At the Hyde Square Task Force, our programs benefit from the efforts of our many volunteers, who have contributed their time and expertise in support of our youth programs. Currently, we have several different volunteer opportunities:
Volunteer Descriptions
Youth Organizers
Youth Community Organizers (YCO) build the leadership skills of urban youth, as they mobilize the community to take action on issues of importance and make lasting social change. The Youth Organizers initiative was formed in 1999 to connect teens with the civil functioning of our society and to facilitate their work towards changing the political and economic structures that produce injustice. Since then, 15 youth organizers have been trained each year in community organizing skills and have executed projects that have made lasting change in the community. Their organizing campaigns have received extensive media coverage support from city, state, and elected officials, and have changed our community and educational system for the better.
Volunteers are needed to assist in research surrounding our various campaigns. Hours are flexible. For more information, contact Carla at (617) 524-8303 x 314 or carla@hydesquare.org.
Kennedy After School Program
Volunteers are needed to assist with the Kennedy After School Program. Volunteers work directly with children in grades 1-5 and help with homework, play games, and participate in other daily activities at the Kennedy School from approx. 3:00-5:30pm Monday through Friday. Days and hours are flexible. For more information, contact Barbara (617) 524-8303 x 327 or barbara@hydesquare.org.
Music Clubhouse
Hyde Square Task Force ’s Music Clubhouse engages youth ages 10-18 through hands-on music education, performance and community-building activities. This year, we will engage more than 500 youth through regular individual and small group instruction, drop- in community jams, performance opportunities, and our new state of the art youth-led recording studio. Activities are offered Monday-Friday between 3:00 and 8:00pm in our newly-renovated music practice space and recording studio at the Cheverus Building.
Volunteers are needed to help perform administrative tasks, supervise youth in the clubhouse, and assist during events and support teachers in related activities. Ideal MCH volunteers should have a background working with urban youth and/or a background in music. For more information, contact Aimee at 617) 524-8303 x 312 or aimee@hydesquare.org.
Paths to College & Careers Programs
The Paths to College and Careers Program promotes the long-term success of youth through college and career preparation. PCCP is based on the belief that exposing youth to higher education and career opportunities-starting in the ninth grade-motivates them to stay in school and succeed.
College Exploration Mentoring
In our College Exploration Mentoring Program, youth participate in various college and career-oriented activities with mentors from local universities who act as role models and teachers for our youth. The program covers topics from job shadows and college campus visits to resume development and interview skills. The CEMP Program meets for one Saturday per month at Northeastern University.
Each CEMP volunteer will be paired with a mentee and spend one Saturday per month (Oct-April) with their mentee. Mentors should have experience with youth and be familiar with the college application process. For more information, contact Joel at (617) 524-8303 x 313 or joel@hydesquare.org.
College Bound Mentoring
Our College Bound Mentoring Program pairs HSTF seniors one-on-one with adult volunteers to assist them through the end of their high school careers and into their next steps. Each adult volunteer works one-on-one with a high school senior, assisting the student in completing his/her college applications and developing a post-high school plan. Each volunteer participates in a two-hour introductory training and must commit to a minimum of 2 hours per week during the school year (October – June). For more information, contact Joel at (617) 524-8303 x 313 or joel@hydesquare.org.
Success Boston
Success Boston is part of a new college completion initiative aimed at dramatically increasing the number of Boston Public Schools students completing college. Area nonprofit partners such as Hyde Square Task Force are helping Boston’s high school students make the transition to two-year and four-year colleges by providing summer preparation for college, ongoing financial aid advising, and year-long transition coaching and mentoring into students’ freshmen and sophomore years.
Volunteers are needed to assist in recruitment, managing data, maintaining student files, planning events and providing check-ins with youth. For more information, contact Joel at (617) 524-8303 x 313 or joel@hydesquare.org.
Development & Administration
The administration of the Hyde Square Task Force is instrumental in providing all things necessary for the multitude of programs available at HSTF. Raising funds, applying for grants, and executing countless marketing endeavors are just a small fraction of the number of things performed by our administrative team.
Volunteers are needed to help perform administrative tasks, assist with newsletters and mailings, and to help out at various events. Hours are flexible. For more information, contact Karen at (617) 524-8303 x 320 or karen@hydesquare.org.
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