How to get involved in every Boston neighborhood this fall

From Allston to West Roxbury, here's a list of civic engagement and volunteer opportunities happening this fall.

Bags of food in the basement waits to be distributed for those in need during COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic at the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen inside Our Savior Lutheran Church on Paris St. in East Boston in 2020. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

By Annie Jonas and Nia Harmon

7 minutes to read

From civic engagement events to volunteer opportunities for the entire family, this list has everything you need to help engage with your Boston community from September to November.

Ahead, check out the best ways to get involved in every Boston neighborhood this fall.

Allston

Help amplify the neighborhood with Allston Village Main Streets

Allston Village Main Streets (AVMS) is a community centered non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the qualities of the business district through programming and events year round. Volunteers can serve on one of the three AVMS committees that work to amplify the neighborhood. (Ongoing; 161 Harvard Ave #11, Allston)

Back Bay-Bay Village

Assist with meal delivery at Women’s Lunch Place

Women’s Lunch Place (WLP) offers services for women in need with the help of their staff and volunteers from Monday through Saturday. WLP currently has volunteer opportunities in meal delivery, as a meal program assistant, and in the Welcome and Resource centers that are available Monday through Saturday between 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Ongoing; 67 Newbury St., Back Bay)

Beacon Hill

Volunteer with Beacon Hill Village

Beacon Hill Village (BHV) is a community-centered organization for adults 50 years old and up that provide support services, wellness programs, and emphasizes social connection. Volunteer opportunities include running errands for BHV members, technology assistance, office and administrative work, helping at special events, and writing and photography. (Every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 74 Joy St., Beacon Hill)

Brighton

Cuddle with infants at Franciscan Children’s

Franciscan Children’s volunteers help in a variety of capacities to positively impact their hospital community. Opportunities include interacting with the children through games, helping with infants in the medical rehabilitation program, providing visitors with directions around the campus, and giving parents breaks. To become a volunteer, all inquiries can be sent to Volunteer Program Manager, Yudy Reyes, by email at [email protected] or 617-779-4900. (Ongoing; 30 Warren St., Brighton)

Join the Street Team at Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation

Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a neighborhood stabilization organization that has worked to ensure affordable housing, create community leadership, and provide resources to first time home buyers since 1980. As a volunteer with the Allston Brighton CDC, you can serve in a variety of capacities in being on an action committee, joining their Street Team, volunteering at events, and other civic related opportunities. (Ongoing; 18R Shepard St., Suite 100, Brighton)

Charlestown

Volunteer as a Visitor Services Assistant at the historical Bunker Hill and Charlestown Navy Yard

The Charlestown Navy Yard built and repaired ships for over 170 years, and remains a historical site. As a volunteer, this opportunity requires a minimum of four hours per week helping visitors around the park. (Ongoing; Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown)

Chinatown-Leather District

Volunteer with the Acorn Center for Early Education and Care

The Acorn Center for Early Education and Care is a full-day Chinese and English program serving children from 15 months to 5 years old. Volunteers must commit 15 hours or more during the week. To become a volunteer, contact director of the program Kathy Cheng at 617-249-2995. (Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 38 Ash St., Chinatown)

Dorchester

Get your hands dirty with the Boston Food Forest Coalition

The Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC) is dedicated to education on matters related to food, climate justice, and stewarding the community through the preservation and restoration of green spaces. Join the volunteer list or check the calendar for a volunteer opportunity. (Ongoing; 1452 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester)

Downtown Boston

How to help migrant families in Massachusetts

Tutor immigrants at the Rian Immigrant Center

The Rian Immigrant Center provides immigrants, refugees, and international exchange visitors with legal and other immigration related resources to help with adjustment. Volunteers can help as tutors or in guest services. (Ongoing; 1 State St. #800, Downtown Boston)

East Boston

Serve food at the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen

The East Boston Soup Kitchen has worked to help marginalized individuals get access to nutritious food and community resources. Volunteers can help on Tuesdays during the kitchen’s serving days with set, prep, serving, and clean up. Volunteers with a car can also help by picking up food donations. (Ongoing; 28 Paris St., East Boston)

Fenway-Kenmore

Volunteer with Fenway Health

Fenway Health is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of medical care and supportive services to patients. Volunteers can serve in a variety of capacities including checking guests in at events, event planning and management, serving on a committee, being a route monitor at Strides for Action, and more. (Ongoing; 1340 Boylston St., Fenway)

Hyde Park

Help restock a Little Free Library

A Little Free Library is a free, open access resource that allows community members to grab books out of the box. Volunteers assist in finding children’s books by BIPOC authors and illustrators for all ages up to young adult. The location is shared after registering to volunteer. (Ongoing; Hyde Park)

Jamaica Plain

Volunteer at Bikes Not Bombs’ 37th annual bike-a-thon

Bikes Not Bombs will host its 37th annual bike-a-thon, bringing together cycling enthusiasts, families, and advocates for social change. Volunteer roles include assisting with valet bike parking, setting up the event materials in Stony Brook, or staffing the rest stops along our routes. (Sept. 4-8; Stonybrook Field, 100 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain)

Go green at the Zero Waste Pop-Up drop-off

Bring your yard waste, e-waste, paint and motor oil, household chemicals, and paper for shredding to a Zero Waste Pop-Up drop-off event at 327 Forest Hills Street in Jamaica Plain. (Nov. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 327 Forest Hills St., Jamaica Plain)

Mattapan

Help with garden maintenance at the Woolson St. Community Garden 10 Year Anniversary

Celebrate a decade of community spirit at Mattapan’s Woolston Street Community Garden with a special volunteering event. Honor ten years of growth, collaboration, and green-thumbed achievements by volunteering. (Oct. 6; 44 Woolson St., Mattapan)

Mission Hill

Help promote wellness at the Mission Hill Health Fair

Be a part of Mission Hill Health Movement by engaging with community members to promote wellness at the Health Fair. (Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Mission Hill Playground on Tremont Street, Mission Hill)

North End

Set up, serve food, and clean up at a “A Night in the Park” with RUFF

R.U.F.F. (Responsible Urbanites For Fido) is a group of volunteer dog lovers whose mission is to work towards healthy dog living and work with the community to improve neighborhood relations. RUFF is looking for volunteers to help set up, serve food, and clean up after the 3rd annual “A Night in the Park” fundraising event. E-mail [email protected] to sign up. (Sept. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.; Prince Street Large Dog Park, North End)

Roslindale

Meet your Age Strong advocate

Age Strong can assist older adults with applying for city services and government benefits (including SNAP, Medicare and Medicaid), connecting to programs/resources, and more. Contact Cassandra Desroches at 617-635-4646 or [email protected] for more information. (Second Wednesday of each month from 11a.m. to 1:00 p.m. starting Sept. 11; BPL Roslindale
4246 Washington St., Roslindale)

Roxbury

Coach Roxbury youth at the YMCA

The Roxbury YMCA is seeking volunteer coaches in basketball, soccer, baseball, and flag football. Connect with neighborhood youth and teach teamwork and build their skills in various sports offerings. Contact Timothy Baymon at [email protected] for more information. (Weekly on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings through Jan. 4, 2025; 285 Martin Luther King Blvd., Roxbury)

Seaport

Clean up the beach with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a Seaport-based nonprofit located at the historic Boston Fish Pier. It aims to restore and protect the Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment, needs volunteers to support beach clean-ups at waterfronts across the city. (Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Malibu Beach in Dorchester; Sept 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Castle Island in South Boston; Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tenean Beach in Dorchester; Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carson Beach in South Boston; Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Castle Island in South Boston; Oct. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Revere Beach in Revere)

South Boston

Help organizers host the 24th South Boston Street Festival

Organized by the South Boston Chamber of Commerce and South Boston NDC, the Street Fest will host over 100 small businesses, artists, and nonprofits setting up booths. Help out on the day of the Street Festival by e-mailing [email protected] and [email protected]. (Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; East Broadway, between I and L Streets, South Boston)

South End

Support South End artists at South End Open Studios

In 1986 a group of artists at the Boston Center for the Arts invited friends and neighbors into their studios to view their art. As other artists in the area became interested in the event, the United South End Artists was formed, and the South End Open Studios weekend came into being. United South End Artists will hold its 38th annual South End Open Studios event this year, as artists in five different buildings in Boston’s South End welcome the public into their studios for an in-person glimpse of their work and creative process. (Sept. 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Five locations in the South End)

West End

Meet your neighbors at the West End Social

The West End Museum is opening its doors for West End residents to enjoy an afternoon of community and connection. Meet your neighbors, explore the museum, and share in the vibrant spirit of our local community. (Sept. 25 from from 4 to 6 p.m.; 150 Staniford St. Suite 7 (on Lomasney Way), West End)

West Roxbury

Organize books and help prepare for a used book sale

Assist with organizing books and preparing for a book sale hosted by Friends of the West Roxbury Branch Library. E-mail [email protected] for more information. (Oct. 25-29; 1961 Centre St., West Roxbury)

Wharf District

Attend the September 2024 Wharf District Council Meeting

Held on the third Tuesday of every month, the Wharf District Council (WDC) hosts meetings aimed at the betterment of the Wharf District and its future by bringing the neighborhood’s residents, businesses, and nonprofits together to discuss matters impacting the community. The monthly meetings are open to the public. (Sept. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m.; Normal Leventhal Center, 30 Rowes Wharf, Wharf District)

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