Having a library card makes you feel like a superhero with all the amazing things it gives you access to, including technology, media resources and educational programs. This Library Card Sign-up Month, show us your best superhero pose for a chance to win a $100 gift card, courtesy of the American Library Association. Help spread the word by striking a library superhero stance, holding your physical library card or your device with your e-card. Post it to Instagram (@walthamlibrary), Twitter (@walthamlibrary), or Facebook (@walthamlibrary) using the hashtag #LibraryCardHero. Don’t forget to cover up any personally identifiable information on your library card, and please tag @walthamlibrary .
The promotion ends Tuesday, September 22, at 1:00 pm. All library lovers are encouraged to participate.
The #LibraryCardHero promotion is open to residents of the United States, Washington, D.C., and U.S. Territories. Employees of the American Library Association are not eligible to participate.
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With many free activities to learn or practice English online, where do you start? Here are a few helpful resources and ideas for how to use them.
Remember: learning a language is like building a house. You need a variety of tools–not just one. Make regular time to practice listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Also like building a house, it helps to share the work with other people. There’s an expression: “Many hands make light work.”
Our English Language Learning (ELL) program at Waltham Public Library helps you practice English skills and connect with other learners.
Visit our calendar to learn about free online classes and programs this fall.
If you recommend other free online resources for learning English, please leave a comment on this post. Let’s have a conversation to help each other.
Language brings us together.
~Aaron Devine, Literacy Coordinator at Waltham Public Library
Contact me: adevine@minlib.net (email) or 781-314-3442 (phone)
Use free with your Waltham Library card (Need one? Start with an ecard today). This app offers English language instruction in your first language with notes about grammar and culture as you learn. Practice speaking out loud; review each chapter with a friend.
Click on pictures and listen to learn the ABCs, as well as words for food, clothing, the body, nature, places, and more. Repeat the words; search for examples in your home, work, and neighborhood. Say their names out loud.
This website lists every sound in American English with pronunciation guides and examples. Make a list of sounds that are difficult for you. (Notice also how many you already know!) Read the “How to pronounce” guide and then practice.Ask a friend to listen.
This website has pronunciation guides (step-by-step) and animation to show how each sound is formed in the mouth. Review challenging sounds. Then find a fun tongue twister to practice.
Listen to short dialogues with comprehension questions. Choose from easy, intermediate, and difficult. After you listen, try to continue the dialogue: in writing by yourself, or in conversation with a friend.
This website offers grammar lessons and quizzes organized by topic. Practice a lesson by writing in your journal. Look for examples of the lesson when you read.
From grammar-maven Betty Azar’s website: free worksheets and activities created by teachers. Also, Suzanne Woodward’s Fun with Grammar in PDF. Practice a couple of song lessons from the site. Then choose your favorite singer/band and try to make your own grammar lesson with their lyrics.
Listen and read current events articles. Review vocabulary and comprehension questions at the end. Read an article out loud twice, taking turns with a friend. Then talk about it: try to summarize the information first; share your opinions after.
Learn about a variety of topics from experts. Use the subtitles, transcripts, and translations to build your language skills. TED.com has internationally popular social media accounts. Follow or like one and join the conversation.
Music is joyful and linked to memory. On this website, you can enjoy popular music and listen for missing words in the lyrics. Try the easier choice mode first and then try write mode (which involves spelling) for a harder challenge.
This website (and phone app) helps real people record interviews and stories about their lives. Some are animated so that you can listen and follow the images to build understanding. Add closed captions (cc) to read the text, too. If you enjoy this site, consider recording your own interview with a family member, neighbor, or friend. StoryCorps has lists of questions ready for you.
Ok, ok, dictionaries are not usually fun. However, the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary contains a picture quiz called “Name that Thing,” a word-of-the-day email, and Ask the Editor with questions and answers about the English language.
*Join Aaron for “Mango and More,” an introduction to some of these resources, streaming live on the Waltham Public Library YouTube channel, Friday, September 11 from 12-1PM. The program repeats in Spanish on Friday, September 25 from 12-1PM. In case you miss the livestream, both videos will remain available for viewing on our YouTube channel.
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In July, we held more meetings for “Tell Us What You’re Reading”. Everyone who participated shared titles of books that they’re reading as well as some shows and movies that they’ve been watching. We had a wonderful conversation and all of us came away with some more titles for our “To Be Read” lists. Below are the titles that attendees shared.
Join us for future meetings for “Tell Us What You’re Reading: Monday, August 17 at 7:00 pm and Monday, September 21 at 7:00 pm. E-mail Laura (lbernheim@minlib.net) for the Zoom links.
Autopsy of a Boring Wifeby Marie Lavoie: This book is a fun and light read, perfect for those of us who are having a hard time concentrating. I picture Diane Keaton in the main role; the housewife whose husband has left her for a younger woman. The novel takes place in Quebec and our main character is anything but boring.
Cut Me Loose by Leah Vincent: This memoir is very moving and, I must warn you, there are some upsetting scenes. Leah can not bear the shackles of being a traditional ultra Orthodox female who is not allowed to go to college and who is expected to serve her husband and produce children as her primary role. The lack of support that she gets from her family when she is unable to live such a circumscribed life causes Leah alot of pain. This book documents her struggle to find an identity that is comfortable and that makes sense for her. Recommended for fans of Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman.
Fiction Ruined My Familyby Jeanne Darst: This eccentric story tells about Jeanne Darst’s life growing up with an alcoholic mother and a self absorbed writer father who can not always attend to his family’s needs. Jeanne herself becomes an artist and an alcoholic who has to come to terms with her family, her own alcoholism, and her identity. I loved this book and I felt for the family and for Jeanne on her journey to selfhood. Recommended for fans of The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt.
The Goldfinchby Donna Tartt: Donna Tartt is such an amazing writer that I simply don’t have the words. This novel is a Pulitzer Prize winner. The goldfinch refers to a painting by Carel Fabritius that currently hangs in the Hague. The goldfinch has a chain attached to its foot which is an apt metaphor for some of the chains that the main character, Theo has to bear in his difficult life. Theo has and loses a wonderful, art loving mother. His father is less loving; an alcoholic actor who deserts the family. We meet all sorts of interesting and flawed characters and see Theo’s destiny so closely entwined with the painting. I don’t want to spoil the plot and tell you what happens with the painting.
New Kid by Jerry Craft: This Newbery Award winning graphic novel is an easy and edifying read. The main character, Jordan, is a young man who is transferring to an upscale, mostly white school. He is the new kid and he has to come to terms with a whole different universe. He has a lovely family, two parents who want the best for him, but who don’t always see things the way he does. Jordan wants to go to art school, but his mother wants him to go the prestigious school. He has to take public transportation to get there and he has to find his place as the new kid in the new school and as a kid who has left his neighborhood school behind. Heartwarming and witty, this is recommended to anyone who ever wondered how to fit in. Illustrations are all done by the author and the illustrations that are supposedly Jordan’s own originals are delightful.
Afterlifeby Julia Alvarez: This novel is so compulsively readable that I finished it practically before I started. Our main character, Antonia, has lost her husband Sam, and is still dealing with her grief. In the meantime, her three sisters are having their own issues as one of the sisters, Izzy, seems to have gone off the deep end. Antonia lives in Vermont and has some serious worries about some illegal workers and their struggles. The relationships of the sisters feel so universal to me as they quibble and argue and love each other as best as they can. The sisters’ family came from the Dominican Republic, and yet, they are firmly ensconced in the United States unlike the migrant workers in Antonia’s neighborhood. Antonia has a strong literary bent as she is a writer and a former teacher and her literary references throughout the novel are delightful to read. Two of her sisters are therapists and so, have a more ‘therapy’ oriented view which one who studies great literature might question. What would a therapist say about Hamlet or King Lear or Desdemona in the current era? Antonia ponders these sorts of questions and more in this heartwarming book that deals with the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows of family life.
Uncorked: Father/son drama, fulfilling dreams with the support of family.
Debora
Just Mercy the film: Based on the book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. This is an origin story that’s hard to watch and incredibly important to see. It’s a dramatization of the founding of the Equal Justice Initiative by attorney Bryan Stevenson. If you’re not familiar with their work, take a look at their website: https://eji.org/ In the film, Stevenson is a newly minted, Harvard-trained Black lawyer who moves to Montgomery, Alabama with funding to provide free legal services to those who have been wrongfully convicted or sentenced, including men on death row. The main story is about Johnny D McMillian, a Black man who was illegally convicted of killing a white woman and placed on death row. The entire case against him rested on the convoluted and implausible testimony of a white felon who said he saw McMillian standing over the victim. Attorney Stevenson eventually uncovers the truth, which is that the white felon was temporarily placed on death row in the cell next to the kill room as a way of pressuring him to pin the crime on a man he’d never seen, for a murder he knew nothing about. Stevenson doggedly pursues justice, eventually winning freedom for McMillian. The film doesn’t shy away from the stark realities of death row: the preparation of an inmate for the electric chair, the way cells are organized so that inmates can’t see each other while talking, the random and inhumane exertion of power imposed by the guards. The film’s message is clear: we live in a racist society, built on a racist legacy. EJI’s fight is against a well-oiled system of oppression. This film will haunt you and make you see what he – and we – are up against.
Ashley
Once You Go This Far by Kristen Lepionka: The 4th book featuring PI Roxan Weary. I really liked this one! Although i had a suspicion of the guilty person as soon as we were introduced to them, the entire story kept me guessing.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager: Another twisty mystery/thriller/horror novel from this author. Maggie Holt returns to a home her family fled when she was a child because it was haunted. Her father even wrote a best selling book about the experience, and her life has never been the same because of that book. She doesn’t remember her time in the house as a kid, and doesn’t think a word of the book is true, but after her father dies, she goes back to find out if it’s really haunted.
The Power by Naomi Alderman: You can tell that Naomi who is a mentee of Margaret Atwood is very influenced by the author. This book read very similarly to Atwood. Sometimes it was interesting, sometimes it was a little too heavy handed.
The Last One by Alexandra Oliva: An interesting book to pick up during a pandemic. Our main character (i’m not sure we ever learn her real name) enters a reality competition out in the wilderness, somewhat like survivor, but less intense. What she doesn’t realize is that while she is alone in the wilderness, a pandemic is wiping out the world’s population. Even when she stumbles upon recently abandoned towns, she assumes it is just part of the game. I definitely wanted to find out how it ended!
The Half of It on Netflix: This is an adorable movie about a young gay woman, centering on her relationship with her father and a straight boy at her high shcool who she happens to share a crush with. It’s gentle, and sweet, and all about friendship.
Love, Victor on Hulu: A spin off of Love, Simon, originally planned for Disney+ but moved to Hulu. I have to say, i don’t like Victor very much. Just because you are confused about your sexuality/coming out does not give you a free pass to be a jerk to the people who are kind to you. If i’m to continue watching, i want a kid who is less of a jerk.
Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delany: A strange yet very hopeful look at language, about how it can divide us, and how it can be a bridge of empathy between us. I’ll have to reread it again.
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff: Set in 1950s America, this story revolves around a black family fighting against everyday racism and supernatural horrors, all during the Jim Crow era. Terrifying and surprisingly heartfelt, I highly recommend it.
Devolution by Max Brooks: A bunch of rich tech-savvy hipsters set up a suburban neighborhood in the American Northwest wilderness. When a natural disaster separates them from the rest of the world, they discover Bigfoot is real, there is more than one of them, and they are not friendly. A fascinating, well researched drama about what is admittedly a very ridiculous topic.
The Heritage by Howard Bryant: Howard Bryant has the relationships and the generational perspective to cohere stories of Black male athlete protest in America as part of both an old and urgent narrative for our times (and for all-time).
Queer Eye: Season 5 (Netflix): I love the love that the men of Queer Eye bring to each interaction. In this toxic culture, it’s a kind of medicine to bear witness to such unmitigated kindness, affection, and generosity in the mouths and deeds of men.
Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: Great follow up to The Underground Railroad. Elwood’s story after heading to a reformatory is one that sadly still rings true today.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Heart wrenching and descriptive tale told in two verse about two sisters, one living in New York and the other living in the Dominican Republic, who only learn of each other’s identity after a tragedy.
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi: A fantasy novel that is incredibly grounded allowing the reader to think about who is considered a monster. Though the tone is different, this could serve as a readalike to Sweep by Jonathan Auxier, which is another look at monsters in literature. I love the fact that Jam, the main character, happens to be a transgender female but it’s just a part of and not her entire identity. It also contains my new favorite line in a book, “‘If you really want to know,’ one of the teachers added, taking pity on Jam’s frustrated curiosity, ‘there’s always the library.'”
The Turner House by Angela Flournoy: Riveting, descriptive look at the Turner family, living in Detroit from the 1940’s to 2008 with a dash of magic realism thrown in.
The Girl Who Reads on the Metro by Christine Féret-Fleury: A quiet novel about a woman, Juliette, who loves watching people read on the Metro in Paris and finds herself in a position to match the perfect books with the perfect people.
Lovebirds (movie): I loved the chemistry between Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a couple caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Great Mouse Detective (movie): I think I was just a shade too old when this was released and just caught this for the first time. I think it would have scared the daylights out of me as a kid!
The Babysitters Club(Netflix): I had loved these books when I was in middle school but acknowledge they’ve since become dated. The new show is perfect, updating the stories and main characters for 2020 (even the part about Claudia having her own phone line). I love all of the changes, and daresay that I enjoy this more than the original books. (I’m trying to ignore the fact that the parents are my age)
On Monday, June 15, we held another “Tell Us What You’re Reading” meeting of the Waltham Public Library Virtual Book Club. Everyone who participated shared titles of books that they’re reading as well as some shows and movies that they’ve been watching. We had a wonderful conversation and all of us came away with some more titles for our “To Be Read” lists. Below are the titles that attendees shared.
Join us on Monday, July 13 at 7:00 pm or Thursday, July 16 at 2:30 pm (or both!) to share any titles that you’re reading! E-mail Laura (lbernheim@minlib.net) for the meeting link.
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Civic Engagement/Social Justice:This list includes organizations and resources for all who want to improve the quality of life in their community. Tip O’Neill said that “all politics is local”, and when one benefits one’s community, the effects ripple out to improve life for all. There are, of course, organizations and resources that present an even wider scope here. Although we have collected a wealth of information here, it is our intention to update and enhance this list as necessary.
Some of the descriptions have been taken from the organizations’ mission statements.
Progressive WalthamWorking for a better minimum wage, environmental reform, social justice and more.
Waltham Energy And Climate Action Now! (WECAN) We are a coalition of concerned people and groups. We are also the Waltham node of 350Mass, a climate action network made up of engaged volunteers who work with the media, organize events, educate their communities, lobby lawmakers, and more.
City Of Waltham OpenGov OpenGov is a data visualization platform that enables municipalities to streamline and present its budget and financial data in a more meaningful manner. Integrating financial data with a data platform will provide users with an engaging and favorable experience when examining the financial information of the City of Waltham.
Waltham Voting
Waltham League Of Women VotersMission: Empowering voters. Defending democracy. Find out how you can help by clicking on the link.
Absentee Voting In WalthamIf you will not be around on the big day, but want your voice to be heard, click here.
Waltham Public Library We provide resources to help you pursue all that you need to be engaged in the well-being of your community. We provide access to a range of newspapers including but not limited to The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Waltham News Tribune. Our sources are reliable and our staff are constantly providing updates through our social media which you can also reach here. During the time of Covid-19, we have a wealth of timely online resources for you that are available 24/7.
Real TalkOpportunities for Waltham teens to be engaged in their community and talk about their concerns.
Waltham Public Library Electronic Databases Includes Legal Resources, trustworthy articles and reference information, consumer information, educational information and more. This is where you can find the up to date and historical newspaper collections.
The Library’s subscription to the Boston Globe can be accessed here.
Minuteman Network Access to the New York Timescan be found here.
Gale OneFile: Criminal Justice A wealth of criminal justice information available for you from the Waltham Public Library.
Watch CDC
Watch CDCWATCH CDC works towards a more just community in the Waltham area by promoting affordable housing, providing adult education and leadership development, and empowering underrepresented residents through civic engagement.
Healthy Waltham The vision for Healthy Waltham is to foster a community of wellness where all people have the opportunity and support to thrive and prosper.
Waltham Conservation/Agriculture
The Waltham Land TrustThe Waltham Land Trust’s mission is to create a legacy of land conservation in Waltham by promoting, protecting, restoring, and acquiring open space.
Waltham Fields Community Farm Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) promotes local agriculture and food access through our farming operations and educational programs, using practices that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable. We encourage healthy relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows.
Waltham Youth
The Waltham Partnership For Youth Our Mission: To leverage and coordinate the assets of our vibrant community to ensure that all Waltham youth have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Waltham House (Home For Little Wanderers)Waltham House is the first residential group home designed specifically for LGBTQ youth in New England, and one of only three of its kind in the nation.
Waltham Family SchoolThe Waltham Family School is a comprehensive family literacy program that dramatically improves educational opportunities for children by integrating early childhood, adult education and parenting skills.
Africano WalthamWe seek to highlight the importance of intercultural respect and celebration among communities of African and non-African descent alike. This takes the form of a diverse Cultural Arts Education Program-–cultural edutainment—that works with children and families from underserved communities (e.g., low income, African immigrant communities) in the Waltham area.
Waltham Boys And Girls Club Click this link to find out about volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. You can find more about the organization on their website as well.
Family Access Community Connections The mission of Family ACCESS is to strengthen children, families and the community by providing programs that nurture child development, promote effective parenting skills, and support working parents. We actively engage a racially, economically, and culturally diverse population in Newton, Waltham and surrounding communities.
Waltham Animal Rights/ Pets
The Cat ConnectionThis Waltham organization is a place to help cats find good homes. There are lots of opportunities to help. Click to find out more.
Waltham Census
The Census The census is so important to community funding which is vital especially during the time of Covid-19. For each person not counted, communities could miss out on $2,400 of federal funding,
Next Door Waltham Local news, posts by neighbors, events, items for sale and for free and more.
Waltham Cable Access Watch the best shows, meetings and events from our Public and Government channels, all in High Definition. Our HD Channel is available on Verizon Channel 2147 and RCN Channel 613.
Waltham MA Community GroupLocal news, neighborhood recommendations, a way to stay in touch with your community.
Waltham Seniors
The Waltham Council On AgingWaltham Council on Aging shall promote individual input seeking support for elder services through legislation, grant proposals and activity in policy making; to identify the needs of the community’s elderly population and available resources to meet such needs; to educate the community at large in the needs of the elderly; to design, promote and implement needed services and to coordinate with existing local services for the elderly. Click on the link to find out more.
AARP Waltham Click this link to find out about volunteering at the American Association of Retired Persons Waltham. You can also find more information on the website.
Meals On Wheels Waltham MAThe Meals on Wheels Coordinator welcomes Waltham citizens and retired citizens to help prepare or deliver meals to the city’s homebound elders.
Waltham Civic/Political Organizations
The Waltham Lions Club The Waltham Lions Club was chartered in 1939 and our motto as Lions is “To Serve”. We raise funds within our community mainly to assist with eye research and to prevent blindness.
The Waltham Rotary Club The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Waltham Watertown Elks Club The Elks Club provides scholarships, food, drug awareness, veterans’ services, childrens’ programs and more.
Waltham American Legion The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security, and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Waltham Corps Community Center From its very beginnings in the East End of London in 1865, The Salvation Army has strived to serve suffering neighbors. Poverty has a way of making people invisible. Our goal has always been to see the hurting and the lost, and to see them through.
Reach: Beyond Domestic Violence WalthamFind out how to get involved in the struggle against domestic violence or to get help for someone by clicking this link.
First Parish In Waltham Together we seek to create a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world through weekly worship, educational programming, community building, and opportunities to engage in social action.
The Waltham Islamic Society Find out about services that the Islamic Society is offering by clicking this link.
Temple Beth Israel WalthamWe enjoy a full calendar of religious, social, educational and social justice dialogue and activities for the many ways our congregants and friends connect to Judaism, to their community, and to the world at large.
Jewish Family And Children’s Services Waltham For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being across the lifespan.
Waltham Social Services
Middlesex Human Services Agency The mission of Middlesex Human Service Agency, Inc. is to improve the quality of life and independent functioning of a wide variety of clients through the delivery of an extensive system of community-based substance abuse and social service programs
Bristol Lodge Bristol Lodge provides shelter for homeless men and women in Waltham. Click on the link to find out more.
Human Rights Campaign MassachusettsHuman Rights Campaign fights for LGBT equality in Massachusetts alongside state and local groups and lawmakers. Find out more about what HRC is doing for LGBT equality in Massachusetts and how you can get involved with the Boston community.
Massachusetts Substance Abuse
MADD Massachusetts The mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.
Massachusetts Immigration
Refugee Immigration MinistryBuilding Community with uprooted people to serve the common good.(Based in Malden, MA)
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)Our vision is a Commonwealth – and a nation – where all can thrive, no matter where they came from or how they got here, and all can fully participate in their communities’ social, economic and civic life.
Boston Center For Refugee Health And Human Rights provides comprehensive medical, mental health, obstetric/gynecological care coordinated with social services and legal referrals to approximately 375 individuals from over 40 countries. Interpreter services are available for more than 30 languages to aid in the healing journey of each patient and their families.
The Right To Immigration InstituteThe Right to Immigration Institute (TRII, pronounced “tree”) is the only group in the U.S. actively empowering students to represent people in asylum, naturalization, and status adjustment cases.. By training undergraduate students so they can become Department of Justice accredited representatives, TRII aims to make sure no one must face the immigration process alone.
Massachusetts Poverty/Social Justice
The Poor People’s Campaign MassachusettsThe Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is uniting people across Massachusetts to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism.
Prisoners Legal Services Of MassachusettsThis non-profit civil services organization provides help and education for the incarcerated. Click the link to find out how you can help.
Catholic Charities of Boston As one of the largest providers of social services in Massachusetts, Catholic Charities of Boston offers over 70 programs and services in 23 locations around Eastern Massachusetts. From Lawrence to Brockton and Natick to Boston, our service sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts helped 175,000 of our neediest neighbors of all faiths last year.
Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston Our Mission: To inspire and mobilize the diverse Boston Jewish community to engage in building communities of learning and action that strengthen Jewish life and improve the world.
Massachusetts Youth
Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Massachusetts BayBecoming a Big is more important now than ever as COVID-19 continually changes life for our community. Thousands of our volunteer Bigs are connecting with their Littles online, bringing joy and levity into a challenging time for many vulnerable families.
The Home For Little WanderersOur mission is to ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development and physical well-being of children and families living in at-risk circumstances.
Massachusetts Animal Rights/Pets
MSPCA Angell Learn what constitutes animal cruelty. We strive to interpret and enforce the laws that do exist, and to educate people about animals’ needs in cases where the law does not provide adequate protection.
Citizens Climate Lobby Boston Metrowest Chapter Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization empowering people to experience breakthroughs exercising their personal and political power.
Massachusetts Climate Action NetworkThe Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), a 501(c)3 non-profit, fights the climate crisis one town at a time, with the help of local MCAN chapters – and you!
MCAN’s role as a facilitator of municipal-level action is unique among Massachusetts environmental groups. We empower our local chapters by enhancing communication, promoting town-level projects that improve communities, decreasing climate change-causing pollution, and reducing development time for those projects. MCAN speaks on behalf of all chapters to improve Massachusetts energy and climate policies and programs.
Massachusetts Volunteerism/Service
Americorps Massachusetts We expand volunteerism and service in Massachusetts by providing individuals and organizations with funding, training, and support, which enables them to strengthen communities and make our Commonwealth a better place to live.
MassVotesNon-partisan, non-profit organization that seeks to increase voter participation in Massachusetts. Advocates for electoral justice for the sake of building a government that istruly representative of the people.
MassPIRGMASSPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good.
Lawyers for Civil Rights (Boston), Lawyers for Civil Rights fosters equal opportunity and fights discrimination on behalf of people of color and immigrants.
Massachusetts Voter TableA wide range of voter resources, advocacy for all to vote and take part in the census. Opportunities to help out as well.
Most evictions happen very quickly. Many tenants do not know how to protect themselves both before court and in court. And for too many people, an eviction means homelessness.
We can change this.
Massachusetts Diversity
NAACP BostonThe mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality and rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Association Of Haitian Women In Boston The Association of Haitian Women in Boston is a community-based grassroots organization dedicated to empowering low-income Haitian women and their children.
Green Rainbow Party MassachusettsThe Green-Rainbow Party (GRP) is the Massachusetts affiliate of the Green Party of the U.S. In 2002, the GRP united the Massachusetts Green Party and the Rainbow Coalition Party on the basis of their shared values and aspirations.
LawHelp.orgAll kinds of great free legal information can be found here including by state. An invaluable resource.
Massachusetts Know Your Rights
ACLU Rights Of Protesters We intervene—through police departments, the courts, and the dissemination of Know Your Rightsmaterials—so that the right to public expression is respected for everyone.
National Organizations/Other Resources
Safety Dos And Donts From The Lily.comShould you decide to join a protest during this time of the pandemic, here are some important measures that you can take to keep yourself and those around you safe from Covid-19.
Code PinkCODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.
Black Lives MatterWorking to fight discrimination and misinformation. Click on the link to find out much more.
Resources From Oprah WinfreyAs America unites in response to the continuing civil unrest following the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, influential community leaders have come together to provide a list of organizations to use as resources if you would like to learn more about the ongoing fight for racial and social justice.
Native American Lifelines The mission of Native American LifeLines is to promote health and social resiliency within Urban American Indian communities. Native American LifeLines applies principles of trauma informed care to provide culturally centered behavioral health, dental, and outreach and referral services.
The Case For Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates Coates makes a beautiful, detailed case for reparations for the black community who have been taken advantage of and treated so badly during this nation’s history.
The Antidefamation League ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all.
Email And Tweet Them Hold your elected representatives accountable to keeping Black lives safe. This page finds their contact info, creates, and sends an email or tweet to them.
Black Latinas Know Collective We are a collective of Black Latina Scholars, producers of innovative knowledge, contributors to the study of Latinidad and blackness.
Youth
The Conscious Kid Parenting and Education through a Critical Race Lens. Diverse #OwnVoices Books. Black and Brown Owned. COVID-19 #RENTRELIEF For Families.
Voting Resources–National
Fair Fight 2020 Promotes fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights.
Register To Vote Vote.Org can check whether or not you are registered to vote, get you registered, help you to get an absentee ballot or to vote by mail.
Opportunity Youth United Committed to fostering a culture of civic engagement that starts with registering to vote and showing up at the polls every year and includes staying informed and active in all areas of civic life.
ACLUThe ACLU is engaged in advocacy and litigation across the country to get | rid of harmful voter suppression laws.
Asian Americans Advancing JusticeWorks to eliminate language barriers for voters across the country. Provides a voter hotline in nine Asian languages, election resources for people to check their voter registration, understand their ballot, and know their voting rights ahead of time.
Black Voters Matter Advocates to expand voting rights/access, including expanded early voting, resisting voter ID, re-entry restoration of rights and strengthening the Voting Rights Act.
Brennan Center for JusticeThink tank working to counter the power of special interests by empowering voters and small donors.
Campaign Legal Center Nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that protects and strengthens our democracy in the areas of campaign finance, voting rights, political communication and government ethics.
Carpool Votes Connects volunteer drivers with anybody who needs a ride to claim their vote.
Common CauseProvides voting tools on how to register or to check your registration. Works to counter voter restrictions and gerrymandering
Election ProtectionNational, nonpartisan coalition of over 100 local, state and national partners. Tools to protect the vote includes polling locations, absentee ballot information, & a hotline to report problems on voting day.
Call (866) OUR-VOTE if you think someone is illegally being denied their vote.
Fair Fight (led by Stacey Abrams)Promote fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourage voter participation in elections, and educate voters about elections and their voting rights. Fair Fight brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in targeted voter registration and other voter outreach programs and communications..
Fair VoteWorks on electoral reforms at the local, state, and national level through strategic research, communications and collaboration. A non-profit, non partisan organization with a history of working with scholars, civic leaders, policymakers, and journalists from across the spectrum
HeadCount.org Works to empower Americans through voter registration, digital campaigns, information, and projects that harness the power of music and culture.
NAACPGive us the ballot” advocacy. Current support for H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Reclaim Our Vote Nonpartisan phone bank, post carding & textbanking campaign created by the Center for Common Ground.
Rock the VoteNonprofit and nonpartisan organization devoted to getting the youth vote to the polls. The organization has pioneered ways to make voting easier for young adults by simplifying and demystifying voter registration and elections.
Southern Poverty Law CenterVoting Rights Practice Group works across the Deep South in collaboration with community partners and organizers to engage and mobilize voters, restore voting rights to returning citizens, pursue electoral policy reforms, and bring litigation to challenge unconstitutional and discriminatory voting practices.
Spread the VoteHelps people get IDs ahead of Election Day. Helps people to navigate their state’s ID laws and assists with everything from application fees to driving you to the DMV to get your ID.
The Sentencing ProjectAdvocates for the rights of prisoners, with a focus on voting rights.
United States Election ProjectThe mission of the project is to provide timely and accurate election statistics, electoral laws, research reports, and other useful information regarding the United States electoral system.
VoteRiders Informs and helps citizens to secure their voter ID as well as inspires and supports organizations, local volunteers, and communities to sustain voter ID education and assistance efforts.
Voto LatinoVoter registration and education Outreach to young voters through sophisticated digital advertising, such as the first text-to-register voter registration campaign and VoterPal.
ACLU Rights Of Protesters We intervene—through police departments, the courts, and the dissemination of Know Your Rights materials—so that the right to public expression is respected for everyone.
Safety Dos And Don’ts From The Lily.com Should you decide to join a protest during this time of the pandemic, here are some important measures that you can take to keep yourself and those around you safe from Covid-19.
World WildlifeFor nearly 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in more than 100 countries. At every level, we collaborate with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live.
LawHelp.org LawHelp helps people of low and moderate incomes find free legal aid programs in their communities, answers to questions about their legal rights and forms to help them with their legal problems.
Legal Aid Society National Directory LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans.
Legal Information Institute We believe that everyone should be able to read and understand the laws that govern them, without cost. This non-profit organization is based at Cornell University. Lots of free helpful information here.
Jailhouse Lawyer’s Handbook This Handbook is a resource for prisoners who wish to file a federal lawsuit addressing poor conditions in prison or abuse by prison staff. It also contains limited general information about the American legal system. This Handbook is available for free to anyone: prisoners, families, friends, activists, lawyers and others.
Medicare For All: National Nurses United National Nurses United, with more than 150,000 members in every state, is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history.
Thugs For Humanity This is a list of Community Bond Relief Organizations, Pro Bono Legal Services, and Legal Advice to help you if you are arrested and placed into custody while protesting on the ground. Know your rights, stay safe, and support each other.
Center for Public Integrity The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom investigating democracy, power and privilege. Our reporting focuses on the influence of money and the impact of inequality on our society.
AP Fact CheckFact-checking and accountability journalism from AP journalists around the globe.
FactCheck.OrgWe are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
Politifact From the beginning, PolitiFact focused on looking at specific statements made by politicians and rating them for accuracy.
On The Media with Brooke Gladstone While maintaining the civility and fairness that are the hallmarks of public radio, OTM tackles sticky issues with a frankness and transparency that has built trust with over one million weekly radio and podcast listeners. OTM can be heard weekly on more than 400 stations and has a biweekly podcast. It has won the Edward R. Murrow Awards for feature reporting and investigative reporting, the National Press Club’s Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism, it is the only back-to-back winner of the Bart Richards award for media criticism, it is the winner of several Mirror Awards, and it has a Peabody Award for its body of work.
Selected ebooks and streaming media from the Waltham Public Library
Boston Connection Podcast Boston Connection é um projeto de quatro amigos (Fernando, Luiz, Matheus e Rafael) para aproveitar as longas conversas e transformar em algo produtivo. Aqui discutiremos esportes, política e o que for notícia no ‘triângulo’ São Paulo, Uberlândia e Boston.
All Rev’d UpAll Rev’d Up explores where faith intersects politics and culture. Reverend Irene Monroe and Reverend Emmett G. Price III come from different black faith perspectives, they’re of different generations, they hail from different parts of the country, and they come together in this podcast to talk about faith in a different way.
Under The Radar With Callie Crossley Under the Radar with Callie Crossley looks to alternative presses and community news for stories that are often overlooked by big media outlets. In our roundtable conversation, we aim to examine the small stories before they become the big headlines with contributors in Boston and New England.
Women Veterans Rock! 2020 Season Of Civic Engagement Podcast Series examines the challenges, opportunities and barriers facing America’s Women Veterans as they transition from military service back into civilian life.
Democracy Now: The War And Peace ReportOn Democracy Now!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.
All My Relations Podcast All My Relations is a team of folks who care about representations, and how Native peoples are represented in mainstream media. Between us we have decades of experience working in and with Native communities, and writing and speaking about issues of representation. You can meet our full team here.
Queer WOC: The Podcast #QueerWOC, is the community podcast for all things Queer Women/Folks of Color community and healing. Based in Syracuse, NY. Hosted by Money, the Family Therapist, and Nikeeta, the workers rights organizer.
In The Thick with Maria and Julio The Futuro Media Group presents a new political podcast where journalists of color tell you what you’re missing from the mainstream news. Co-hosted by award-winning journalists Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela.
Nannan Podcast Nannan with Emmy is a podcast created with the goal to combine the voices of women evolving in Haiti. Emmy sits with the women who inspire her, discussing issues which impact women. They discuss many subjects ranging from productivity and creativity to personal care, managing relationships, love, body image, and much more
Science Fiction and Fantasy owes a great deal to Black voices. Explore new frontiers, both wondrous and terrible, from these well renowned authors and their colleagues. What are some of your favorites? Tell us in the comments below.
The Art Of The Wasted Day by Patricia Hampl (ebook) This well reviewed memoir will help all of us to learn about and benefit from the concept of leisure time. This is something that we are not always so skillful about in our go go go culture.
Relaxation titles Click here to find a variety of relaxing music from Freegal to play anytime, anywhere.
Other Free Resources
The Waltham Public Library partners with Matthew Carriker, Protestant Chaplain at Brandeis University and founder of The Agape Spiritual Community for mindfulness programs, our initiating inspiration book group, and more.
The Cambridge Insight Meditation Center is currently offering some free virtual drop in programs. Find more information here.
The Waltham Advaita Meditation Center is currently offering free virtual meditation classes. Find more information here.
Deva Premal And Mitten, two amazing meditative musicians, offered a free daily meditation session from Costa Rica during this pandemic. You can find all of the recordings here.
The Insight Timer App This is a free app that Louise enjoys. 45,000 free guided meditations, meditation music, timer with musical background or chimes. You can get this for most devices and App stores.
DharmaSeed You can use this for free as an app or on your computer. Lots of guided meditations with a Buddhist focus.
The Headspace App normally costs money but is offering one year free for those who are unemployed.
Smiling Mind App offers free meditation and mindfulness for adults and children.
Tara Brach This beloved psychologist and meditation teacher offers many free resources on her website.Jack Kornfield Lots of free resources for difficult times from the beloved meditation teacher and psychologist.
Merci Suárez Changes Gearsby Meg Medina: (Overdrive e-book) Lovely coming of age middle grade/young adult novel about a girl dealing with some changes in her family and navigating middle school drama.
Bridgerton romance novels by Julia Quinn: (Overdrive as e-books and audiobooks. Hoopla audiobooks) British historical romance novels that are light, fun, and full of likable characters. I have absolutely nothing in common with any of the characters, all of whom are connected to a sibling in the Bridgerton family, but I enjoy them anyway.
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume (Overdrive e-book and audiobook): She has some more well known titles, I think, but this is my absolute favorite by Judy Blume. Despite the fact that she was a young girl in the 1940s, I related so much to Sally and her family. As a 10 year old, I found myself quoting Sally’s Ma Fanny, saying, “Knock on wood” and “God Forbid” which was pretty funny for a fifth grader.
Autopsy Of A Boring Wife by Marie Renee-Lavoie I recommend this for those of us who are feeling like, hey, can I just have something to read that is light and fluffy like lemon meringue because that is all I can handle right now. This book is amusing, light and kind of reminds me of some of the movies that Dianne Keaton stars in these days. Our main character is surprised when her long time husband leaves her for a younger woman. He found her to be rather boring. She decides to change all that.
Doc MartinOh, how I love my Doc Martin! Beautiful scenery, wit, quirky characters, romance. Doc Martin was a surgeon in London except he has a problem: he can not handle the sight of blood. So, he gets a job in beautiful Port Wenn where he runs the medical office and serves all of the delightful residents. (Several seasons available on Hoopla for your viewing pleasure!)
The Floating Feldmans by Elyssa Friedland This book is very funny and made me laugh out loud. The Feldmans have a family reunion on a cruise ship and all sorts of secrets are revealed. It’s light and funny and I really enjoyed this one.
Something Blue by Emily Giffin Giffin writes with wit and charm. Our main character, Darcy, learns some life lessons and this book is like a lovely, soft blanket with a bowl of hagen daz.
Great light read!
The Assistants by Camille Perri This spunky, fun book is very satisfying. The underpaid female assistants, many of whom have overwhelming college loans and can barely make their rents, are tired of seeing their successful bosses rake in the dough. You will root for them and you will laugh out loud. This is an excellent choice for fans of The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
A Diet To Die For by Joan Hess This is a ‘mystery’ but what makes it most fun is the characters. Claire Malloy owns a bookstore and her teenage daughter Caron is definitely a teenager. There is a murder but this book will provide you with a steady ‘diet’ of laughs and lightness. No need for deep thinking or stress with this book. This has been a long time personal favorite of mine.
Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan A totally light memoir, this book will have you laughing out loud. Jim Gaffigan, famous for his stand up comedy, happens to know how to write. This was actually my first ‘encounter’ with Gaffigan, and I have been a big fan ever since. No one knows how to do jokes about food, restaurants, and eating better than Jim Gaffigan.
