The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism.
Commonwealth Corps members serve 10 months in a full- or half-time position at one of our host site partners in the focus areas of Workforce Development, Education, Health & Nutrition, Youth Development, and Veterans Support. Serving with Commonwealth Corps means becoming part of a group of people across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.
See Commonwealth Corps in action on our social media!
www.herandezschool.org
Friends of the Rafael Hernández Dual Language School is a K-6 Boston Public School committed to fostering bilingualism, biliteracy, and cultural pride in an inclusive community.
As a Commonwealth Corps host site, two Student Support Specialists will engage students in the classroom and after school, while also assisting with family support programs and capacity-building projects like the Donation Center or data management.
Learn more here!
www.gouldfarm.org
Gould Farm, the nation’s first residential therapeutic community for adults with mental health challenges, supports recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care on its 700-acre campus.
Commonwealth Corps members will help expand the Farm’s REACH wellness program by supporting nutrition education, individual assessments, and program development, strengthening long-term capacity to promote holistic health and recovery.
Learn more here!
www.ifsi-usa.org
The Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) helps immigrant families overcome systemic barriers to successful integration through education, workforce development, and advocacy.
Commonwealth Corps members will support IFSI’s Children’s Education programs by coordinating volunteers, managing program logistics, and creating a welcoming environment for students. Their service will strengthen afterschool and summer enrichment, providing academic support and confidence-building opportunities for children to thrive.
Learn more here!
www.nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project works to build a strong local food system by supporting beginning farmers and increasing access to healthy food in underserved communities.
Commonwealth Corps members will strengthen food access and community engagement by supporting mobile market operations, food hub logistics, farm production, and volunteer coordination. They will also help expand farm-to-school programming and community events to connect local families with fresh, healthy food.
Learn more here!
www.projectcitizenship.org
Project Citizenship works to increase naturalization in Massachusetts, focusing on vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, by providing free legal services to permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
Three full-time Commonwealth Corps members will help expand capacity by conducting eligibility screenings, supporting citizenship workshops, managing data, and engaging new community partners to better serve clients in eastern Massachusetts.
Learn more here!
www.recworcester.org
The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to environmental sustainability and food justice in Central Massachusetts for over 50 years.
A half-time Commonwealth Corps member will support REC’s YouthGROW program by working alongside teen leaders on urban farming, youth development, and leadership activities. The member will also help improve systems for resource referrals, strengthening support for young people in Worcester.
Learn more here!
www.thrivema.org
THRIVE empowers communities to welcome and support neighbors returning from incarceration, working to disrupt cycles of incarceration and social harm through restorative justice, education, and leadership development.
Commonwealth Corps members will contribute to this mission by engaging in community outreach and volunteer recruitment, providing social support to returning citizens, and leading capacity-building projects such as strengthening employment partnerships or expanding Spanish-language resources.
Learn more here!
www.us.whales.org
Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC) works to inspire global action to protect whales and dolphins by connecting people to the wonder of marine life.
Two full-time Commonwealth Corps members will serve as Education & Outreach Specialists, helping to expand conservation literacy by engaging schools, teachers, and community partners, and developing lasting, inquiry-based lessons and activities. They will also support and engage volunteers to strengthen WDC’s education and outreach efforts across Massachusetts.
Learn more here!
The Commonwealth Corps, a state-funded service internship program administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance, was established in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick and his partners in the state legislature. The Commonwealth Corps provides opportunities for skill-building and leadership development and encourages and enhances a lifelong civic vocation for Corps members. Corps members provide direct service, build capacity, and recruit, organize and mobilize additional volunteers, thus building a grassroots movement of volunteers dedicated to service.
As the state commission on service and volunteerism, the Massachusetts Service Alliance administers the Commonwealth Corps program, including choosing host sites each year.
Check out this page for individuals interested in becoming a Commonwealth Corps Member!
Check out this page for organizations interested in becoming a Commonwealth Corps Host Site!
Join our Commonwealth Corps alumni email list!
Commonwealth Corps has been involved with nearly a hundred of community host sites since it was established in 2007. Below are our host sites from the last five service years.
