Make a senior smile! Volunteers have been a critical component of Ethos’ mission to keep elders living at home with dignity and independence.

Each year, over 500 community volunteers contribute over one million dollars worth of service with Ethos, visiting elders in their homes, helping with grocery shopping, serving lunch at community cafes, helping with monthly financial management, and so much more!

We invite you to join this committed corps of volunteers who each day demonstrate the meaning of care, compassion, and community for hundreds of homebound elders.

Our volunteer opportunities occur primarily in Southwest Boston; Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury, with select volunteer opportunities citywide. Ethos offers a range of programs that can fit into any schedule or volunteering preference including individual, group, and one-time volunteer opportunities.

To get involved, please fill out our online application or contact Allan Ordonez, volunteer services coordinator, at 617-522-6700 x540 or aordonez@ethocare.org.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
 Volunteer in Southwest Boston: Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Friendly Visitor Visit an elder in their own home to provide companionship, share interests, and relieve loneliness Listening skills
Communication		 1 hour/week
Flexible hours
6-month minimum commitment
Shopper/Shopping Escort Shop for or with an elder and assist with storing items Access to a vehicle and valid driver’s license 1-2 hours/week
Flexible hours
6-month minimum commitment
Computer Coach

 Volunteer Throughout Boston

 Work one-on-one with seniors in their homes to help them learn to use the computer; topics of instructions include basics, email, Skype, Microsoft Word, and the internet. Knowledge of basic computer, smartphone and tablets skills required.  

1 Hour/week for 6 weeks.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Healthy Aging Workshop Leader Demonstrate your leadership skills and teach one of our evidence-based programs!  Our Healthy Aging programs help elders prevent or delay chronic diseases, learn skills and gain confidence to manage their health and live healthier, active lives. Comfort with public speaking
2-4-day training in Evidence Based Program Curriculum		 Generally, 2-3 hours/week
6-month minimum commitment
Group trainings in each Healthy Aging course are required
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Advocate for residents in long-term care facilities and helps to resolve their complaints and concerns. Communication
Negotiating
Problem Solving & Analytical Skills
Access to a vehicle and valid driver’s license is required.
A training of 20 hours is provided by the state online over a three-week period.		 2-3 hours/week
Flexible hours
1-year minimum commitment
Bill Payer Program/ Financial Advisor Provide financial assistance to an elderly or disabled person, help with budgeting for long and short-term goals, balancing their checkbooks, and helping with check writing.

Help build strong financial future.

 Budgeting

Bill Paying

Communication

One-time individual training provided

 1-2 hours, once per month

Flexible hours

1 Year minimum commitment
SHINE Counselor
(Serving the Health Insurance Needs for Everyone)		 Improve the lives of people who are Medicare-eligible by providing information and assistance through direct in person and over the phone counseling at community centers as well as Aging Service Access Points throughout Boston. Analytical Skills
Communication
Detail-orientated
Extensive 6-week training; must pass a certification exam		 1-5 hours/week
2-year minimum commitmentTraining happens each Spring and is approximately a 36-hour training (6 hours a week for 6 weeks)
Nutrition Program Ethos holds over 20 daily, weekly, and monthly community cafes where local seniors can drop in for a free nutritious meal and some socialization.  Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve meals, socialize with seniors, and clean up after the meals. Communication Hours vary by meal site
3-month minimum commitment
 

Volunteer at Ethos’ Jamaica Plain Office
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Intern Internship needs vary dependent upon season and current agency need.  Potential internship focuses include marketing and communication, website development, community organizing and volunteer recruitment. Communication
Organization		 Opportunities available Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm
3-month minimum commitment
Office Assistant Assist with special projects, update databases, copy and file papers, or answer phones at Ethos. Clerical/Administrative
Organization
Communication		 Opportunities available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
3-month minimum commitment
 

 

 

Seasonal/One Time Volunteer Opportunities: Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Deliver meals to homebound elders on Thanksgiving Day Communication 2-3 hours in the morning on Thanksgiving Day
Event Support Help set up, greet elderly guests, serve meals, and clean up at Ethos many social and educational events for seniors! Friendliness
Service Skills
Group Collaboration		 Hours and commitment vary by event
Fundraising Assist in raising funds to help sustain Ethos programs. Communication
Friendliness		 Hours and commitment vary based on campaign and need
Other Share your individual skills and interests with Ethos clients! Hours and commitment vary based on project
 Volunteer in Southwest Boston: Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Friendly Visitor Visit an elder in their own home to provide companionship, share interests, and relieve loneliness Listening skills
Communication		 1 hour/week
Flexible hours
6-month minimum commitment
Shopper/Shopping Escort Shop for or with an elder and assist with storing items Access to a vehicle and valid driver’s license 1-2 hours/week
Flexible hours
6-month minimum commitment
Computer Coach Work one-on-one with seniors in their homes to help them learn to use the computer; topics of instructions include basics, email, Skype, Microsoft Word, and the internet! Knowledge of basic computer, smartphone and tablets skills required. 1 Hour/week for 6 weeks.
Healthy Aging Workshop Leader Demonstrate your leadership skills and teach one of our evidence-based programs!  Our Healthy Aging programs help elders prevent or delay chronic diseases, learn skills and gain confidence to manage their health and live healthier, active lives. Comfort with public speaking
2-4-day training in Evidence Based Program Curriculum		 Generally, 2-3 hours/week
6-month minimum commitment
Group trainings in each Healthy Aging course are required
 

Volunteer Throughout Boston
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Advocate for residents in long-term care facilities and helps to resolve their complaints and concerns. Communication
Negotiating
Problem Solving & Analytical Skills
Access to a vehicle and valid driver’s license is required.
A training of 20 hours is provided by the state online over a three-week period.		 2-3 hours/week
Flexible hours
1-year minimum commitment
Bill Payer Program/ Financial Advisor Provide financial assistance to an elderly or disabled person, help with budgeting for long and short-term goals, balancing their checkbooks, and helping with check writing.

Help build strong financial future.

 Budgeting

Bill Paying

Communication

One-time individual training provided

 1-2 hours, once per month

Flexible hours

1 Year minimum commitment
SHINE Counselor
(Serving the Health Insurance Needs for Everyone)		 Improve the lives of people who are Medicare-eligible by providing information and assistance through direct in person and over the phone counseling at community centers as well as Aging Service Access Points throughout Boston. Analytical Skills
Communication
Detail-orientated
Extensive 6-week training; must pass a certification exam		 1-5 hours/week
2-year minimum commitmentTraining happens each Spring and is approximately a 36-hour training (6 hours a week for 6 weeks)
Nutrition Program Ethos holds over 20 daily, weekly, and monthly community cafes where local seniors can drop in for a free nutritious meal and some socialization.  Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve meals, socialize with seniors, and clean up after the meals. Communication Hours vary by meal site
3-month minimum commitment
 

Volunteer at Ethos’ Jamaica Plain Office
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Intern Internship needs vary dependent upon season and current agency need.  Potential internship focuses include marketing and communication, website development, community organizing and volunteer recruitment. Communication
Organization		 Opportunities available Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm
3-month minimum commitment
Office Assistant Assist with special projects, update databases, copy and file papers, or answer phones at Ethos. Clerical/Administrative
Organization
Communication		 Opportunities available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
3-month minimum commitment
 

Seasonal/One Time Volunteer Opportunities: Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION REQUIRED SKILLS/TRAINING HOURS/REQUIREMENTS
Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Deliver meals to homebound elders on Thanksgiving Day Communication 2-3 hours in the morning on Thanksgiving Day
Event Support Help set up, greet elderly guests, serve meals, and clean up at Ethos many social and educational events for seniors! Friendliness
Service Skills
Group Collaboration		 Hours and commitment vary by event
Fundraising Assist in raising funds to help sustain Ethos programs. Communication
Friendliness		 Hours and commitment vary based on campaign and need
Other Share your individual skills and interests with Ethos clients! Hours and commitment vary based on project