SCI Lynn is looking for translators to volunteer editing a Multilingual Publication for residents of Lynn. This publication will include listings of basic services and resources available to the Lynn community at large. The goal of this publication is to increase accessibility to resources, increase the usage of those services, and promote civic engagement. SCI Lynn hopes to have the publication finished by fall 2008 in the five following languages Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Voluteers may possibly recieve a small honorarium. For more information please contact Amanda Richardson at arichardson@socialcapitalinc.org or call 781-599-1269.

This summer, Boston Cares is pleased to be in a partnership with John Hancock Financial Services and The Boston Globe to support the 2008 Boston Summer Scholars Program. The Boston Summer Scholar program is providing 500 teenagers with on-the-job training in a corporate or non-profit environment, in addition to weekly skill-based workshops.Boston Cares is teaming up with The Boston Globe and John Hancock Financial Services to coordinate the Friday morning workshop series,which is covering topics such as personal finance, interviewing skills, and leadership. Volunteer mentors are needed to support the workshop sessions, which are held on Friday mornings, from 8:30 AM -10:30 AM - there are four more workshops in need of volunteers - July 25 through August 15. (Volunteers are asked to get to the session by 7:45am). Volunteers are not required to attend all sessions, but are encouraged to sign up for as many as they can to attend. Volunteers sit at a table with 9 youth, take attendance, participate in group activities during workshops, and distribute and collect surveys at the end. For more information please and volunteer opportunities please contact Karen Boss at ph: 617-422-0910 x211.

When compared with their peers, Little Brothers and Sisters are:

52% less likely to skip a day of school
33% less likely to engage in violence with their peers
46% less likely to start using drugs
27% less likely to start drinking
more trusting of parents and other adults, and less likely to lie to them.
-Public Private Ventures (P/PV) Study, 1995

I work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. Each time I see someone volunteer to become a Big it makes me realize just how valuable the whole experience is, for the adult Big and especially for the Little. Bigs come from all walks of life with all sorts of backgrounds. What they have in common is a generous spirit and the ability to become a friend to a child in need. Littles generally come from families where one parent is not actively involved in the child’s life.

All it takes to be a Big Brother or Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mass Bay is a willingness to spend a couple of hours or so a couple of times a month for a year. It can make a huge difference in the life of a child. Those few hours can be spent doing whatever the Big and Little want to do – as simple as running errands, as routine as playing ball or flying a kite or as exciting as attending sports events. Most Bigs say it’s perhaps the most rewarding thing they’ve ever done, and it’s a lot of fun too. There’s a professional team of Match Advocates to provide support, advice and tickets or suggestions for enjoyable things to do.

Although our agency alone served over 3500 children last year, this is only a small fraction of the number who would benefit from having a Big. Would you consider becoming a Big? Or do you know someone who would? Feel free to forward this to your network of friends so we can get the word out.

Now Spring is finally in sight it is a great time to strike up a new friendship. I would be happy to put you in touch with one of my colleagues who could tell you all about it – or simply go to the web www.bbbsmb.org to learn more. If you’re here in Greater Boston, just call us at 617.956.0281. And if you live outside Greater Boston, go to bigbrothersbigsisters.org where there’s a zip code sorter that will connect you to your local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate.

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been recognized as one of the most effective youth development programs in the United States. Independent research shows that a Little Brother or Little Sister (a.k.a. a “Little”) who is matched for one year or more in a one-to-one friendship is more likely to graduate from high school, to attend college, and to show more respect to adults. Littles are also more likely to avoid alcohol, drugs and violence. 

On the morning of May 17, residents of Lynn cooperated to beautify their city. With a helping hand from the DPW and the state's Community Service program, they swept, raked and shoveled an estimated 30 bags of trash. Everything from scratched lottery tickets to an abandoned car seat, fast food wrappers to rusted shopping carts. Residents can take pride in a much cleaner neighborhood.

The area of Lynn around the Ingalls school, from Fayette St. to Chatham, and from Essex St. to Timson is much improved. Volunteers included homeowners, renters, and youth from the Food Project, Girls Inc., Boys and Girls Club, and SCI Lynn. Afterwards, they celebrated their efforts with camaraderie and lunch donated by socially responsible businesses in Lynn.

Big Brothers Big Sisters was on site, recruiting Bigs for one-to-one mentoring relationships with at-risk youth. The DPW showed up to promote recycling. Thirty new trash barrels were distributed to residents who came with their old, deteriorating ones.

The clean-up was a success because of the many people it brought together, working toward a common purpose. Some of these people met for the first time and found they shared a common interest. Others have been friends for a while, and bonded further over the course of the day. The cynic might say that the impact was minimal, that we didn't make much of a difference in the long run. The idealist would say that all change must start somewhere. A first step has been taken.

If you ever want to see what a group of committed individuals can accomplish, take a look at Goldfish Pond. Or visit a Highland's Coalition meeting, and you'll see that they are actively engaged in making their community a better place to live.

On May 10, SCI Lynn, the Highlands Coalition and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association are sponsoring neighborhood cleanups, and you too, can get involved.

Whether you clean up in front of your house or business or join the groups at either the Ford or the Ingalls schools at 8:30 Saturday morning, don't just sit back and complain about the litter, graffitti, vandalism and crime. Feel good about taking action to make Lynn a better place to live. See attached flyer for more details.

My brother's Table stands ready to feed the hungry and to serve all who come in need regardless of race, color, creed, or sex. Meals will be provided in an atmosphere of welcome, wherein guests are treated with love and dignity. Through the congeniality of table service, staff and volunteers will build a caring relationship with guests. such a relationship will assist staff and volunteers to serve as referral resources and advocates for the guests. My Brother's Table will strive to serve its guests within the context of their needs.

As an SCI AmeriCorps member this year, I will advise Communities that Care's (CTC)Part of the Solution youth council, as well as assist with other prevention and engagment programs for teens in the c  read more »

This Saturday, August 18th, come join members of the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach as we spend part of the morning cleaning the shores of Nahant Beach.  We are meeting at 9AM at the Ward Batthouse (at the Nahant Rotary). Supplies and refreshments will be provided. If you have questions, please email michaelcelona@yahoo.com or call Michael at 978 835 7724. Thanks!  read more »