[alimoe]

I do two volunteering activities - both in Boston.

I work with kids, middle school through high school, at a program called Mission Safe in the Mission Hill area. It's a program where High School aged kids are paid a stipend to run an afterschool program for middle school kids. I come in and tutor kids, mostly in math, but a little bit in all subjects. I've been working with them for over 5 years now, and it's an awesome program.

At first it was a little tough, b/c none of the kids felt comfortable asking me questions for for help. At this point, all of the older kids who run the program trust me, so I immediately get respect from the younger kids. It's a ton easier for me now.

Also, I helped coach a little league team a couple of years ago, and am going to coach my own team this coming summer. I found out that it's hard to get into this if you don't have kids of your own, b/c the managers are skeptical of people who just want to help out. I'm sure it's out of fear of sexual-type predators. I got a lot of help in getting a coaching gig, b/c I work with Mission Safe. The guy who runs the little league group, knows who I am through Mission Safe and therefore, I have a reputation as a good person.

matt