LIVE UNITEDUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

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VOLUNTEER MENU

HEROESWANTED The New England Patriots and Matthew Slater

have teamed up with United Way to recruit readers, tutors and mentors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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3_ VISION 5_ ONE DAY 7_ ONGOING 9_ DONATION DRIVES11_ AFFINITY GROUPS12_ BE A HERO

ONE THING I’VE LEARNED‘‘THROUGH MY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCEIS THAT EVEN THE SMALLEST OFEFFORTS HAS SUCH A WIDE-REACHING IMPACT. ‘‘

Emerging Leader and Youth Venture volunteer – DAN WILKINS, PWC

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley SupportUnitedWay.org/VOLUNTEER

Throughout our region, more than 5,000 United Way volunteers are changing lives and transforming communities. In this menu, you’ll find a range of rewarding, hands-on volunteer experiences that match both personal passions and corporate community visions. Several can also be tailored for families and small groups.

TOGETHER, WE CAN DO MORE THAN ANY OF US CAN ALONE.

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To LIVE UNITED is to reach out to one to influence the condition of all.

VOLUNTEERS see the difference they’re making in the community, learn about the issues they care about, and develop skills as part of one of the most active social philanthropic networks.

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ORGANIZATIONS can elevate their profile while making an impact on our community’s biggest challenges. We’ll match your vision with opportunities for involvement.

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BY JOINING A PROFESSIONAL AFFINITY GROUP, such as our Emerging Leaders or Women’s Initiative, you’ll enjoy engaging volunteer experiences that connect you with others who share your passion and commitment.

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When you volunteer through United Way, your gift of time and talent is maximized and supported. We offer a breadth of meaningful, visible group or individual volunteer experiences.

JOIN US!

Thanksgiving Project volunteers distribute meals to families in need.

Because hundreds of volunteers packaged and distributed food, 7,000 families in need had a Thanksgiving meal.

HOLIDAYHERO

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley SupportUnitedWay.org/VOLUNTEER

A COMMON VISION FOR THE COMMON GOOD

In communities throughout our region, United Way brings together government, businesses, volunteers and a network of hundreds of best-in-class partner agencies to create real and lasting change.

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OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR STRATEGIC GOALS:

Reading Proficiency by 3rd Grade

OUR GOAL: PRODUCTIVE,

ENGAGED CITIZENS

High School Graduation

BORN HEALTHY

Financial Stability and Stable Housing

Homeless Census Housewarming Kits Job Coaching Tax Preparation Thanksgiving Project

Basics for Back to School College Prep Coaching Youth Venture

Basics for Babies Community Baby Shower Early Readers

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Leading area companies such as Brown Brothers Harriman look to United Way for meaningful, engaging volunteer experiences.

CORPORATE

HERO

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley SupportUnitedWay.org/VOLUNTEER

BOARD CONNECTION (SPRING)If you’ve ever thought about bringing your expertise, commitment and leadership to the board of directors of a non-profit organization, Board Connection makes it easy to find the right fit. The largest event of its kind, Board Connection lets you speak to representatives from more than 75 non-profit organizations in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley.

COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER (SPRING)Connect expectant families with the resources that foster healthy child development. This annual event, made possible by dozens of individual, corporate and Women’s Initiative volunteers, distributes clothing, books and important information about brain development, early literacy, nutrition and community resources for parents.

SEASON OF SERVICE (FALL)Formerly Community Care Day, this flexible season of corporate volunteerism mobilizes groups of seven or more to help United Way-partner agencies through-out our region. From painting to assembling literacy kits, groups can choose from a variety of one-day hands-on experiences in community centers, early childhood programs, youth centers and other organizations.

THANKSGIVING PROJECT (FALL)Celebrate the spirit of the holidays by volunteering to feed more than 7,000 struggling families. Individuals, families and groups are needed to run food drives, pre-pack meals and distribute care packages. The Thanksgiving Project is the largest collective initiative of its kind in Greater Boston.

HOMELESS CENSUS (FALL)Join United Way to assist the City of Boston in a critical overnight count of people living on the streets of Boston each December. The census, which also counts those in shelters, provides invaluable information on the scope of homelessness in our city.

JOB AND COLLEGE PREP COACHING (YEAR-ROUND)Use your professional experience to help students and job seekers gain the skills necessary to pursue further education and obtain sustainable employment. Participation can include mock practice interviews, resume and writing assistance, test prep, guest speaking and job training.

ONE DAY OPPORTUNITIES These signature volunteer experiences are ideal for corporate teams, individuals or families. Each was specifically created to maximize impact during a limited time.

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Through Youth Venture, mentors empower young social entrepreneurs to create and launch projects that improve their community.

YOUTHHERO

Mentor Danny Rivera and Jesse Blound, Freedom House Student.

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WALK A MILE EXPERIENCE™ (YEAR-ROUND)This interactive role-play event simulates what it is like to walk in the shoes of a family struggling with poverty. Participants experience the many challenges of daily life and encounter the barriers to achieving financial stability. The experience works best for groups of 40 or more and requires a two-hour time commitment.

YOUTH VENTURE (FALL + WINTER) United Way’s Youth Venture empowers young social entrepreneurs (12-20) to envision, create, launch and lead a project that helps their own community. Volunteers help youth develop and implement their ventures, act as mentors or serve on selection panels.

TAX PREPARATION (WINTER) An estimated 20-25% of taxpayers that qualify for the Federal EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) don’t file for it. This means that millions of federal dollars intended to help the lowest-income taxpayers go unclaimed. Starting each December, United Way recruits volunteers to provide tax preparation services that focus on filing for EITC. Volunteers receive IRS training and are placed at United Way agency sites in high-need communities.

EARLY READERS (YEAR-ROUND) In Massachusetts’ neediest communities, up to 67% of third graders are not reading proficiently. This is a key indicator of whether children will stay on track for school success and graduation. Early Readers believes that the solution starts long before children even enter school. By volunteering to read to children or lead activities at one of our partner agencies, you can help foster a love of books and learning that will help kids enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

COMMUNITY BUILDERS (YEAR-ROUND) Community Builders mobilizes volunteers with broad-based real estate skills and expertise to join the United Way’s partner agencies to help revitalize neighborhoods in Greater Boston. Opportunities range from hands-on (landscaping and painting) to skills-based (marketing, finance, or engineering).

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES Volunteer for a few months or more. Ongoing involvement is the best way to see the impact you’re making. Any of these opportunities can be geared towards individuals or corporate teams.

ONE DAY OPPORTUNITIES (continued)

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Through Youth Venture, mentors empower young social entrepreneurs to create and launch projects that improve their community.

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

Donation drives are a convenient way to help those in need in your community.

ANYTIMEHERO

Putnam employee Chrissy Harakal helps pack food for United Way’s Thanksgiving Project.

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BASICS FOR BABIES Get new parents and babies off to a brighter start by providing bags filled with baby care products, toys, books and other items that promote healthy child development and brain building.

BASICS FOR BACK TO SCHOOLToo many families can’t afford the basic school supplies that most children take for granted. By running a Back to School Drive, you’ll give students in need the supplies to succeed.

EARLY READER BOOK DRIVEMany low-income families have very few books in their home. Encourage a love of reading that puts young children on a path for school success by running a book drive to promote early literacy.

LAUNCHING A LEARNER Provide a family with activities, supplies and books that stimulate learning and build pre-literacy, math and social skills.

HOUSEWARMING BASKETSGive the comforts of home to the formerly homeless. Housewarming Baskets help families moving from shelters to permanent homes with basic items such as sheets, towels, kitchen utensils, cleaning products and other necessities they’ll need in their new home.

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE DONATION DRIVES These rewarding experiences are convenient ways for organizations and groups to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need any time of year. Groups can run drives for specific items and then meet to assemble them into kits, baskets or bags. Drives can range in size, take place at the location of your choice, and revolve around your schedule. All are great activities for corporate teams, community or school groups.

9Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

When you join an affinity group, you join a community of volunteers that’s passionate about making a difference.

COMMUNITY

HEROUnited Way Leader Jan Cooper volunteers at the Community Baby Shower,

a Women’s Initiative event that helps families get their babies off to a bright start.

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LIVE UNITED AS PART OF AN AFFINITY GROUP

United Way’sWomen’s Initiative

Join with other women who want to take an active role in improving lives and strengthening communities through leadership, education, volunteerism and philanthropy. Members are engaged year-round in volunteer experiences that include Early Readers, the Community Baby Shower, donation drives, job coaching and grant reviews.

Emerging LEADERSEmerging Leaders brings together civic-minded young professionals through volunteer opportunities, leadership development, and social networking events. Members are engaged with College Prep Coaching and through Youth Venture where they mentor young social entrepreneurs to help them plan, develop and execute business plans for community service projects.

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

To get involved, or if you have an idea about how your skills can help United Way, email volunteer@supportunitedway.org or visit supportunitedway.org/volunteer to sign up!

BE A HERO

Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley SupportUnitedWay.org/VOLUNTEER 13

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SMALL ACTSBIG RESULTS

By mobilizing volunteer heroes, combining resources and bringing proven expertise to our biggest challenges, United Way is achieving big results. Join us to do more together than any of us can alone.

Women business leaders gave a bright start to 70 new and expectant moms at the annual Community Baby Shower.

Volunteers, agencies and corporate partners came together to feed 7,000 families at Thanksgiving.

Corporate partners and volunteer tax preparers generated more than $6 million in tax refunds for low income families.

Through Emerging Leaders, young professionals mentored 244 Youth Venture participants, benefitting 4,230 community members.