I have been a Board member for at least the past 8 years. I am even more impressed today with the growth and work that the organization continues to do for the community. The staff all do a great job!
My wife and I have been supporters of Bootstraps for many years, so when I retired several years ago I was pleased to join the Bootstraps Board. I have long been impressed with the range of services Bootstraps provides, from food assistance in many forms, to high school equivalency degree programs to basic financial literacy, to English for speakers of other languages. These are all designed to boost clients' abilities to sustain themselves and be confident in providing for, and steering their children.
With more of an "insiders'" view now, I am struck by the lengths Bootstraps goes to create a warm and welcoming environment, and to make programs accessible to people in hours that work for them, even providing child care services while the parents are in classes. Bootstraps helps each client create their own "action plan" and truly does work to tailor assistance to each clients' specific needs. This requires many, many volunteers, but simultaneously provides a valuable and gratifying experience for clients and volunteers alike.
We are blessed to have Bootstraps thriving in our community, and integrating so well with other service providers in Beverly.
My family has been involved with Beverly Bootstraps for the last 7 years. My kids have enjoyed the food drives and shopping for the gifts for the adopt a family program. My kids have also visited the food pantry and have a greater understanding of the needs of the community.
Beverly Bootstraps is an extraordinary organization. Bootstraps improves the services it offers through careful attention to needs -- and what works for its clients. The staff is highly professional - and that includes the volunteers. It is a wonderful resource for Beverly and its neighbors.
I have been involved with Beverly Bootstraps for several years as a volunteer. I am also a board member. I have seen first hand the care and attention that is focused on clients and their needs. The Bootstraps staff and volunteers have created an environment that is safe, respectful and true to it's mission.
I started volunteering with the organization about 6 or 7 years ago and immediately I was so impressed with the wide scope of work they do. It was quite apparent this was MUCH more than a food pantry. They really look at the person as a person and take a VERY holistic approach to helping which I think is really important. I am now a board member and am VERY VERY proud to be connected with such a great group of people and a really caring organization that I feel much a big different in many peoples lives.
As the E.D. of this organization, I am biased for our organization..... However, the rating I put here reflects the community in which our organization exists. As the food pantry was closing last night, a woman left with tears in her eyes profusely thanking the volunteer and I for the help she received. That gratitude, while directed to two people standing there in the moment, belongs to every person who donates money, food or items to the Thrift Shop, volunteers time and expertise or who speaks well of our work. Remember - our work is broad, with many different programs and our impact is critical to people who need our help. THANK YOU for making Beverly Bootstraps the amazing organization it is.
Dale - Volunteer
I've helped out in the thrift shop for over two years now and think I've done just about every thing that can be done at least for a volunteer. I donate goods and buy things too!!! I've made many friends there and very much appreciate all that Beverly Bootstraps does for so many people in so many ways!
I have been volunteering with Beverly Bootstraps for about 10 years in various capacities, ESOL, pantry, and now have been working at the front desk for 4 years. I volunteer at Bootstraps because I truly believe in their mission "A hand up not a hand out." Beverly Bootstraps delivers their mission with kindness and respect. The organization is well run and responsible. I am so proud to be part of Beverly Bootstraps.
I was a volunteer at the food pantry until my work schedule changed, but I still believe I will find the right time to continue to help out, beyond my donations to the fuel program, when I can. they provide such a great service to the entire community without judgment. the thrift shop is always bustling and has the best offerings around, the new space is amazing, and having parking is really helpful.
My first contact with Beverly Bootstraps was as a customer of the thrift store. I love thrift store and flea market shopping, and have shopped there for a number of years. It's one of the best thrift stores around.
I have done a lot of volunteer ESOL teaching internationally over the last decade. A few years ago, I decided to do some longer term ESOL tutoring in my own community. Every Wednesday, I now teach the ESOL students at Bootstraps. It's one of the high points of my week. I learn as much from the students as they do from me. The only "bad" thing about the new location is that I now am at the thrift store at least once a week, after our class. I lot of my students head there too, after class, and we continue the conversation!
Joanna Liss
I volunteer 2 afternoons a week at the Thrift Store, and spend my hours non-stop tidying up the space, mostly clothes that have been tried on and not put back into the correct racks. I know that all proceeds are used to fund the valuable and essential work of Bootstraps in the community, so feel that I am supporting a wonderful cause, and at the same time am kept busy and active, so that my time on the floor flies by! The other volunteers and staff are cheerful and pleasant to work with, altogether a worthwhile effort.
Volunteer in food pantry, english language training, donate funds and goods
Our children volunteer there as well
Programs are excellent, facilities are new, and they attract high-caliber volunteers and board members
volunteer for food pantry and thrift shop
donate money , clothes and food
nice place to volunteer- managers are very nice and
create a great a wonderful supportive team
and volunteer is treated as employee
I would highly recommend it
As a long-time supporter of the Food Pantry and a friend and colleague of many of the employees there I can't say enough about how this place is all about community and helping people to help themselves. My most recent experience is working out a volunteer opportunity for a family member who is mentally challenged but eager to be useful. The food pantry staff have embraced her and given her self-worth that is immeasurable!
I have been a volunteer for the Summer Park's Lunch Program for the past couple of years and am proud to be a very small part of such an amazing organization. My two oldest children and I put the nutrional and well-balanced lunches together once a week and drop them off to one of our city playgrounds. There is no better feeling than the feeling we get from those smiling faces and big thank you's that we receive every week from the children at our assigned playground. It makes me feel so good to know that there is an organization like Bootstraps in our community to help those in need!
As a Board Member of Beverly Bootstraps, I have watched the staff and volunteers change the lives of thousands of people over the many years of my involvement. Bootstraps is a facile organization, able to adjust to the needs of any client who arrives. When a woman arrived after hours carrying her baby, fleeing a violent situation, our outreach worker filled bags with baby supplies, food and clothing. She then followed the woman to her destination to drop the bags off, as there was no baby seat in her car. The students in the GED program were missing class because of babysitting needs, so a babysitter was budgeted for that time slot. Bootstraps began as a food pantry in a church basement. As the clients needs evolved, so has the organization. Bootstraps seeks to Embrace, Educate and Empower those in need in our community.