Volunteers play a crucial role at Carroll Center for the Blind. We welcome volunteers who would like to work directly with clients as well as those who prefer to help support our organization in other ways.

Requirements:

· Must be at least 16 years of age.

· Commitment to at least 1 shift for 4 months of service.

· Complete all required paperwork and tasks during volunteer onboarding.

· After completing the required paperwork, all volunteers will go through a formal orientation, building tour, training, and observations for their particular role.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the opportunities listed below, please complete and submit the “Volunteer Application Form” linked below. If you have questions about these opportunities, please contact Angelina Todaro (angelina.todaro@carroll.org).

Are you part of a corporate team with an interest and drive to make a difference? Come spend a day with us at The Carroll Center for the Blind! Based on your availability and group size and interests, we will work with you to develop the perfect day for your team. Opportunities to help us in our work may involve beautifying our campus, supporting events, assisting us with client activities, or sharing valuable professional knowledge with our clients and staff! We’ll also ensure your team knows their efforts are helping us make students more confident and independent! Either way, we will have a fun and inspirational day planned for your team to give back!

Thank you to the Corporate Volunteer Groups who visited the Carroll Center for the Blind campus and donated their time through various volunteer opportunities this year:

Biogen        Bowditch      Cognex       Deloitte       Warby Parker

Glaukos      Liberty Mutual       Point32Health

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals LLC

Are you a member of a local non-corporate team interested in doing some service together? Whether you’re a church group, Eagle Scouts, or book group we’d love to have you!

On occasion, CCB hosts many fun events throughout the year (ex. Cane Quest, Technology Fairs and more!) and sometimes we are looking for some extra hands. By signing up for this opportunity, you will be on call when we are looking for volunteers to assist with upcoming events hosted at our campus.

The Carroll Center is currently looking for an individual who loves all things organizing and re-arranging!

Enjoy sailing (for free!) while sharing your love of sailing with those who are blind or visually impaired! We are looking for Sighted Guide volunteers with sailing experience to help blind and visually impaired persons learn the sport of sailing. The Carroll Center runs a weekly, Saturday morning recreational sailing program, called SailBlind, at Community Boating Inc. in Boston. New Guides will be shown methods for guiding a blind sailor and must demonstrate adequate sailing skills. If you are interested in being a sighted guide, please email sailblind@carroll.org.

Do you enjoy working on multiple projects at a time? Operations and Administrative Support volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the various departments in our organization and how they support each other. This role involves tasks related to supporting clients and unique projects that will allow for smooth operations. The volunteer will complete these administrative tasks while sitting at our front reception desk. At times, they may be asked to help greet visitors or guests and provide them with direction on where to go on campus.

The Carroll Center for the Blind has deep historical roots and we would like your help preserving and reviving interesting records and stories. We’re looking for volunteers with an interest in history and who are tech savvy who can help take digital older documents and photos (dating back to when Father Carroll founded our organization) and transfer them to digital platforms and booklets for all to enjoy!

All clients’ meals are served daily in our dining hall. Dining Hall volunteers will serve as dining hall monitors, where their duties will include:

• Assisting students in obtaining their meal trays.
• Safely navigating the room.
• Returning their trays to the serving area.

A mobility instructor will provide training on proper techniques for assisting. This position will be coupled with additional responsibilities after or before lunch/dinner is served.

This is the perfect role for those looking to perform hands-on tasks on campus. For example, this may include tasks related to improving the grounds, painting, or doing small repairs.

Do you enjoy getting some fresh air and exercise? If so, this is the perfect opportunity for you! On your walk, you’ll get the chance to socialize with our clients while also exploring the local community. Could walk to get an ice cream or a coffee nearby too!

Do you have a unique talent or skill you’d like to share with our clients? Do you play the guitar and are interested in performing in front of our clients? Do you teach yoga or meditation? We’d love to have you organize a club for our clients!

Looking for those with a green thumb! Come socialize with our clients and help them plant bulbs, flowers and various plants on campus.

• FALL/WINTER WEEKEND: we’re looking for someone with a green thumb to run a monthly indoor gardening activity.
• SPRING/SUMMER WEEKDAY EVENING: come socialize with our clients and help them plant bulbs, flowers and various plants on campus.

Each year, the Carroll Center for the Blind hosts the Walk for Independence, an event that raises funds and awareness for the Carroll Center.  The 11^th annual Walk for Independence will take place in person on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, at the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst. There are many ways to volunteer, including registration, route cheerleaders, food station, kids activities, setup/breakdown, sighted guide, water station and more! View the full list of  Walk for Independence volunteer opportunities.

Apply today to be a Summer Youth Program Activities Assistant volunteer to a Carroll Center student. Volunteers will participate in our summer youth programs with teenagers who are blind or visually impaired. Our summer students participate in various activities both on our Newton campus and on local outings. Some examples might include archery, arts and crafts, sports, music, water fun, cooking and so much more!

Commitment required: the duration of the summer program.