services for

A guide to helping transgender children and youth with mental health, family relations, and other issues they may face.

"When he graduated from Harvard Medical School, Jim O'Connell was asked by the medical school Dean to spend one year setting up a program to care for the homeless population in Boston. It became Jim O'Connell's life calling, to help people known as 'rough sleepers.' For the past three decades, Dr. O'Connell has run the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, which he helped to create. Affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, the program includes clinics and a van on which Dr. O'Connell and his staff ride through the Boston streets at night, offering outreach of medical care, socks, soup, and friendship to a marginalized community"--Provided by publisher.

"When Kip Tiernan was growing up during the Great Depression, she'd help her granny feed the men who came to their door asking for help. As Kip grew older, and as she continued to serve food to hungry people, she noticed something peculiar: huddled at the back of serving lines were women dressed as men. At the time, it was believed that there were no women experiencing homelessness. And yet Kip would see women sleeping on park benches and searching for food in trash cans. Kip decided to open the first shelter for women--a shelter with no questions asked, no required chores, just good meals and warm beds. With persistence, Kip took on the city of Boston in her quest to open Rosie's Place, our nation's first shelter for women. Christine McDonnell, a former educator at Rosie's Place, and illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov bring warmth to Kip Tiernan's story of humanity and tenacity, showing readers how one person's dream can make a huge difference, and small acts of kindness can lead to great things"--From the publisher's web site.

"From helping at a homeless shelter to helping make sure an area gets enough funding to support its homeless population, there are many ways to volunteer for the homeless. Some people organize events that gather donations for the homeless, while others help serve homeless people food. [This book] . . . examines different volunteer opportunities and how to get involved"--.

"From helping an elderly neighbor to comforting people in their last days, there are many ways to volunteer for the elderly. Some people lead activities at assisted living places or nursing homes, while others simply sit and chat with residents. 'Volunteering for the Elderly' examines different volunteer opportunities and how to get involved"--Provided by publisher.

"Veterans are brave men and women who've served their country in the armed forces. However, they often face challenges when they come home. What unique issues do veterans deal with, and how are people working to help them adjust to civilian life? Readers discover the answers to these and many other questions about veterans as they explore this important topic. Full-color photographs, eye-catching fact boxes, and helpful graphic organizers accompany the informative main text to help readers understand essential information about veterans. This is a helpful resource for readers with a veteran in their family or any young person who wants to be informed about a crucial current events topic."--Provided by publisher.

"Presents nine strengths-based mindsets necessary to successfully work with young people on the autism spectrum. Examples and stories bring the approaches to life, and detailed suggestions and checklists help readers put them to practical use . . . Readers will come away with new, empowering mindsets they can apply to develop the full potential of every child"--Provided by publisher.

"Liz Hauck and her dad had a plan to start a weekly cooking program in a residential home for teen-aged boys in state care, which was run by the human services agency he co-directed. When her father died unexpectedly after a brief illness, Liz decided to attempt the cooking project without him. She didn't know what to expect volunteering with court-involved youth, but as a high school teacher she knew that teenagers are drawn to food-related activities, and as a daughter, she believed that if she and the kids made even a single dinner together she could check one box off of her father's long, unfinished to-do list. This is the story of what happened around the table, and how one dinner became one hundred dinners"--.

Describes dozens of projects for individuals, families, businesses, and schools to get involved in helping homeless people and in preventing homelessness.

"People often look for ways to make caring for their pets easier or more effective, but only a fraction of these people actually create new products to try to achieve this. Readers of this . . . book will get an inside peek at some of the . . . pet inventions out there. While some may have been useful, others were not"--Provided by publisher.