Lend a hand this fall: Volunteer opportunities across Waltham

Fall brings nippy mornings, quick sunsets, back-to-school excitement — and for many residents, a renewed focus on community. Volunteering brings people closer, meets many serious community needs, and, according to the Mayo Clinic, helps volunteers be healthier and happier.

From food pantries to tutoring, from farm work to clothing exchanges, local nonprofits are calling on volunteers to help strengthen the city’s heart. Whether you have an hour a week or a day to spare, the chance to make a difference lies just around the corner. Here are more than a dozen volunteer opportunities in Waltham.

Africano Waltham is a community-led nonprofit organization supporting African immigrant families, youth and seniors in Waltham. Help the organization with fundraising support. Opportunities are virtual, with optional in-person meetings. Contact: 781-298-1545 or info@africanowaltham.org.

The Cat Connection, an all-volunteer nonprofit cat shelter, seeks seasonal or year-round volunteers to fill caretaker positions for the cats residing at its shelter. Tasks include feeding cats, scooping litter boxes, tidying the shelter and socializing and playing with cats and kittens. Caretaking shifts are daily, 8 to 10 a.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. Contact tccshelterschedule@gmail.com.

Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation seeks seasonal and year-round volunteers to share our region’s proud industrial history with the community. Volunteers can be tour guides or STEM educators for school groups. The museum also welcomes volunteers with specific knowledge about vintage machinery or textile history or backgrounds in historical research and writing. Contact director of education Steve Guerriero, info@charlesrivermuseum.org, 781-893-5410.

Community Day Center of Waltham, 16 and 20 Felton St., provides day shelter and support services to adults experiencing homelessness. Positions available include: Assisting in TheShop@20 Felton by sorting donations and providing a warm service experience to guests selecting seasonal, donated clothing and shoes; distributing mail and travel-size essential items (hygiene items, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, etc.) to guests at the Drop-in Space; or working in the kitchen and serving lunch. Support is needed daily, especially from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Volunteers must commit to at least one day weekly for at least 3 months. Contact executive director Chloe-Rose Crouch at director@communitydaycenter.org or 781-392-6311.

CTNNB1 Connect and Cure seeks volunteers to provide care for special-needs children on Saturday, Oct.10, during its annual conference at Westin Waltham Boston, 70 3rd Ave. Volunteers engage with the children alongside parent volunteers, offering an extra set of caring hands. For more information, contact crawford.mcwilliams@curectnnb1.org. 

Healthy Waltham promotes collaborative approaches to improving the health and wellness of underserved and low-income populations. Help with ongoing food pantries, held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, at 101 School St. Shifts run from 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 to 3 p.m., 2:30 to 5 p.m., and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Contact Maria DiMaggio at Maria@healthy-waltham.org.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service hosts the Family Table Food Pantry on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1430 Main St. Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver groceries on Sundays, support clients at Marketplace distribution on Tuesdays, and prepack clients’ bags on Thursdays. Contact Lisa Katz at lkatz@jfcsboston.org, 781-693-1231.

REACH Beyond Domestic Violence empowers individuals, families and communities to overcome domestic violence. Year-round, enroll in direct volunteer service or internships. Before the holidays, host a Holiday Gift Drive to collect items for families and individuals rebuilding their lives after experiencing domestic violence. Also, organize a fundraising event, such as a school or community collection, to support the Holiday Gift Program. Contact mcastaneda@reachma.org, 781-891-0724.

Waltham Clothing Exchange is a thrift shop and a longtime project of First Parish Waltham, 50 Church St. Become a seasonal volunteer in spring and fall, on Tuesdays and some Saturdays. Tasks include pricing, sorting, hanging donations and assisting customers. Contact walthamclothingexchange@gmail.com.

Waltham Fields Community Farm cultivates sustainable and equitable relationships among people, their food supply and the land from which it grows. Learn about and sign up for volunteer opportunities on this continually updated list. Volunteer on Farm Day, Saturday, Oct. 17; shifts and roles are available all day. Community organizations or companies can plan a group volunteering event at the farm. Contact volunteer@communityfarms.org.

Waltham Council on Aging seeks year-round volunteer drivers for its Meals on Wheels food delivery program run from the William F. Stanley Senior Center at 488 Main St. Volunteers start around 10:30 a.m.; routes usually take about an hour. Some volunteers have one route one day a week; others choose to volunteer more often. Contact 781-314-3300.

Waltham Museum, 25 Lexington St., preserves local history and provides multidisciplinary cultural and educational programs for diverse audiences. Volunteer roles include docenting, accessioning, digitizing slides, researching and working on the museum’s website and social media. Hours are Sundays, 1:30 to 4 p.m., and some weekdays; some remote volunteering is available. Contact info@walthammuseum.org, 781-893-9020.

WATCH CDC, 24 Crescent St., Ste. 201, promotes affordable housing, provides adult education and leadership development, and empowers underrepresented residents through civic engagement. Volunteers work as tutors and classroom aides in adult English language programs, at the front desk, at one-time events, on the advisory board, and on special projects. Contact Nafisa Abdinur at nafisa@watchcdc.org or 781-891-6689 ext. 212.