Gender Violence Awareness Coalition

GVAC is dedicated to facilitating access for students to local domestic violence and rape centers, legal services providers, and shelters. An important component or complement to a legal education is serving the public through legal and non-legal volunteering, clinics, and legal services summer employment. Below are some resources and contacts for opportunities in the Greater Boston area.
Legal Volunteering
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
Casa Myrna Vasquez
Community Advocacy Program
Community Legal Services & Counseling Center
DOVE, Inc.
FINEX House
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
Jane Doe
Jewish Family & Children's Service – Kol Isha and Bet Tzedek
Latinas Know Your Rights!
Northeastern University Law – Domestic Violence Institute
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence
Victim Rights Law Center
Womansplace Crisis Center

Statewide Organizations
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
The Network/La Red
Safelink (Casa Myrna Vasquez)
 		Non-Legal Volunteering
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
Casa Myrna Vasquez
Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Community Advocacy Program
Community Programs Against Sexual Assault /Roxbury Multi-Service Center
Crittenton Women’s Union
DOVE, Inc.
Elizabeth Stone House
Fenway Violence Recovery Program
FINEX House
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
HarborCOV
HAVEN at MGH
International Institute of Boston
Jewish Family & Children's Service – Kol Isha and Bet Tzedek
Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS)
Mentors in Violence Prevention
Northeastern University Law – Domestic Violence Institute
Passageway at Brigham
Project “We Can Talk About It” - Children’s Charter
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence
Renewal House
RESPOND, Inc.
Rosie's Place
RVAP
S.A.F.E.
Safe Havens
The Second Step
Suitable Image
Transition House
Womansplace Crisis Center 		Internships and Summer Employment
Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau (LAB)
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)
Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
Greater Boston Legal Services
Jane Doe
Jewish Family & Children's Service – Kol Isha and Bet Tzedek
Latinas Know Your Rights!
The Medical Legal Partnership for Children – Boston Medical Center
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence
Victim Rights Law Center
The WilmerHale Legal Services Center at Harvard Law School
Womansplace Crisis Center

Special Interest Organizations
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD)
Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project
Latinas Know Your Rights
The Network/La Red
Jewish Family & Children's Service – Kol Isha and Bet Tzedek

Organizations

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence - Boston
Volunteer opportunities
Internships: apply online
To work directly with clients, volunteers must have mandatory training.
ATASK is also looking for administrative volunteering, training not required, for 3 hours/week.
ATASK needs volunteers at annual fundraiser (APALSA members volunteer): Silk Road Gala
Contact Information: Koko Oyama: hiroko@atask.org or call (617) 338-2352 ext.227

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Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau (LAB) - Waltham
The LAB offers summer employment to law students and the Women and the Law Clinic during the school year.
Contact Information: Alexis Anderson: alexis.anderson.1@bc.edu

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) - Boston
BARCC has summer employment for law students and volunteer opportunities
Contact Information for volunteers:volunteer@barcc.org or jobs@barcc.org or call (617) 492-8306
Contact Information for legal internships: Stephanie Decandia, Attorney: sdecandia@barcc.org

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Casa Myrna Vasquez - Boston
Casa Myrna has a legal advocacy program. Casa Myrna also runs the Safelink hotline.
Contact Information: (617) 521-0100

Center for Violence Prevention and Recovery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Boston
Domestic Violence Services: Contact Information: (617) 632-7243 page 31389

Community Advocacy Program - Boston
Network of 9 community organizations: Contact Information: (617) 373-5779

Community Legal Services & Counseling Center - Cambridge
Family Law services including Domestic Violence and Abuse: The Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project represents battered women in Probate and Family Court to get protection from abuse, child and spousal support, and custody and safe visitation.
Contact Information: Legal Director, Ellen Wilbur: (617) 661-1010

Community Programs Against Sexual Assault/Roxbury Multi- Service Center - Dorchester
CPASA was founded to bring awareness and to increase knowledge of the harmful effects of sexual harassment, rape, incest, and domestic violence on individuals and their surrounding community.
Contact Information: (617) 427-4470

Crittenton Women’s Union - Boston
Services:
GVAC will be setting up a program for students to volunteer with the children of families who are transitioning to permanent housing as well as running discussion groups with women participating in the program. More information will be provided soon.

Contact Information for volunteers: Nancy Steverman, Coordinator of Domestic Violence Housing Programs: nsteverman@liveworkthrive.org or call (617) 259-2940
Contact Information for victims:info@liveworkthrive.org or call (617) 259-2900

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DOVE, Inc. - Quincy
DOVE, Inc. is committed to serving communities, families and individuals impacted by domestic violence. DOVE seeks to empower their clients and the community by providing safety, shelter, education and support services. By promoting an environment free from abuse, DOVE strives to see Domestic Violence Ended.
Contact Information: (617) 770-4065

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Elizabeth Stone House - Jamaica Plain
The Elizabeth Stone House (the Stone House) is a feminist alternative mental health program, providing both residential and community-based services. They are committed to breaking cycles of violence, disempowerment and institutionalization of women in emotional distress and their children. They would like donations of business clothes for women.
Contact Information: (617) 552-3659

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Fenway Violence Recovery Program - Boston
Contact Information:VRP@fenwayhealth.org or call (617) 927-6250 or toll-free (800) 834-3242

FINEX House - Jamaica Plain
Finex House is a battered women's shelter for battered women and their children who have disabilities.
Contact Information for volunteers: finexhouse@yahoo.com
Contact Information for legal volunteers: Malana Gleason, Attorney: malanagleason@yahoo.com
Contact Information for victims: 24-hour hotline: (617) 288-1054

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Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) - Boston
Law clerk/legal internship: Law students seeking exposure to and experience in civil rights and discrimination litigation should apply. Legal interns work directly with GLAD staff attorneys to do substantive legal research and writing, participate in strategy discussions, and attend depositions, hearings, and client meetings.
Contact Information for law clerk/legal internship: legal_intern@glad.org or call (617) 426-1350

Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project - Cambridge
Services:
Contact Information for victims: Hotline: 1-800-832-1901
Contact Information for volunteers: Director of Education, Iain Gill: education@gmdvp.org or call (617) 354-6056

Greater Boston Legal Services - Boston, Cambridge, Somerville
Family Law Unit : The Family Law Unit represents victims of domestic violence in securing their own safety and well-being and that of their children. Advocates assist these clients and others in obtaining custody and visitation orders and child support through divorce and paternity actions. The Unit also helps families involved with the Department of Social Services and provides assistance in the guardianship cases of minors.
Contact Information: (617) 371-1234

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HarborCOV - Chelsea
HarborCOV, Inc. is the only comprehensive domestic violence program serving Boston's harbor communities of Chelsea, East Boston, Winthrop, and Revere. They provide emergency assistance, support services, and permanent housing for individuals and their families, while seeking community solutions to end domestic violence.
Contact Information: harborcov@harborcov.org or call (617) 884-9799 ext 123

HAVEN at MGH - Boston
The HAVEN Program at Massachusetts General Hospital works as part of a broader community response to end intimate partner abuse by improving and enhancing our institutional response and care to patients and employees whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence.
Contact Information for victims: (617) 724-0054

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International Institute of Boston - Boston
The International Institute of Boston provides a continuum of services that foster the successful transition of immigrants and refugees. Contact Information:(617) 695-9990

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Jane Doe – Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - Boston
Member Services
Map of Member Services
Jane Doe supports member organizations and does not provide any direct services.
Jane Doe has a Domestic Violence Homicide Study Summer Internship. Responsibilities: Participate in ground-breaking grant-funded research on MA domestic violence related homicides. Assist in conducting research, obtaining vital records (may include visits to area district / superior courts and other agencies as needed), compile, track and analyze data, and conduct policy research and analysis. Great opportunity to put your research and organizational skills to work and learn about social and policy issues related to domestic violence, victim services, and the MA court and legal system. Administrative tasks as needed.
Contact Information for volunteers: volunteer@janedoe.org or call (617) 557-1801
Contact Information for employment/internships: internships@janedoe.org or call (617) 248-0922

Jewish Family & Children's Service – Kol Isha and Bet Tzedek - Waltham
JFCS is looking for volunteers to accompany clients to court for support.
Services JFCS provides: Contact Information for volunteers, employment/internship opportunities:
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Latinas Know Your Rights! - Waltham
The Latinas “Know Your Rights!” Project of Greater Boston Legal Services is a community lawyering project based in Waltham for Latina immigrant survivors of domestic violence.
Summer Internship:
The Project is accepting resumes for Summer 2008 Interns. Project interns will work directly with clients on immigration petitions, restraining order/family law cases, and benefits cases under supervision of Greater Boston Legal Services attorneys. They may also work on advocacy projects aimed at creating systemic change in the community or on a community education project. The Project office is in Waltham with an additional office at GBLS (Boston, near North Station). Ability to speak Spanish a plus, but not necessary. Background in immigration and/or domestic violence preferred. Please email resume to Mithra Merryman at mmerryman@gbls.org or merrymam@bc.edu. For questions call 617-603-1614 or email.
Contact Information: Professor Mithra Merryman: mmerryman@gbls.org or merrymam@bc.edu or (617) 603-1614

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Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) - Boston
Contact Information: (617) 864-7600

The Medical Legal Partnership for Children – Boston Medical Center - Boston
The MLPC is a team of fourteen lawyers and paralegals partnered with front line health care staff at BMC and six affiliated community health centers to ensure families’ basic needs—for food, housing and safety and stability—are met.
Contact Information: (617) 414-7430

Mentors in Violence Prevention - Boston
The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program, founded in 1993 by Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society (CSSS), is a leadership program that motivates student-athletes and student leaders to play a central role in solving problems that historically have been considered "women's issues": rape, battering, and sexual harassment.
Contact Information: (617) 373-4025

Middlesex Human Service Agency, Inc. - Waltham
The Middlesex Human Service Agency, Inc. oversees the operations of some fourteen programs including several shelters.
Contact Information: (781) 894-6110

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The Network/La Red - Boston
The Network/La Red is dedicated to ending abuse in lesbian, bisexual women, and transgender communities.
Contact Information:safehome@thenetworklared.org or call (617) 423-5651

Northeastern University Law – Domestic Violence Institute - Boston
Law students volunteer as Interviewer/Advocates and Team Leaders in Boston Medical Center's Emergency Department project during the academic year.
Contact Information: see website

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Passageway at Brigham - Boston
Passageway is a domestic violence intervention program at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Their goal is to assist patients and employees who are unsafe, controlled, threatened or hurt by current or former intimate partners. They develop and support coordinated responses to domestic violence within the hospital and the community. Passageway offers advocacy, training/education, community linkages and evaluation.
Contact Information: (617) 732-8753

Project “We Can Talk About It”- Children’s Charter - Waltham
Project "We Can Talk About It" is a group specialized mental health services for women and children who have witnessed traumatic violence in their homes and communities.
Contact Information: (781) 894-4307

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REACH Beyond Domestic Violence - Waltham
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence is a community-based agency providing services, support and education to individuals and communities affected by domestic violence. They serve 27 cities in MetroWest Boston through their residential and community- based services, including a 90-day confidential shelter, 24-hour hotline, individual support and advocacy, and weekly support groups. They also provide community education to youth and adults on dating violence, domestic violence, and related health risks Mission: REACH is committed to advancing the safety, healing, and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence, through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds.
Services: Specific volunteering for law students:
Lawyer for the Day Program: REACH’s Lawyer for the Day program provides survivors with pro bono legal support and counsel. Supervised volunteers conduct intakes and provide referrals to legal assistance agencies or other services for program participants.
Legal Advocacy: Court-based advocacy programs are provided at Waltham, Newton, and Woburn District Courts, as well as other probate and district courts in our region upon request. Volunteer services include: explanation of court procedures, advocating for women applying for restraining orders, and offering referrals to legal assistance agencies or other services when needed.

Contact Information victims: 24-hour hotline: 1-800-899-4000
Contact Information for volunteers:
Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, Joanne Patterson: jo@reachma.org or call (781) 891-0724 x105
Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Gladys Maida: gladys@reachma.org or call (781) 891-0724 x103

Renewal House - Roxbury
Renewal House is a ministry with women in crisis and their children. Since 1980, they have offered temporary, emergency shelter from domestic violence, and advocacy services to over one thousand women and their children.
Contact Information: (617) 277-4194

RESPOND, Inc. - Somerville
Programs and services include an emergency shelter and safe home, 24-hour intake and referral line, comprehensive children’s services, support groups, individual counseling, legal advocacy, community outreach and educational programs.
Volunteer Contact Information:volunteers@respondinc.org or call (617) 625-5996
Internship Contact Information:internships@respondinc.org or call (617) 625-5996

Rosie's Place - Boston
Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women, offers both emergency and long-term assistance to women who have nowhere else to turn.
Contact Information: (617) 442-9322

RVAP - Newton
This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at Newton City Hall to discuss domestic violence issues. Right now they are doing the clothesline project to raise awareness of domestic violence issues.
Contact Information: Karin Raye : KLRaye@hotmail.com or call (617) 552-5382

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Safe Havens - Boston
Safe Havens is an interfaith partnership against domestic violence.
Contact Information: info@interfaithpartners.org or call (617) 654-1820

Survivor Art For Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) - Ipswich
S.A.F.E. is a studio for abuse and trauma survivors to create artwork to help with the healing process.
Contact Information: safe-studio@safestudio.org or call (978) 356-1141

The Second Step - Newton
Services: The Second Step is a small organization that does not have many opportunities for individual volunteering. However, they do look for volunteers during their holiday gift drive.
Contact Information: Volunteer Coordinator, Joan Tepper: volunteer@thesecondstep.org or call (617) 965-3999

Suitable Image - Framingham
Suitable Image provides suits for low-income women interviewing for job interviews, jobs, and court dates.
Contact Information: Linda Brooks: linda@suitableimage.org or call (508) 620-3993

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Transition House - Cambridge
Services: Contact Information for victims: 24-hour hotline: (617) 661-7203
Contact Information for volunteers: Volunteer coordinator, Lynnette Littles: LLittles@transitionhouse.org or call (617) 354-2676x30

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Victim Rights Law Center - Boston
The Center provides pro bono representation for rape victims.
Contact Information for volunteers and internships: vrlc@victimrights.org. or call (617) 399-6720

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The WilmerHale Legal Services Center at Harvard Law School - Jamaica Plain
Domestic Violence Clinic
Summer internships

Womansplace Crisis Center - Brockton
Services:
Contact Information: (508) 588-2045

Women’s Bar Foundation – Family Law Project for Battered Women - Boston