Circle of Hope
Headquartered in Needham (65 Rosemary Street), Circle of Hope’s Greater Boston Community Exchange collects, sorts and distributes new and gently used clothing – as well as linens and toiletries to men, women, and children. The organization is affiliated with Christ Episcopal Church in Needham. Donated items are gathered and transported by volunteers and distributed immediately to people in need. The Greater Boston Community Exchange serves individuals and families living in homeless shelters, as well as those in transition and struggling for independent lives. Its distribution center in Needham accepts donations on a weekly basis. The items are then sorted and delivered to various programs throughout the Greater Boston area.
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Circle of Hope is especially aligned with our TBS mission in that it is a Needham community interfaith effort that makes a positive difference in the lives of others.
For more information, please contact our TBS Circle of Hope Project Coordinator, Peggy Lowenstein (pelowenstein@gmail.com).
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The following are ways to help.
Sorting and Organizing Donated Items
The Need:
Circle of Hope needs help putting together the specific orders of clothing and supplies needed by individuals and organizations. This involves “shopping” at Circle of Hope to fulfill specific requests for homeless shelter residents or organizing business clothing on racks for delivery to programs assisting in job training and placement.
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Training?:
A single, one-hour session is all you need.
When?:
You may come when it is convenient for you – a weekday morning or afternoon.
Where?:
At the Circle of Hope in Needham.
How Long?:
2 hours per week (number of weeks can vary). Please contact Peggy Lowenstein, TBS Project Coordinator at pelowenstein@gmail.com if interested).
Age?:
Varies – Please contact Peggy Lowenstein, TBS Project Coordinator if interested.
Holding a Clothing/Toiletry Drive or Contributing Items
The Need:
Circle of Hope is in constant need of donations. If you are discarding gently used clothing, consider dropping items off at Circle of Hope. If you are looking for a family or individual service project, collections for Circle of Hope are an easy option.
Training?
None
When?:
Drop Off Hours are found at: http://www.circleofhopeonline.org.
Where?:
At the Circle of Hope in Needham.
Age?:
Any age – If you need more information regarding potential service projects, please contact Peggy Lowenstein, TBS Project Coordinator at pelowenstein@gmail.com.
Delivering Donations
The Need:
Circle of Hope needs drivers to make deliveries to one or more shelter locations in Boston, Cambridge, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury.
How Long?:
Drop offs usually take about 2 hours – round trip.
When?:
Typical delivery days are Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings – 9:00 to 11:00 am (Other options can be arranged!).
Commitment?:
Preferred commitment of at least one or two trips in a month – lasting for a couple of months or a season.
Where?:
Pick up at the Circle of Hope center in Needham – drop off depends on need and preferences of the volunteer driver.
Age?:
Adult
Notes:
Circle of Hope provides a GPS for volunteer drivers to borrow, if necessary.
Other Ways to Help
Circle of Hope is always looking for funds to purchase items that are not donated; for example, new underwear and socks (children, women, men). They also need funds to purchase items needed for emergency requests (specific sizes for domestic violence shelters, etc.).