Category Archives: Other

Family Voice Advocates

Family Voice Advocates is taking on both pro-bono and reduced rate clients through the end of 2020! Rates are income-dependent on a sliding scale. Please email Lani Verges-Radack at FamilyVoiceAdvocates@gmail.com for details about how she can help with records review, educational advocacy, and systems navigation.

Lani is the proud single mother to two teenagers with complex special needs. She is a transracial adoptive parent who has personal experience navigating state systems including DCF (Department of Children and Families), DMH (Department of Mental Health), MBHP (Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership) and Masshealth. Continue reading →

Give or Get Household Items at Welcome Home

Do you have extra home goods that you are ready to part with? Welcome Home will gladly accept “like-new” or new items that are not broken, stained or torn at their convenient Newton Centre location.

Need essential household items? They will provide household items to people who can use them — no forms, no fees, and no requirements.

Welcome Home, Inc., a local nonprofit eco-friendly organization, collects and redistributes
household items to people in need. To schedule a donation drop off, make a financial
contribution or request home goods visit the website or email welcome homemass@gmail.com.

A Home Goods Pantry
Trinity Church, 11 Homer Street (entrance on Furber Lane),  Newton Centre
617-454-4795

Safer Teachers, Safer Students: K-12 Back to School Testing Collaborative

A group of physician/scientist parents from Newton have been working together with several neighboring towns to develop a Covid surveillance testing program. Surveillance testing is a supplement to school reopening public health measures such as hand washing, face coverings and social distancing. In particular, surveillance testing aims at detecting and acting on any silent (asymptomatic) viral outbreaks much earlier than would be possible without testing.

As a partner in these Collaborative efforts, the group believes Newton can, and should, develop our own Covid testing pilot program, as teachers and students return to schools this month and next. They will shortly be conducting a survey to assess parents’ interest in Covid testing, and will provide a link to that as soon as it goes live.

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

The West Suburban YMCA is Hiring!
The Y has an immediate need for Youth Group Leaders for the Fall 2020 Out of School Time program. Youth Group Leaders will provide academic support and facilitate enrichment opportunities for K-8 students enrolled in the Y’s Out of School Time program. The Y offers generous benefits, free membership, and professional development opportunities. Youth Group Leaders who work 20+ hours per week and have a child enrolled in the OST program also receive 50% off the program tuition. Learn more and apply today at www.wsymca.org/careers.

Out of School Time Enrollment, Grades K-8
Program begins September 21st
This fall the Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program is offering a full day program from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm to support distance learning and complement the Newton Public Schools schedule. Families have the option to enroll their child for 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The EEC-certified Out of School Time program provides academic support, study strategies, and structured routine, as well as opportunities for physical activities and enrichment activities. Learn more at www.wsymca.org/OST.

Fall Programs
Mini Sessions
Early Fall Program Session starts September 21st
The Y is offering three 4-week mini sessions this fall. Register for programs such as swimming, sports, music, and fitness! Small group and private sessions are available. All programming follows state health and safety guidelines. Visit the Y’s website for more information and registration.

YMCA Preschool Enrollment, Ages 2.9 – 5 years
Fall 2020 Program Begins September 21st
The EEC-certified Preschool Center for Youth Development at the West Suburban YMCA is accepting enrollments for Fall 2020. The program offers full day care from 7:45 am – 5:00 pm with the option to enroll 5 days, 3 days, or 2 days per week. The program has been newly structured to keep children and teachers safe and healthy amid the ongoing pandemic, with small cohorts, individual materials and student supplies, and frequent handwashing, sanitizing, and disinfecting. For more information regarding enrollment, contact Tricia Mansfield at triciam@wsymca.org.

Sports, Swim, Music, and More
One-on-one or small group private lessons are available for many Y programs, including swim lessons, basketball, soccer, sports-specific athletic training, music lessons, and more. Instructors are highly experienced in their program areas and will tailor a program to meet your needs! Most private lessons have the option to be held indoors, outdoors, or virtually. Contact the Y’s Welcome Center at 617-244-6050 ext. 0 for more information.

Personal Training
Outdoors, Indoors, or Virtual Training
Personal training is available for members either outside, in a private studio, or virtually. For more information or to set up a training session, please email Jenni at jennip@wsymca.org or call her at (617) 244-6050 ext. 3034.

Make a Reservation
Family swim, adult recreational and lap swim, Court A, and group exercise classes are currently by reservation only. Reservations can be made no more than 48 hours in advance. To make reservations please visit wsymca.org/reservations.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 ext. 3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.

Safety Protocols and Procedures
The West Suburban YMCA is operating in accordance with all guidelines and recommendations outlined by the CDC, the state of Massachusetts, and local health authorities. Visit the Y’s reopening guide for more about the West Suburban YMCA’s new protocols.

Thank Covid-19 Heroes

Newton residents may receive a free Thank You Covid-19 Heroes lawn sign. The Thank Covid-10 Heroes group has partnered with Village Bank to raise money for

  • Newton Wellesley Hospital-Covid-19 Fund
  • Newton Covid-19 Care Fund
  • Newton Food Pantry

Help these important Newton charities and let those in our community who are working to serve us all know that you appreciate them.

Please visit https://cv19heroes.org/ today and get a sign. While every little bit helps, a $2.00 minimum donation is suggested.

Get a no-cost energy assessment

Until September 30th, homeowners can get 100% off the cost of a Mass Save approved home insulation project after having a virtual no-cost energy audit using a smartphone to take photos of some areas of your home. In addition to potentially great financial savings, this will help to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your carbon footprint.

Other incentives include air-sealing; rebates off up to $2,750.00 on energy-efficient equipment upgrades; no-cost LED light bulbs; shower heads and power strips. Homeowners are eligible for an energy assessment every three years.

The number to call is 781-305-3319, choose option 2 and say you were referred by Green Newton or visit https://www.homeworksenergy.com/neighbors/greennewton

If opportunities are found to weatherize or insulate your home at no cost, a follow up appointment will be scheduled with an installation specialist by the end of November.

You can learn more at greennewton.org.

Volunteer Positions Available at the Newton Food Pantry

Volunteers are currently needed for the following positions at the NFP (Must be 18 years or older for all positions):

  • Monday AM Volunteer (75 minute shift): Working within a small team, volunteer in this role must be physically fit and able to lift and move 50 pound boxes and unload 6,000 pounds of food. Hours: 8:15 – 9:30 am or 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
  • Wednesday AM Volunteer: Drivers needed to caravan to Newton housing facilities and make contactless deliveries. Volunteers must have their own car and be able to lift 30 pound bags. Hours: 9:45 -1 1:00 am
  • Wednesday PM Volunteer: Physically fit volunteers needed to help with client grocery distribution. Shift work requires ability to lift 10-50 pound boxes and bags repetitively while being outside in all weather conditions. Spanish, Portuguese or Russian speaking volunteers are an added bonus! Hours: 12:30 – 2:30 pm or 2:30 – 4:30 pm

If interested please email volunteercoordinator@newtonfoodpantry.org.

An active and socially distant service opportunity

Are you looking for an active and socially distant service opportunity for your family?

Join the Centre Street Food Pantry’s ‘Off the Beaten Path’ campaign! They’re looking for families who like to bike, swim, walk, or run. For every mile that you go together, you will raise money for our local pantry. Pantry staff will help you find safe routes around the city and provide all the tools you need to solicit sponsors. Contact Team Leader Kate Ballas at k.ballas@centrestreetfoodpantry.org to join the fun!

Green Students Movement

Join a youth-led, environmentalist organization that hosts weekly community cleanups! Their goals are to spread environmental awareness, serve local communities, and get more students passionate about the environment. Cleanups are open to all students who want to help with the initiative!

At cleanups, students can socialize and make new friends, and in partnership with the Newton South Student Corps, students gain volunteer hours as well! As the group is working on becoming a nonprofit organization, any donations would be greatly appreciated.

It’s required that students wear masks at cleanups, and recommended that they bring their own plastic gloves, trash bags, and water bottles.

If you are interested in being added to the email list, please complete this form https://forms.gle/fQnnWiJDxtbGXSz98