We Welcome Your Support!

The Community Day Center is a project of the entire community - we need everyone's help. Here's what you can do for your neighbors who use the Center:

  1. Volunteering
    • During Center Hours
      When the Center is open (weekday afternoons 1:30 - 4:30), we invite community volunteers to spend time with our guests. If you are free in the afternoons, please consider a regular weekly or monthly commitment. Church or civic groups can take a day and rotate visits among themselves.

      Here's what you might do in an afternoon at the Center:

      • Spend time with the guests: visiting, chatting, playing games, doing art work

      • Share skills such as computer expertise, drafting letters and resumes, filling in various forms and applications

      • Help staff to welcome newcomers, serve refreshments, direct activities


      Spanish speakers are especially needed.

    The Community Day Center of Waltham is currently seeking one to two individuals to serve on our Board.  We are especially seeking someone with skills in marketing, public relations, development and/or fundraising.

    Board members currently include low-income individuals who are representative of those who attend the Center, as well as those from community agencies with a particular interest in the needs of the homeless in Waltham-a pastor of a local church, a community organizer from the local community development corporation, and a social worker from the local legal services office.  The Executive Director is both a lawyer and a Presbyterian minister with a strong commitment to social justice.  Board members meet 8 - 10 times a year. 

    If interested, please contact: Lynn Barenberg, LICSW: barenber@bc.edu or call 781-893-4793.

    The role of the Board of Directors of the Community Day Center of Waltham is:

    1. To appoint an Executive Director who shall administer the Day Center, direct its day-to-day operations and execute the policies of the Board.

    2. To exercise final and absolute legal powers of the Corporation, including the power to receive, disburse, borrow and lend funds.

    3. To determine major personnel needs, fiscal and program policies of the Corporation, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

    4. To give final approval of all budgets and program proposals and to oversee that activities are undertaken without extravagance or waste.

    5. To enforce compliance with all applicable terms and conditions of grants, contracts and contributions.

    6. To periodically review, and if necessary restate, the organization's mission.

    7. To provide leadership and support in the fundraising efforts of the organization.

    8. To continually seek ways to broaden the organization's base of support.

    9. To appoint a Nominating Committee annually and other Committees as required for the effective management of the organization.


    • For a Special Visit
      If you have particular knowledge or expertise, why not schedule a time for a presentation or demonstration:
      • Practical topics such as legal, housing or employment issues
      • Or something fun like a craft or hobby
       
    • Outside Center Hours
      If you are not free in the afternoons, there are still ways that you can help:
      • Take on a particular task such as grocery shopping, producing a newsletter, setting up and/or maintaining a website
      • Help with grant-writing or other fundraising tasks, such as folding and stuffing bulk mailings

       

  2. Wish-List Donations
    The Center is always in need of useful items.
    Here's a partial list of some of the things we can put to good use:
    • Snack foods
    • Homemade treats for holidays and special occasions
      (with foods, please call ahead to be sure we will be able to use them while fresh.)
    • Books
    • Video tapes
    • Music CD's
    • Current periodicals
    • Gift subscriptions to newspapers or magazines

    At this time we do not have the space or staffing to handle clothing, although we plan to be able to do so as we expand.

     

  3. Financial Support
    The Center receives no government support and is dependent on the generosity of the community to continue in operation.  We are a registered charity in the state of Massachusetts, and we we have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

Checks payable to "Community Day Center" may be mailed to:

Community Day Center of Waltham, Inc.
PO Box 541066
Waltham, Massachusetts 02454

We are also actively seeking information about grant-making organizations or businesses which might be interested in the Center's work. If you know of such contacts, please call Jean Southard (508)353-7140.

Listing of Organizations that have supported us, with links

Frequently Asked Questions