This first issue of Acent features seven carefully vetted, high-impact charities serving Medford, Somerville, and the greater Boston area. These organizations aren't asking for much; just your awareness and whatever support you can offer, whether that's $5 from your coffee fund or an hour of your time. Every contribution, no matter the size, creates real change in your community.

Location: Somerville, Massachusetts

What They Do:
Somerville Homeless Coalition operates with an exceptional 98% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while providing homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services and tailored housing solutions. Created by the community's grassroots response to homelessness in 1985, SHC has evolved into a comprehensive organization that transforms lives by providing services, support, and housing for over 5,900 individuals annually. Their programs include emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, food assistance, and wraparound services that address the root causes of homelessness while helping people achieve lasting stability.

Why It Matters:
Housing insecurity affects people across demographics in the Boston area, including recent college graduates entering a competitive rental market. SHC's individualized approach recognizes that each person's path to homelessness is unique and requires tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all programming. Their comprehensive services address both immediate crisis needs and long-term stability, helping people not just find housing but maintain it successfully. Over the last two years, they've served more clients across all programs than ever before, demonstrating the growing need and their expanding capacity to meet it.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/

Location: Malden, Massachusetts (serving Medford and surrounding areas)

What They Do:
Mystic Valley YMCA operates with a 90% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while serving approximately 9,500 people in the community through comprehensive programming focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. They run the Mystic Community Market, a best-in-class food distribution center emphasizing nutrition and community health, addressing the reality that 21% of Medford residents face food insecurity. Their programs include fitness and wellness services, childcare, summer camps, and community outreach that brings families together while supporting individual health and development goals.

Why It Matters:
Access to affordable fitness, childcare, and food security programming creates stronger communities while supporting individual and family wellbeing. MVYMCA's food market serves families throughout Medford with dignity and choice, allowing people to select nutritious groceries rather than simply receiving emergency food assistance. In 2022, they provided approximately $243,970 in financial assistance, ensuring that economic barriers don't prevent community members from accessing essential services and programming that support health and development.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.mv-ymca.org/

Location: Medford, Massachusetts

What They Do:
Walnut Street Center operates with an impressive 96% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while providing comprehensive support services to adults with intellectual disabilities, assisting them in living engaged and meaningful lives with opportunities to live, work, volunteer, and socialize within their communities. Founded in 1973 by parents seeking services for their children, WSC has evolved into a leading provider serving individuals across Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Somerville, and surrounding communities. Their programs include residential services, day programs, community-based employment support, and specialized care for individuals with complex needs including autism, dementia, and dual diagnoses.

Why It Matters:
Adults with intellectual disabilities deserve opportunities to live independently, contribute to their communities, and pursue meaningful relationships and activities. WSC's person-centered approach recognizes that each individual has unique strengths, interests, and goals that should drive their support services. Their 87.63% program expense ratio means donations go directly toward services that help people achieve their highest level of independence while maintaining safety and support. For Tufts students interested in inclusive communities and disability rights, WSC demonstrates how comprehensive support can enable people to thrive in integrated community settings.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.wscinc.org/

Location: Somerville, Massachusetts

What They Do:
RESPOND Inc. maintains a 92% four-star rating from Charity Navigator while combating the public health issue of domestic violence through prevention, intervention, advocacy, and direct services that promote safe, healthy relationships. Since 1975, they've provided essential support including confidential emergency shelter, a 24-hour support line, counseling sessions, community outreach programs, and educational initiatives designed to help survivors establish personal safety and thrive in all areas of their lives. Their services reach individuals of all ages, genders, income levels, and racial and ethnic backgrounds, including immigrants, refugees, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Why It Matters:
Domestic violence affects people across all demographics, including college students and young professionals. RESPOND's comprehensive approach addresses both immediate safety needs and longer-term empowerment through trauma-informed services that recognize the complex dynamics of abuse. Their 80.84% program expense ratio ensures donations support direct services, while their strong governance practices demonstrate accountability to survivors and the community. For students interested in social justice and public health, RESPOND represents evidence-based programming that addresses root causes while providing life-saving crisis intervention.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.respondinc.org/

Location: Somerville, Massachusetts

What They Do:
The Welcome Project operates with an 88% three-star rating from Charity Navigator while amplifying the voices and collective power of immigrants through services combined with leadership development. Since 1990, they've provided interpretation services training, English as a Second Language programs, and community-focused healthy food initiatives while working with youth and adults from immigrant families to develop leadership capacity. Their approach recognizes that immigrants bring tremendous strengths and cultural knowledge that should be centered in community decision-making rather than treated as deficits to be remedied.

Why It Matters:
Greater Boston's immigrant communities contribute essential skills, perspectives, and cultural wealth that strengthen the entire region. The Welcome Project's leadership development model ensures that immigrant voices are heard in policy decisions that affect their families and communities. Their programming creates pathways for civic engagement while providing practical support like English classes and interpretation training that help people navigate new systems. For Tufts students interested in immigrant rights and community organizing, The Welcome Project demonstrates how effective advocacy combines direct services with power-building.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.welcomeproject.org/

Location: Somerville, Massachusetts

What They Do:
For 35 years, Community Cooks has mobilized volunteers throughout Greater Boston to provide home-prepared meals for vulnerable neighbors served by frontline human service agencies. Their model harnesses the power of community by organizing over 850 volunteers who each prepare a monthly dish for delivery to 36 partner agencies, ensuring that 2,100+ neighbors experiencing food insecurity have access to nutritious, home-cooked meals every month. Rather than operating a traditional food pantry, Community Cooks supports the agencies doing direct service by providing the meals that free up their resources for advocacy and specialized programming.

Why It Matters:
Many essential human service programs lack adequate funding for food, forcing them to choose between providing meals and offering other critical services. Community Cooks fills this gap through volunteer coordination that builds community connections while addressing food insecurity. Their model creates meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals, businesses, and community groups while ensuring that people receiving services get nutritious, dignified meals prepared with care. For Tufts students looking for accessible volunteer opportunities, Community Cooks offers flexible monthly commitments that fit academic schedules while creating lasting impact.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://communitycooks.org/

Location: Somerville, Massachusetts

What They Do:
Since 1896, Elizabeth Peabody House has supported low-income and immigrant families in Boston and Somerville through early childhood education, youth development, and family assistance programs. As one of Boston's first settlement houses, EPH provides comprehensive services including preschool programs, after-school care for children ages 5-13, summer enrichment, and food security assistance through their community food pantry. Their programming serves a diverse community while maintaining a focus on empowering families with the tools they need to thrive across generations.

Why It Matters:
Quality early childhood education and after-school programming create lasting impact on children's academic success and social-emotional development, while family support services address the systemic barriers that affect entire households. EPH's 125-year history demonstrates sustained commitment to the Somerville community, with programming that evolves to meet changing needs while maintaining core values of dignity and empowerment. Their recent $100,000 Cummings Foundation grant supports after-school programming that serves 52 children annually, providing safe, enriching experiences for families facing economic challenges.

Link to Donate or Learn More:
https://www.teph.org/

These seven organizations represent decades of proven community impact, financial transparency, and effective programming in the Medford and Somerville area. Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or simply share awareness with friends, you're contributing to a stronger, more supportive community that benefits everyone, including current and future Tufts University students who call this region home.