Columbia’s School of Engineering. HYPOTHEkids Science Clubs brings hands-on science to elementary aged children facilitated by high school student community science educators.

Innovators for Purpose

Innovators for Purpose (iFp) is a Cambridge, MA-based, BIPOC-led non-profit design and innovation studio, dedicated to empowering a new generation of diverse, socially conscious innovators. Through a unique blend of social impact initiatives, design, and STEM, they equip our young people with the skills and mindsets to tackle our greatest societal challenges. Our young people don’t just grow into leaders, they become “Innovators for Purpose,” ready to lead transformative change that shapes both their futures and and the communities they serve.

Issue Area: Education

IT TAKES PHILLY, INC. was built on the hypothesis that inner city youth who are exposed to professionals and have direct contact and feedback regarding goal setting, valuing yourself, delayed gratification and learning that they are directly responsible for their success in life, are more likely to succeed in their professional and personal goals. Therefore, this program is expressly designed to expose children to professions that exist within and outside of their communities, to show them that we as professional people and members of society are invested and care about their future.

Issue Area: Education

Jeremiah Program (JP)’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children, two generations at a time. JP believes the impacts of generational poverty and structural racism can be disrupted through a two-generation (2Gen) approach that invests simultaneously in a mother’s vision for her future (her post-secondary, career, and leadership goals) and the education of her children.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

Making Hope Happen

For almost 80 years, JEVS Human Services has worked to help individuals throughout the Philadelphia region enhance their employability, independence, and quality of life through a broad range of programs and to create innovative and sustainable solutions to address current and future community needs.

JEVS promotes an asset-based approach to working with clients to help them achieve their highest quality of life.  To maximize the potential of clients who face multiple challenges, JEVS guides them in navigating the best options to meet their needs and connects them to quality services to enable them to participate fully in society.  Through 35 programs, JEVS provides Education & Career Services, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Community Supports & Adult Residential and Long-Term Supports & In-Home Care.

Volunteers conduct mock interviews, engage in short term mentoring tutor, share career paths and hosting collection drives for essential items to help families stay healthy and safe.

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS Boston)

JVS Boston’s mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, while partnering with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Julie's Family Learning Program

Julie’s Family Learning Program is a welcoming, inclusive space that provides free educational programs and supportive services to help develop strong, successful families and adults. Since 1974, Julie’s Family Learning Program has been dedicated to empowering mothers to recognize their strengths and utilize their know-how to stabilize and transform their family life. In 2019, Julie’s expanded its mission to all underserved learners, 16 years and older, who seek flexible opportunities to attain the educational credentials and workplace skills crucial to meeting their life goals.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. The inspiration piece comes from community volunteers who not only deliver our lessons, but share their experience. In the process, these volunteers serve as role models helping to positively impact young people’s perceptions about the importance of education, as well as critical life skills.

Issue Area: Sustainability/Education

Just in Time for Foster Youth envisions a future in which every youth leaving the foster care system has a community of caring adults waiting for them after 18. They believe consistent, long-term help from the heart is the foundation for the success of our youth so they can thrive and enjoy productive, satisfying lives.

Justice 4 Housing

Justice 4 Housing is a grassroots organization committed to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for individuals impacted by incarceration, and individuals criminalized for being a victim of domestic violence, as well as ending the incarceration of women and girls.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

The mission of Kids In Tech is to excite, educate, and empower children to use technology, promoting a positive environment and fostering a lifelong interests through innovative afterschool programs in Lowell and Greater Boston, Massachusetts.

Issue Area: Education

Larkin Street Youth Services’ mission is to create a continuum of services that inspires youth to move beyond the street. Larkin Street has continued to evolve to best serve young people, developing the most comprehensive slate of wraparound programs for youth experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.

The Links to STEM program addresses the significant under-representation of African American students pursuing STEM related college degrees and careers. Links to STEM is a year-round program for fourth through eighth graders who want to deepen their knowledge of STEM subjects, develop their oral presentation and teamwork skills, and have fun while they’re at it

MANA short for “Hermana”, the Spanish word for sister, is a dynamic sisterhood of Latinas bound together by common history, culture, language and goals.

The mission of MANA de San Diego is to empower Latinas through education, leadership development, community service, and advocacy.

Issue Area: Education and Sustainability

Delivering Nourishment Improving Health

MANNA uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. By providing medically tailored meals and nutrition education, MANNA empowers people to improve their health and quality of life. MANNA has been serving our neighbors for over 30 years. Founded by a small group of individuals to comfort their neighbors suffering from HIV/AIDS, MANNA is now a leading provider of medical nutrition services in Greater Philadelphia, and an advocate for the Food is Medicine movement nationwide. Deeply embedded in the local health community, MANNA provides medical nutrition to people facing life-threatening illnesses.

Over the last year, more than 7,000 volunteers provided over 54,000 hours in the MANNA kitchen preparing meals under the supervision of their ServSafe certified chefs, and delivered meals to clients throughout the greater Philadelphia area. MANNA also encourages volunteers to assist in the annual Pie in Sky fundraiser at Thanksgiving by preparing / packaging pies as well as selling pies.

Issue Area: Survival/Basic Needs

The mission of Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting families and enhance school readiness for children aged 0-3.They work to preserve, promote, and revitalize East Parkside through partnerships with businesses and institutions and programs that engage residents, increase opportunity, and grow a diverse, thriving community.

In alignment with this vision, Maternity Care Coalition envisions an equitable future where all families are healthy and connected, with all children thriving and ready to learn. They emphasize the importance of each child being welcomed, each person being nurtured to achieve their full potential, and parents and caregivers being empowered to care for themselves and their children. By fostering community understanding and action to provide systematic support, they aim to create a future where all families and individuals are healthy, connected, and economically self-sufficient, and where all children thrive and are ready to learn.

Issue Area: Survival/Basic Needs

Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA) is dedicated to improving and enriching the quality of life for individuals in our community who have a mental illness, HIV or AIDS or a substance use disorder by providing stable housing and supportive services.

Monarch School has served as a place of hope and belonging to thousands of unhoused students since 1987. The unique and innovative Kindergarten through 12th grade school provides students with the stability and security they need to heal and learn.

Delivering Nourishment Improving Health

Nationalities Services Center welcomes and empowers immigrants to thrive in our  communities and pursue a just future. NSC believes that immigrants and refugees are a critical part of the fabric of life in the United States, and it is their vision that all immigrants and refugees achieve a life of dignity, safety, stability, sustainable opportunities and meaningful connections to their communities. To this end, NSC provides comprehensive services to immigrants and refugees, including free or low-cost legal protections, community integration, access to health and wellness services, and ESL classes. The dedicated staff are committed to ensuring  that each of their clients receive high-quality holistic care and work together to refer clients to internal and external services based on the individual’s needs.

​Volunteers who can write in languages other than English are invited to submit encouraging letters to include in hand-delivered food boxes. Volunteer tutors can help immigrant children online with their homework, volunteer teachers run (currently online) ESL classes, volunteer workers go to the grocery shop and set up homes for newly-arrived  refugees, and volunteer drivers deliver boxes of culturally-respectful food.

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT) offers training, support and employment services to prepare adults to secure and retain career-ladder jobs in the Boston area’s diverse and wide-ranging food services industry.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

North Marin Community Services (NMCS) helps to address health disparities for children, adults, families, seniors and ensure opportunities for all, especially the most vulnerable clients.

Ocean Discovery Institute uses ocean science to empower young people from underserved urban communities of color to transform their lives, their community, and our world as science and conservation leaders.

Our students believe that a scientist is someone they can be. They achieve because of it. They lead by entering high-paying STEM  fields and making a difference.

Issue Area: Education and Sustainability

One Warm Coat’s mission is to provide free coats to children and adults in need while promoting volunteerism and environmental sustainability. They have facilitated more than 43,000 coat drives, collecting 7.3 million coats, that have been distributed through 1,400 nonprofit partners across all 50 states.

Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Engineering, Science and Technology (P.I.E.F.E.S.T.) — a nonprofit partner of Life Science Cares — is dedicated to improving Pacific Islander representation and increasing access to STEM related careers. Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Engineering, Science and Technology (P.I.E.F.E.S.T.) — a nonprofit partner of Life Science Cares — is dedicated to improving Pacific Islander representation and increasing access to STEM related careers.

Pathways to Housing PA believes that housing is a basic human right. Everyone deserves a place to call home – it’s that simple. Pathways to Housing PA was founded to positively transform the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges and chronic homelessness by supporting self-directed recovery and community inclusion. They maintain an 86% housing retention rate even amongst those individuals not considered housing ready by other programs.

Issue Area: Basic Needs/Survival

“Beet Hunger!”

Philabundance’s mission is to drive hunger from our communities today and to end hunger for good. As the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, we serve 90,000 children, families, and older adults every week through our member agency network and other programs.

In addition to food distribution, we strive to reduce food waste, increase accessibility to nutritious meals, and tackle the root causes of hunger through programs such as our Ending Hunger For Good initiative. Watch this video to learn more about how volunteering at Philabundance makes a difference in our community.

Volunteers at the Hunger Relief Center sort and pack food to be distributed through our programs and agency network.

Issue Area: Survival/Basic Needs

Helping Students Reach Their College Potential

The Philadelphia Education Fund’s mission is to create  equitable access to opportunities for students by providing resources and expertise that build paths to college  and career success. PEF serves its mission by providing programming and consulting services, in college  preparation and STEM education, to students, teachers, and schools. ​

​PEF supports the college and career advising needs of low-income students attending Philadelphia’s lowest graduation rate high schools by: (1) Delivering on-site, one-on-one advising services directly to nearly 4,000  ninth through twelfth graders across 16 Philadelphia high schools; (2) Awarding $500,000 annually in gap-filling, last-dollar college scholarships through the Scholars endowment; (3) Consulting with schools to support the implementation of college-going cultures; (4) Equipping high school students with online resources, through our PhillyGoes2College online portal; and (5) Expanding access to STEM education through the 450-member  Philadelphia STEM Ecosystem, and the 10-year partnership with GSK on the STEM Equity Collective.

Teaching and Coaching volunteer roles include  opportunities, such as mentoring a Philadelphia Scholars; delivering a workshop or keynote  address on topics such as essay writing, interviewing skills, workplace competencies, etc.; and “in classroom” presentations on STEM careers and related college pathways (in person or virtual). Professional Consulting and  Administrative Support volunteer opportunities include delivering professional and talent development workshops  for PEF staff; advising on strategic planning and execution; assisting with in-person and/or virtual event  direction, logistics and design; coordinating a supply drive for students in need of technology, college  dorm supplies, interview clothes and motivating incentives; advising on digital products currently under  development; and consulting on program branding, positioning and marketing.

Issue Area: Education

“None of us are home until all of us are Home”

The mission of the Project HOME community is to empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty, and to enable all of us to attain our fullest potential as individuals and as members of the broader society.​

Project HOME achieves its mission through a continuum of services comprised of street outreach, a range of supportive housing, and comprehensive services. Project HOME addresses the root causes of homelessness through neighborhood-based affordable housing, economic development, and environmental enhancement programs, as well as through providing access to employment opportunities; adult and youth education; and health care.

​Volunteers can participate in the Grocery Lifeline program, conduct book drives, sending Notes of Hope, collect items for holiday drives or join in street clean ups.

Issue Area: Education

Project Place

Project Place promotes a community of hope and opportunity for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the skills, education and resources needed to obtain and sustain employment and housing.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Reality Changers prepares youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities. Their free programs support students from backgrounds that are typically underrepresented on college campuses, advancing equal education opportunities in our region and beyond. Services include: High school tutoring, College application guidance, Scholarship and financial aid training, Career exploration, Post-high school coaching, Professional mentorships and more!

Room to Grow

Room to Grow provides parents and caregivers with essential baby and toddler items, strategies and support to promote their children’s development, and connections to community resources that can meaningfully expand their support network.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

School on Wheels of Massachusetts’ (SOWMA) mission is to support the academic, social and emotional growth of students impacted by homelessness. SOWMA’s vision is for all students to have the support necessary to be successful in school and achieve a productive future that will help end the cycle of homelessness.

Issue Area: Education

Since 1994, Science Club for Girls fosters excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM for girls and gender-expansive youth from underrepresented communities by providing free, experiential programs and by maximizing meaningful interactions with women-in-STEM mentors. With women making up less than 26 percent of the STEM workforce—and Black and Hispanic women at less than 4 percent—SCFG addresses a critical need, offering a continuum of engaging activities in STEM for K-8 girls, junior mentoring and leadership experiences for high school girls, and adult mentoring and role modeling by committed women with STEM careers. Join Science Club for Girls to transform the face of STEM!

Issue Area: Education

Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAFG), provides girls with long term, fun & engaging after-school and summer STEM programs. Their mission is to remove systemic barriers to all girls’ participation in STEM, starting in kindergarten, by sparking & building their interest through hands-on learning.

SD2 focuses on increasing diversity in STEM careers. SD2 strive to inspire, support, and mentor students at every stage of the talent pipeline.

Serving Seniors helps poor and homeless seniors thrive using an innovative model of whole-person, wraparound support including meals, housing, health and social services, and lifelong learning.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

Small House Inc

Through transitional services, Small House partners with young adults to help them build their own pathway out of homelessness and be the creator of the kinds of lives they want to live.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

Spark* SF Public Schools is dedicated to working with diverse youth, Spark* finds the time and space to ignite youth passion, spark, and brilliance as they explore careers in health, life sciences, and related fields. Located in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, they work with youth to connect them to industry professionals in the health sciences industries giving youth real world experience.

St. Francis House

St. Francis House rebuilds lives by providing refuge and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

St. Mary's Center for Women and Children

St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children (SMC), a multi-service organization supporting women and families, believes shelter is not enough to erase the devastation of cyclical poverty and homelessness. Grounded in social justice, they empower families to achieve emotional stability and economic independence through education, workforce development, behavioral health and family medicine, and permanent housing.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

STEAM Ahead

STEAM Ahead is Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) professionals and enthusiasts who are passionate about closing the education gap for underrepresented and underserved youth. Through their strategic partnerships, they implement S.T.E.A.M. programs and initiatives that focus on technical skill development, social-emotional learning, and community building.

Issue Area: Education

The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a more just and sustainable food system. They envision a world where youth are active leaders, diverse communities feel connected to the land and each other, and everyone has access to fresh, local, healthy, affordable food.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

Upward Scholars’ mission is to provide adult immigrants the boost they need to move up the economic ladder through education and career development support. They help them continue their education in community college, get higher-paying jobs, and serve as role models and advocates for their children and our community.

Urban Farming Institute

UFI’s mission is to develop and promote urban farming to engage individuals in growing food and building a healthy community.

Issue Area: Education

Victory Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families who are homeless and may have substance use disorders, often accompanied by chronic health issues like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and mental illness. Providing a welcoming environment, their compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing.

Issue Area: Basic Needs

West End House

West End House’s mission is to inspire and enable youth from all backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity

Wistar is a world leader in early stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology and infectious disease. The Institute is committed to accelerating research advances from bench to bedside through brilliant science and distinctive approaches to collaboration among scientific investigators and academic and industry partners. Wistar’s single-minded focus is on making discoveries that will change the future of human health.

Issue Area: Education

Help Young Adults Reach Their Potential

Year Up’s mission is to close the Opportunity Divide by providing motivated young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education.

The Opportunity Divide is the vast gap that exists between young adults from underserved neighborhoods, who have the motivation to succeed but lack access to the resources that will enable them to do so, and companies who have sizable human capital needs and lack access to a viable pool of motivated and diverse talent. Watch this video to learn more about the youth participating in Year Up.

Volunteers serve as mentors, participate in mock interviews, resume reviews or share their experiences as a guest speaker.

Issue Area: Economic Sustainability

Young Man with a Plan (YMWAP), launched in 2015, creates a new culture of brotherhood, respect, aspiration and achievement for 175 at-risk Black and Latino male teens and young adults in Boston. YMWAP achieves this through research-informed strategies of connecting youth to caring adults; strengthening youth academic, social emotional, critical thinking, and financial literacy skills; engaging students in individualized success planning for college and/or career; and creating a protective community.

Issue Area: Economic Opportunity and Sustainability

Youth Enrichment

The mission of Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is to inspire youth through outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities that build confidence and prepare them to summit life’s challenges. Founded in 1968, YES has been delivering on its mission to inspire and challenge Boston youth through sports-based programs for more than 50 years. YES has grown from its origins as a one-season ski program to a year-round youth development organization that offers a rich menu of outdoor enrichment and leadership programs.

Issue Area: Education