Fall 2015 Community Partners
CISS 200
Community Partner
Abby’s House
African Community Education
(ACE)
St. Mary Health Care Center
Training Resources of America
(TRA)
WPS Adult Learning Center
Time Frame
Sign-Up
Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, 10a-2p;
Friday, 10a-2p (for one 2-hour time block)
Monday- Thursday, 3-6pm (for one 2-hour time
block)
Weekdays and weekends, 10a-4p (for one 1.5hour time block)
Tuesday or Thursday evening, 4:15-7:45p (for
one 2-hour time block)
Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning, 911:30a; or Tuesday or Thursday evening, 5-8p
(for one 2- or 2.5-hour time block)
Office
CBL Fair
CBL Fair
CBL Fair
CBL Fair
Abby’s House
http://www.abbyshouse.org/
52 High Street Worcester, MA 01609
Staff Contact:
Jean Anger, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: (508) 756-5486 ext. 27
jean@abbyshouse.org
Organization Description:
Abby’s House was formed at the beginning of the battered women’s movement – there were no
paradigms to follow in organizational development. Instead, the volunteers who ran the shelter listened
carefully to the needs of the women and responded accordingly. The spirit of empowerment, sisterhood
and mutuality embodied by the original volunteer activists continues to inform our program delivery
today.
CBL Opportunities:
The Abby's House Thrift Shop continues to be our largest single source of revenue. All of the profits from
sales at the Thrift Shop fund our emergency shelter. The Thrift Shop is full of quality clothing,
accessories, home goods, and bargain-priced cosmetics. We encourage you to visit the store today, not
only to donate clothing and home goods, but to add some great pieces to your wardrobe! Two hours a
week is needed within the following time periods: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00am 3:00pm; Fridays: 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Volunteers needed: 4
Pre-service Requirements: Volunteer Application (http://www.abbyshouse.org/volunteer-applicationform)
African Community Education (ACE)
http://www.acechildren.org/
24 Chatham St. Worcester
Staff Contact:
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer@acechildren.org
508-799-3653
Organization Description:
The African Community Education Program (ACE) has a mission to assist African refugee and
immigrant youth and families in achieving educational and social stability through access to
academic support, leadership development, cultural expression, and community outreach in Worcester,
MA. ACE focuses its attention on recent refugees and immigrants, especially those coming from
countries of conflict. ACE students are English Language Learners with limited or interrupted formal
education, are low-income, and adjusting to American educational culture.
CBL Opportunities
After School Program Volunteer:
Our After-School program combines homework tutoring and extracurricular activities to provide
students in Grades 5-12 with supportive, structured, enriched learning opportunities during out-ofschool hours. The goals of the After School Program: (1) provide a structured environment for students
to receive academic support and assistance to complete school & assignments and become independent
learners; (2) provide interactive extracurricular and recreational activities that enrich students’
academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being by hosting facilitators from our partners in the
Worcester community.
Volunteers commit to at least 2 hours/week for at least 1 semester to serve as tutors and activity
assistants. Volunteers assist students with their homework assignments, projects, and academic
enrichment and guide them to become independent learners. Volunteers also assist extracurricular,
gym, and leadership activities to guide students to engage in learning, demonstrate good
sportsmanship, and develop positive leadership skills. Volunteers must be flexible to work with one
student or in a small group as needed. Volunteers may state preference for age/grade level and
academic subject, which ACE tries to honor.
When: Monday- Thursday, 3:00-6:00pm. September 8, 2014 – June 2015 (closely aligned to the
Worcester Public Schools calendar)
Pre-service Requirements:
Volunteer Application, Emergency Contact Form, CORI form & photocopy of photo ID, & attend a 2 Hour
New Volunteer Orientation
Volunteers needed: 10-15
St. Mary Health Care Center
http://stmaryhc.com/
39 Queen Street, Worcester
Staff Contact:
Sandra (Sandy) Geller, Activities Director
sandrageller@stmaryhc.com
508-753-4791
Organization Description:
St. Mary Health Care Center, a Catholic rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, was established as a
continuing expression of the vision of St. Marguerite d'Youville, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of
Montreal, the ""Grey Nuns."" In the spirit of Marguerite, whose legacy we share, we seek to "‘bring the
miracle of LOVE to all’” through compassionate care.
In partnership with others committed to providing holistic and inclusive care for all, we develop
innovative and creative means to enhance the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of
those we serve.
CBL opportunities:
CBL students will have an opportunity to be matched with a St. Mary's resident, or to help run an activity
such as art, music, games, etc. Students will visit St. Mary's once per week to have conversations, play
games, or participate in an activity, based on both individuals' interests. The schedule is flexible
(approximately 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, including weekends), based on students' availability. Most
volunteers should expect to serve 1.5 hours per week minimum (including travel and settling in time).
Pre-service Requirement: CORI form, Volunteer application, TB or PPD test, Flu shot
Volunteers needed: 6-10
Training Resources of America Worcester (TRA)
http://www.tra-inc.org/tra-welcome
2 Foster Street, Worcester Mass. 01606
Staff Contact:
Michael Quigley
Mquigley@tra-inc.org
508-753-2991
Organization Description:
Training Resources of America Incorporated (TRA) is a private, non-profit organization that has been
providing quality education, employment and training services in Massachusetts since 1975.
TRA has made it possible for thousands of educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and
adults to improve the quality of their lives. Our clients have been successful in:
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Increasing their basic reading, language and math levels
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Improving their English speaking/comprehension capabilities
Obtaining a High School Equivalency Credential
Learning new skills
Developing self-confidence
Finding and retaining gainful employment
Improving opportunities for increased earnings and job advancement
Becoming active and productive members of their communities.
In addition, hundreds of employers statewide have met their employment needs by hiring TRA-trained
employees and utilizing TRA's customized workplace literacy services. Workforce Investment Boards and
funding organizations have benefitted from TRA's ability to provide high quality workforce development
services.
TRA's training programs are customized to be current with employment trends and responsive to the
specific occupational needs of each particular area of the commonwealth. We bring the two ends of the
labor market together by preparing people in need of marketable skills for actual jobs that are in
demand.
Training Resources of America Incorporated (TRA)’s mission is to help:
• Educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and adults improve the quality of their
lives by learning new skills, developing self-confidence and finding pathways to self-sufficiency;
• Employers strengthen and maintain a vitalized workforce by delivering better prepared,
educated and work-ready employees;
• Workforce Investment Boards and Funding Organizations achieve their employment and
training goals in an optimal time frame by providing diverse, customized and high quality
workforce development services;
• Communities grow and prosper by preparing and challenging disenfranchised residents to
become active and contributing members, by increasing tax rolls and economic stability, and by
creating positive role models for community development.
CBL Opportunities:
Adult Education:
TRA offers classes to adult learners who are trying to improve their reading, writing and math skills on
Tuesday and Thursday nights from 4:15 to 7:45. Students from the college of Holy Cross could work
with our adult learners in a one on one setting on their math, reading and writing skills. Volunteers must
serve 1.5 hours weekly at a minimum.
Pre-Service Requirements: CORI, Volunteer Packet, Orientation
Volunteers Needed:12 (6 per evening)
Worcester Public Schools Adult Learning Center
http://adulteducation.worcesterschools.org/modules/groups/group_pages.phtml?gid=1509019&nid=12
0898
Staff Contacts:
Katie Gomes Lyons
Family Literacy/Curriculum Coordinator
gomesk@worc.k12.ma.us
508-769-9711
John McGovern
Director, Worcester Adult Learning Center
mcgovern@worc.k12.ma.us
508-799-3090
Organization Description:
Worcester Public Schools Adult Learning Center serves adults 16 years old or older, who left school
during the traditional schooling years and now have a desire to resuming their education. Classes are
offered on English proficiency, HiSET (formally the GED) preparation and basic literacy skills at
essentially no cost. The Center also offers a Family Literacy course to encourage reading as a family, as
that is an essential skill for children and parents to increase their English proficiency.
CBL Opportunities:
Literacy Program Volunteer – Assist teachers with classes; provide tutoring, homework help, and other
educational support for the children of the adult learners. Family Literacy Classes run for 32 weeks, but
volunteers can join at any point. They meet Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30p-8p at the Canterbury
Street School. CBL students are expected to volunteer on a weekly basis for one full class (Tues or
Thurs).
Tutor – The Adult Learning Center offers ESL courses and other educational opportunities for adult
learners Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9a-11:30a and Tuesday and Thursday
evenings from 5p-7:30p or 5:30p-8p. CBL students can serve as a tutor for the adult learners in math,
writing, and reading, as well as assist in the computer labs. CBL students are expected to volunteer on a
weekly basis for one of these class sessions.
Students must volunteer 1.5 hours weekly at a minimum.
Additional Opportunities (class-specific): Marketing, data collection/analysis, digital literacy, projects
for education majors
Pre-Service Requirements: WPS CORI Form, Orientation, Volunteer Agreement
Volunteers Needed: 10+