Please note this new batch of volunteering opportunities as described by UMass Memorial’s Anchor Mission Program
Note that participants are able to get rewards from the hospital for volunteering, including up to 250 MyHealthMatters points
anchor mission service opportunities
"Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
We know UMass Memorial Health is full of caregivers with hearts full of grace. Just check out the UMatter platform to see some of the volunteer awards we send out weekly.
The holiday season is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. It is also a great time to reflect and think about those who are less fortunate. Any of the service opportunities listed here will help improve the health of our patients outside the walls of our hospitals and doctor offices. Bonus: They also are guaranteed to produce joy for the caregivers who volunteer.
Do you have more ideas of where caregivers can find service opportunities? Go to Innovation Station, enter your idea, align it to “Community” strategic goal, and/or escalate it to the Anchor Mission Team.
Service Opportunities:
Worcester Adult Learning Center
The Worcester Adult Learning Center (WALC) is looking for workforce members to hold mock-interviews with its students to advise them on the career related fundamentals of the interview process and help navigate them through the hiring process. The first session of interviews will be on Thursday, December 9th, 9:30-12pm for day students. Approximately 40 students will be able participate in the interviews. There are also students on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 5:30-8:00 pm and WALC can coordinate another session for the evening students as well. If interested, please email ummhvolunteerism@umassmemorial.org.
United Way of Central Massachusetts
The United Way of Central Massachusetts 2021 Holiday Wish List includes volunteer opportunities and donation drive opportunities.
“VaxAbilities” Disability-Friendly COVID-19 Vaccine Events
The goal of these events is to support people with sensory and/or other accommodation needs in Massachusetts to have the most positive and comfortable vaccination experience possible. This will be accomplished by bringing in clinicians with sensory training to partner with vaccinating clinicians, physical tools to assist with numbing and distraction, strategies for positioning and distraction, and the assistance of volunteers to help with logistics and engagement. Most events will offer vaccines to both children and adults. Organizers are seeking:
1. Sensory-trained clinicians who will partner with vaccine-administrating clinicians to understand and use strategies to support the sensory needs and accommodations children or adults may have through the vaccination process (paid or volunteer)
2. Pediatricians on site to answer parent and child questions about the COVID19 vaccine (paid or volunteer)
3. Volunteers that can help direct visitors, help engage children as they wait for vaccines, hand out distractor items/toys, assist with vaccine station cleaning and collect survey responses, etc. Sign up here.
For both clinicians and volunteers, assignments will be confirmed after you complete the information tool in link. More information is available at www.VaxAbilities.com.
Abby’s House
They provide safe, affordable housing for woman and children, they have 72 single room supportive housing units and 7 2-bedroom units for woman and children in 3 locations in Worcester. They are currently at capacity and have a waiting list for new tenants. They have a wish list on their website Donation drop offs must be coordinated with their Volunteer Coordinator.
St. John’s Pantry/Food for the Poor
Donations for the food pantry are always welcome. There is also a list on their website of non-food items that are always needed. Groups of volunteers must be organized through the Director. Small groups can volunteer to feed the homeless for a morning or evening.
Net of Compassion
Volunteers can volunteer at Hotel Grace, Grace Closet, Grace Pantry, Meals on Main Street & Joshua’s Showers. These can all be found on their volunteering page. They always welcome food, clothes and other non-food donations for Hotel Grace, Grace Closet & Grace Pantry. They have a wish list on their website of all items that are needed.
Interested in signing up for a volunteering event?
Check out our ongoing opportunities on the Hub. This list is updated monthly. Review the complete list.
Would you like us to help you set up a volunteering opportunity?
We’d be happy to help you, or your department set up a volunteering activity! Email us and let us know how we can help.
Remember to Spread the Word!
Help us spread the word and remember to bring up Anchor Mission at your next huddle! New volunteers can learn more and register here.