top of page

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

IMG_4833 (1).JPG

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. 

Current Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer Opportunity: Graphic Design
Do you enjoy design work and want to put your skills toward a meaningful project? We are looking for a volunteer graphic designer to help create historic signage for the UU Urban Ministry. This signage will share the rich history of our campus and connect visitors more deeply with the story of First Church Roxbury.

If this sounds like a project you would enjoy, please reach out to Vinnie Myles at Vmyles@uuum.org.

On-going collection: Renewal House Welcome and Send-Off Baskets are our way of welcoming new residents and celebrating graduates as they step into their next chapter.

Call for RYP Workshop Facilitators
With Roxbury Youth Programs (RYP) starting back up next month, we’re looking for volunteers to facilitate workshops or series during the school year. RYP meets Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Sessions can be a one-time workshop or span several days. We welcome any format, whether it’s a hands-on class, an interactive lesson, or sharing your personal story and expertise.

Ideas to spark your proposal:

  • Photography: Teach students to capture and edit photos of their community.

  • Storytelling and podcasting: Guide teens in creating short audio or video pieces about their experiences.

  • DIY science or engineering: Build a small robot or run simple, safe experiments.

  • Career readiness: Resume building, interview skills, and preparing for summer jobs and internships.

This fall, we especially hope to connect with college admission counselors and educational consultants who can lead a panel or series to help juniors and seniors get ready for the application process.

Last year, our teens learned from realtors, bio/pharma executives, a judge, and other professionals across fields they were curious about. If you or someone in your network would like to lead a workshop or propose an idea, we would love to hear from you.

Questions or ready to get involved? Email RJones@UUUM.org.

Delegate of the Month - Mary Blanchette 

MaryBlanchette (1).jpeg

Mary Blanchette from First Parish in Milton 

It is a pleasure to recognize Mary Blanchette as our Delegate of the Month.

 

Mary brings a steady, thoughtful presence to her connection with UU Urban Ministry. She shows up with curiosity, care, and a genuine interest in the people and values that shape this work. Her engagement reflects a quiet commitment that strengthens our community without needing to be loud or visible.

Over time, Mary has joined us in a variety of ways, through learning spaces, community gatherings, and moments of shared reflection. She participates with openness, whether engaging in dialogue, attending events, or taking part in experiences that invite listening, growth, and connection.

 

Mary has also supported UUUM beyond our walls by volunteering at community partner events, helping to extend care and presence where it is most needed. In addition, she has offered practical support to our own programs, including caring for children at Renewal House so that mothers could more fully participate in a crafts workshop. These acts of service reflect her understanding that meaningful engagement often happens quietly and behind the scenes.

 

She has also helped strengthen connections within congregational life, encouraging others to engage with Community Conversations and showing up herself to support spaces rooted in dialogue and shared learning. First Parish in Milton’s sponsorship of Community Conversations reflects this spirit of partnership and care. What stands out about Mary is not how much she does, but the way she does it. She brings attentiveness, humility, and a willingness to be present, embodying the kind of partnership that makes this work possible.

 

Mary, thank you for walking alongside us and for the many ways you continue to support and uplift this work.

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

Community Partner Organizations

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.

Logo Dee Dees .png

UUUM Community Partner: DeeDee's Cry

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

bottom of page