- Please check out our site at http://www.williams.edu/resources/commservice
COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS
Health and Support
* Berkshire Community Action Council
BCAC provides free or discounted pharmaceuticals to emergency room patients who cannot afford to pay for their own medicine
Contact: Freba Farhat
09fzf@williams.edu
* Bone Marrow Registry
Contact: Alan Rodrigues
07mrr@williams.edu
* Chrysalis Community
Chrysalis is a new advanced-stage AIDS care center set on 108 acres in Pownal, VT. Here, residents receive loving support, embrace the process of living and dying, and explore the possibility of spontaneous healing. The community is run through the devotion of the founder, Sunshine Wohl. Volunteers visit each Saturday for about 3 hours to help with outdoor work, computers, outreach, arts projects, to spend time with the residents, and perform other tasks as needed. An important project for this year is to convert the old barn into a community center.
Contact: Kevin McWorter and Leah Weintraub
chrysalis@wso.williams.edu
* Elizabeth Freeman Center
85 Main Street, Suite 310, North Adams
Elizabeth Freeman Center is a countywide agency that provides counseling, advocacy, emotional, educational, vocational and economic services for anyone affected by sexual assault. They oppose violence, harassment, and discrimination, and they promote the physical and emotional safety of all people. They strive to provide a haven and a communication network for all people regardless of gender, age, race, color, class, religion, or sexual orientation. Services include a 24-hour sexual assault hotline, a safe shelter, the family law project, personal economic planning courses, and the Athletes Against Abuse outreach project.
Contact: Terry Truffant
(413) 499-2425
Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* North Adams Regional Hospital
The hospital needs volunteers to work within the different hospital units (admissions/emergency, volunteer department, psychiatric center). Students who play an instrument or have other special skills are particularly welcome. Volunteer tasks include helping out with small errands, transporting patients, conducting patient activities, etc. Volunteers may have to wait until spring semester to begin working at the hospital due to the availability of training sessions. After training, volunteers can work any time, day or night, and usually commit about 4 hours per week.
Contact: Lucy Green, Volunteer Coordinator
(413) 664-5261
lgreen@nbhealth.org
Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* REACH Community Breast Health
Volunteers work with the REACH Community Health Foundation to provide breast cancer education at local food pantries, homeless shelters, and stores, and to register women for free mammograms. Timing is flexible and the commitment is minimal.
Contact: Krista Nylen
07kmm@williams.edu
* Sweetbrook Nursing Home
Volunteers bring enthusiasm, companionship, and a friendly face to the elderly who live in this nursing home. Volunteers are needed to chat with residents, challenge someone to a game of checkers, or read magazines or newspapers aloud. Anyone who is willing to give an hour each Sunday to brighten up the day of an elderly person is welcome.
Contacts: Drew Raab
06par@williams.edu
or call (413) 458-8127
jbombardier@nbhealth.org
* Williams College Rape and Sexual Assault Network
The Network is a student-run organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and rape, supporting loved ones of survivors, and educating the Williams College community about rape and sexual assault. The network is made up of about 40 Williams College students (female and male!) who each contribute to planning events and counseling peers. Major activities include running a 24-hour support hotline, promoting awareness on campus through special fora and entry talks, conducting outreach to local high schools, and planning the annual Take Back the Night event during the spring.
Contact: Christina Brakken-Thal
06cb@williams.edu
* WISHES
Work with the REACH Community Health Foundation to teach elementary school kids about health, fitness, and nutrition, and to conduct research on these issues with kids.
Contact: Alan Rodrigues
07arr@williams.edu
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Homelessness
* Habitat for Humanity
Habitat volunteers help build and rehabilitate houses to be sold at no profit to low-income families who otherwise would not be able to afford a home. Project: The Williams College and Northern Berkshire chapters of Habitat need student volunteers from 9:00-12:00 every Saturday to construct their new house on Hall Street in Williamstown.
Contact: Uzaib Saya
08uys@williams.edu
Williams-Habitat@wso.williams.edu
* Hats for the Homeless
Interested students knit hats for those who need them. No experience required. Fun guaranteed.
Contact: Kiana Scott
07kms@williams.edu
* Louison House
Louison House is a homeless shelter in Adams. Volunteer responsibilities range from helping a person write a resume to playing with kids and organizing food drives. A volunteer is also needed to help with case work and basic office assistance in North Adams.
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
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Hunger
* Berkshire Food Project
134 Main Street, North Adams
The Berkshire Food Project, started by Williams students in the 80s, continues to serve food to low income local residents. Volunteers serve lunch, eat and talk with the clients, and clean up afterwards. Group go to North Adams from the Chaplain's Office every Monday, Thjursday, and Friday at 11:30 and return by 1:00. Volunteers are welcome on any and all of these days, but should contact in advance.
Contact: Elissa Klein
06eak@williams.edu
* Williamstown Food Pantry
Located just at the edge of campus at St.Patrick's Church, the food pantry is crucial to the Williamstown area, regularly distributing meals to 14-20 families regardless of their religious affiliation. Students are needed on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 to help stock shelves at at major distribution times (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter) to distribute food.
Contact:
Carol de Mayo
458-4946
Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* W.R.A.P.S. (Williams Recovery of All Perishable Surplus)
WRAPS is the not-so-obvious acronym for "Williams Recovery of All Perishable Surplus." Four nights a week, a team of two volunteers picks up all the unserved food from the dining halls and transports it to three community organizations in North Adams who have need of it: COTY (Church Outreach to Youth), a center for at-risk teens and preteens, the Louison House (a temporary home for homeless individuals) and the North Adams Salvation Army. Each run takes about an hour and a half, and each volunteer goes once every two weeks.College van licenses are helpful but not required.
Contact: Alison Koppe
Alison.M.Koppe@williams.edu
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International Service
* Rotaract
The Williams chapter of Rotaract International, a worldwide network of service clubs for college students, works with the Williamstown Rotary to carry out international service and awareness programs in the greater Williamstown community. Volunteers run advocacy campaigns, fundraising programs, establish international pen pals programs with local youth, and may launch a new international service trip.
Contact: Jane Lole
08jyl@williams.edu
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Outdoor/Environmental
* Caretaker Farm
Located in South Williamstown, this 35-acre farm has operated as an organic vegetable farm for more than 35 years. Caretaker is now a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm, providing portions of the annual harvest of veggies, fruits, flowers and other farm products to more than 200 local family shareholders. They are also working on renewable energy projects on the farm. The Smiths can always use help planting, weeding, and harvesting, and working at Caretaker is guaranteed to be fun and enlightening.
Contact: Kendell Newman
08kln@williams.edu
* Greensense
The Williams College student environmental organization coordinates a number of community service activities. Projects vary each year, but include campus research and advocacy campaigns, community outreach and education, river and highway clean-ups, and planning the annual Williamstown Earth Day celebrations.
Contact: Alexis Saba
06aes@williams.edu
Elise Leduc
06enl@williams.edu
* Hoosic River Watershed Association
HooRWA is dedicated to restoration, conservation, and enjoyment of the Hoosic River and its watershed, through education, research, and advocacy. They run a wide range of even ts throughout the year and perform a lot of trail and river maintenance.
Contact: Eileen Fielding
458-2742
* Berkshire Humane Society
The Humane Society provides a safe place for abandoned animals and various services for pet owners. Volunteers can help weekly with pet training, walking, kennel monitoring, cleaning, and other tasks, as well as with the fundraising Humane Race.
Contact:Justin Lavner
Elizabeth Hewitt
berkshirehumanesociety@wso.williams.edu
* Outdoor Outreach
Outdoor Outreach is run by the Williams Outing Club and the Williamstown youth Center to provide trust-building, fun, educational outdoor activities to children in the surrounding areas. These outdoor education and adventure classes will include hiking, canoeing, an overnight trip, rock climbing, and WOC's challenge low ropes course~! Classes run during the first and fourth quarters. Time commitment is 4 hours on each of four Saturday afternoons plus one overnight.
Contact:Lauren Moscoe
07ljm@williams.edu
outdoor-outreach-l@williams.edu
* Williams Outing Club Trail Crew
WOC runs occasional trail crew parties to help maintain important local recreational areas. They are a great contribution to the local area and are a lot of fun. Trail crews typically work on Saturdays, though special arrangements can be made for interested groups.
Contact: Will Wetzel
06wcw@williams.edu
Reed Harrison
06rmh@williams.edu
* Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
WRLF is a community land trust and enviornmental education organization. They have a beautiful new center at Sheep Hill (located on Route 7 south of Williamstown). They also help maintain several local trails, advise residents on conservation practices and land restrictions, purchase land for preservation, and are working on increasing affordable housing in the area.
Contact: Juliana
(413) 458-2494
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Special Needs
* Adult Literacy and Adult Learning Program
After a brief training period, students are paired with an adult to help with literacy, ESL, or GED preparation. Tutors meet one-on-one with those they tutor for one hour per week at a mutually convenient time and location.
Contact: Solomon B Makgoeng
06sbm@williams.edu
* Best Buddies
This program builds friendships between college students and people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Volunteers build close and lasting relationships with their buddies by going to the movies, sports events, concerts, museums and their social activities. Buddies talk on the phone once a week and meet twice a month for about 2 hours each time. No car is needed.
Contact: Ezra Burch
07eab@williams.edu
bestbuddies@wso.williams.edu
* Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
173 Water Street, Williamstown
This is a national organization that produces tape recordings of written texts for the blind community and those with dyslexia. The Williamstown branch is always in need of volunteer to read texts aloud and to monitor machinery. The weekly commitment is typically two hours and the schedule is very acommodating.
Contact: Nathan Friend
07ndf@williams.edu
Jeff Owens
458-3641
berkshire@rfbd.org
* Special Needs Tutoring at Mt. Greylock High School
Students can volunteer each week during the school day at their convenience to work one-on-one with high school students with various learning disabilities. A van leaves from Chapin at 2:30 and returns by 4:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Contact: Geri Ottaviano
06glo@williams.edu
* Special Olympics
Special Olympics is dedicated to providing mentally handicapped adults and children ages 8 and up the opportunity to develop physical fitness, courage, and friendship through participation in Olympic-type sports. Volunteers coach participants once a week ina variety of sports including soccer, croquet, fishing, basketball, skiing, skating, racewalking, bowling, track and field events, horseshoes, softball, and other sports. Volunteers need not be world class athletes nor even have previous coaching experience. All that is needed is the desire to have fun and be supportive.
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
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Youth Services and Education
* ABC House Tutoring
The national A Better Chance (ABC) program, http://www.abetterchance.org provides increased educational opportunites for high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program has established a residence on Hoxsey Street in Williamstown so eight of these students can attend Mt. Greylock High School. Volunteers tutor the ABC House students in a wide range of subjects and as often as needed. The time commitment is about two hours, one night a week, and the house is a short walking distance from campus.
Contact: Natalie Vokes
07niv@williams.edu
Brendan Mulrain
07btm@williams.edu
* America Reads/America Counts
These national programs are both federal work study and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can work either in the classroom as teacher's assistants or after school in one-on-one tutoring and mentoring programs. Williams volunteers work at Williamstown Elementary, Hancock Elementary (just south of Williamstown), Pownal Elementary (just north), and North Adams public schools. The time commitment ranges from one to several hours per week.
Please read the attached word document for important work study information and directions to participating schools.
Contact: Sara Kazanjian
06sjk@williams.edu
Jenny Gimian
08jmg_2@williams.edu
* Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth
Berkshire Farm is a group home and school for about 250 boys aged 12-17 all from New York State. They are placed in the home for a variety of reasons including family difficulties, school troubles, drugs, and gang involvement. Williams students tutor the boys in reading, writing, math, Spanish, and for SAT prep courses.
Contact: Estalyn Marquis
06esm@williams.edu
* Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Williams students are paired wiht a student from a local elementary school. Volunteers become close and highly respected friends to these children who need a reliable and caring role model. A Big can help a child discover a world of possibilities and opportunites simply by being a genuine friend. Volunteers do not need a car to participate, but must commit to one meeting a week with their little sibling.
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* Boy Scouts
The local troop welcomes student volunteers as troop leaders, outdoor trip guides, and skills teachers. The scouts are always eager to meet Williams students with scouting experience, and time commitment can vary from a few weeks to a few years. The troop meets on Thursdays at 7:00pm at St. Patrick's Church.
Contact: Keith McWhorter
06kbm@williams.edu
* Conte Middle School Tutoring
Volunteers at this North Adams middle school work one-on-one with students having academic difficulties in a variety of subjects. Tutoring sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30, and volunteers are welcome for any or all of these days.
Contact: Elizabeth Doran
Elizabeth.A.Doran@williams.edu
* Days at College
Work with children in grades 6-10 from NYC and Vermont to raise thier awareness of the possibility of college, the wide range of college options, and the necessary skills for succeeding in high school and college. School groups visit Williams for a simulated day at college.
Contact: Pam Vachatimanont
07vv@williams.edu
Hannah Foote
07hef@williams.edu
* Girl Scouts
Volunteers are needed to lead, co-lead, or assistant lead troops of 5-12 girls ranging in age from 5-18 years. The time commitment is 2-3 hours per week. No previous scouting experience is necessary, just excitement and the desire to have fun with and be a role model for these girls.
Susan.Montiel@williams.edu
* Hancock School
Hancock Elementary is a small school located about 15 minutes away in Hancock, MA. They need mentor-tutors on Monday afternoons.
738-5676
* Hughes Science Foundation Tutoring
Run through the Biology department but open to students of any discipline, this program allows Williams students to work with local elementary school teachers to create lesson plans and teach classes in the sciences and computer technologies. Time commitment for these paid positions begins at two hours per week. Teaching session occur during the school day and transportation is provided.
Contact: Jennifer Swoap
jswoap@williams.edu
* Kidspace at MASS MoCA
Kidspace is an art gallery and studio space designed especially for kids and families. Kidspace staff work closely wiht North Adams teachers to integrate the study of contemporary art and art making into the curriculum, and they host class field trips for all North Adams schoolchildren. Kidspace is also open to the public.
Contact: Priyanka Bangard
07pb@williams.edu
* Mt. Greylock High School tutoring
High school students need your help! Volunteers work one-on-one with students ina variety of subjects. A van leaves Chapin at 2:30 and returns by 4:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tutoring sessions can also take place on campus in the evening or on weekends. Take 90 minutes out of your week to make a difference!
Contact: Laura Wagner
07ldw@williams.edu
* North Adams Public Schools
Intepretive assistance for Korean and Spanish speaking families during parent-teacher conferences and permission slip translation is needed, along with tutoring students in and after school.
Contact: Carole Hilderbrand
664-7512
carolehildebrand@yahoo.com
* P.A.W. Pals at Pownal Elementary School
PAW Pals is a big brother/big sister program in Pownal, VT. Williams students spend one hour a week (or more) one-on-one with elementary school students, either at lunch or after school. Volunteers provide a dependable support and mentor for the children, and together they do fun stuff like playing basketball and board games or doing art projects.
Contact: Tyler Gray
07tcg@williams.edu
* Pownal Elementary After- School Program
This program is a great opportunity to begin teaching elementary school students. Volunteers design and teach their own class to a group of K-3 or 4-6 grade students. The program begins in January, when volunteers can teach one or two days a week. Past courses have included cooking, Native American culture, Around the World, the Homework Club, and Structure.
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* Pen Pals
Write monthly letters to students from Brayton Elementary in North Adams and be a lasting impact in their lives.
Carol Rosenberg
06cer_3@williams.edu
Alexis Saba
06aes@williams.edu
* Stamford School
With 90 students in grades K-8, this Vermont school (only 15 minutes away) lacks the funds to hire full-time teachers in a variety of subjects. Volunteers can teach, tutor, and play with students, who are excited to meet and learn from young role models. Volunteers are especially needed to teach US history during the day and art and writing after school. Hours are flexible, ranging from every week to a few days per semester.
Contact: Matt Piven
07mbp@williams.edu
* Williamstown Youth Center
Founded by Williams students almost 100 years ago, the WYC now relies largely on Williams volunteers as sports coaches, tutors, summer camp leaders, and art, dance, yoga and acting teachers for boys and girls aged 4-16
Contact: Jonathan Igoe
wyc@verizon.net
458-5925
William Bruce
08wbb@williams.edu
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Other
* Images Cinema
The only year-round, non-profit, independent film house in the Berkshires. Last year we organized the Canned Film Festival and other collection drives with Images, and SSJ has begun work with Images for their Social Justice Film Series. Working with the theatre can take many forms, from cleaning and maintenance to taking and organizing canned food drives.
Contact: Ruth Giordano
458-1039.
* Inkberry
Inkberry is a store-front community writing center located on Main Street in North Adams. They provide classes and writing workshops and maintain a small library.
664-0775.
* The New American Citizenship Coalition
Located in Pittsfield, the NACC provides translation and immigration services for all of Northern Berkshire ona small budget and without full-time staff people. Volunteers translate documents and perform interpretive assistance for Korean, Chinese, Cambodian, and Spanish residents.
445-4881
nacc@berkshire.net
* Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
85 Main Street, Suite 332, North Adams
NBCC is a model community coalition. They bring together a wide range of social service and other community organizations for their monthly meetings, manage a network of neighborhood groups, provide support for these organizations, publish a monthly newsletter, plan special events, and more.
Contact: Kathy Keeser
kkeeser@nbccoalition.org
(413) 663-7588
* The Salvation Army
393 River St. North Adams.
Volunteers are needed to help with youth programs, crafts, recreational activities, serving suppers, and more.
663-3014.
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
* Students for Social Justice
Students for Social Justice (SSJ) works to alleviate the political, social, and economic injustices present in the world today. We do so by (1) increasing awareness within the Williams community about contemporary social justice issues, and (2) executing projects that actively contribute to the development of a socially just society. SSJ is an activist group that networks with other organizations because we believe community cooperation is essential in achieving social justice.
Contact: Martin Williams
07mjw_2@williams.edu
social-justice@wso.williams.edu
* Women's Exchange
The Women's Exchange is a second-hand store located on Cole Ave. All of the profits go to a program run by Marie Harpin of the Berkshire Community Action Council to subsidize prescription drugs of emergency patients. They always need workers.
Contact: Freba Farhat
09fzf@williams.edu
* WWII Veterans Oral History Project
Contact: Sadie Miller
smiller@williams.edu
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