This national non-profit works to "pass stronger dog protection laws and close down existing greyhound racetracks," while also providing adoption referral for dogs still racing. Composed of a dense network of humane minded citizens and sister organizations, Grey2K campaigns diligently in elections and referendums across the nation and maintains a detailed adoption database. Its Davis Square location is a basement office next to several other non-profits and charities; walk-ins are welcome.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to empowering young people with disabilities to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life. Programs include one-on-one mentoring with adult volunteers, peer leadership, health awareness and theater.
Somerville Early Head Start is a federally funded child/parent centered organization established to provide support to low-income Somerville residents with infants, toddlers and expectant mothers in the family. Services include weekly home visits, play groups, parent education and health care coordination. This is a multi-cultural center with English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole spoken. The emphasis is on health, nutrition, education, social service and housing resources in the community.
Over the four decades that CASPAR has provided services to individuals struggling with substance abuse, they have earned a reputation as a pioneer in effectively serving this at-risk population. Their services address needs at every stage of what they call the "the substance use/abuse/recovery continuum" "from street outreach to aftercare housing." Each year, they provide treatment—and often life-saving services—to approximately 2,500 adults and youths in Somerville and Cambridge.
Programs include street teams that connect homeless individuals with medical, shelter and psychiatric services, as well as meal programs and substance abuse treatment. A system of pre-treatment transitional housing, long-term treatment residences, and aftercare housing serves men, women, and pregnant or parenting mothers in individual centers. Youth programs combine counseling with positive afterschool activities and volunteer service to address substance abuse.
The organization relies on individual, corporate and foundation support for its funding. Volunteers are welcome to help prepare and serve meals or sort clothing donations at their Emergency Service Center at 240 Albany St., Cambridge.
This charitable organization affiliated with Youthbuild is an independent living facility for pregnant and parenting mothers aged 13 to 20 years, and their children. Aspects of the program include case management support, comprehensive life-skill training, general parenting, financial management and planning.
C.O.R.E.S., Inc. is a non-profit organization that was founded in Somerville in 1988. It became incorporated in 1991. The mission is to assist the Salvadoran and Central American communities with any immigration-related needs it may have. There is a lawyer on staff if legal council is required. Additionally, C.O.R.E.S. has an ongoing adult soccer league, Central American Soccer League (CASL). ESL classes are also offered.
Dedicated to introducing conflict resolution education (CRE) into curricula world-wide, Images & Education strives to "use experimental and participatory learning methods" to resolve conflict. In partnership with organizations like UNESCO, the United Nations Development Program and Educators for Social Responsibility, Images & Education has completed projects in locations like Jordan and Algeria. Specializing in the developing world, the accomplished staff members create CRE training resources in Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese and other Asian languages. This location is only a mailing address; see the Web site for more information.
Founded in 1992, this nonprofit supports Haitian immigrants by connecting them to social, medical and legal services, as well as educational opportunities. With the support of volunteer tutors, clients are offered literacy, citizenship and English language classes and training in small business setup and computer skills. The coalition also assists clients in their search for housing or elder care, and youths struggling to adapt to a new culture are provided with a range of support. Meanwhile, special projects direct aid to residents of Haiti.
The Haitian Coalition also operates the Community Computer Center located at the Clarendon Hill Housing Development, which provides computer access and training to all residents of Clarendon and the public. Volunteers are welcome to help in many ways including as ESL, computer and homework tutors.