Nature and Purpose
Haley House's roots have been nurtured by the personalist tradition of the Catholic Worker Movement. As a community and as individuals we struggle to carry out our double mandate: to minister to the needs of society's forgotten people, to challenge an d offer alternatives to the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and perpetuate suffering and violence. We believe that an individual will be better equipped to help himself or herself if (s)he receives the respect that every human being de serves. This atmosphere is fostered in all aspects of Haley House. A few of our programs include:
Meals Program
Our soup kitchen is open 6 days a week - serving 6 breakfasts and one lunch for men, and 3 afternoon meals for the elderly. During meal shifts, students will assist in the preparation and serving of food, cleaning, and building relationships with the guests. Building relationships with guests is the goal. Many guests are homeless and all are economically or socially disadvantaged. A variety of reasons create one's homeless status, such as various addictions, serious psychological problems, or sudden financial difficulties. Some have marginal or temporary employment but do not earn enough income to afford permanent housing.
Meal shifts are: Monday through Friday breakfast from 5:30 am to 10:00 am; Sunday breakfast and lunch from 5:30 am to 1:00 pm; and Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday afternoon elderly meals from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. We reserve about one half hour at the end of each shift to reflect on each volunteer's experience.
Whats Up Magazine
This community-based magazine is a grassroots alternative media source that brings art and awareness to the streets. It provides a dignified way for homeless and low-income vendors to earn a modest income. Copies of Whats Up are purchased for $0.25 and sold for $1.00. Some vendors also write for the magazine and participate in the community which crafts each issue.
Volunteers will spend part of their time in Whats Up's South End office working to produce and distribute the magazine. Students will have opportunities to contribute writing, work with the vendors and assist with daily office operations. We are always looking for people interested in growing the business as well as the creative side of the magazine.
Haley House Bakery Café & Training Program
Bakery trainees learn job and baking skills in the real-work world of our innovative social enterprise. Volunteers help with all the tasks of operating a model bakery café serving healthy food in the ethnically diverse neighborhood of Dudley Square, from washing dishes to marketing.
Food Pantry
We distribute food and fresh produce to low-income families and individuals, with few requirements, on Wednesdays from 9:30AM to 1:30PM.
Low-Income Housing
Haley House has several buildings in Boston with low-income housing units. Often there are opportunities to befriend some of the tenants who may be struggling with various living tasks, or are just lonely.
Organic Farming
We also operate the Noonday Farm in Winchendon Springs, MA that is an example of sustainable agriculture and living gently on this earth. The variety of work needed to operate a farm is available along with the opportunity to le arn from the wisdom of our resident farmers and whole health nutritionist.
Tasks and Expectations
PULSE students are expected to serve 8 hours each week on-site and participate in a monthly supervisory meeting. Students will have one four-hour soup kitchen meal shift each week as well as four hours in another service area (with Whats Up Magazine, the Bakery program, the Food Pantry, Noonday Farm, low-income housing, or office administration).
Supervisor
Shaylyn Garrett
Address
23 Dartmouth St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 236-8132 (Haley House)
(617) 267-1575 (What's Up)
volunteer@haleyhouse.org
Council Member
DaHye Kim