Therapeutic Nature Program Volunteer

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Program Volunteer (long-term, 2-4 hours/month, MUST BE 18+ YEARS OLD)

The Nature Connection’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities through the therapeutic use of nature. Founded in 1983 and based out of Concord, Massachusetts, The Nature Connection provides accessible, therapeutic nature-based programing for those with limited access to the outdoors (youth at-risk, children and adults with disabilities, and elders (including those with dementia/Alzheimer’s)) of the Greater Boston area and Middlesex County. The Nature Connection supports the wellbeing of individuals and communities by providing access to the many benefits of nature through interactions with plants, animals, and natural materials.

The Nature Connection is looking for long-term (9 months+) program volunteers that can dedicate 2-4 hours a month to help us deliver programs by engaging with program participants. Along with our NC staff, program volunteers directly interact with participants to share our plants, animals, and natural materials one-on-one with participants of all abilities and backgrounds. These one-on-one interactions, while in a group setting, are what allow our participants to be hands-on and connect with nature. In order to promote these individualized connections, NC staff and volunteers utilize accessible practices such as 'meeting them [participants] where they are' and multi-sensory engagement.

Nature Connection’s therapeutic nature programs promote mental, emotional, and social wellbeing through fostering nature connectedness, building constructive hope, and self-efficacy. Our staff and volunteers utilize active listening, broad questions, cultural competencies, and promote autonomy and curiosity.

The ideal volunteer will have experience and enjoy working with people from all walks of life and a passion for sharing the curiosities, joy, and benefits of nature with others. Our program volunteers must be flexible, adaptable, and dependable, with a mind for the safety of program participants and excellent communication skills. Training is provided and required. NC provides additional continued learning opportunities throughout the year for staff and volunteers.

Please Take Note of our Program Schedule and Locations: Programs occur during the week (Tuesdays - Fridays), during the day (10:00 am - 6:00 pm), and at locations throughout Greater Boston and Middlesex County (from Cambridge to Lowell to Marlborough to Framingham and the towns/communities in-between).

Check out our volunteer sign-ups page to get an idea of program day/times and locations. If you are unavailable during those days/times, consider signing up as an event volunteer or for one of our other volunteer opportunities.

Program Volunteers are supervised by, and report directly to the Program Director and Program Coordinators. This is an in-person opportunity (NC follows MA state safety guidelines for COVID, volunteers are required to wear masks on programs). This is not a paid position.

Requirements:

• 18+ years old
• 2-4 hours per month! (Additional hours optional)
• Transportation to/from program site locations (throughout Greater Boston/Middlesex County)
• Completion of volunteer training and program observation
• Successful CORI check
• Excellent communication skills (adaptable, coherent, respectful)

How to Volunteer:

If you're interested in this engaging and exciting opportunity, please fill out our volunteer application at https://www.nature-connection.org/volunteer-application/ . Please email volunteer@nature-connection.org with any questions.

Those who are bilingual (Haitian-Creole, Spanish, Portuguese), BIPOC, AAPI, or LGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply.

The Nature Connection is an equal opportunity organization. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. The Nature Connection will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.