Opportunities
It's simple. Choose a Category. Pick an Organization. Get involved.
HEALTH CARE
Allegiance Hospice
Mission: To provide quality interdisciplinary end of life care to individuals who have accessed their hospice benefit.
Ages: 18 and 19 year olds for direct patient care volunteers, and 15-20 year olds for office volunteers (Sagamore).
Shifts: Direct patient care volunteers require about 2-3 hrs week and about 12-15 hours of training. Office volunteers about 2-3 hours week or as volunteer schedule permits.
Contact Information: Karen Spangler, kspangler@allegiancehospice.com
Alzheimer's services of Cape Cod & The Islands
Mission: To support families and individuals living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.
Ages: Have to be able to drive.
Shifts: Various.
Opportunities Available: Stuff envelopes, hands on respite activities, event set up / clean up and registration.
Contact Information: alisa@alzcapecod.org
Dream Day on Cape Cod
Mission: Bring a ray of sunshine into the lives of families that have children with life-threatening illnesses and or serious conditions.
Ages: 14 to 19
Shifts: Varies depending on project or program — weekends, summers, school breaks.
Opportunities Available: Quarterly events for families. Ongoing support with various administrative projects — i.e. helping with a mailing or newsletter. As needed support with camp building projects. Support with our summer program — a family camp located in Brewster. Help out at one of our fundraising events — golf tournament, fishing tournament, road race etc.
Contact Information: Kathleen Giorgio, Executive Director kgiorgio@verizon.net or call 774-994-7346
Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital
Mission: To coordinate and deliver the highest quality, accessible health services which enhance the health of all Cape Cod residents and visitors.
Ages: 13 to 19
Shifts: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 12:00-4:00 p.m. or 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Opportunities Available: Junior Volunteers must go through training sessions once a year over a two-day period in June. From 13 through 17: Once trained, the teens volunteer their time on the clinical floors, in the dietary department, delivering mail and flowers, in various offices, and special projects. At age 18: you can volunteer in the adult program — when they want to volunteer in a hospital at the older age of the teen years it is usually because they are considering a career in the health care field. These young people usually work out best helping in the emergency department.
Contact Information: Janet Benson, RN, jbenson@capecodhealth.org or calling 508-862-5259.
Swim For Life
Mission: To raise funds for HIV/AIDS (Cape-wide), women's health and the community.
Shifts: The Swim day goes from 8am to 3pm, different shift and tasks available.
Contact Information: Jay Critchley, 508 487-3684. www.swim4life.org
Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod
Mission: Volunteers play a vital role in the overall success of the agency's programs.
Opportunities Available: Child Care Center – Falmouth. Like to read to or play games with children? Our day care center needs your help! Hospice – Cape wide. Volunteers are part of a team who provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families as well as clerical/administrative support to the hospice team. Public Health and Wellness - Cape wide. Lend a helping hand at the many immunization clinics and wellness programs. Thriftique – South Yarmouth. Join a group of hard working folks who price, sell and merchandise donated item to this thriving Yarmouth shop. Administration – Cape wide. At various locations you can assist with clerical tasks such as filing, computer work, copying, organize mailings, and answer phones. Adult Day Heath – Sandwich. Play games, share an interest in crafts or read to seniors at an adult day health center. Immunization Clinics. Immunization clinics need volunteers to check in patients, give directions and be a friendly greeter.
Contact Information: Gayle Kiely, Volunteer Program Specialist, 434 Route 134, Suite G-1S. Dennis, MA. 02660 508-957-7709. gkiely@vnacapecod.org
HOUSING
A Safe Place
Mission: To work to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault, and to empower every woman, man and child in the Nantucket Community to live a life free from violence.
Ages: 15 and older
Shifts: There are no specific shifts, but they would work with someone to create a schedule. The program is based in Nantucket, so it would be good for someone who lives on the island.
Opportunities Available: Swimming (1.4 miles), kayaking, passing out flyers during summer throughout the Cape.
Contact Information: Sara Mason, safe@nantucket.net
Champ Homes/ Workforce Housing
Mission: To provide affordable and supportive housing at Champ Homes for individuals. To advocate for the poor and the broken and to provide life skills and case management.
Ages: Age is a consideration for any student under 18 years of age and we would request that a parent or adult accompany any students under the age of 18.
Shifts: Hours are very flexible in order to allow for the busy schedule of you the student volunteer.
Contact Information: Paul Hebert, President/Development Director
82 School St., Hyannis MA 02601, (508) 771-0885
Cape Walk
Mission: To deliver safe and stable housing in our communities, and to energize our communities to support the creation of homes that people can afford.
Ages: No age requirements, but we would keep the activity age appropriate.
Shifts: We do not have shifts, but work out times with our volunteers that will be convenient for them and the agency.
Contact Information: Pamela A. Larson, Development Associate, 460 West Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601. (508) 771-5400 ext. 276. www.haconcapecod.org
Homeless Prevention Council in Orleans
Mission: The Homeless Prevention Council assists homeless and near homeless individuals and families in the eight towns of the Lower Cape (Chatham, Brewster, Harwich, Orleans, Truro, Eastham, Wellfleet, and Provincetown). The focus is on prevention and helping clients sustain financial independence.
Ages: 16 and up
Shifts: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Opportunities Available:We need someone to handle the production aspect of the quarterly newsletter. This entails copying, folding, running labels, and attaching labels. It would take approximately 8 hours, 4 times a year.
Contact Information: Ellen Bernstein, ecb68@comcast.net
THEATER/ART
Cape Cod Conservatory
Mission: To serve the cultural needs of the Cape.
Ages: 16 and up
Shifts: Varies by time of year
Opportunities Available: Desk work (reception); filing/organizing; lawn/landscaping work; cleanup (seasonal); painting; playground design and construction; summer class aids/assistants.
Contact Information: Jeffrey R. Myers, Executive Director. Cape Cod Conservatory of Music & Arts, Inc. 2235 Route 132 West Barnstable, MA 02668, 508-362-2772.
PO Box 233, Falmouth, MA 02541, 508-540-0611.
Cape Rep Theatre
Mission: To present professional-level dramatic and musical productions that challenge, educate and enrich audiences and company artists.
Ages: 14-19
Shifts: Many different times and opportunities available all year. We present plays May through December in our indoor theatre and June, July and August in our outdoor theatre. Shifts are available daytime and nighttime.
Contact Information: Janine M. Perry info@caperep.org (508) 896-1888
Cotuit Center for the Arts
Mission: To supply the community with an array of programs that encourage individual artistic development, exploration, and experimentation, and to increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the creative process by facilitating communication and interaction among artists and between artists and the public.
Ages: 16 and above with parents permission.
Shifts: Various, but mostly weekends.
Opportunities Available: Box office assistant; Ushering; Concessions; Backstage crew such as set painting, sound technician, light technician; Curating.
Contact Information: Christine@cotuitcenterforthearts.org
Falmouth Artists Guild
Mission: The Guild promotes the development of the visual arts by providing education and exhibition opportunities as well as other programs and services for its members and the community.
Ages: 16 -19
Shifts: Times may vary. Summer: Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. some Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Jill Tompkins, director@falmouthart.org. Falmouth Artists Guild, PO Box 660 / 311 Rear Main Street Falmouth, MA 02541
Harwich Junior Theatre Inc.
Ages: 14-19
Shifts: Afternoons and evenings.
Opportunities Available: Stage crew, light crew, Painting sets, Dressers, Ushers, Actors, Technicians, Postering.
Contact Information: Nina Schuessler, hjtcapecod@comcast.net
Provincetown Art Association and Museum
Mission: The objects and purposes of this association shall be to promote and cultivate the practice and appreciation of all branches of the fine arts, to assemble and maintain in the town of Provincetown and environs a collection of works of art of merit, to hold exhibitions, and by forums, concerts and similar activities to promote education of the public in the arts and social intercourse between artists and laymen. To these ends it shall operate strictly within its charter as a nonprofit, educational, artistic and cultural organization.
Ages: 15 and up
Shifts: Varies according to task and volunteer's availability
Contact Information: Ashley Grullemans, 508-487-1750.
Truro Arts Center at Castle Hill
Mission: To foster the arts and crafts by providing a wide range of instruction for adults and children. Castle Hill holds exhibitions, lectures, forums, concerts and other similar activities in order to promote social interaction among artists, craftsmen, laymen, and the community at large.
Ages: No age requirements.
Shifts: Between September and May, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., or 12:30–4:30 p.m.
Opportunities Available: They would be assisting with art classes, helping in the gallery, assisting in the office, helping prepare for events, and doing general studio and grounds maintenance. It is a good opportunity to learn more about art mediums, and the running of a cultural non-profit. Teens with an interest in ceramics are encouraged!
Contact Information: Cyndi Walker, cyndi@castlehill.org. 508-349-7511.
ENVIRONMENT
Barnstable Land Trust
Mission: Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving the open spaces and natural resources of the Town of Barnstable. BLT holds wildlife habitat, scenic views, wetlands, sensitive watershed parcels, forests and other valuable open space, in its natural state, in perpetuity for the benefit of the community
Ages: No age requirements – projects can be adjusted for all ages. However there are a few other requirements: Must have the ability to follow directions and work independently as well as have personal transportation to/from project site or office.
Shifts: Office projects are typically Mon. – Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Land Management projects may be during the week or weekends. Projects may be one-time or on-going. Opportunities for short or long-term volunteers are available. Contact the office to see what the current needs are.
Contact Information: blt@cape.com
Buy Local
Ages: At least 15
Shifts: Varies.
Opportunities Available: I need musicians, face painters, helpers. Plus I could use someone to come to the office once a week to distribute newsletters and brochures up and down the street.
Contact Information: Elizabeth Wurfbain. Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, P.O. Box 547. Hyannis, MA 02601. Tel: (508) 775-7982 x2. E-mail: EWBID@cape.com
Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corporation
Mission: To promote environmentally sound and sustainable practices. We focus the majority of our efforts on renewable energy and energy efficiency implementation, workforce development and energy policy for the region.
Ages: 14-19
Contact Information: Megan C. Amsler, Executive Director, 23A Edgerton Drive. North Falmouth, MA 02556 (508) 563 6633 www.reliance.org
Opportunities Available: We are looking to revise some of our outreach materials that we use when we go to events. We also would love help at events, and have someone to help conduct small research projects and write up brief reports for newsletter articles, project planning, etc.
Cape Cod Community Hook Fisherman's Association
Mission: The Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association is a member based, non-profit organization actively campaigning for a healthy marine environment that supports a secure and viable future for sustainable commercial fisheries. We educate, support and empower the fishing industry and the public to effect policy changes that integrate environmental, social and economic issues.
Ages: Must have your driver's license.
Shifts: Very Flexible.
Opportunities Available: Help with general office duties, such as answering phones, helping out with large mailings, helping to organize the office, etc. while learning all about fishing, fishing communities, and what we do here at CCCHFA!
Contact Information: Olivia Scozzafava, External Relations Coordinator, The Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association, 210-E Orleans Road North Chatham, MA 02650 Tel: 508-945-2432, or visit www.ccchfa.org
Clean Power Now
Mission: To help Promote renewable energy.
Ages: 14-19
Contact Information: Chelsea Harnish, Development Associate, 508-775-7796. www.cleanpowernow.org
National Marine Life Center
Mission: The National Marine Life Center is dedicated to rehabilitating for release stranded sea turtles, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and small whales, and to advancing scientific knowledge and education in marine wildlife health and conservation.
Ages: 14 and up
Shifts: Shifts available Monday-Friday, as well as occasional weekends. Shifts can range from 2 to 8 hours depending on the project.
Opportunities Available: Junior Animal Care Volunteers (ages 14 and up): Assist with the head start program Red-bellied cooters, an endangered fresh water turtle. Maintain the critter tank in the Discovery Center by cleaning and feeding the animals.
Animal Care Volunteers (must be 18 years old, animal experience, and attach a resume): Work with animal care staff during feedings, treatments, and procedures for sea turtles and seals. Help clean.
Education Volunteers (ages 14 and up): Assist with the preparation and delivering of education programs and festivals.
Administrative Volunteers (ages 14 and up): Assist with mailings, filing, data entry.
Discovery Center Docents (ages 14 and up): Greet visitors and help interpret the educational exhibits as well as answer questions about NMLC's mission statement and purposes (Discovery Center is open during the summer 7 days a week).
Contact Information: 120 Main Street, P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269. E-mail: kmcnally@nmlc.org Phone: (508) 743-9888. Web: www.nmlc.org
Thornton W. Burgess Society
Mission: To inspire reverence for wildlife and concern for the natural environment.
Ages: 12 and up.
Shifts: Hours are flexible either morning or afternoon or all day during 8 weeks of programming. Average duration each day 2 to 3 hours.
Opportunities Available: Junior Naturalists - summer volunteer program. Junior Naturalists help the education staff in the summer natural history and science-based classes for children.
Contact Information: Interested teens should contact Mary Beers, Education Director for Junior Naturalist Volunteers at mary.beers@thorntonburgess.org OR
For animal-related volunteering contact Phil Kyle, staff naturalist at phil.kyle@thorntonburgess.org.
CHILD CARE
The Children's Center
Mission: To provide affordable childcare to working families.
Opportunities Available: Mostly playing with and being a role model for the children in the classroom. They may be asked to get snack ready, sit with the children and clean up. They are also encouraged to read stories with the children, help at the art table and help on the playground and any other things the teachers may need.
Contact Information: Abigail Newberry, anewberry@hech.org
Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition (CCNSC)
Mission: To prevent child abuse and neglect on the Cape & Islands by strengthening families and the resources that support them.
Ages: 14-19
Opportunities Available: Handling correspondence, soliciting auction donations by phone and in-person, researching and contacting potential speakers, developing and distributing invitations and flyers, doing publicity, and working the late afternoon & evening of the actual event.
Contact Information: Jennifer Sheehan, Director Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition, 56 Barnstable Road, Hyannis, MA 02601 (508-771-4336) jennifer@capecoalition.com, www.capecoalition.com
YMCA
Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Ages: 14 and up
Shifts: Times and shifts vary and can usually be adapted to meet schedules.
Opportunities Available: Family Special Events — Halloween Hoopla, Mayflower Madness, Breakfast with Santa, Eggsellent Easter Adventure, and Healthy Kids Day. All ages are welcome. Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult (Can be a chaperone up to 10 kids).
Contact Steven Wolfe 508-428-4795 x208, swolfelyndoncenter@gmail.com
Youth Sports Leagues, Camps, and Clinics. Ages 15 years old +. Contact Tara Weaver 508-428-4795 x201, taraweaver@comcast.net.
Building & Grounds, Conservation, and Tutoring. 16+ years old or chaperoned group 10+ years old. Contact PJ Richardson 508-428-9251 x200, pjlyndoncenter@aol.com.
HISTORY
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Mission: To inspire appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural environment through discovery and learning.
Ages: 14 and up
Shifts: Varies by the time of year.
Opportunities Available: Teens could be educators in the museum aquarium, or be part of a summer program where they could help out in camp environment.
Contact Information: Pam Fearn, Volunteer Coordinator, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Rte 6A Brewster, MA 02631, E-mail: pfearn@ccmnh.org, Tel: (508) 896-3867 ext. 119.
Centerville Historical Museum
Mission: Preserve and share the history of Centerville and its people, inspiring a sense of community and an appreciation of our Cape Cod Heritage. Promote historical research and to collect, procure, exhibit and preserve documents, artifacts and relevant items, which relate to the history of Centerville and Cape Cod, and to provide proper care and custody.
Ages: 16 and up
Shifts: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Opportunities Available:
- Cataloging various parts of the museum collection, which includes; digital photography, object evaluations and assessments, database cataloging. (all year round)
- Interacting with the public as a docent giving guided tours of the 14 room museum. (summer fall season)
- Working with other volunteers on room exhibit displays (winter season only)
Contact Information: Randall Hoel, Director, Centerville Historical Museum, 513 Main Street Centerville, MA, 02632. Tel: 508-775-0331, E-mail: chsm@cape.com. Or visit www.centervillehistoricalmuseum.org
Harwich Historical Society
Mission: Brooks Academy Museum is home to the Harwich
Historical Society which collects, preserves, and exhibits the history of
Harwich in the wonderful setting of a nineteenth century school.
Shifts: time commitment and schedule are flexible. The Society will provide all training.
Opportunities Available: The Society has a computer project in great need of volunteer help. Each item donated to the society is documented with information about the donor, condition, description, and historical significance. Until the computer age, this information was stored in a card catalog which is now in the process of being entered into a computer database. This project will provide the Society with more accurate and complete records of the thousands of objects, documents, and photos in its possession and make the collection more accessible for research purposes. The work is detailed but not hard and it would provide someone with a great community service project for school and/or college applications.
Contact Information: harwichhistorialsociety@verizon.net or call (508) 432-8089.
ANIMALS/WILDLIFE
Friends of Falmouth Dogs
Mission: To find homes for the stray and abandoned dogs in Falmouth.
Ages: 18 and up for direct contact with the dogs. For younger teens, we have time-limited projects (e.g. gardening) that do not involve handling of the dogs.
Shifts: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 - 12:00, Sunday from 1:00-3:00. We also have an afternoon shift on Mondays and Thursdays. We follow daylight savings time with that shift. Late fall and winter it is 3:00-5:00 and the rest of the year it is 4:00-6:00
Opportunities Available: Walking dogs, helping socialize dogs, cleaning kennels, washing dishes, laundry, household cleaning, yard maintenance, explaining our adoption process to the public who come to view the dogs.
Contact Information: E-mail: info@friendsoffalmouthdogs.org, Tel: (508) 548-7742, ask for Kathy Long. www.friendsoffalmouthdogs.org