PBHA Term-Time Volunteer Application

logo
 

This form notifies directors of your interest and will be the official record if you enroll in a PBHA program(s) this term. Program directors will be in touch with applicants directly with efforts to accept all interested volunteers. The PBHA Application is a ROLLING deadline. Applying by the following deadlines ensures you will hear back by a certain date.


APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 10, 5:00 pm
If you are an applicant who applied by the deadline and you have not been accepted to a program, you will receive a self-referral form for open spots by Sunday, September 22.

Programs with different deadlines will have the date listed next to their program name below.

This form will remain open for rolling admission after the deadline, with full programs indicated or removed as spots are filled. This could change day -to-day, reach out to individual program email addresses if you apply after the deadline and have not heard back by Sunday, September 22.


HOW TO COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION

1. Check the box beside the program to apply. Select all programs in which you are interested.

2. To learn more about each program, click on the program name to open its website in a new tab.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Learn more about our programs through our Facebook and Instagram (@pbha).
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to connecting with you soon!
Advocacy
In-School   
Afterschool
Teens
Mentoring
Apply Re-Enroll
Housing
Adults
Alternative Winter/Spring Breaks
Once you have all the programs selected - proceed to the next page
Any volunteer who will engage in in-person service with constituents will be required to be vaccinated and boosted. 
If circumstances have delayed or prevented your vaccination, please explain in the "date of single or first dose" field.
Background/Identity



(e.g. Colombian, Polish, Vietnamese...)
(e.g. she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, he/him/his...)
College/University information

General Application Questions



Availability
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 




Code of Ethics
Program-specific Application(s)
BRYE 1-2-1 Specific Question(s):
Partners Empowering Neighborhoods
Elderly 1-2-1
Environmental Action Committee

Committees


To learn more about EAC's planned committees, please see this document that describes each committee and what they do. We have three committees this year: Arts, Gardening, and Education. You may choose to volunteer for as many committees as you wish or are able to accommodate.

After reviewing the descriptions, rank your preferred committees, with 1 being your highest preference. Please only rank as many committees as you would like to volunteer for.

Board

If you are interested in serving on the EAC Board, please fill out this google form! There are more details regarding the open positions, the estimated time commitment, and the responsibilities within the google form. The EAC Board interest form closes on September 10th at 11:59 pm on the PBHA priority deadline.  
CIVICS Specific Application:
Although CIVICS is offered as an IOP/PBHA joint program, you are only required to fill out one of our applications to be considered for the CIVICS program. If you have already filled out the PBHA application for CIVICS, you do not need to apply through the IOP.
Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (HSHS) Program Specific Question(s):
We are so excited to have you join the HSHS team this season :)

Fall shifts begin with dinner on Tuesday, October 15. You are responsible for filling your shift every week during this time -- you must be present or find a substitute to take your place (anyone can sub for you, even if they have never worked at the shelter). The shelter's efficiency relies on your unwavering dedication!

HERE is a greater description of shifts and volunteer responsibilities.

Please view our Linktree for a more detailed set of links to volunteer at HSHS. In addition to information about recurring shifts, there is also information about less regular opportunities, such as substitute shifts.

Upon receipt of this application, the HSHS team will follow up with you to arrange your shift schedule and the best possible volunteering experience for you and/or your group! If you are a new volunteer, we ask that you attend one of our training sessions so you can get to know our safety policies and rules. Training days and times will be emailed out to volunteers closer to November 1.

Email us at hshs.volunteer@gmail.com with any questions.


DESCRIPTION of SHIFTS

**************************************************** 
There are 4 shifts:

Dinner: 6:45 PM - 9:15 PM

Dinner volunteers have a wide variety of tasks, from food salvaging from the Harvard dining halls, cooking dinner, and preparing the shelter for the arrival of guests, to greeting guests as they arrive, serving dinner, and running plates of food outside to those who are hungry but do not have a bed reserved for the night.


Evening: 9:00 PM - 11:15 PM

Although not all fun and games–volunteers of this shift are mainly responsible for helping clean up after dinner–this shift is often cited as the most relaxing and laid-back. Other than maintenance chores such as laundry and dishes, volunteers are free to sit back, chat, play cards or board games, or watch TV and movies with the guests.


Overnight: 11:30 PM - 9:00 AM

Often dubbed the hardcore volunteers, overnighters work the longest shift. Other than assisting the breakfast volunteers with morning chores, however, tasks on this shift tend not to be demanding. Awake shifts are drawn up by the overnight supervisors so that everyone has scheduled sleep times. While overnight shifts are perhaps one of the most demanding shifts, many volunteers find them to be one of the most fulfilling. Note: Friday overnight shift runs from 11 PM – 9:30 AM.


Breakfast: 6:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Breakfast volunteers, arriving between 6 AM and 6:30 AM, help the overnight volunteers cook breakfast for the guests and clean up the shelter. The shift ends when the shelter has been swept, mopped, and scrubbed down. Note: Saturday morning breakfast shift runs from 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM.

 

Please email us at hshs.volunteer@gmail.com with any questions.


Mission Hill Afterschool Program
Strong Women Strong Girls (SWSG) Specific Question(s): 
BRYE Teen Specific Question(s)
Keylatch Afterschool (KASP) Specific Question(s)
Alternative Spring Break Program Specific Question(s): 


Emergency Contact for during your trip
Harmony Mentoring Specific Question(s): 
Chinatown Citizenship Program Specific Question(s): 
In addition to completing the PBHA Application, please also fill out this Google form specific to Chinatown Citizenship.
South Boston After-School Specific Question(s):
South Boston Big Sib Specific Question(s):
Additional Info is Required for some programs:
Please note that some programs do not have additional program specific questions, so will not show any fields below. 

Athena Program Specific Question(s): 
Alzheimer's Buddies Specific Question(s): 
Background Questions (Can be answered in one sentence, but feel free to elaborate on any of your answers.):


Application Questions:
HCAB Situational Question:
A fellow HCAB volunteer, Ariel, comes to you after a visit and tells you about an altercation that she had with her buddy Mrs. Johnson. Ariel describes that in the midst of their conversation, Mrs. Johnson accused her of stealing her cat, Serena. Ariel knew from Mrs. Johnson's biography that Serena had been dead for over 20 years. After Ariel denied taking Serena and explained that the cat was deceased, Mrs. Johnson began to sob and lash out uncontrollably. Ariel had to fetch a nurse to help calm her down. 
Best Buddies:  
BRYE AfterSchool Specific Question(s): 
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 




BRYE Extension Specific Question(s):
Cambridge Afterschool Program (CASP) Program Specific Question(s): 
After School Days of the Week 
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 





Chinatown Big Sibs Program Specific Questions: 





Chinatown ESL Program Specific Question(s): 



Days and Levels Preferences 
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 

Please indicate your preferences for which levels you want to teach. You can refer to the descriptions for each level here


Chinatown Afterschool Program Specific Question(s):




ChASP Days of the Week
Please choose your preferences for what afternoons you can volunteer:








ExperiMentors Specific Question(s): 
Experimentors Days of the Week: 
Please select all timeframes during which you would be able to participate in ExperiMentors. 
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 




FASE Specific Question(s): 
FASE AfterSchool Days of the Week:
Can you regularly volunteer at least once a week throughout the semester (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, travel time included)? 




Harmony After School Specific Question(s):  
HARTZ Specific Question(s): 
HOPE Specific Question(s):
Dear Applicant,

Thank you for showing interest in Harvard Organization for Prison Education and Reform. There are three branches of HOPE--education, advocacy and policy--along with an executive board. HOPE is looking for volunteers in our education and advocacy branches, and we have two positions open on the executive board. HOPE has two programs, Advocacy and Tutoring. If you are interested in both, be sure to go back to the first page and apply to the other program as well.


--EDUCATION--
HOPE offers prison tutoring programs in 3 correctional facilities:

(Adult Facilities):
Suffolk Jail: Also known as South Bay House of Corrections, Suffolk Jail is medium security jail located in Boston, MA. Tutors work with women and men once a week on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Times: Monday & Tuesday 3:00PM-6:45PM and 6:30PM-9:45PM.

(Youth Facilities):
Sargent House: A transitional living facility for young men between 18-21 years of age. Activities are mainly group mentoring projects that are life skills oriented (i.e. cooking, public transportation systems exercises, games involving math, etc.).
Times: Monday & Wednesday 5:30PM -7:30PM


Judge Connelly Center: A secure youth detention center located in Boston. We participate in GED prep and academic skill development, but also have group discussions and mentorship activities.
Times: Monday 5 - 7:30PM and Tuesday/Wednesday 6:15 - 8:30PM


--ADVOCACY--
A committee of individuals who steer HOPE's campaigns and advocacy efforts. Each October the committee coordinates an event called 7x9, a protest against solitary confinement, in which we tape the dimensions of a solitary confinement cell (7x9) on the science center plaza. We then recruit 23 volunteers to sit in the box for one-hour long shifts to signify the 23 hours incarcerated individuals typically spend in solitary confinement each day. We are also involved in a campaign called Abolish the Box, in which we ask universities, including Harvard, to remove the box on the application asking prospective students about their penal histories, a discriminatory practice. Committee members are encouraged to work on campaigns about which they are passionate, and the committee is open to any and all ideas. The committee is also in charge of planning speaking events with formerly incarcerated individuals and to ensure that those voices are highlighted in all the work that we do.


--EXECUTIVE BOARD-

In what follows, please elaborate on your background, skills, interests and relevant experiences, so that we can get a better understanding of who you are. Based on this application, we will decide whether to call you for an interview to discuss your application for tutoring or advocacy in person. Accepted tutors will be required to complete a background check with their individual facilities to receive clearance and begin tutoring. All HOPE members will partake in a training workshop.

A successful tutor is, among other things, comfortable tutoring in a variety of subjects, sensitive to the challenges of tutoring in different environments, and a team-player. A successful advocacy member is passionate about prison reform, eager to continue learning about intersectionality, comfortable working with diverse groups of people and interested in making change on campus and beyond. We look forward to getting to know you better and reading your applications. 

We welcome you to apply even if you have no prior experience or knowledge of prison reform. HOPE is a welcoming, inclusive community and we invite you to join us in learning about these issues and advocating for change. Feel free to reach out to any of us with questions or concerns. We look forward to meeting you!


Leah Yared, Executive Director: leahyared@college.harvard.edu
Stephanie Wu and Alex Czarnecki, Education Directors: stephaniewu@college.harvard.edu and aczarnecki@college.harvard.edu
Samantha White and Salma Abdelrahman, Advocacy Directors: samantha_white@college.harvard.edu and sabdelrahman@college.harvard.edu
Alexa Brown, Outreach Director: alexa_brown@college.harvard.edu
Jenny Liu and Nick Wyville, Finance and Communication Directors: jenny_liu@college.harvard.edu and nywville@college.harvard.edu

-----

Suffolk: Emma Gray and Mari 

Connelly: David Yang and Esteban Ortiz

Sargent House: Eunice Michieka

Past campaigns have been about juvenile justice in the prison system, protesting solitary confinement, advocating for greater access to education for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Harvard Undergraduate Legal Committee Specific Question(s):
Keylatch After School Days of the Week: 

Are you willing to commit to a 2:30pm-6:30pm block one day per week Monday-Thursday for at least this full term
What days of the week would you be available to volunteer? 




Keylatch Mentoring Program Specific Question(s):
LEADERS Specific Question(s): 
Mission Mentor Specific Question(s):






Peer Health Exchange Specific Questions(s):
Harvard PHE volunteers are also required to apply separately through the PHE system. A link to the application can be found below. This application is due on September 20st at midnight and should take around 30 minutes to complete. Link:

www.peerhealthexchange.org/apply Separate application required due on 09/20/2019 by midnight
Pets as Therapy Specific Question(s): 



Pets as Therapy Specific Question(s): 
Are you available Friday from 2 to 4 PM, Sunday from 2 to 4 PM, or both? (Please note: you will only be asked to visit the nursing home once a week; the commitment runs until the beginning of reading period and you are only allowed to miss one week.)  


RITE - Recent Immigrant Term - Time Enrichment Specific Question(s): 
STAGE Specific Question(s): 
Youth Recreation - HOOPS Specific Question(s): 

Y2Y - Harvard Square Specific Question(s): 

To complete your application:

·       Fill out Y2Y’s internal application found here (or copy/paste: https://www.tfaforms.com/4675833)

·       Submit this PBHA form on the next page.

 

We expect to receive many applications this semester and will do our very best to accommodate everyone - however, be aware that there is a chance we may not be able to place you if your shift choices are particularly popular.

 

Fall shifts will begin with dinner shift on Monday, October 15th, and end with the breakfast shift on Saturday February 16th. You will not be responsible for shifts during Thanksgiving Break (Dinner 11/27 - Breakfast 12/1) or Winter Break (Dinner 12/20 - Breakfast 1/27).

 

Deadline to apply is October 1st at 11:59 PM EST. Our priority deadline is September 15. 

 

If you are interested in applying as a group (four people minimum), you can access this form here: https://goo.gl/forms/PtbtVvBrRdFVdVvz2.

 

Shift Preferences:

 

We ask that you complete your shift preferences with a good understanding of your academic and extracurricular commitments. While we can and do update the schedule to reflect the needs of our volunteers, this process is not easy to do with over 150 weekly volunteers. Please fill out this section once you have a good idea of your timetable. 

 

Description of shifts:

Breakfast: 6:30 am - 9:15 am (7:30am-10:00am on Saturday and Sunday)

Dinner: 6:45 pm - 9:15 pm 

Evening: 8:45 pm - 11:15 pm 

Overnight: 11:00 pm - 9:15 am (11:00pm - 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday)

 

·       Breakfast: Come in bright and early to greet our guests! You'll be making breakfast and helping to clean the shelter (an invaluable service!). 

·       Dinner: You'll be cooking and serving dinner, talking with guests, and perhaps making a food pick-up run from one of the many shops that donate to us. 

·       Evening: On the evening shift, help is often needed in the kitchen to clean up after dinner. This is also a relaxed time to visit with guests as they prepare for bed. 

·       Overnight: Overnight shifts are the longest and the most rewarding. You will find yourself a jack-of-all-trades, with jobs ranging from cooking food to doing laundry, to supervising the shelter space. You'll get to hang out with other volunteers and night-owl guests, and the breakfast volunteers in the morning! Don't worry: we do take turns sleeping - the night is typically divided into three sub-shifts and you will be asleep for two of them (there is a secure staff room with bed, so you'll be able to sleep 6 hours when it is not your turn to be awake). 

 

Don’t Forget: To complete your application:

·       Fill out Y2Y’s internal application found here (or copy/paste: https://www.tfaforms.com/4675833)

Submit this PBHA form on the next page

Are you interested in being a Director in any of these programs?

YES

Thank you for your interest! Please read and select submit below.

Upon receiving this form, directors will contact you about next steps to enroll in a program.


You will receive an initial confirmation and welcome to the PBHA community as a whole.


Applying as a volunteer will automatically add you to the PBHA Announce mailing list, which will send you two e-newsletters a month. These messages include important info about upcoming events, opportunities, and general tips that will help you navigate PBHA. You can unsubscribe at any time. 


For most programs, you must complete a background check (CORI) form, available at the front desk of Phillips Brooks House during business hours. 

How did you hear about us?
(it may take a few seconds once you press submit.)