Check Out all the Opportunities with the Growing Center in 2022!

The Growing Center is preparing to host a full season of community events this year for the first time in five years, and our volunteer workforce is busier than ever! We encourage both potential and long-time volunteers to dive right into the action! Below are imminent and long-term opportunities for volunteers to get more involved. Join us, and make a difference in your community, while having fun and meeting new folks!

Volunteer Orientations are in full swing, and are taking place the Second Saturday (9:30-11:00) and Fourth Tuesday (5:00-6:30) of each month. If you’re new this year, signing up for one should be your first step. And if it’s been a few years since you last took an orientation, we encourage you to sign up for one again, as things have changed a lot since our renovation in 2019.

Spring Volunteer Orientations:

Saturday, April 9 ~ 9:30-11:00 am

Tuesday, April 26 ~ 5:00-6:30 pm

Saturday, May 14 ~ 9:00-10:00 am

Tuesday, May 24 ~ 5:00-6:30 pm

Saturday, June 11 ~ 9:30-11:00 am

Tuesday, June 28 ~ 5:00-6:30 pm

To sign up for an upcoming orientation, email Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.

Important Meeting Dates:

Children in Nature Initiative’s first spring meeting - All are invited!

Sunday, April 3, 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Join us! We will assess the nature play area, do some limited clean up, and talk about the upcoming spring/summer season and how we can support play/learning and child-led exploration in the garden. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org to attend, or just show up!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee Meeting - All are invited!

Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 pm (Zoom)

The DEI Committee is actively identifying opportunities to increase capacity and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the Growing Center. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org for login information, and feel free to bring a resource relating to DEI and Belonging work to share.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:

Earth Day/Arbor Day Event Volunteers Needed!

Sunday, April 24 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (rain date April 30)

Volunteer tasks include: Set up, hosting, supporting participatory nature art activities, and clean up. Times from 1-4:30 pm. Contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org to sign up!

Spring Garden Day Event Volunteers Needed!

Sunday, May 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (rain date May 15)

Volunteer tasks include: Set up, hosting, native plant/pollinator activities and/or tours for all ages, and clean up. Times from 1-4:30 pm. Contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org to sign up!

Groundwork Somerville Seedling Event Volunteers Needed!

at Groundwork’s South Street Farm

Saturday, May 7, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Interested in representing the Growing Center at Groundwork Somerville’s seedling pick up event at South Street Farm? It’s an opportunity to share hands-on educational activities and general knowledge about gardening to beginners. Two shifts possible (10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 12:00 - 2:00 pm) Contact Morgan at volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org to take part.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day Event Volunteers Needed!

at the Somerville Community Growing Center

Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (weather permitting)

The Growing Center is looking for a few volunteers for this event, in addition to an Open Hours host, to lead garden tours, help with a spring scavenger hunt and other activities for YMCA families whose children are frequent visitors to the garden. The YMCA will have its second year of Summer in the Garden in 2022. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org if interested in helping!

Staff the Growing Center Table at the Union Square Farmers Market!

Monthly, May-November, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm (90-minute shifts)

The Friends are the newest nonprofit member of Union Square Main Streets, and we are looking at forging more ties with area businesses in the hopes of becoming a stronger partner in our changing city. Union Square Main Streets recently invited us to host a monthly community table at the market. If we can gather enough volunteers interested in helping to organize and staff this we can say yes; we hope that there is the combined talent and time to make this happen in 2022! To learn more, contact Morgan at volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.

Behind-the-Scenes Committees and Groups Welcome You:

30th Anniversary Committee - Founded in 1993-1994, the Growing Center is about to turn 30! Join our volunteer team to help plan a series of events in 2023 and 2024 to mark our big birthday - including private donor events, fundraising activities, and exhibits. Contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org to join us!

Communications Crew - Founded in 1993-1994, the Growing Center is about to turn 30! Join our volunteer team to help plan a series of events in 2023 and 2024 to mark our big birthday - including private donor events, fundraising activities, and exhibits. Contact Lisa at lisa@thegrowingcenter.org to join us!

Children in Nature Initiative (CINI) - Going on its 12th year, CINI supports direct nature experiences for children through play/learning and child-led exploration. Many early childhood/family groups meet at the center weekly. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee - This group is actively identifying opportunities to increase capacity and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the Growing Center, and developing a plan for integrating DEI work on-site. Contact paula@thegrowingcenter.org.

Seasonal Salvage Sale & Makers’ Market Team - The Yard Sale is back in fall 2022 and this year there’s a theme: Seasonal Salvage! We hope to also work with local makers and crafters to sell at a “makers’ market” as part of the sale. If you’d like to join the Yard Sale Team, reach out to Betsy at blarkin@thegrowingcenter.org.

Volunteer Leadership Group - Founded to create hands-on projects that can be done as a group, explore related topics and forge stronger bonds between like-minded volunteers, all while creating the opportunity to gather together, learn and socialize. We’re looking for a couple volunteers to help lead and grow this group! Contact Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org

On-Site Work Teams Welcome You:

Site Team - Help take care of the center: assist with watering, garden tasks like planting and tending garden beds + containers, or clear snow in winter. Contact Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.

Compost Team - We need volunteer stewards and neighbors who can’t access compost services to contribute food scraps to our compost. Contact Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org

Event / Open Hours Hosting - Be an Event Host/Greeter, host the space during Open Hours, or open up during off-times for public use. Contact Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.

On-Site Events & Projects - Help with crafts, reading stories, photography, playing music, face painting. Or help with one of our seasonal programs, like the Maple Project or Winter Wreath Fundraiser! Email Morgan: volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.