For those who know Barry, the founding of Volunteer Ventures MA seems an entirely natural and fitting evolution of his work. As an optimistic people-person whose work and volunteer choices reflect a commitment to engaging and uplifting people, the founding of Volunteer Ventures MA opens an exciting and inspiring new chapter in Barry’s dedication to education, justice, volunteerism and service to the community.
Barry’s volunteer experience began at college as a Big Brother and in a school with young students with special needs. Throughout the years he has, amidst other volunteer gigs, coached youth sports, served on a local school council and is a Past President of Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, MA, where he remains a board member. A skilled carpenter and woodworker, he has used those skills as a volunteer with organizations that help repair or rebuild peoples’ homes, including; The Ecumenical Social Action Committee’s Senior Team Home Repair in Jamaica Plain, MA; Habitat for Humanity and the St. Bernard Project (SBP) in Louisiana. As a former shop teacher, Barry loves nothing more than to create opportunities for young people to learn how to use tools, to develop carpentry and woodworking skills, and to develop a passion for tinkering and making things with their hands. And to date, he has organized and led 15 travel service trips with teens and adults to 3 US locations to help repair and rebuild homes damaged in natural disasters.