On the Rise

On the Rise is primarily a wet shelter for homeless women. but women from all different backgrounds go to OTR. They may be victims of abuse/​rape, have mental issues, substance problems, or are experiencing other crises. Located in Inman Square, it’s one of few day shelters in the area.
OTR is basically a large house. In the basement, there is a clothing closet, «nap» room, laundry room, storage for women who have frequented the shelter, and donations that haven’t been sorted. On the main floor there is a TV room (that just got an elliptical machine), a kitchen, bathroom/​shower, and phone. On the second floor, there are offices for those working at the shelter. Women can also receive mail at On the Rise.
The shelter has a few programs depending on their funding and volunteers at the time. They’ve offered massages, haircuts, writing, and other creative activities. There is also someone who comes in weekly (I believe) for those women who are having legal issues, ie domestic abuse/​immigration/​etc. A somewhat recent addition to the shelter is the Keep the Keys program that assists women who are determined to keep clean and move into their own housing.
Volunteers come in once a month on a Saturday when the shelter is closed. Things that people did when I was there: sort through donations, clean out the clothing closet to make sure that in season clothing was on the racks, make decorations for the house to make it homier, flyer the neighborhood about an upcoming fundraiser, and general upkeep (they also have a lovely yard that needs attending to when the weather permits). We probably could have found stuff to do all day.
I think that sometimes people mean well in wanting to work directly with the homeless population, but they sometimes forget that general upkeep needs to be done in order for the women that work there to attend to other pressing issues. Just a Trish opinion side note thrown in there for people who think that soup kitchens are the only way to help out the community.
In addition to volunteering at the shelter, you can help cook meals for the women, work in their wellness program (perhaps helping with a creative activity, etc), or even run a toiletry drive at your work.
For a list of what to donate or when to volunteer, I’d contact them directly through their website. :)