Sometimes, students choose to make change by supporting and connecting with an organization that is already making the change you are passionate about.
Reach out to one of the organizations on this page, or do a search for your interests online. Get ideas or find opportunities. How are others addressing these issues? Reach out to organizations on your own to offer your time and energy.
If you want help finding organizations that may match your passions, Mrs. Bredberg is happy to help you.
Mrs. Satterfield, our Service Learning Coordinator, is happy to help those who are looking to connect to volunteer organizations for service learning hours.
Inclusion on this list does not mean that the school endorses this organization. This list is simply a service to share potential connections and volunteer opportunities.
Students may suggest volunteer opportunities available to other students on this page.
Teen Guide to Volunteering by Organizations that support students and schools through tutoring, mentorships, fundraising, school supplies, and more.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Homework Helpers at Sherwood Middle School: contact Heather Gablaski and Karen Gutekanst.
SPS Enrichment Programs (Summer, Vacation, and Extended Day): contact Karen Isaacson.
Math Clubs at Oak and Sherwood: contact Melissa McCann.
Schools on Wheels Massachusetts: an organization that provides school supplies for underprivileged students.
Ecotarium Museum of Science and Nature: Get information about volunteering here.
Worcester Art Museum: Click here for information about volunteering. Or email.
Compassionate Hearts Network Inc: An organization in Woodville, MA that partners with charities to provide support and empowerment for the underprivileged (programs include housing assistance, educational assistance, and women's empowerment).
Maker Mondays at Oak Middle School: 2:30 - 4pm every monday in the Design Lab. High schoolers who are interested in helping surpervise the middle school students whould email Mr. Mularella.
National and International Organizations
United Way: The Central Massachusetts location supports the underprivileged in our community regarding health, education, and family stability. Click here for more information about volunteering, here for advocacy, and here for campaign tools.
Tutorly - Online remote tutoring opportunities for high schoolers. Click here to apply to become a tutor.
Organizations that support issues related to medicine and hospitals.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Massachusetts Planned Parenthood: They have a Get Real Teen Council. Look for more information here. Or go here to apply for the next cohort.
Turkey Trot for the Memory: An annual 5K event to support those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Why Me and Sherry's House: An organization in Worcester that provides love and support for families dealing with childhood cancer.
15-40 Connection: An organization that encourages early cancer detection. They do not have individual volunteer opportunities, but willing to support students and organizations who want to coordinate events or sustained efforts about early cancer detection.
UMASS Cancer Walk and Run: Get information about volunteering here.
Saint Vincent Hospital: Contact Joy Lapidus by email or phone: 508-363-9434.
Reliant Medical Group: Click here for information about volunteering.
Binkeez for Comfort: An organization that donates blankets to children fighting illnesses away from the comforts of home.
Trinity Hospice Care: Click here for information about volunteering.
Worcester Free Clinics: Accessible and quality healthcare for people who face barriers to access traditional healthcare. Email for information about volunteering.
UMASS Memorial Medical Center: Click here for more information about volunteering.
National and International Organizations
United Way: The Central Massachusetts location supports the underprivileged in our community regarding health, education, adn family stability. Click here for more information about volunteering, here for advocacy, and here for campaign tools.
Death With Dignity is an organization that promotes death with dignity laws. Click here for the website has resources specific to Massachusetts.
Local organizations that support our community in Central Massachusetts.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Worcester Public Library: contact volunteer@mywpl.org
Shrewsbury Public Library: contact Annie Lee King
National and International Organizations
Local organizations that advocate for mental health and support individuals with mental health issues.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services: Counseling, prevention and wellness.
Massachusetts Association for Mental Health works to build better understanding of mental health conditions and advocates for greater equity in healthcare access.
National and International Organizations
Organizations that support our the elderly community.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Shrewsbury Senior Center (Shrewsbury Council on Aging): contact Ken Colon
Elder Services of Worcester: Click here for more information about volunteering.
Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Notre Dame Health Center: Click here for information about volunteering.
National and International Organizations
Organizations that support and advocate for people suffering from addiction.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery is a statewide organization that gives voice to individuals, friends, and family to educate our communities about addiction and recovery.
National and International Organizations
Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that supports people who want to stay sober.
Al-Anon is an organization that supports loved ones of alcoholics. Includes resources specific to teens.
Organizations that advocate for people with disabilities.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Seven Hills Foundation: an organization that provides community based support for children and adults with disabilities and significant life challenges.
AudioJournal: An organization that provides audio access to printed information and other services for people who are blind or have low vision. Click here for more information about volunteering.
Perkins School for the Blind: Click here for information about volunteering. Click here for information about advocacy.
National and International Organizations
Best Buddies - an organization that connects people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with buddies or mentors. (Local Branch Available.)
Darby's Dancers: an organization that provides dance classes to children with special needs. (Local Branch Available)
Special Olympics: Information about Special Olympics Massachusetts can be found here. There are many ways to get involved including volunteering For more information click here.
Vision-Aid: An organization that provides devices, training, and services to empower, educate, and enable people with vision impairments. Email for information about volunteering.
Pacer is a national organization that works to expand opportunities for children with disabilities.
Organizations that organize opportunities to preserve or clean up our local environment.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Shrewsbury Parks and Recreation: Click here to volunteer.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden: Click here for more information about volunteering.
Mass Audubon: An organization that protects the nature of Massachusetts. Click here for information about advocacy. Click here for more informaiton about volunteering. Click here for information about acting as a citizen scientist (helping to collect data).
National and International Organizations
Ocean Conservatory is an organization that works to protect and support the world's oceans.
5Gyres Institute is fighting against plastic polution.
Bye Bye Plastic Bags is a movement empowered by youth to end one use plastic bags.
Organizations that do work related to climate change advocacy.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
National and International Organizations
Our Climate: An organization that empowers young people to advocate for climate policy. They are active in Massachusetts. To learn about Our Climate Opportunities, click here.
Church World Service (CWS): A national organization that offers global aid for climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, women and children, immigrants, and refugees. Contact Adam Smedberg for information and support for local efforts.
Grassroots Global Grassroots Alliance: An international organization that supports feminist, climate change action, and anti-militarism efforts.
NRDC an organization that supports activism against climate change and for a cleaner earth.
Organizations that support recovery from natural disasters.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Helping Hand for Relief and Development: a global humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human suffereings in emergency and disaster situations. (Local opportunities available)
National and International Organizations
Church World Service (CWS): A national organization that offers global aid for climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, women and children, immigrants, and refugees. Contact Adam Smedberg for information and support for local efforts.
Organizations that support the military and veteran rights.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Veterans Inc. is an organization that supports volunteer efforts to help military veterans. Local opportunities are available, but students under 18 would need to be supervised by an adult with a CORI check.
DAV is an organization that supports veterans in life beyond the military
National and International Organizations
Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund supports the families of military personal from Massachusetts who dies in active duty after 2001.
Massachusetts Military Friends supports those who served and their families.
Organizations with missions aimed to stop violence and/or gun violence.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
JDI is an organization in Massachusetts to support those impacted by sexual and domestic violence.
Garden of Peace in Boston is a memorial to those lost to homicide.
Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
National and International Organizations
Million Hoodies Movement for Justice: A national organization dedicated to ending gun violence.
Organizations that support issues related to sports.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Play Ball Foundation of Boston helps to create and support sports leagues for youth.
National and International Organizations
Special Olympics: Information about Special Olympics Massachusetts can be found here. There are many ways to get involved including volunteering For more information click here.
Good Sports helps to provide apparel, equipment, and footwear to children in need.
Dream Big! offers equipment grants and scholarships to empower girls through sports.
Organizations that fight against bullying.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Children's Law Center of Massachusetts has resources about the Anti-Bullying legislation in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center provides free and low-cost bullying and cyber bullying prevention research and resources.
National and International Organizations
PACER Center's Teens Against Bullying is a website created and organized by and for teens with resources and supports about bullying and advocacy.
Stomp Out Bullying's mission is to change the culture and end bullying.
Organizations that support issues related animal welfare.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Worcester Animal Rescue League: Click here for information about volunteering.
Second Chance Animal Services: Click here for more information about volunteering.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic: Click here for information about volunteering.
Northboro Canine Rehab: A physical therapy center for dogs.
National and International Organizations
Organizations that empower and support individuals and groups to initiate service opportunities.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Project 351: An organization in Massachusetts that supports and empowers teen service opportunities.
National and International Organizations
DoSomething.org is a national organization that helps build volunteer supports a number of causes related to social issues and climate change.
Young People For - an organization to help young people engage in social activism.
Organizations that work to fight poverty and/or support those who struggle with poverty.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Kylie Kare Kits for Kids - An organization in Leominster that provides food for children each weekend.
Community Harvest in Grafton - an organization that plants and harvests fresh produce to provide for those experiencing hunger.
Net of Compassion: a local organization that provides support services for those who struggle with homelessness and addiction.
Andy's Attic: an organization run and managed by students at South High Community School in Worcester that provides warm clothing for families in need.
Friendly House: a community organization that supports families in Worcester.
Jeremiah's Inn: a residential program and food pantry for people in the Worcester area who are underprivileged or dealing with addiction.
Worcester County Food Bank: Learn more about volunteering here. Learn more about advocacy here.
Mustard Seed Catholic Worker: A soup kitchen in Worcester. Click here to sign up as a volunteer.
Compassionate Hearts Network Inc: An organization in Woodville, MA that partners with charities to provide support and empowerment for the underprivileged (programs include housing assistance, educational assistance, and women's empowerment).
WorkCampNE: Serves families through free home repairs.
St. Anne's Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
Be Like Brit: An organization that supports the children of Haiti. Find local volunteer opportunities here.
National and International Organizations
Feeding America: A domestic hunger-relief organization through a network of food pantries and meal programs.
Church World Service (CWS): A national organization that offers global aid for climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, women and children, immigrants, and refugees. Contact Adam Smedberg for information and support for local efforts.
Habitat for Humanity: Helps family builds safe and affordable homes. For information about the Worcester branch click here, volunteering here, and advocacy here.
United Way: The Central Massachusetts location supports the underprivileged in our community regarding health, education, adn family stability. Click here for more information about volunteering, here for advocacy, and here for campaign tools.
Organizations that support and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Worcester Pride recognizes, promotes, educates and unifies the Central Massachusetts LGBTQI+ community, allies and supporters.
GLAD - GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.
BAGLY believes in a world that is more equitable and safe for LGBTQ+ youth and prioritizes the needs of LGBTQ+ youth of color, trans and gender non-conforming youth, and homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
National and International Organizations
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
Trans Equality is an organization to support the rights and health of trans individuals.
Human Rights Campaign is a national organization that fights for LGBTQ civil rights, so that LGBTQ individuals are afforded equal rights and safety in their communities.
GLSEN is an organization that champions LGBTQ issues in K-12 education.
Organizations that advocate for immigrants and immigration policy.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP): Support and assistance for refugees in the Worcester area.
National and International Organizations
Church World Service (CWS): A national organization that offers global aid for climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, women and children, immigrants, and refugees. Contact Adam Smedberg for information and support for local efforts.
United We Dream: a youth-led national organization that advocates for immigrant rights.
Organizations that celebrate racial and cultural identity or fight against racial injustices.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
YWBoston is an organization whose aim is to eliminate racism and empower women.
National and International Organizations
Black Lives Matter - Resources and opportunities for involvement.
Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) - an organization to empower Black youth activists.
NAACP - Click here to read more about their youth and campus resources.
Organizations that fight to protect amendments in the Bill of Rights.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
National and International Organizations
NCAC (National Against Censorship) is an organization that fights censorship and protects First Amendment freedoms. There are resources available for students.
American Civil Liberties Union supports efforts to defend our rights outlined in the Bill of Rights.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation advocates for digital privacy and freedom of speech.
Organizations that advocate for and support women.
If you have any suggested organizations to add to this list, please let me know.
Local Organizations
Compassionate Hearts Network Inc: An organization in Woodville, MA that partners with charities to provide support and empowerment for the underprivileged (programs include housing assistance, educational assistance, and women's empowerment).
YWBoston is an organization whose aim is to eliminate racism and empower women.
National and International Organizations
Days for Girls: an organization that empowers women anc girls through sustainable menstrual care and health education. (Local chapters available)
Church World Service (CWS): A national organization that offers global aid for climate change, natural disasters, food insecurity, women and children, immigrants, and refugees. Contact Adam Smedberg for information and support for local efforts.
Grassroots Global Grassroots Alliance: An international organization that supports feminist, climate change action, and anti-militarism efforts.
A Call to Men is an organization that educates men on healthy respectful manhood
