6th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS & BREWS FESTIVAL

SOLD OUT!!!

Sunday, October 21, 2012! 

This festival highlights the hand crafted micro-brewed beers and wine of Nashoba Valley Winery. Relax, sit back, and enjoy some bluegrass music by Southern Rail. Pack a lunch and bring a blanket to sit on. Stroll by the pavilion, hit up the snack shack for a cider donut or a caramel apple, savor the smells of the barbecue, finally, we invite you to take a tour of the winery or simply taste many of their award winning wines. 

 Included in your $45 ticket 
(1) Breakfast Burritos and Coffee
(2) Round trip transportation from Boston to Nashoba and back 
(3) Free admission to Nashoba's Bluegrass and Brews Festival 
(4) Proceeds donated to charity* (Picked By Event Attendees!) 
(5) Live Music 
(6) Fun 
 NEW!!! 
 (7) Free Wine!

DAY TRIP DETAILS
Date: Sunday, October 21 
Time: 10:00am - 6:00 pm 
Meet Up: Near Hynes Green Line T Stop
Trip to: Nashoba Winery 92 Wattaquadock Hill Rd. Bolton, MA 01740 
Partner: Picked by event attendees! 
Cost: $45 

DAY TRIP TIMES
10AM - Breakfast is available from 9:45 to 10:30 am 
10:30AM - Buses will leave from TBD 
11:30AM - Buses arrive at Nashoba Valley Winery 
5 PM - Buses leave Nashoba at 5pm and to return Boston  
6 PM - Buses will arrive near Hynes Green Line T Stop

Check out who's going on facebook. 

Cause For A Cruise!

Cause For A Cruise!

       

Friday Night, June 15, 2012 9pm - 12am




ONLINE TICKET SALES CLOSED...


$35 AT THE DOOR! 
(if available)

NEW DAY OF PRICE CUT...

$25 for 1 Ticket (cut $10)

$50 for 2 Tickets (cut $15)

$75 for 3 Tickets (cut $35)

$100 for 4 Tickets (cut $30)

       

Ticket Includes...

Apps from 6-8pm at Howl At The Moon Boston

Raffle Prizes

DJ and Dancing

3 Hour Boston Harbor Boat Cruise

Donation to Boston nonprofit you* choose

Dance Contest

Cash Bar On Boat

250 Total Event Guests

*Donation: Every ticket holder will get one raffle ticket to nominate a 

Boston area, local, nonreligious, certified nonprofit to win the proceeds 
of the trip, based on ticket sales. Winner picked that night.

John.Ryan (at) OYFP.org

21+ONLY!

MORE BOAT INFO-

-WHERE DOES THE BOATONIAN LEAVE FROM?

The Boatonian rides every Friday night from 9-12 PM, boarding at 8:30PM at Rowe's Wharf in Boston. Leaves at 9pm...dont be late! 

-WHEN WILL I GET MY TICKETS?

You won't! When you purchase your tickets online, your name will automatically appear on our guest list.

-DOES THE BOATONIAN RUN IF IT RAINS?

Yes, rain or shine! We won't let the measly rain stop the party!

-DOES THE BOATONIAN HAVE DRINKS?

Yes, its also 21+ ONLY! Cash bar. No cards.

Meal and a Movie: The Hunger Season

Have a meal and a move on Thursday, September 30th to support one of Boston's BEST hunger prevention nonprofit organizations.

This event will be held at the Friday Night Supper Program from 6 to 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

We will be screening The Hunger Season. "Across the world a massive food crisis is unfolding. Climate Change, increasing consumption in China and India, the dash for Biofuels are causing hitherto unimagined food shortages and rocketing prices."

Please join me in support of FNSP at Meal and a Movie.

RSVP info (at) fridaynightsupper.org.

MeetUp:

http://www.bostonvolunteer.org/calendar/14710809/

Puppies Behind Bars

I know, I know. It has been awhile since I blogged. Blame work, blame my class, blame my lack of motivation. However. This morning, in the process of working (yes I realize it's Saturday), I came across the organization Puppies Behind Bars, and was so moved, I cried. Yes, tears fell on my work laptop.

Why all the emotion? Because of this video.

I believe that US prisons have long been broken. The primary goal of prisons is to punish people for their illegal acts, which the system does a fairly good job of. The second goal, however, is to rehabilitate them for their re-entry into society. And that is where the prison system is flawed. Counseling sessions and job training classes only go so far - many prisoners can't be reached. Puppies, however --- puppies can get in.

Puppies Behind Bars accomplishes two things: Training service dogs for disabled people, and rehabilitating prisoners. The dogs stay with the prisoners 24 hours a day, and the prisoners are responsible for training them and taking care of them. In return, they get love and loyalty from their dog, and the knowledge that the dog is going to help someone who really needs it - a disabled veteran or other disabled person.

The experience really seems to transform the prisoners, not to mention the person who receives the trained dog. The prisoners reconnect with the part of them that has empathy - a part lost long ago, and which probably led to them committing crime. I believe that participation in the program will lead to lower rates of recidivism, but Puppies Behind Bars does not have statistics available.

There are a lot of non-profits out there, but this one may now be my favorite (aside from OYFP of course). The win-win situation really inspires me, and moves me.

What do you think of the program?

A Night at the Aquarium

If you're like me, the last time you visited the New England Aquarium you were young enough to be carried around on your dad's shoulders. Maybe he joked about leaving you there to be raised by penguins. Maybe you didn't find it particularly amusing and started crying hysterically. Maybe your dad didn't make that mistake again.

Point being, it's probably been awhile since you visited the New England Aquarium.

Most of us simply don't have a reason to. It's like walking the Freedom Trail or going on a Duck Tour. It's such a touristy thing to do, a local has no place doing it.

As luck would have it, this Saturday, May 2, you do have a reason to go to the aquarium: The United Way Young Leaders organization, in partnership with OYFP, is hosting their annual gala event -- Cocktails and Starfish.

I've never been, but it looks like a pretty snazzy event, and with an open bar, plus a chance to win Patriots, Red Sox, AND U2 tickets, you can rest assured it will be a night to remember. Not to mention, Young Leaders is a fantastic organization with a strong social mission of helping local students develop important business skills to improve their futures.

Maybe it's time you re-think the aquarium and conquer your debilitating fear of aquatic life that resulted from your last visit in 1985.

More details here (about the gala event, not a personal childhood trauma):
http://oyfp.org/BOS/events/view/174/

ICycle III - A HomeStart, Inc. Event!

My ideas always seem to originate on my walk to work, and today was no exception. I had reached the top of the Government Center stairs (winded, as always... even after more than a year of climbing, my body is still fighting me!) and saw an outdoor spin class. (This made me more aware of my being out of breath.)

I didn't really think too much about it since there are always unique events happening at City Hall, though normally happening when the temperature is warmer than 30 degrees! Still, I would say out of the dozen bikes, 2 or 3 participants were spinning away...

8 hours later, after my entire day at work... the cycling continues! This is when I realized I had to be 'that girl' to stop and take a picture... and noticed that the name of this event was ICycle III - organized by HomeStart, Inc. - a non-profit organization whose mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by assisting individuals in obtaining permanent housing and to develop strategies to address systemic barriers to housing placement.

Each rider contributes 1 hour of their time in the cold, to quickly realize it's not long compared to what homeless people experience during long New Engand winters. A minimum of $250 is raised by each rider benefiting HomeStart, Inc.

Kudos riders! Perhaps next time I'll join you.

Related Posts: Boston Bike Sharing; Bikes not Bombs; Biking to Work in Boston

Strikes for Shelter - Bowling Event Tomorrow

I'm willing to bet it's been a good long while since you picked up a bowling ball and chucked it down the aisle...

I'm also willing to bet that in this cold Boston slump time we call winter, you've been brainstorming unique ways to get out of your house and keep your heart pumping until we see a little heat in these parts...

So, meet us at the Milky Way - a hip candle pin bowling alley in Jamaica Plain that's paired up with the tasty Bella Luna where I had a amazing Insalata di Amour not too long ago.

We'll be there 6:30-9pm this Thurs (feb.19th). Tickets are $20 and includes pizza, bowling, and shoes. Beverages will, of course, be available for purchase.

A little FYI, parking is free after 5 in the HiLo parking lot next door and taking the T to JP is not as daunting as you might think. I live out off the green line and have ventured to JP a number of times safely and easily and had a blast.

Some last tidbits:
A) This event will benefit Christopher's Haven, a place for children to live during cancer treatment.
2) The legendary Milky Way is actually moving after March. You're running out of time to get in before they move!

Spirit of Service

Please join the free Spirit of Service networking event on Thursday, March 5th at MJ O'Connor's, next to the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

At this free networking event ORGANIZATIONS will:
- promote their cause and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
- vet young professionals for their advisory board and various committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

At this free networking event INDIVIDUALS will:
- discover opportunities for community involvement in Boston.
- meet other individuals of integrity and selflessness who embody the Spirit of Service.
- learn what it's like to join executive boards, advisory boards & young professional committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

This Spirit of Service event is an opportunity to make a commitment to our communities, an opportunity to get engaged, and an opportunity to help solve our most critical problems.

Support on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming up and it should be about the people we love. But we should also find the time to support those others who can't do that themselves.

This Valentine's Day, add a cause to your circle of loves with the Allumonde charity ring.

The Allumonde charity ring shows your commitment to helping others. 19% of the proceeds goes to the charity of your choice and 2% goes to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Starting at $25, the ring comes in acrylic, stainless steel, titanium-coated stainless steel in gold and black, sterling silver and 18k gold. Order your ring at the Design21 website.

Every ring makes a difference!

Volunteering: Sara's Experience

I think people frequently don't volunteer because they're not sure how to do it, or if they'll have enough time, or even if they'll enjoy it. As part of OYFP's effort to help people volunteer, we profile volunteers just like you and me. Today we're talking with Sara Radin, a woman I work with at my day job, but who (like me), also volunteers.

Where do you volunteer, Sara?
Right now I am volunteering at the Whittemore School in Waltham as a reading volunteer. I also volunteered for the Obama campaign in the fall. In college I was my sorority's philanthropy chair and president of the BCAC (Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition).

Since Everybody Wins! is your most recent volunteer activity, why don't you tell us a little about that? Why did you start volunteering there, and where did you hear about the opportunity?
I started volunteering at Everybody Wins! because my mom is the school coordinator, and she told me how much everyone enjoys reading. Also, my employer has a program set up that allows us to volunteer during our lunch hour with Everybody Wins! called the Power Lunch program.

How many hours a week did you volunteer there? Did you have to give up anything in order to have the time to volunteer?
I volunteer for about an hour there each Friday, but it takes up about an hour and a half with travel time. I would not say I have had to give anything up; especially because it is Friday afternoon the workweek is generally winding down. Perhaps if I calculated it, I would give up some free time due to having to stay at work later on other days to get everything accomplished.

What do you do when you go to the school?
I read a book of the student's choosing for 30 minutes while she eats her lunch.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering?
Jaclyn (the student I read to) is always so happy to see me, and it is a great break from the workday, and a really fun way to spend lunch. You can tell that getting read to is something she really enjoys, and she made me a really cute Christmas present which made me realize how much of a different I made even just spending a half an hour with her once a week.

How does it compare to your other volunteer experiences?
In college, I had a sidekick (like a big brothers/big sisters type thing but specific to Colgate) but it really felt more like unpaid babysitting, so I much prefer the reading program. My other two experiences, as BCAC Co-President and Philanthropy chair, were much more about about creating and executing events for college students and club members - so more planning/fundraising driven rather than giving time.

What would you say to someone who is hesitant to jump on the mentoring or volunteering bandwagon?
Even if spending time with kids isn't your thing, there are a million ways to get involved. You can volunteer to make phone calls or stuff envelopes or organize an event. Whatever your talent or skill is, there is almost always a non-profit that could use your skills and expertise.

What have you personally (or professionally) gotten out of the experience?
I love having an outlet through work that allows me to spend my time doing a philanthropic endeavor. I really appreciate my employer more for it, and I know everyone is busy but I think people would really enjoyed it if they tried it. It has been a great way for me to dip my toe in the post-college volunteer pool, and has only made me want to do more.

So do you actually love reindeer, as your photo would seem to indicate?
Reindeer are fine. I would say I'm really more of a cat person, though.

Thanks for your time, Sara!

Our blog occasionally features sporadic profiles of volunteers in the Boston area and beyond. If you're interested in sharing your experience, please email boston@oyfp.org.

Related Posts: Volunteering at Lunch; Boys & Girls Club: An insider's view; OYFP's Intern; Sudan-Reach Women's Foundation Volunteer; Doubts about volunteering? Read about Fred

Yes, We Can - Make it a day on

On Sunday, January 18th, in the spirit of the King Day of Service, the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), in partnership with Green Decade Cambridge and with funding from the Massachusetts Service Alliance, will hold a Weatherization Barnraising at The Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House and the Cambridgeport School.

Traditionally, a “barnraising” was when a community would come together to help a family build a barn. Using this concept HEET is brining volunteers together to weatherize The Margaret Fuller Neigborhood House and The Cambridgeport School.

HEET has organized expert builders and contractors to lead the weatherization activities. Weatherization is the practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, predominantly from sunlight, precipitation, wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.

Dr. King’s Day of service aims to make the Martin Luther King holiday a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to “improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned.” For more information about the King Day of Service please visit http://mlkday.gov.

The Home Energy Efficiency Team is raising funds in order to make weatherization barnraisings available to households that cannot afford the cost of weatherization materials. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to support some of our neighbors who are most in need.

Check back for hammer in hand interviews and pictures posted live from yours truly.

Picture from http://www.mlkday.gov.

Alternative holiday gift ideas

Last week, Krystle wrote about supporting local artisans by buying your Christmas/Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ New Year's gifts from them. I'd like to introduce three other options:

1. Make some gifts.
I know, I know. You might claim not to be "crafty." But that doesn't preclude you from making gifts, and perhaps saving a little dough in the meantime! Try baking an assortment of goodies (it's easier than you think), creating a photo collage or photo calendar for friends, family, or co-workers, or maybe giving "coupons" (massages, dinner, breakfast in bed, load of laundry, etc.). Or, perhaps you could do what my group of friends is doing this year - having a potluck to celebrate our friendship instead of giving gifts.

2. Buy some homemade gifts on Etsy.com.

If you'd like to give something with that homemade touch but really don't know where to turn, I highly recommend Etsy.com. Think boutique, or art gallery, only it's online, searchable, and you can request custom items from sellers! You're talking right to the people making the stuff. My favorites include some of the stained glass, baby hats, and vintage finds. Or, of course, the classic sock monkey or sock dog (cough, cough - shameless self promotion).

3. Donate in someone's name.

Sure, maybe this isn't original. But people are more in need than ever. Try giving a cow or a dozen chicks, volunteering for a day on behalf of someone, donating gifts to Toys for Tots, or donating money to your favorite non-profit. My brother once gave me a blank check for $50 that I could send to any non-profit of my choice (I chose Mercy Corps since it was right after the tsunami). He was in college at the time, so it represented no small sum of money. It meant a lot to me, and I'm sure the money made an impact.

So those are my ideas. I'm doing a lot of numbers one and two this year (aside from a few Amazon.com and clothing purchases), and some of number three. Please join me!

Related Posts: Buy local for the holidays; Tapas for Toys; A gift to remember; Conscious Giving; 'Tis the season to change the present; DesignGive - Creativity is a gift; 10,000 Reasons to Buy

Christian - A Christopher's Haven Kid

We don't have a recap of last night's events... yet. Hey, some of us didn't get home until 1 or 2 AM, so give us a break!

However, in the mean time we would like to share the story of Christian Meyer, one of the little boys with a brain tumor who received treatment at MGH before he died, and whose family received support from Christopher's Haven. In fact, the "best day of [Christian's] life" (as proclaimed by Christian) was the day he got to sit in the Red Sox dugout with Kevin Youkilis, whose foundation supports Christopher's Haven.

So - know that your donations last night are going to a really great foundation that will help other kids like Christian and their families while they're going through treatment, and what may be a battle for their lives.

Bowen Community Buries a "Shining Light"

Seven-year-old Christian Meyer walked out of Bowen School and looked up at a large concrete truck parked out front.

The little, blond boy grinned widely as his picture stared back down at him.

He pushed his walker to the front of a crowd of classmates who had gathered at the foot of the large machine, walking with an ease and flexibility matched only in those who had mastered their handicap.

Perched above the wheel of the truck, Christian fielded questions from the other elementary school students, much like he was conducting a press conference, his dad said later.

Christian, who was battling a tumor that kept resurfacing on his brain, knew he didn’t have much time left with his classmates. But he spoke with a sense of optimism and lightheartedness as he shared what he knew about his terminal cancer and why his picture was on the side of the truck above the words “Orphan Cancers.”

“He made everyone feel comfortable,” said his father, Doug Meyer. “And he always knew the right thing to say to put people at ease.”

Christian never made it to the second grade. He passed away at his home on Oct. 27, one month after his eighth birthday [Read More].

To read the rest of the article, please visit the Wicked Local Newton site.
Chrissie Long (author of this original article) can be reached at clong@cnc.com.

_________________________________________________________________________

To contribute to the Meyer Family Trust, send a check to c/o John Talvacchia Eckert, Seamans LLC, One International Place Boston, MA 02110 or — in honor of Christian Daniel Meyer — to c/o Massachusetts General Hospital, Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.

Top Ten Reasons to Go Out Thursday Night

1. You have a chance to help kids with cancer and have fun. Contrary to popular belief, the two are not mutually exclusive.

2. No one likes a couch potato, even in french fry form. Get your butt off the couch already! Just because it's getting chilly out doesn't mean you should become a shut-in.

3. The fashions being shown range the gamut from some hawt booty shorts to classic vintage designs and trendy cowboy boots. There's a little something for everyone, including the males in the group.

4. There will be music that you'll want to move to. DJ Justin will be spinning, and we'll also have a lovely vocalist as a treat.

5. You could win something special in the raffle if you choose to buy a ticket. At the very least, if you're one of the first 100, you'll get a gift bag.

6. There will be a feast for the eyes. Besides the fashions, there will be art for you to analyze.

7. Auction up! Bid away! Feel famous! Bid on some of our prizes, including signed items by Kevin Youkalis.

8. Rum samples. Need I say more?

9. The kids with cancer are really, really cute, and really, really sick. The very least you can do is help them by donating $20 for your ticket.

10. If you're pumped up (slash tipsy) after the event, you can spend the rest of the evening at Ned Devine's dancing the night away!

11. (BONUS ROUND!) You can hang out with the dedicated OYFP members who put the event on! We're fun, we're social, we're good looking, what more could you ask for?

Those are the ten reasons I'll be at the event.. what are yours?

Get your tickets for Christopher's Catwalk online now for $20, or pay $25 at the door. The event takes place Thursday, Nov 13 from 8 PM to 11 PM at Parris, which is at the back of Ned Devine's.

Charitable Giving in 2008 - What's the outlook?

Banks are failing, foreclosures are abundant, we've officially been in a recession for a few months now, we're still at war spending billions... the outlook is not good, especially for people's pockets.

Does that mean, though, that non-profits are in trouble? If my pocket is empty[ier] than before, chances are that I'll be giving away less. In fact, for a lot of people, that might be where the funds are cut first.

Ug. Not what any of us associated with non-profits would like to hear. Who wants to think about kids with cancer who might not have housing because donations are down, or that the banks of the Charles River become even more trash covered since there are no funds to get supplies for volunteer cleaners?

So maybe you can't afford to donate your hard earned cash. That doesn't mean you can't give. Instead, try the following:

• Donate clothes that no longer fit (no honey, you're not going to fit into those jeans from college)
• Donate your pet supplies that your pet treats with disdain or perhaps have outgrown since their adorable baby animal years
• Volunteer with friends for a few hours at your local soup kitchen, with one of OYFP's partners, or with YAVA this Saturday
• Take the a UNICEF box around with you to collect change when you go trick-or-treating this Halloween (adults can trick or treat too!)
  
• Run a coat drive at your workplace
• Donate blood! Plus you get some yummy snacks afterward.
  

There are things you can do to help without spending money. People need your help now more than ever!

Related Posts: Don't forget about your pet; Sock monkeys for charity; Increasing Food Costs; It's the economy, stupid; What is this credit crisis you speak of, and why do I care?; An economic recovery plan, in a cup; The R-Word; Penny Pinchin' Times
Photos courtesy of Nice Diver

Giving Away $80,000 - by Oct 15

There's $80,000 being given away at Squidoo.com.

Why are they giving away the money? Well, when the website was founded, they decided to set aside 5% of their profit to give to charities. Cool, right? So no, you don't get the $80K, but you can vote for a deserving non-profit to receive it.

But what exactly is the Squidoo site? I'm still not quite sure, but it looks like you can go on there, create a simple one pager about a cause you care about, and then hope that people donate money. It has a very Wikipedia feel to it. Their premise is that small donations can add up (see this page for more info).

Either way, they're giving away $80,000, and we get to vote on what charities get the money. Every vote gets the charity $2, so everyone has a chance to get moneys! You can only vote once - play by the rules - but you can promote your choice all you want.

And let me tell you, there are quite a few choices. My personal favorite is Long Hopes, the donkey shelter in Colorado. Yes. A donkey shelter. They take in donkeys who have no home any more. "Eeee-haw!" I say.

However, my vote (and $2 from Squidoo) went to the Genocide Intervention Network. There's a summary of links to the non-profits up for election on Squidoo to help you decide. Who are you going to vote for?

Related Posts: Absentee Voting; Non-Profits partnering with OYFP; Moving? Donate some of your items; Microsoft's i'm initiative
Photo from Long Hopes.

Kids Can Have Cancer Too

It's hard in these difficult economic times to think about others than yourself but that is when it is most important to think and help out others who are less fortunate then yourself. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so naturally I want to spend some time writing about our partner, Christopher's Haven.

Christopher's Haven helps families who come to Boston to have their children treated for Cancer by providing them housing and comfort while they deal with the sometimes challenging treatment for cancer.

Back in June with the help of OYFP members, I helped move several families, into apartments for their stay in Boston. We built beds, set up kitchens, arranged furniture and hung up decorations. It was an exhausting day but it was worth it when we got to spend some time with the families and children we were supporting.

What's interesting is the diversity of families that Christopher's Haven helps out. I met families from Seattle and Denmark to name a few who all come from different backgrounds but came for the same purpose. What stays with me the most is the little baby (my guess a year old) which was crawling around the finished apartments having a good ol' time. It really showed me that dealing with cancer doesn't mean you have to be stuck to a hospital bed.

I will never forget how happy and full of life the child was. It definitely made all my aches, pains and tiredness associated from moving people into apartments all worth it. I knew that this baby will have the comforts of home with Christopher's Haven and just maybe will help make her and her family's stay here in Boston more easy.

So if you don't have the funds necessary to help the children whom have cancer, then donate some of your time to Christopher's Haven and you will be glad you did it.

Pictures: Courtesy of www.christophershaven.org (first photo is with Dan the Founder of Christopher's Haven)

Related Posts: the deal of a lifetime [volunteer opportunity], Penny Pinchin' Times, Volunteering: What to ask before you commit

Non-Profits partnering with OYFP

We wanted to remind you all that the deadline to submit an application to become a partner with On Your Feet Project is this Monday, September 15, 2008 (though if you don't get it in until this Wednesday, we won't tell anyone... shhhh).

On Your Feet Project works with non-profit organizations that are dedicated to providing sustainable solutions to the issues they are addressing. We believe that, by increasing awareness and understanding of high-quality, local nonprofit organizations, and by promoting active community involvement among young people, we can facilitate the development of a generation focused on the betterment of our society.

OYFP selects its partners on the basis of several criteria, which include, but are not limited to:

Opportunities for involvement. Partners should support opportunities for involvement for members of the community, particularly among young people, primarily in the form of volunteer programs and events. Partners should be amenable to one-day and ongoing volunteer events organized by OYFP in conjunction with the Partners. This application period is for the Boston chapter of OYFP.

Need. Partners should demonstrate a need for assistance in areas of educating the community about its activities, recruiting volunteers, reaching out to younger demographics, and fundraising. OYFP will take into consideration OYFP's ability to respond to those needs as effectively as possible within the parameters defined by OYFP's resources and capabilities.

Sustainability of Partner programs. OYFP defines the sustainability of a given Partner program as the program's ability to provide or engender long-term solutions to the specific problems that are being addressed.

Email boston@oyfp.org for OYFP applications. Please submit completed applications to boston_applications@oyfp.org.

Related Posts: Pick our new partner; What OYFP has meant to me

Getting your Volunteer on in any City.

Recently I was asked by a colleague of mine how to find the right kind of volunteer opportunity within her city (not Boston). She knew of the work I do with On Your Feet Project and is naturally an avid fan of our blog and thought I would be a good resource for her. At first I was not sure how to answer this because my experience in non-profits and volunteer organizations stems mostly from Boston.

Then I realized that I am a transplant here and I had to retrace my steps on how I went from knowing no one, even my roommates I met via craigslist, to now be considered the go to person for my friends and colleagues for volunteer opportunities and non-profit information.

If I can do it you can to! All it takes is a lot of research (Google is your friend), and a little guts. So here is my how to guide to get involved in your city.

1) Use National Websites. Start with a couple of websites to see what kind of volunteer opportunities are available in your city; http://www.volunteer-match.org/, http://www.idealist.org/, http://www.unitedway.com/ are good national resources that list volunteer opportunities which are geared towards your interests/time level of commitment within your city.

2) Attend a Cause-Related Event. A good portion of the people I have met in Boston have been met at attending various events put on by non-profits or social networks in the Boston area. A couple of good resources for finding events in your area that support causes your interested in are http://www.going.com/ or http://www.yelp.com/. Another great resource for finding non-profit events is your local newspaper. Specifically the newspapers online portion which is probably more likely to show more volunteer events & opportunities than in printed newspaper.

3) Research Social Networks in Your Area. Google is your friend in this one. Now not knowing what each city has to offer, try searching under various terms, "[your city] Volunteers", "Social Volunteering [Your City]", "Young Professional [Your City]". It has been my experience that many of the social networking organizations in Boston have a volunteer component to their organization. Once you find the right network for you, it's great because you meet people with similar interest to yours, and continue to build Social Capital in the city you live in. When you do find a social network you feel connected to, make sure to get on their e-mail list because they will help connect you to your city scene better than doing Google searches.

4) Move to Boston -Attend OYFP events. As if you didn't see this plug coming.

So these are some of the tips I have learned over my five year stint in Boston. I would love to hear your stories or your experience in getting involved within your city.

Related Posts: What OYFP has meant to me; Doubts about Volunteering? Read about Fred.

Photos Taken at OYFP Events.

What OYFP has meant to me

This three year anniversary mark for On Your Feet Project in Boston has made me wax nostalgic for a moment or three. Rarely do I stop during my often hectic days to reflect on why exactly I've volunteered with OYFP since its inception in Boston. I recall sitting in my apartment in Somerville with my roommates, bemoaning the fact that it was hard to find a place to volunteer that would reply to my inquiries, never mind one that would allow me to donate time at night or on weekends.

And that's when I came across OYFP's post on Idealist.org. "Sure," I thought. "I can head up PR, marketing, the website, and graphic design for a non-profit that's completely volunteer-run and just getting started in Boston."

I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.

Three years later, I've moved on from marketing, etc to the illustrious position of Co-Director. We've held over 30 events, ten of them in 2008 alone (and it's only August!). We've had two interns, three partners, and countless executive board members... but more importantly, we've made a difference.

Sometimes I catch myself wondering if what we're doing is actually impacting others. We don't have a department of people dedicated to quantifying our actions, measuring our success, or writing executive reports. Heck, we don't even have an office.

But I know we have made a difference, when I talk to our contacts at our partner organizations, when I meet families who have stayed with Christopher's Haven, when I volunteer to make crafts at the Italian Home with the kids, or when I simply reply to an email inquiry stating, "I'd like to volunteer." After all, our goal is to encourage a sense of volunteerism in our community, and everything from simple emails, talking to colleagues and strangers about OYFP, and even this blog, are helping to do that.

We want people to think about volunteering, and then act on it.

So. Show your support of OYFP, of volunteerism, of trying to make a difference, by coming to our anniversary party tonight. We're going to be celebrating our accomplishment, and hope you will be too.

--Event Details--

Myself, Dan (founder of Christopher's Haven), and Krystle, my Co-Dictator, I mean, Director

Related Posts: OYFP turns Three, Let's Party!; OYFP joins the 21st Century; Our intern at OYFP Boston