Volunteer Opportunities

Your time and talent can make an impact at the Urban Ministry, and beyond.

We greatly appreciate the dedicated volunteers who give their time and talent to move our mission forward by supporting the work of our programs.

And we are committed to being a partner in Roxbury and beyond. This means bringing the strength and dedication of those in our 46 member congregations to support our partner organizations.

It means that when we say in our mission statement that we work across race and place to dismantle racism and white supremacy culture and advance racial, economic and social justice, we know we can’t achieve that in isolation. We believe partnerships are essential, and make real our words.

Delegate of the Month

This month, the UU Urban Ministry is happy to spotlight Jean Masland from First Parish Church in Weston as our inaugural "Delegate of the Month."

Jean has been a steadfast supporter and advocate for UUUM’s mission, and she consistently brings this dedication to the role of UUUM Delegate. Over the years, Jean has played an integral role in organizing events, promoting volunteerism, and creating lasting connections. Her commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration between Weston and Roxbury is evident - and she puts that into action.

Recently, Jean helped organize a group from Weston who came to Roxbury to participate in our Tours Program. In the past, she has invited the UUUM team to Weston, where she gathered a group from the congregation to hear about our work over coffee and lunch

Jean’s commitment to service and support for UUUM's programs makes her a great example of what it means to be a UUUM delegate.

Thank you, Jean!

Current Volunteer Opportunities: FASFA Assistance and
DeeDee's Cry Toy Drive Assistance

FAFSA Assistance:

The Roxbury Youth Program (RYP) is seeking volunteers to help students understand and complete the FAFSA. We’re looking for volunteers with availability within the first three weeks of December. RYP meets Monday through Thursday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and you can choose to volunteer on one day or multiple days based on your availability.

Your support can make a significant difference in helping students navigate the financial aid process and access opportunities for higher education. If you're able to assist, please reach out to us.

Toy Drive Assistance:

Volunteer Opportunity: DeeDee's Cry Annual Toy Drive

Join us on Sunday, December 15, 2024, to make this year's Toy Drive a success! The event runs from 2–4 PM, but volunteers are needed between 10 AM and 5 PM for:

Set-up & decorating
Sorting toys
Managing lines
Assisting families
Clean-up

Even a few hours of your time will make a big impact! Let us know if you can help spread holiday cheer. Thank you!

Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form

Engaging with Community Partner Organizations

Our member congregations are made up of people committed to social justice, and who have skills and knowledge that can help make a real impact. We are working to be a connector, helping bring committed people from our member congregations together with local social justice organizations to help increase the impact of the good work they're doing. This is a different way of looking at volunteering, and is what we mean by partnerships.

We are working with each of our partner organizations to gauge their interest and needs. Check out some of the opportunities that they identified below. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Robert Jones, Congregational and Volunteer Coordinator: rjones@uuum.org

UUUM Community Partner: DeeDee's Cry

We are working to help build a circle of support for DeeDee's Cry that can assist with some of these engagement opportunities. Our partnerships coordinator will work with these volunteers, and DeeDee's Cry, to ensure it's a meaningful experience for both sides.

We have spoken with the Founder and Executive Director, Toy Burton, about partnering with her organization, and what that might look like. She identified a number of opportunities where folks can be helpful, including:

Grant-writing
Social media promotion
Helping send thank you notes to donors
Reaching out to companies for sponsorships
Website Improvements
Offering a session on loss/grief at out-of-Boston locations, with training
Hands-on helpers in the community when DeeDees Cry is having an event at the Urban Ministry and other larger public events like Suicide Prevention Walk in September

For more info or to volunteer, contact Robert Jones, Congregational and Volunteer Coordinator: rjones@uuum.org

UUUM Community Partner: City Life/Vida Urbana

For over 50 years, City Life/Vida Urbana has been fighting for tenants’ rights, and winning. As a community partner of UUUM, we invite our member congregations to support them in their important work.

Here are six ways you can get involved:

Lawyers and others with legal training are needed at weekly housing meetings Tuesday night in Jamaica Plain (English) and Wednesday in East Boston (Spanish). Training in housing law offered.
Attend “Actions” when tenants are at risk of eviction. We march together in front of tenants homes or management companies.
Join Public Letter Workshops, at the CLVU office, UUUM office or your UU church. When a tenant is at risk of losing housing,

letters written on their behalf to the Mayor, State Reps, or the owners can remedy the situation.
Support Legislation on rent control, foreclosure prevention and TOPA- Tenant Option to Purchase- by letter-writing and phonecalls/meetings with legislators.

Canvass buildings where tenants are being treated unfairly, passing out literature informing them of their rights, usually with CLVU members and Harvard Law students.
Join the Devenscrest Village Tenants Association campaign to enable tenants of Devenscrest Village in Ayer to purchase

their units. Over 100 units of affordable housing are at stake. CLVU is organizing with the support of a local interfaith coalitionand UU congregations in the area are encouraged to join.

For more info or to volunteer, contact Robert Jones, Congregational and Volunteer Coordinator: rjones@uuum.org

UUUM Community Partner: Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

The Peace Institute is proud to recognize Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month (SHVAM), a dedicated month of reflection, support, and advocacy taking place from November 20 to December 20. SHVAM raises awareness and seeks to reshape societal perspectives on the experiences of families affected by homicide. This campaign is an opportunity to inform, influence, and impact the way society understands and supports survivors.

The month will begin with an opening ceremony at the Massachusetts State House in the Great Hall on Thursday, November 21, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. All are invited to join us to honor and stand with the survivor community. Throughout SHVAM, the Peace Institute will host a series of survivor-led events and workshops, creating space for healing, empowerment, and advocacy. We encourage all to attend, participate, and share these events with their networks to amplify the voices of survivors.

29th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace

The Mother's Day Walk for Peace is a beloved Boston tradition honoring the lives of our loved ones who have been murdered. It is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) largest fundraising event to grow and sustain our services, advocacy and training.

Again this year, over a dozen UUUM member congregations have teams who will be participating in the walk.

Want to Walk?

CLICK HERE to find a team or to register as an individual to walk on May 12th.

UU Community Partner: Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC)

Located just a short walk from our Urban Ministry campus in Roxbury, the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) has been dedicated to supporting refugee and immigrant communities for over 30 years. RIAC’s mission is to help individuals and families successfully resettle and build self-sufficient lives in the United States.

UU congregations have various meaningful ways to support RIAC’s work and partner with those they serve:

Co-sponsor a refugee family in partnership with RIAC
Organize donation drives for welcome home kits, baby essentials, school supplies, kitchen items, personal hygiene products, and winter clothing
Volunteer as citizenship and ESOL tutors
Participate in the annual holiday toy drive in December

To learn more about RIAC, please visit their website at https://www.riacboston.org/

UUUM Community Partner: Paige Academy

Paige Academy was founded in 1975, and is the only independent Black school in New England. The school's educational mission is to provide an environment that fosters individual worth as well as collective responsibility. It centers the African-American values of Nguzo Saba, Seven Principles of Kwanza: Unity, Self- Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.

Many of you may have met Sister Angela and Brother Joe Cook, who have spent the last 50 years educating children up to sixth grade at Paige Academy. We are proud to support them, and this true educational gem.

Identified Needs of Paige Academy: Spring 2024

Help raising funds for the overhead cost of the school van
Creating an annual fundraiser/Gala to help benefit the school
Support with helping them begin to start a mailing list for potential funding support. They are currently using emails for communication purposes.
Help market their elementary school program through an awareness campaign

They are interested in working closely with someone who is knowledgeable in development
Try to connect with previous students (Alumni) that has aged out or parents that have been involved in their programming
Website/social media support
Help plan a celebration for their 55th year next year
Help fundraise for their scholarship program that they offer to Roxbury Families
Support with some beautifications on the site and some ground/garden support

For more info or to volunteer, contact Robert Jones, Congregational and Volunteer Coordinator: rjones@uuum.org