Massachusetts - Notre Dame Mission Volunteers

Boston is full of numerous opportunities for NDA members to make a difference through service. Members work with a variety of ages in all capacities through educational, social, and economic assistance.

Site Director: Catherine O'Brien, SND
Phone: 617-620-3865 E-mail: boston@ndmva.org

Dorchester Youth Alternative Academy (1532B Dorchester Ave. Dorchester, MA 02122 617-822-0198)
DYAA is committed solely to educating Children in Need of Services (CHINS), an at risk population of truant youths, 12 to 16 years old. The academy emphasizes competency in reading and writing as well as community service. The curriculum is coupled with counseling to address emotional and psychological barriers to learning. The NDA member serves as a Teacher/Youth Worker and is responsible for assisting the education staff in planning and preparing the curriculum and other aspects of the program, as well as supervising the extended day activities of the school (after school, cultural, recreational and community service projects).

Julie Family Learning Program (Boys and Girls Club – 230 West Sixth Street South Boston, MA 02127)
The Julie Family Learning Program (JFLP) is committed to breaking the legacy of poverty that exists among many at-risk families living in South Boston, most headed by single parents who are women. GED classes, parental and life skills education, literacy programming, career counseling and advocacy work, substance abuse, and conflict resolution programs are provided to parents, infants, toddlers, and Montessori preschool children. NDA member responsibilities include assisting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with their general development, particularly language skills, independent functioning, and interaction with other children. Member will also tutor elementary-school children and at times tutor adults.

Notre Dame Education Center (200 Old Colony Ave. South Boston, MA 02127 617-268-1912)
The Notre Dame Education Center (NDEC) offers adult learning programs in the greater Boston area and assists an immigrant and American population. Classes include adult literacy (ABE and pre-GED), GED, External Diploma Program, English for Speakers of Other Languages (Level 1-4), immigration assistance/citizenship classes, and job counseling. The NDA member serves as part of the staff teaching adults in a formal classroom setting, preparing for classes in the content areas, evaluating the progress of each learner, and keeping accurate records and up-to-date personal history of each student. The opportunity also exists to work in an after-school program for children.

Notre Dame Education Center at St. Mary's Center (301 Haverhill Street Lawrence, MA 01840)
Notre Dame Education Center at St. Mary’s Center is an adult educational community experience, which promotes respect for diversity, views education as a vehicle to empower adults, facilitates collaboration among service providers and agencies working on behalf of the poor, and unites with others to address the systemic causes of poverty. The center offers English, Spanish and citizenship classes. One-on-one tutoring and small group classes are maintained to maximize learning. The NDA member's responsibilities include teaching ESOL classes to adults, data entry, overseeing the volunteer program, public relations and other duties as assigned.

Notre Dame High School, a Catholic Cristo Rey Network School (207 Hampshire St. Lawrence, MA 01840)
Notre Dame High School is a family-centered, college preparatory, coeducational secondary school founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur whose charism is "to make known the goodness of God." The school provides quality education to youth whose access to culturally sensitive, innovative Catholic Education might otherwise be beyond their means. A special component of Notre Dame High School is the work-study program, which engages the Merrimack Valley Business community in empowering highly motivated young people with professional skills. The NDA members will work with high school students in a variety of capacities, including teaching/tutoring as well as driving students to and from their work-study sites.

Learn more at http://www.cristoreynetwork.org or http://www.ndhslaw.org/.

.Notre Dame Montessori Pre-School (265 Mount Vernon Street * Dorchester, MA 02125) The Notre Dame Montessori Pre-School is an early childhood center committed to meeting the educational needs of children from ages 2.9 - 6 years. This program addresses each child from a holistic perspective - believing that to fulfill the educational needs of young children, their psychological, intellectual, physical and social needs must all be met. Rooted in a Montessori philosophy, the major goals of the program are to create an atmosphere that fosters self-esteem, independence, and an inner motivation to learn. This atmosphere includes positive feedback, opportunities to frequently meet new challenges and the freedom and responsibility to make personal choices. Through their experiences children learn about, develop and appreciate their own unique abilities and personalities.

The Paraclete Center (207 E Street South Boston, MA 02127 (617) 268-5552)
The Paraclete Center provides educational enrichment to middle school youth in their out-of-school hours through a focus on exploratory learning, academic support and character development. In return, the center receives a high level of student commitment and family involvement. The NDA members are responsible for academic classes, exploratory learning projects, evening homework assistance and leadership development for youth in grades 5-12 during their out-of-school hours. They will primarily be working with middle school students but are also open to providing academic support and guidance through the 12th grade in the evening study program. Each member will be assigned a specific class and will be responsible for planning lessons to accomplish the goals of the class, tracking achievement and creating a safe, welcoming and structured environment. In addition they will be involved in community outreach in South Boston and interact with the families of students. All will have some administrative support duties.

Learn more at http://www.paraclete.us/.

Project Hope (45 Magnolia Street Dorchester, MA 02125)
Project Hope is a family shelter and community development organization that offers housing advocacy, adult education classes, a licensed Children's Center, youth programs, and a food pantry for neighborhood residents. Project Hope works on the principle that education is an act of justice and a process of empowerment. Homeless women are prepared for employment and economic independence. NDA members serve as teachers in the community education and adult education programs. Responsibilities include developing relationships with Project Hope families, neighborhood residents, and staff, as well as teaching pre-GED and GED classes.

Suffolk County Jail (200 Nashua Street Boston, MA 02114)
The Suffolk County Jail is a maximum-security, pretrial facility housing approximately 700 men. The NDA member will be responsible for working with individual and small groups of detainees/inmates, focusing on reading skills, parenting, or other topics suggested by the member. The member may also work with the casework staff, assisting in the delivery of social services for detainees/inmates.
Applicants will be screened by the Program Services Division of the Sheriff’s Department, and will be required to complete the Volunteer Orientation Program and C.O.R.I. check.

Blessed Mother Teresa Grammar School (100 Savin Hill Ave. in Dorchester, MA 02125 617-265-7110)
Blessed Mother Teresa Grammar School is a new site located in the Dorchester section of Boston. The school serves children from Pre-K through Grade 8. The NDA member teaches a sixth grade homeroom, teaches social studies, and teaches reading to grades 7 & 8.

Emmanuel College (400 The Fenway Boston, MA 02124)
Emmanuel College is a coed, residential, Catholic liberal arts and sciences college in Boston. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1919, the mission of the College is to educate students in a dynamic learning community rooted in the liberal arts and sciences and shaped by strong ethical values and a Catholic academic tradition. An Emmanuel education challenges students to become critical thinkers, ethical decision makers, and contributing members of the local community and the global society.
The NDA member will work with the Associate Director of Community Service and Service Learning on expanding our community service program by providing opportunities for members of the Emmanuel community to grow in their civic commitments to service, especially service to the poor and neglected of our society. The NDA member will specifically be responsible for organizing promoting and participating in the regular service program which includes volunteer opportunities at various agencies throughout Greater Boston as well as our on campus ESOL program. The NDA member will also be responsible for assisting with the development and up keep of a new online volunteer data base system.

International Institute (Boston and Lowell -1 Milk street, Boston, MA 02109 and 144 Merrimack street, Lowell, MA 01852)
The International Institute’s mission is to help immigrants and refugees successfully integrate into New England. Fundamental to all of the Institute's programs is the promotion of self-sufficiency – giving clients the tools to help themselves become active participants in the social, political and economic richness of American life. The Institute provides newcomers with direct and practical assistance in the form of English & literacy courses, Refugee Resettlement services, Citizenship Education, Economic Development, Employment Training & Placement, Legal Aid and Social Services (e.g. crisis intervention, mental health counseling, human trafficking prevention). NDA members work closely with our attorneys to provide legal services including; green card applications for refugees and asylees, citizenship applications, and family reunification visas. NDA members also assist with translation and forms assistance. NDA members take the lead in our citizenship program teaching Citizenship classes, one-on-one preparation for the exam, and completing citizenship applications. Members will work at only one office, not both.

Elizabeth Seton Academy is a private, Catholic all girls' college preparatory high school that provides a nurturing community for learners. It strives to prepare each student to become a young woman of faith by fostering a deeper understanding of the Catholic tradition, its truths and values. Elizabeth Seton Academy educates young women by developing their potential as scholars, instilling in them a sense of social responsibility and empowering them to become leaders and professionals of tomorrow. Through the programs that are offered each young woman is challenged to develop her unique abilities through a strong sense of self in a community that embraces religious, cultural and ethnic diversity.

Notre Dame Mission Volunteers - Americorps
403 Markland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone:(410) 532-6864 - Fax: (410) 532-2418