Tag: solidarity

Volunteer Opportunities in November 2025

Spread the word about the awesomeness of community acupuncture and meet your neighbors by volunteering with Boston Acupuncture Project (BAP) at one of our November events: the Community Acupuncture Fundraiser for Hyde Park Food Pantry on Friday, November 14, 4-6 PM and/or BAP’s 7th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, November 29, 10 AM-2 PM!

What will volunteers do?

  • greet guests
  • show them around the clinic space
  • chat about acupuncture at BAP and answer questions
  • offer consent forms for a free treatment
  • keep track of a waiting list, if needed
  • restock refreshments (at the Birthday Celebration)
  • show people how to sign up for visits on our website
  • help Ren clean up at the end of the event

Who can volunteer?

Anyone who is a current or former participant in community acupuncture at BAP is welcome to volunteer! All volunteers get a voucher for a free return treatment on another day.

Where? When?

Boston Acupuncture Project, 74 Fairmount Ave – you know, our usual spot.

Friday, November 14 we need volunteers only from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Saturday, November 29 we need volunteers from 10 AM-2:30 PM.

Helping for one hour is great, you don’t need to stay the entire time.

How do I sign up?

Email, text, call, or talk to Ren!

Fundraiser for Hyde Park Food Pantry

Image of cartoon hands putting hearts in a jar. Text: Community Fundraiser for Hyde Park Food Pantry on Friday, November 14, 4:00 to 6:00 PM at 74 Fairmount Ave, Hyde Park. Register at bit.ly/BAPfundraise (case sensitive).

This month, BAP hosts a fundraiser for the Hyde Park Food Pantry. Join us for community acupuncture on Friday, November 14, 4-6 PM. Click here to save your spot.

Our mission is to provide hunger relief to our neighbors who can’t make ends meet.

During this event, 100% of net proceeds* will be donated to the Hyde Park Food Pantry. Donate directly to the Hyde Park Food Pantry via Venmo or take some time to volunteer! Visit their website for more information: http://www.hydeparkfoodpantry.org/

Headline: Help Feed Hyde Park Neighbors In Need. Together we can make a difference. With SNAP benefits being suspended in November, the need is greater than ever. Most Needed Items: canned cranberry sauce, boxed/bagged stuffing, gravy, pasta, mac and cheese, cereal, canned tomatoes or sauce, canned tuna, canned soup, jam or jelly, supermarket gift cards. We need your support! How to make a monetary donation. Venmo @HydeParkFoodPantry or mail a check to Hyde Park Food Pantry, 1179 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136. Please email mdietzel1@gmail.com to arrange a drop off time if you are making a donation. Drop off location: Hyde Park Food Pantry, 1179 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136.

A poster from the Hyde Park Food Pantry describes needed items including supermarket gift cards and monetary donations made via Venmo to @HydeParkFoodPantry. Checks can be mailed and donations can be dropped off to Hyde Park Food Pantry, 1179 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136. Email mdietzel1@gmail.com to coordinate drop offs.

Recommended donation: $40-$100

No one turned away for lack of funds.

Please register or stop by to join us!

*minus fees charged by our credit card processors

Fundraiser for Afrimerican Culture Initiative

Community Acupuncture Fundraiser for Afrimerican Culture Initiative Inc. Friday, Feb. 21, 4-6 PM at 74 Fairmount Ave, Hyde Park. Suggested donation $40 or more. Register at bit.ly/BAPfundraise

This month, BAP hosts a fundraiser for Afrimerican Culture Initiative Inc (ACI)! Join us for community acupuncture on Friday, Feb 21, 4-6 PM.

Established in Boston, ACI is a visionary nonprofit organization specializing in Cultural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (CDEI) and Restorative Project Management (RPM). Our mission since 2015: to weave a fabric of unity within Boston’s multicultural landscape through strategic education, innovative technology, and meaningful travel experiences.

During this event, 100% of net proceeds* will be donated to ACI. (Visit Afrimericanone.org to donate directly to Afrimerican Culture Initiative.)

Recommended donation: $40-$100

No one turned away for lack of funds.

Please register or stop by to join us!

Be sure to join Afrimerican Culture Initiative for their Black History Month event series, Boston Redline 87. Details and tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/bostonredline87-black-history-month-event-series-3839873

 

 

*(minus fees charged by our credit card processors)

Fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders

As a small offering of solidarity for those facing devastating violence, BAP hosts a fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2-5 PM.

Come in for an acupuncture treatment during this event, and 100% of net proceeds from acupuncture treatments on this day (minus fees charged by our credit card processors) will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. (Click to donate directly.)

Recommended donation: $40-$100

No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please register or stop by to join us.

Yes, we’re still masking inside the clinic.

Today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ended the mask requirement for healthcare facilities. Clinics such as Boston Acupuncture Project can choose to retain their own mask requirements and we have decided to do so.

Throughout the pandemic, our highest priority has been to keep staff and patients safe inside the clinic. Masking is a proven prevention tool in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. We want to protect all of our patients including but not limited to our most vulnerable—for example, people with respiratory conditions, autoimmune disorders, those who are receiving treatment for cancer including chemotherapy and our pregnant patients.

Masks must be N95, KN95, KF94 or a surgical mask. No exceptions. We thank you in advance for following our policy. (Click here for the full list of our COVID-19 policies.)

We will no longer be asking symptom screening questions before your visits – however, we still ask that you reschedule or cancel your appointment if you are feeling sick. We also ask that you reschedule or cancel if you are in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. You will never be charged for a late cancel or reschedule due to illness or exposure. Thank you for participating in community acupuncture!

Feel good for a good cause: 4th Friday Fundraiser for REJ Forum of Hyde Park

Community acupuncture treatments at Boston Acupuncture Project (74 Fairmount Ave, Hyde Park) are “by donation” on Friday, January 27, 2023 with 50% of proceeds benefiting Hyde Park’s Racial Equity and Justice (REJ) Forum.

Partner: Racial Equity & Justice Forum of Hyde Park

The REJ Forum is a “series of structured and inclusive conversations about racial equity and justice, intended to deepen the ongoing discourse, and spark and fortify impactful action that result in equity and justice for all residents; the priority is the Hyde Park community and the reach is all of Boston.” Learn more on their website: https://westfhcommunity.org/racial-equity

Why Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a natural, holistic treatment using sterile, single-use, hair-thin needles inserted into specific points on the body. Since acupuncture helps the body heal itself, it can be used for a wide variety of health challenges alongside conventional treatment, including pain relief, stress relief, and so much more. Most people find the treatments pleasant and relaxing.

Putting the “Community” in Community Acupuncture

Boston Acupuncture Project (BAP) provides individualized acupuncture treatments in a peaceful group setting, also known as “community acupuncture.”

BAP’s practitioners, all licensed by the Board of Registration in Medicine in Massachusetts, have provided acupuncture to over 950 individuals in the past 4 years. “By offering relief from pain, stress, and isolation, we aim to contribute to the well-being of individual people, and the strength of our community as a whole.”

In this spirit, BAP hosts monthly 4th Friday Fundraisers, partnering with local justice organizations, raising funds and awareness. (If you know an organization we shoulder partner with, please get in touch!)

Please join us!

Book your visit online at BostonAcupunctureProject.org or walk in from 4:00-6:00 PM on the 4th Friday of the month. Suggested donation: $20-$60.

Appointments are strongly recommended and face masks are required.

New Sliding Scale Guidelines

Our sliding scale has not changed. Boston Acupuncture Project builds community by providing widely accessible and affordable acupuncture. Boston Acupuncture Project is here for you – and thanks to you. But what does the sliding scale really mean?

We need to average $35 per visit.

We want to keep our sliding scale at $25-$55 for as long as possible. In order to continue to stay open and provide treatments, our clinic needs to average $35 per visit. (This assumes we’re averaging 40 visits per week.) This is a literal average – every dollar counts! But to keep it simple, let’s break it into 3 tiers:

Paying $45 or more helps us keep the low end of the sliding scale at $25, save for emergencies, and potentially even grow to have more open hours, more programs, and more staff.

Paying $35 helps sustain Boston Acupuncture Project financially. Thank you! This is the average payment we need to keep things running.

If you are only able to pay $25, thank you so much – please keep paying $25 per visit.

If you need to pay $25, we want you to pay $25.

No matter how much you pay, we want you to be able to get as much acupuncture as you need to see a real difference in your health concerns. Not only does your life improve, but then you can tell other people about how acupuncture helped you! And that helps us reach more new patients, and fulfill our mission.

So, if paying more than $25 would prevent you from getting as much acupuncture as you need, we do not want you to pay more than $25. We want you to get enough acupuncture. There are also plenty of ways you can help BAP keep our doors open that are not paying more on the sliding scale, if you’re interested!

If $25 puts acupuncture out of reach for you

If you are not able to pay $25 per visit, please talk to your acupuncturist! Generous community members who love getting acupuncture at BAP donate Pay It Forward treatments for neighbors unable to pay $25. (If you would like to donate a Pay It Forward treatment, please click here to visit our donation page.)

We want you to know that every dollar counts.

If you are able, paying above $25 makes a real difference for us.

We are counting on you to ask yourself the question. We can’t stay open if we can’t meet our financial obligations.

How do I know how much I can pay?

This is very personal. Below is one framework for thinking about where you might fall on our sliding scale. Thanks for being thoughtful!

3 bottles under a heading The Green Bottle - where you fall on the sliding scale. Vertical axis is labeled financial privilege - how full the bottles are. Horizontal axis is labeled Personal Financial Experience - what you experience inside each bottle. Bottle on left is full. It says: I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs; I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs; I own my home OR I rent a higher end property; I own or lease a car; I am employed OR do not need to work to meet my needs; I have regular access to health care and financial savings; I have expendable income; I can always buy new items; I can afford time off or a vacation. Middle bottle is half full. It says: I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them; I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs; I own or lease a car; I am employed; I have access to health care; I might have access to financial savings; I have some expendable income; I am able to buy some new items and thrift others; I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden. Bottle on the right has very little and says: I frequently stress about meeting my basic needs and don't always achieve them; I have debt and sometimes it prohibits me from meeting my basic needs; I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing; I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but am not always able to afford gas; I am unemployed or underemployed; I qualify for government assistance including food stamps and health care; I have no or very limited expendable income; I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them; I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden. Bottom says that Basic Needs include food, housing, and transportation. Expendable income means you are able to buy a coffee, go to the movies or a concert, buy a new book or clothing or similar items every month, etc. Designed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk at WortsAndCunning.com

Small Steps Healing Project making big waves

Group photo of (Left to Right) LaShyra "Lash" Nolen (founder of We Got Us Project), Golda and Cornelie Jean-Charles (Haitian-American sisters who have a business called I Love Me Reiki https://www.ilovemereiki.com/), Dr. Tolbert Small, Oren "Ren" Pilinger (lead acupuncturist at Boston Acupuncture Project), Geri Hughes (Blue Willow Acupuncture), and Eana Meng, founder and director of the Small Steps Healing Project.

In the past few months, over 150 community members received free holistic healing thanks to the Small Steps Healing Project, part of We Got Us. Boston Acupuncture Project had the opportunity to contribute to this work.

Community Empowerment

What is We Got Us? From their website: “The We Got Us Empowerment Project is a Boston-based collective of Black community members, health professional students, and allies dedicated to empowering our communities with education about medical racism, COVID-19, and the vaccine. We also seek to promote public health and to influence policy in order to help keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The Small Steps Healing Project, a community-based collaborative, aims to “increase access to acupuncture and holistic healing for the historically marginalized populations in Boston and beyond.” Harvard medical student Eana Meng named the project after Dr. Tolbert Small, physician to the Black Panthers and one of the first American doctors to practice acupuncture.

Eana and other Small Steps Healing Project volunteers organized eight pop up clinics around Boston, providing acupuncture, reiki, sound healing, and more – all free for the community.

Learning and Celebrating

This past Saturday, October 22, 2022, Eana arranged for Dr. Small to fly out and speak in Dorchester. We learned more about Dr. Small’s trail-blazing life and work as a Black physician and activist. It was wonderful to be there and an honor to meet Dr. Small.

Healers from around Boston

Check out the work of some of the other healers participating in the Small Steps Healing Project:

Click arrow to see more photos. Photos 1-5 courtesy of Elizabeth Ropp, L.Ac. Final group photo courtesy of the Small Steps Healing Project.

Short trailer video by Eana Meng about her research journey! More videos at https://www.wegotusproject.org/small-steps-project

Supporting movements for reproductive rights

Cartoon people hold a banner that says Abortion Is Healthcare

In July, BAP shows our support for everyone working for reproductive justice and abortion access with a 20% discount on all community acupuncture treatments*.

We know this is an especially stressful time for everyone involved in repro movements, whether that’s in a paid or volunteer capacity. Acupuncture is one way to care for yourself and help you get through stressful times.

First Visits for $28 (regularly $35-$65)
Return Visits for $20 (regularly $25-$55)

How to use the special: when you come in for your treatment, just let us know you’re using the July special.

*treatments are regular community acupuncture treatments; this special does not apply to Bubble Blocks and cannot be combined with any other special offers. Thanks for understanding!

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