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We have worked hard to find links to additional useful resources for members of TeenLife. Pick a category or look at them all -- and feel free to suggest new links. Just send us a message at support@teenlife.com.
College Admission Resources
- Boston Scholarship Guide
Information about hundreds of scholarships available to help you pay for college!
- Bottom Line
Bottom Line's mission is to help disadvantaged youth in Boston get into college. Prepare for the SAT, apply to colleges, receive scholarships and much much more.
- College Confidential
Here you'll find hundreds of pages of articles about choosing a college, getting into the college you want, how to pay for it and much more. You'll also find the Web's busiest discussion community related to college admissions and our College Visits section.
- College View
Find free scholarships, financial aid, career and minority information and more at CollegeView.com.
- Kaarme
Kaarme gives students the ability to communicate their talents and aspirations with colleges and universities. Our users create in-depth profiles, highlight their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements, and send them to the schools of their choice.
- TERI College Planning
Free assistance with planning and paying for college and other career-building programs.
Community Service
- All For Good
All for Good lets you browse activities and find events based on your location or interests. The site is governed by Our Good Works a nonprofit organization that was formed by some of the people who initiated the project and who support the product's growth.
- Big Brother Big Sister Foundation
Big Brother Big Sister helps you and help at-risk children at the same time. Just donate your resaleable clothing or household items, and we'll pick them up right at your doorstep. Then we'll turn them into cash. Up to 100% of net proceeds go to match at-risk children with big brothers and big sisters.
- Do Something Community Service and College Admissions Survey
In the summer of 2008, Do Something surveyed admissions officers of top colleges and universities in the United States.The purpose of the Community Service and College Admissions Survey is to understand the importance of community service in the college admissions process. Does it matter? Are there kinds of service that are more meaningful than others? Click the link above to view the full report.
- DonorsChoose.Org
DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.To learn more, visit our Web site.
- Free Spirit Publishing
Free Spirit is the leading publisher of learning tools that support young people’s social and emotional health. Everyday life presents many challenges for kids, from home to school to the wider world. No matter how many choices and changes young people face, our mission for over 25 years remains the same: to help children and teens think for themselves, succeed in life, and make a difference in the world.
- GreatNonprofits
GreatNonprofits is a tool that allows you to find, review, and talk about great -- and perhaps not yet great -- nonprofits. You already know that reviews by other people who have gone to a restaurant or tried out a doctor are the best way to find out about the quality of those services. If you have direct experience with a nonprofit, GreatNonprofits makes it easier for you to share your knowledge so that other people can discover the great nonprofits that are out there.
- Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts
Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts (HGRM) needs donations of clean, usable furniture and household items for individuals and families in need. More than 250 households receive the essential items they need for their apartments each month.
- Idealist
Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives. You can use it to find people, organizations, groups, jobs, volunteer opportunities, events, and more. You can also sign up to receive daily alerts with new opportunities matching your interests, create a personal profile to network with other Idealists. A recent search of volunteer opportunities for teens in Massachusetts returned 109 results, mostly in the Greater Boston area.
- Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
You can give new life to old furniture by donating it to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The Coalition each year assists over 2,000 households to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing, by making furniture and household goods available free of cost. The Coalition can work with your business to remove any usable furniture. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
- Massachusetts Service Alliance
The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on community service and volunteerism. Our mission is to generate an ethic of service throughout the Commonwealth by creating and supporting diverse, high quality service and volunteer opportunities for all age groups, resulting in stronger communities and more active citizens.
- Mission of Deeds
The Mission of Deeds is a non-profit organization staffed by a group of dedicated volunteers who are located in Reading, Massachusetts. We purchase beds with cash donations and distribute them, along with donated furniture and other household items in good condition, to needy families and individuals living in Middlesex and Essex counties of Massachusetts.
- serve.gov
Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities, as what we're doing in Washington – and it’s going to take all of us, working together. Serve.gov makes it easy for you and all Americans not only to find ways to serve in your communities, but also to create and promote your own service projects.
- Service Learn
The Service-Learning – Student’s Guide & Journal for Elementary School Students, the Service-Learning – Student’s Guide & Journal for Middle & High School, and the Service-Learning Guide & Journal - Higher Education Edition, by Robert Schoenfeld,are designed to help students organize their Service-Learning project, improve their thinking and writing skills, and increase their test scores. The Student’s Guide & Journalpublications will aid students in their pursuit of scholastic achievement, while at the same time guiding and inspiring them to take their service to their community and the nation to a higher level of accomplishment.
- Solutions at Work
The mission of Solutions at Work is to empower people who have experienced homelessness to work together in defining the problems faced while homeless and to partner with other members of the community to develop and implement solutions to these problems.
We depend on donations from generous people to keep our programs running. All goods go for free to those in need. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
- Volunteer Family
The Volunteer Family connects families, especially families with children, with volunteer opportunities in their own neighborhoods. Through volunteering, children to learn compassion for others and families are able to spend quality time together. It is a terrific way to contribute to your community in today’s hectic world.
- Volunteer Match
VolunteerMatch describes itself is a leader in the nonprofit world dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. According to Volunteer Match, the service receives millions of visitors a year and has become the preferred internet recruiting tool for more than 50,000 nonprofit organizations. A recent search of opportunities for teens within 10 miles of zip code 02445 returned 208 results, including overseas opportunities and placements for teens aged 18 and older.
- Volunteer Solutions
Volunteer Solutions is a Volunteer Matching Application supported by the United Way that helps connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community. You can search for opportunities based on your interests, skills, and geographic location or simply by entering a keyword. You can also register on Volunteer Solutions to receive automatic emails that list volunteer opportunities that match your specific profile. The search function allows you to specify opportunities open to adolescents (13-17). A recent search for opportunities for adolescents within 25 miles of zip code 02445 returned 110 results.
Donating Household Goods
- Communities without Borders
We are collecting children's clothing for AIDS orphans in Zambia. We have 33 volunteer service workers traveling there in June and July and could use lightly used clothing and books for ages 5 to 12. If you are in the Boston, Massachusetts area and can help, call Peter at 617 233-6071 or email: psmith@igc.org
- Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts
Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts (HGRM) needs donations of clean, usable furniture and household items for individuals and families in need. More than 250 households receive the essential items they need for their apartments each month.
- Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
You can give new life to old furniture by donating it to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The Coalition each year assists over 2,000 households to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing, by making furniture and household goods available free of cost. The Coalition can work with your business to remove any usable furniture. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
- Mission of Deeds
The Mission of Deeds is a non-profit organization staffed by a group of dedicated volunteers who are located in Reading, Massachusetts. We purchase beds with cash donations and distribute them, along with donated furniture and other household items in good condition, to needy families and individuals living in Middlesex and Essex counties of Massachusetts.
- Solutions at Work
The mission of Solutions at Work is to empower people who have experienced homelessness to work together in defining the problems faced while homeless and to partner with other members of the community to develop and implement solutions to these problems. We depend on donations from generous people to keep our programs running. All goods go for free to those in need. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Gap Year Programs & Resources
- Forms4Travel.com
If your child, tween or teen is traveling within the U.S. or traveling to Europe, Asia, China, Mexico, Spain, France, Taiwan or another international destination, Forms4Travel.com has the necessary and comprehensive authorization forms to provide security for your child and peace of mind for you.
- Gap Year Travel Ideas from responsibletravel.com
A huge range of Gap year travel ideas and options from leading responsible operators. Make the most of your Gap year by supporting local people and the environment as well as developing yourself.
- High School Study Abroad
Launched to fill an information void in the area of international student travel and to provide a one-stop information center for students wishing to travel internationally. The site was created to link prospective travelers with organizations providing international opportunities.
- Youth Volunteer Work Abroad
Ever get the feeling that you have a higher calling? You know... That you have a special purpose on this earth? You're not interested in the corporate world, SUVs, or IPOs. In fact, if you had the chance, you would surely save the world... Well maybe not the world, but some small part of it. Volunteering abroad is one way to make a difference. Volunteering abroad is not for everyone, so before you sign up for the Peace Corps or another similar program there are a few things you should consider. Often it helps to check out information from a group like IVPA which provides many different resources about volunteering abroad.
High School Competitions & Awards
- Kohl's Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program
The Kohl's Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) who help make their communities a better Place.This year, through the Kohl's Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program, Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) plans to award more than $350,000 in scholarships and prizes to recognize the selfless acts of more than 2,000 youth ages six through 18 who are making a difference in their communities. To nominate a young volunteer for a Kohl's Kids Who Care scholarship, visit www.kohlskids.com. Nominations are accepted February 1 through March 15.
- Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) - Community Service Awards & Grants
The Parents' Independent School Network, Inc. (PIN) is a group of parents with children who are students at New England area private elementary and secondary schools. PIN was formed as a way for these parents to share ideas and promote worthy programs at our schools. PIN presents modest monetary grants as well as recognition awards to community service projects undertaken by PIN member schools. Applications must be received by February 1 and schools must have paid their dues by December 1 to be eligible for monetary awards.
- Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Princeton seeks to promote harmony, understanding and respect among people of different races by identifying and recognizing high school age students whose efforts have had a significant, positive effect on race relations in their schools or communities. Applications for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations must be postmarked by January 31. Winners are eligible for prizes – including cash awards up to $1000 for particularly noteworthy work – that will be presented in the spring of each year. High school students who are involved in an activity that is helping to improve race relations, broadly defined, in their school or community, are encouraged to apply.
Jobs & Internship Resources
- ABCD SummerWorks
Summerworks employs youth ages 14-21 at hundreds of non-profit agencies in the city, doing jobs like answering phones or helping in a day care center. Visit your local ABCD office to pick up an application. FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS ONLY.
- Boston Youth Fund / HOPELINE
The HOPELINE is a summer jobs program through the Boston Youth Fund for Boston residents ages 15-17. Applicants must register during February & March and will be selected by lottery for job placement through July. For BOSTON RESIDENTS ONLY.
- Job Tips for Teens
Job Tips for Boston Teens is an online set of guidelines for youth looking for employment.
- MassCIS
Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development's Career Information System.
- Private Industry Council (PIC)
Career specialists in every Boston Public High School match students with jobs and internships in the private sector. For BOSTON RESIDENTS ONLY.
- Teen Resume Guide
All teens looking for employment should create a resume. The Teen Resume Guide is a step-by-step guide to creating a resume and cover letter that is specifically designed for teens to incorporate volunteer, extracurricular and community experience.
Local Events
- Boston Central
Boston Central highlights fun activities for families with children of all ages in the Greater Boston & New England Area. They do the research so you don't have to! Sign up to receive a free, weekly newsletter.
Parenting of Teens
- KidsWin
The KidsWin community is a place for parents to connect with one another, to share resources, and help each other. Parents, especially those whose children are struggling in some way, are searching for resources and support for their children and for themselves.
- Parenting Teens Online
ParentingTeensNetwork is a communications company focused on producing responsible and appropriate communications for parents and teens. We offer rich content and tools through our online magazines, Web sites, blogs, podcasts and print magazines, and we have a unique approach to developing content. We take a 360 degree look at any given problem or issue from the perspectives of teens, experts, and parents. Our teen input guarantees that the topic we are covering is relevant and real-world, and that the solutions we offer make sense to teens. Our parent input guides us with information on subjects that parents care about and solutions that have worked in the past. And our experts ensure that everything we produce is credible, evidence-based, and of the highest quality.
- Radical Parenting - Parenting From a New Perspective
We are a company run by youth. As the only parenting blog and company from the kid’s perspective, RadicalParenting.com has made a huge impact in the parenting blogosphere, by not only bringing a new perspective to parents on how digital youth are really growing up, but also by giving teens a voice. We want to use our experiences to help parents truly understand and learn how to inspire their kids. Mentor, not lecture, teens and tweens on their level. Inspire them, give them the right tools so they can be happier and healthier adults. Newsletter available through free e-mail subscription.
- Resources for Kids with Special Needs
Thanks to Wendy Young, there is a list of resources for kids with special needs to help them feel included, valued, and capable: national organizations whose programs can be delivered at the local level with the help of devoted parents and enthusiastic kids.
- Secrets to Success in Parenting Your Teen
Sue Blaney of Please Stop the Rollercoaster has shared a free download of her e-book, Secrets to Success in Parenting Your Teen. If you are like most parents with teenagers, you have questions, and you want answers! Secrets to Success in Parenting Your Teens shares helpful insights as well as research and advice from many experts.
School Year Activities & Programs
- Association of Independent Schools in New England
The Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) provides educational leadership and relevant, responsive services to its diverse membership; promotes equity, excellence and collaboration within the New England independent school community; supports schools in their service to a broader public purpose; and advocates for the independence of member schools and the value of independent education. You can search here for a specifc school's programs (i.e., Simpson Academy), for programs within a certain zipcode, and for programs by name/type.
Summer Programs
- Enrichment Alley
Whether you're looking for a summer learning experience, a gap year adventure, or a school year program for a single individual or a school group, you'll find it here. Discover opportunities to immerse yourself in a single subject, participate in a field experience, join a guided travel group, or make a difference through service learning.
- GoAbroad.com
GoAbroad.com is the leading international education and experiential travel resource. Our directories contain over 25,000 opportunities abroad updated daily including study abroad, internships, volunteer opportunities, teach abroad, language schools and much more. From the home page, select the “High School” tab.
- Independent Schools Association of Northern New England
The Independent Schools Association of Northern New England (ISANNE) represents a diverse group of schools: day and boarding, suburban and rural, prestigious college preparatory, and institutions with specialties from learning disabilities and emotional support to skiing and outdoor education. This page on the ISANNE web site lists member schools that have summer programs.
- My Summer Camps
My Summer Camps is a comprehensive, free and easy to use summer camp directory for kids, teens and youth. This is a complete source for finding summer camps, summer camp jobs and camps for sale or rent in the USA, Canada and Worldwide.
- Peterson's
This site from the publisher of popular college and SAT prep guides allows you to search for free from among 1200 unique programs in the US and abroad for students in grades K-12. It lists 32 programs in Massachusetts – the rest are in other locations. You can also purchase the printed guide by clicking here (insert link to Order Guides page).
- Summer Camp Handbook-Online Edition
The Summer Camp Handbook has been the premier preparatory resource for new camper familes since its debut in 2000. Co-authors Dr. Christopher Thurber and Dr. Jon Malinowski--both longtime campers and youth development professionals--have shared The Summer Camp Handbook with millions of parents just like you on the Today Show, Martha Stewart, CBS This Morning, and Fox News. The winner of a Parenting Press Gold Award, The Summer Camp Handbook is now available to everyone for free online.
- The Camp Resource for Parents
From the American Camp Association, CampParents.org is a comprehensive camp resource for families—offering expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families. CampParents.org helps you find the right camp for every child.
Teen Publications
- Boston Youth Zone E-Newsletter
Learn about youth events in your neighborhood, employment opportunities, contests and much more. To join the mailing list, send a blank e-mail to join-youth@listserv.cityofboston.gov
- Teen Ink Magazine
Teen Ink is a national teen magazine, blog, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing and art. With no staff writers or photographers, all of our content comes from teens.
Teen Ink is distributed widely through classrooms, libraries and to thousands of homes across the country.
- Teen Voices Online
Teen Voices is an intensive journalism mentoring and leadership development program for teen girls in Boston whose mission is to support and educate teen girls to amplify their voices and create social change through media.
Through its program, teen girls create Teen Voices and Teen Voices Online, two internationally distributed print and online social justice magazines reaching
60,000 readers and receiving 7.2 million hits from 98 countries annually. Written by, for, and about teen girls, Teen Voices is positive, powerful, and empowering, amplifying teen girls' real voices in a world filled with too much media focused on what girls look like—not what they think.
- YARN: Young Adult Review Network
YARN's mission is to publish the highest quality creative writing for young adult readers, ages 14-18, and those in other age groups who enjoy young adult lit. Published quarterly, YARN will feature short fiction and creative essays, poetry, and an author interview. Our interactive sections will allow for discussions about published work, as well as reviews of recent YA books. We seek to discover new teen writers, and publish them alongside established writers of the YA genre.
Our debut issue will go live in Winter 2010—stay tuned for more info, and SUBSCRIBE for updates (we promise not to spam you).
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