Calling all Volunteers for a
Connecting and Co-planning Gathering, Sunday, April 21
On Sunday, April 21, as part of our Strategic Planning initiative, we invite all past, present and future Growing Center volunteers to gather for a late afternoon of socializing at Connexion, 149 Broadway, East Somerville. In addition to meeting each other, we would be grateful for your assistance in strategizing ways that we can best meet the needs of our volunteers and the greater community.
This is also an opportunity to meet Bethany Burke, who recently joined us as Operations Manager. This position was developed as part of earlier strategic planning, which identified the need to increase capacity to improve the impact of the Center's role in the lives of the city's residents. Light refreshments and chances to win some of the very precious 2024 Somerville Maple Syrup or seed packets from the Center!RSVP to Bethany: bethany@thegrowingcenter.org.
Growing Center Volunteer Opportunities - Take Your Pick!
To read about our Teams approach to volunteering, visit and read the Volunteer Teams page of our website.
We use our newsletter to announce general, all-inclusive volunteer opportunities, as well as upcoming free programming events, and volunteer orientations.
Volunteer Orientations are held second Saturday and fourth Monday of the month at the Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville. To sign up, follow this link. You can also bookmark this page for the latest opportunities!
2024 Volunteer Orientations Schedule:
Monday, March 25 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, April 13 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, April 22 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, May 11 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, May 27 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, June 8 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, June 24 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, July 13 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, July 22 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, August 10 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, August 26 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, September 14 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, September 23 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, October 12 - 9:30-11:00 am
Monday, October 28 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Saturday, November 9 - 9:30-11:00 am
Current Opportunities:
Earth Day: Pollinators, Plantings and Possibilities, Saturday, April 20
Volunteers needed for tasks such as assisting with set up, seed/seedling planting, nature loom, button making table and clean up for shifts 1-2, 1:30-4:30 depending on task. lisa@thegrowingcenter.org
Watering Angels Needed
A once -a-week commitment through the growing season. Training provided, must have taken a volunteer orientation in 2022. Watering the garden takes 30 min - 1.5-2 hour depending on season. Subs available as well. paula@thegrowingcenter.org
Garden Tool Inventory
Volunteers needed to take inventory, clean and make a list of repairs needed of garden tools from trowels to loppers, saw and pruners. paula@thegrowingcenter.org
Readers for Kids Program: Community Read Alouds in the Garden
Read diverse nature/garden related books in the garden to children(ages 2-8) and caregivers in this one hour program on select Wednesday and Sunday from late April to May. All languages welcome! Volunteers must take the GC volunteer orientation and can read in whatever language they like. paula@thegrowingcenter.org
Garden Field Trip Volunteers
We have the need for occasional 1.5-2 hour support for kids/youth field trips during weekday mornings with CINI Coordinator. Possible paid educator hours for summer field trips for Summer in the Garden program. paula@thegrowingcenter.org
Tabling & Outreach Opportunities
Tabling opportunities! YMCA Healthy Kids Day (May 4), Union Square Farmers Market (May 11), Carnaval (June 2), ArtBeat (July 13) and more. If interested, let Bethany know at volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org
Party Planners
We need some folks to help plan and pull off a 30th anniversary celebration public party the afternoon of June 22nd (rain date 6/23). Engage your talents and time in creating a fun time for all. volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org
Write for the Friends! Join the Writing Team!
Interested in flexing your writing skills? The Writing Team (part of the Communications Committee) is always looking for new members to help write blog posts, sections of the website, and newsletter blurbs. This is a great opportunity for aspiring writers to get their work out there, or to just volunteer on your own time! Interested volunteers can reach out to Rachael Brady, rachael@thegrowingcenter.org.
Ongoing Opportunities:
Help Us Organize Our Photo Library!
The Friends of the Community Growing Center has hundreds of (fairly well organized) digital photos in our shared drive, but we are looking for a creative and organized individual to help us build out our "mini database" of photos organized by theme, which we rely on heavily for putting together monthly newsletters, our annual report, updating the website, and posting to Facebook and Instagram. We are also always in need of good photos for grant applications, as they are a huge part of telling our story. If you love to organize stuff and are interested in some volunteer work from the comfort of your home computer, this would fit the bill! Email Betsy: betsy@thegrowingcenter.org.
Calling All Writers to Join Our Blog Writing Team
Winter is a busy time for our Writing & Communications Team, as we get together over Zoom a few times, make an outreach plan for the year, schedule and assign blog posts, brainstorm newsletter ideas and divvy up graphics/design work. We are always looking for new writers to attend events and write about them, and help articulate our programs and projects for the website and our blog! If you're interested in getting involved, email Rachael: rachael@thegrowingcenter.org.
Join the Programming Committee!
Do you have interest in helping to curate a robust season of cultural and educational offerings at the Center in 2024? Wondering how you can support the creation of a wide array of programs, specifically those focused on highlighting the diversity of our community, promoting equity and inclusion, and offering access to all? If interested, please contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org.
Strategic Planning Team
Have any background in organizational or non-profit planning? Just interested in participating as a stakeholder in how we (re)envision the next 3-5 years? Participation commitments can vary; outreach, weekly to monthly meetings. We’d love your help, knowledge and experience! This important team’s background work towards development of a strategic plan will produce significant outcomes, leading the Center into the next decade, with shared commitment to the organization’s renewed mission, vision, values, capacities and potential. Contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org.
Team Leads for 30th Anniversary Planning
Work with the board and volunteers to celebrate the 30 years of the Growing Center, hopefully starting off in Fall 2023 and continuing over the next 6-12 months of festivities. Contact lisa@thegrowingcenter.org.
CINI projects at the Garden / Community Herb Project
*Support adding weekly nature based play provocations to the play area
*Want to make some herbal products for community? Or help harvest/dry herbs?
>>> For all the above opportunities, contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org!
Access and Inclusion Signage Team
Want to help create more welcoming and informative signage in the garden in English, Spanish and other languages? Contact, paula@thegrowingcenter.org.
Developing Spanish-language Volunteer Orientation
Are you already a volunteer who has taken the volunteer orientation and speak Spanish and English, or are interested? Work with a board member/staff member to provide a monthly volunteer orientation in Spanish and English. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org.
