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DISABILITIES - A recent study by the National Organization on Disability found that over the past decade, the quality of life has improved for many people with disabilities - but the work is far from over. The Disabilities Issue Area focuses on the needs of children and adults living with disabilities, from health care to employment to transportation. Groups work to provide services and mentoring both to adults and children living with a range of physical and mental disabilities. Past Disabilities volunteers worked with the Tewksbury Hospital Equestrian Farm and Greater Boston Guild for the Blind. ELDERS - Beginning in 1985, the population of Americans over 65 surpassed the teenage population. In order to promote awareness and commitment towards this important community, the Elders Issue Area provides the opportunity to build relationships with elders residing in several senior citizen centers in the Greater Boston area. These relationships help volunteers understand the needs of the elder community while also providing valuable service to each individual and to the senior centers as a whole. In the past, students visited the Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly and the Committee to End Elder Homelessness. ENVIRONMENT - The world population is now over 6.1 billion and is increasing by 90 million a year. The worldwide population is expected to grow to between 8 and 11 billion before leveling off later in the 21st century. The Environment Issue Area seeks to address urban environmental concerns, such as sustainable development, in addition to traditional environmental preservation. Service may include environmental restoration, managing wildlife, and clearing trails. In the past, volunteers worked with agencies including the Esplanade Association, Drumlin Farms, and the Earthworks Urban Orchards Program. GENDER FOCUS - The way we view ourselves has a profound effect on our quality of life. The Gender Focus groups work to understand many of the factors that influence our self-esteem such as domestic abuse, eating disorders, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, Gender Focus hopes to encompass issues pertaining to both genders, including body image and discrimination, through personal discussion and service. Past Gender Focus volunteers worked to understand many of these issues through visits to Mass Equality, Second Step, and Teen Voices magazine. HIV/AIDS AWARENESS - While the aspects of contracting and living with HIV/AIDS are more commonly understood today, every five seconds, someone in the world still becomes infected with the AIDS virus. Further, the basic needs of people with HIV/AIDS are often ignored, leading those who live with the disease to face discrimination, malnutrition and poverty. Past volunteers addressed a variety of issues associated with the disease, from prevention and education to serving agencies such as the Children’s AIDS Program, Lifelines, and Community Servings, which provide food, clothing, and shelter to those currently living with AIDS. HOMELESSNESS and HOUSING – Nearly every major US city cites the lack of affordable housing as the primary cause of homelessness. The Homelessness and Housing Issue Area, in order to understand and address the issues associated with the lack of housing, will work with agencies throughout Greater Boston that provide assistance and shelter for low-income and homeless families. Projects may include dry walling, siding, and painting homes and community housing developments (no construction experience is required). Past teams visited Habitat for Humanity sites, the Long Island Shelter, and the International Rescue Committee in Boston. HUMAN RIGHTS – Human rights refers to the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. Examples of rights and freedoms include civil and political rights, such as the right to life and liberty, freedom of expression, and equality before the law; and social, cultural and economic rights, including the right to participate in culture, the right to work, and the right to education. The Human Rights Issue Area focuses on promotingpeace, equity, and awareness of Human Rights. It will address issuessuch as the eradication of poverty, cultural and racial equity, and access to healthcare. HUNGER – Over 800 million people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition, even including those here in Boston – more than 40% of those serviced by The Greater Boston Food Bank have been forced to choose between eating and paying their rent or mortgage. Volunteers in the Hunger Issue Area will work to understand the causes and issues associated with local, domestic, and global hunger. The work ranges from food preparation to farm maintenance to food distribution. Past volunteers visited the Greater Boston Food Bank, The Food Project, and Heifer Project International. |
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| May 30, 2008 |