is just that… our church's mission. It is not an administration, agency, organization, or institution. It is the church. This is the name used to describe the work done as the United Church of Christ beyond the local church – by our Conferences, national ministries, and UCC-related institutions. Through Our Church’s Wider Mission, we participate in a wide variety of ministries around the world and here at home, ranging from disaster relief to local congregation support. Check our church bulletins and newsletters for current information.
Abundant Table Provides a weekly dinner for those in the area (including Canton) needing the assistance of a hot meal. Dinner is served every Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:30 at the First Congregational Church in Norwood, located at 100 Winter Street, on the corner of Washington Street (1A) and Winter Street. Donations of food items, funds and/or volunteer time are gratefully accepted.
Church Office 781-762-3320 www.abundant-table.org
Sponsored by the Canton Area Helpline, provides free food and other items to eligible Canton residents. Serves many individuals and families on a temporary basis, who have been affected by economic problems. Financial support and donations of nonperishable food, personal care items, baby food and household products are greatly appreciated. 781-821-8062 www.town.canton.ma.us/library/cantonorgs/pantry/Default.htm
The only agency in the Boston area to provide a continuum of age-appropriate services. Its mission is to enable high-risk, runaway and homeless youth to achieve a healthy and productive adulthood through prevention, intervention, and education services. Serving 5,000 youth ages 14 – 24 each year, Bridge offers a comprehensive range of health, educational, career and housing services. 617-423-9575 www.bridgeotw.org
Committed to serving communities, families and individuals impacted by domestic violence. They seek to empower their clients and the community by providing safety, shelter, education and support services. By promoting an environment free from abuse, they strive to see DOmestic Violence Ended.
24 Hour Crisis Hotline 617-471-1234 or toll free 1-888-314-3683
Outreach & Family Services Center 617-770-4065 www.doveinc.info
Mission is to help people obtain a home by giving temporary shelter and food, finding safe and affordable housing, and providing permanent housing with supportive services. Father Bills & MainSpring helps people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to achieve self-sufficiency. Evelyn House 781-341-6084 www.msh.homestead.com
A non-profit agency committed to men, women and children in need of shelter, sustenance, and the basic moral and material supports necessary to lead a dignified and stable life. Provides a continuum of services from friendly visits and bag meals for people on the streets and emergency shelter to work training, counseling, medical care and placement in permanent housing and more. 617-892-9100 www.pinestreetinn.org
Since 1990, a Shelter for unaccompanied homeless men has been operated at Pilgrim Church. Originally established by Positive Lifestyles, it is now under the direction of the United Homes Adult Services division of Children's Services of Roxbury. (This connection began with a recognition that a large number of homeless adults are, in fact, former foster children.) 617-282-0456 www.pilgrimchurch1862.org/pilgrimhomelessshelter.html
The Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986 was a global environmental event, which has left thousands of refugees and long-term contamination of the land, water and air. Established in 1995, the Project is directed and staffed by volunteers from the greater Boston area. In the past, the Project has brought children suffering from the effects of that tragedy to the U.S. for medical care and respite. Effective November 2009, their mission has changed to focus on bringing education and needed resources to the Russian and Belarusian community rather than bringing children here. The Board of Directors notes: "We have given them the tools to care for their children at home. The medical knowledge we have imparted is the cornerstone for the improved healthcare in this area. We realize that there is much more work to be accomplished but it will be done in the Chernobyl Region instead of in Boston. It is our vision to continue our most important work overseas and to develop a working relationship with the medical community in Boston and in Belarus and Russia." For more information or to make a donation, please contact the Project c/o Patty Doyle at
Cell: 617-827-7918 or Home: 781-828-8119. www.ccpusa.org
Funds Protestant chaplain services to provide spiritual/pastoral care for patients of Protestant denominations at Caritas Norwood Hospital. Call 781-769-2950 and ask for Spiritual Care Department. www.caritasnorwood.org/OPage.asp?PageID=OTH000055
A graduate institution committed to its Reformed heritage and to the ecumenical Church. In faithfulness to Jesus Christ, it seeks to pursue the highest standards of learning, research, and instruction for the sake of the life, worship, and witness of the whole Church. 617- 964-1100 or 800- 964-ANTS www.ants.edu
An ecumenical graduate institution, noted for high caliber scholarship linked to a strong commitment to ministry in local church settings. Funds go to scholarship assistance in formation of next generation of clergy. 203-432-5303 www.yale.edu/divinity
Provides information and referral services, emergency funding for utilities, transportation and housing assistance, and food and household items to the needy in the Canton community. All calls are confidential. 781-828-6666 www.town.canton.ma.us/library/cantonorgs/pantry/help.htm
Is responsible for identifying the needs of and educating the community
about issues of people 60 and over, and providing or linking elders
up with programs and services that meet their needs. Also maintains
the D. Forbes Will Senior Center at 660 Washington Street. Most
programs and services are offered at the Senior Center, which is
handicapped accessible. Also provides emergency funds to elders in
need through the Canton Seniors Emergency Fund.
COA Office 781-828-1323
Council on Aging Online
An interfaith association of 61 churches, synagogues, and
mosques in the Boston area, it is the oldest multi-service agency in
New England. Offering assistance to low-income and marginalized men,
women, and children in Boston since 1816, services reach over 3,500
people each year, including:
emergency assistance for families and individuals, positive activities for
teens and elementary school-aged youth, academic enrichment for
Boston Public school children, and reducing youth violence. Their
mission is to bring together people from across economic, religious,
racial, and ethnic boundaries to work in partnership for a just
society. 617-244-3650
www.cmsboston.org
An ecumenical, nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple, decent homes in partnership with families in need. This affiliate serves the 35 cities and towns south and southwest of Boston. responsible for its own fund raising, volunteer recruitment and publicity, they totally depend on volunteers to help make homeownership a reality for local families. Volunteer Coordinator 781-843-9080, ext. 18 www.sshabitat.org
A new UCC Hispanic Community Church in Jamaica Plain, under the leadership of Rev. Cesar DePaz and his wife, Lisa, now averages more than 100 in worship, with people attending from many surrounding communities. Services are held at 1:00 PM Sunday at Central Congregational Church, UCC, at 85 Seaverns Avenue in Jamaica Plain, which hosts this growing congregation. 617-232-1416 www.macucc.org/emj/hispanich.htm
A non-profit human service agency based in Waltham, dedicated to providing high quality human services to individuals with special needs. Founded in 1946, the agency has been providing a wide spectrum of services to children, adolescents and adults with a variety of developmental disabilities. The Guild is a non-sectarian organization with a volunteer board and highly trained professional staff dedicated to serving individuals with special needs. For information about Volunteer or Charitable Giving Opportunities, please contact the Director of Development at 781-893-6000. www.protestantguild.org
A faith-based outreach agency that provides 24-hour hotline,
emergency food services, hot meals, crisis counseling and advocacy
programs “to serve the needs of marginalized and forgotten
people”, primarily seniors and people with disabilities,
“...who slip through the ‘safety net’ of other
programs and services”. Their goal is to respond quickly to
crisis needs and to help identify long-term solutions for the
situation. The Center has always been about helping the total person
- body, mind, and spirit.
Business and Volunteer (Non-Emergency) Phone 617-847-6967
Emergency Hotline 617-471-7075
www.sharingweb.org/agencies/qcc.htm
A leading child welfare and behavioral health organization based in
Worcester, which provides a wide range of social, psychological,
educational, vocational, and other preventive and rehabilitative
programs for troubled and at-risk children, adolescents, and
families.
508-849-5600 www.youinc.org
Fosters mutually beneficial, more direct relationships between
farmers and consumers through these Guiding Principles: trade
directly with democratically organized small farmer cooperatives,
facilitate access to credit for producer organizations, pay producers
a guaranteed minimum price that provides a stable source of income as
well as improved social services, provide high quality food products,
support sustainable farming practices, build a democratically-run
cooperative workplace and develop more environmentally-sound business
practices.
774-776-7371 www.equalexchange.com
An international organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, that
works to end hunger and poverty, as well as help children, enable
women and families, build communities and care for the environment.
Heifer does this by providing appropriate livestock, training and
related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide.
Heifer's key concept is that each recipient must pass on to others
some of the offspring of the farm animals they receive. This practice
ensures that each participant in the program becomes a donor,
enhancing dignity and participation in each project. Passing on the
gift also helps communities to become self-sustaining.
800-422-0474 www.heifer.org
An international charity that changes lives by harnessing the
compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to
deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to those
in need around the globe. Founded in response to the Scriptures,
which call us to have the heart of Jesus by serving the poor and
needy throughout the world, they began in 1991 with three small local
programs. Today HOPE operates on every inhabited continent, serving
more than one million people annually.
610-254-8800 www.hopeww.org