BWiC Serves Lunch at Rosies Place 2018

"SOLD OUT"

What is Rosie’s Place?

Rosie’s Place is a sanctuary for poor and homeless women located in Boston’s South End.  Their mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity and find security in their lives. Visit www.rosiesplace.org to learn more.

What will we be doing?

Catering groups cook, serve, clean up and financially underwrite the cost of a meal for 75-150 women and children in our dining room. The AGC BwiC has provided the financial obligation through part of the proceeds of the AEC Panel scheduled for October.

How will I be helping?

Volunteers assist with preparing the meal, serving soup and passing out various items like tea and sugar. Volunteers then plate the meal and act as wait staff -- serving guests at their table. After the meal, volunteers tidy the space by collecting dishes, operating the dishwasher and cleaning off tables.

How should I prepare?

Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes that can get dirty. Unless you can pull your hair back, you will need to wear a hat. There are small lockers to store valuables, but, since space is limited, please refrain from bringing much with you.

When should we arrive?

All group members should plan to arrive at the shift’s stated start time (10:30 am) as both early and late arrivals are difficult for staff to deal with.

What should I do when I arrive?

Upon arrival, head straight into the dining room -- front desk staff can give you direction. Once there, dining room staff will greet you and give you an overview of how you’ll be helping.

Do I have to stay the entire shift?

Yes. The dining room is significantly impacted by late arrivals and early departures. You should plan on arriving at the start of the shift and staying the entire time.

What should I expect?

Many Rosie’s Place guests are excited to see volunteers and look forward to connecting. Others may not want to talk and are looking to eat a relaxing meal alone. We ask that you are patient and respect these differences as many guests are dealing with difficult issues such as mental illness, substance abuse and hunger.

What is expected of me?

Volunteers play a critical role in creating the warm, welcoming community at Rosie’s Place. We ask that you:

* Treat all guests with respect. This includes being friendly and welcoming as well as respecting guests’ privacy by not asking intrusive questions.

* Listen to your supervisors and follow the rules. Consistency and fairness ensure guests always feel respected at Rosie’s Place.

* Stay calm and remove yourself from any situation that may arise. Immediately alert staff and do not attempt to resolve it yourself.

* Maintain appropriate boundaries. Don’t give out personal information such as anyone’s last name, phone number, email or home address.

What will we be serving?

The dining room plans menus for lunch and dinner every day of the year. Although it’s difficult to know what your exact menu will be, it will be tasty and nutritious!

Do we get to eat the meal we prepared?

Yes - provided there is food left after guests are served. While this is often the case, we are unable to guarantee there will be enough to share with volunteers.

What other ways can my group help out?

Some other ways groups get involved is to:

* Hold a toiletry, food or book drive.

* Sponsor special events on our behalf.

* Contribute through their corporate giving or matching gift program.

* Purchase Women’s Craft Cooperative jewelry and holiday cards.

Rosie’s Place is located at 889 Harrison Ave in Boston -- close to the intersection of Mass Ave and Harrison Ave near the BU Medical Center. While they do have one small lot adjacent to the building, most days it is filled to capacity. Taking public transportation or carpooling is definitely your best bet, but there is limited on-street parking and pay parking garages in the area. If you do obtain a spot in the Rosie’s Place lot, please sign your car in at the front desk. *Do not park in the Boston Water & Sewer or CVS lots as you will be towed.