Gloucester Democratic City Committee members take pride in putting their values to practice. Cape Ann is truly fortunate to have a number of organizations that assist those in need and help protect the most vulnerable members of our society. In addition to organized public service projects conducted by the GDCC, such as our annual Catch a Ton of Tuna food drive for The Open Door, committee members are encouraged to volunteer with local community service organizations on their own.
Please see the GDCC Field Guide to Community Service Organizations below to help you put your values to work for our community. If you need more information or have an idea for a public service project that the Gloucester Democratic City Committee may be interested in hosting, please contact GDCC Public Service Chair Mary Kingsley.
FIELD GUIDE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
GDCC CONTACT: Public Service Chair, Mary Kingsley
marytigercat@verizon.net or 978-283-2511
ACTION, INC.
Mission: Action, Inc. assists and advocates for low income people on Cape Ann. They provide shelter and counseling to the homeless, and short-term rental and mortgage assistance to households affected by COVID-19. They also administer the low-income energy and weatherization programs; provide assistance, through the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund, to persons experiencing fuel or energy emergencies, and assist people seeking public benefits such as SNAP or healthcare assistance.
Donations: You can donate to the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund through the Action, Inc. website: www.actioninc.org. The shelter needs prepared food for meals: gift cards to local restaurants or orders to restaurants to be delivered to the shelter. If you wish to help with this, contact Erin George at egeorge@actioninc.org.
Volunteers: No.
THE GRACE CENTER
Mission: The Grace Center, a location of Lifebridge North Shore, is a safe, day resource center for people who are homeless and others, including older or disabled adults, isolated community members, and people in crisis. They provide breakfasts and lunches. The center’s social worker connects guests to critical services, including transportation, health screenings, showers, and legal services. Guests may participate in therapeutic activities including music, art, and yoga.
Donations: The Grace Center is in need of healthy snack food and sponsored meals. Food and meal donations can be arranged through Frank at the Grace Center at 978-675-6240.
Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen for meal preparation and clean-up, and to interact with guests. For more information, call Frank Freedman at 978-675-6240.
NORTH SHORE HEALTH PROJECT
Mission: Case management, harm reduction and support services for people affected by HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and substance use disorder. Services currently include grocery and prepared meal delivery, outreach and Narcan training. When the stay at home order ends, holistics, group meals,and support groups will be offered.
Donations: For information about on-line donations or other needs, contact Susan Coviello, scoviello@healthproject.org or mail a check to 5 Center St, Gloucester, MA, 01930.
Volunteers: None needed at the time of writing, but contact Susan Coviello for current information.
CAPE ANN ANIMAL AID
Mission: Cape Ann Animal Aid is a non-profit, no-kill shelter for cats and dogs. Although the shelter building is currently closed, CAAA continues to care for adoptable pets in volunteers’ foster homes, and can arrange adoptions online.
Donations: CAAA has an Amazon wishlist for items such as pet food and cleaning supplies. Financial donations may be made at the online donation tab on the website, or you can mail a check to Cape Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA, 01930.
Volunteers: At the time of writing, CAAA is not seeking new in-shelter volunteers, but does have some outside volunteer opportunities. Their website offers a list of suggestions for fundraising events you can organize. heck the website or contact the outreach coordinatior, Jane Peters, at volunteer@capeannanimalaid.org. They are also accepting applications for fosters. Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org/volunteer.html to fill out an application. If the application is turned off, please keep checking the website. They will be closing and opening the application as they are able to approve and train fosters.
THE OPEN DOOR
Mission: The Open Door is OPEN is providing essential frontline grocery and meal distribution Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the COVID-19 crisis.
Donations: The Open Door is once again accepting food donations.
- Groups wishing to organize a community food collection should contact The Open Door at info@foodpantry.org first for a complete list of COVID Guidelines.
- People wishing to drop off canned goods may do so Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A bin will be placed outside the front door at 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester.
- Gardeners wishing to donate surplus vegetables may do so Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please let the person at the desk know you are dropping off perishable food.
- People wishing to schedule a Donation Center or Furniture Pickup appointment may do so at www.foodpantry.org.
Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver food. Pre-screening required. Please email helper@foodpantry.org
SENIORCARE
Mission: SeniorCare Inc. provides information and services to elders in nine North Shore communities, including Gloucester and all of Cape Ann. SeniorCare provides important services such as home care, protective services, transportation, nursing home ombudsmen, money management, Medicare insurance counseling, caregiver support, nutrition, and preventative health services.
Donations: Donations can be made online at www.seniorcareinc.org or mailed to 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester.
Volunteers: SeniorCare’s RSVP Volunteers of the North Shore program welcomes new volunteers to help with immediate needs such as sewing and donating cloth face masks as well as delivering meals on wheels in your community. In addition, volunteers will be needed in the coming weeks and months to help support community services such as medical transportation, money management, nursing home ombudsmen, tax aide and more. Prospective volunteers can request information online at www.seniorcareinc.org
WELLSPRING HOUSE
Mission: Wellspring inspires families and adults on the North Shore to achieve employment and financial security through stable housing, education, job training and career readiness.
Services: Family Shelter, Homelessness Prevention case management, assistance in finding affordable housing, one-time cash grants through a homelessness prevention fund, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), college readiness coursework earning credits for North Shore Community College, job training for administrative and support positions in health care run in partnership with North Shore Medical Center (NSMC), career advising and mentoring for young adults 16-24 and adults 25 and older.
Donations: Donations may be made online at www.wellspringhouse.org or sent by check to Wellspring House, 302 Essex Ave., Gloucester MA 01930.
Volunteers: Provide Academic Support for ESOL and College Readiness students, and serve as 1-to-1 mentors to local residents who are pursuing future employment and education goals. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Mary Hardwick by email at mhardwick@wellspringhouse.org or by phone at (978) 281-3221 ext. 300.
The 2024 Gloucester Democratic City Committee MLK Day of Service was a resounding success! Thanks to our volunteers and generous donors, we were able to collect 1,578 pounds of food for The Open Door. Special thanks to Mary Kingsley, our Public Service Committee Chair, for her dedication in making this important annual event fun and fulfilling for all.