Volunteer

Behind the Book inspires young people to cultivate their vast potential through literacy programs centered on diverse books and authors.

Role: Mentor Volunteer

Responsibilities: To inspire as many as 50 students to engage more meaningfully with literature and the world around them. Assist staff and mentor students as BTB programs are implemented in NYC public schools. Volunteers will be trained on how to play a vital role in fostering underserved students’ curiosity, motivation to learn, and confidence in their self expression.

Days and Times Needed: 16 hours during the school year (November-May); regular schedule assigned based on volunteer’s availability.

Special skills or requirements: English fluency, ability to speak another language like Spanish, Arabic, or Mandarin a plus, comfortable talking to children.

Contact: Complete this form by 10/1/24 if interested.

Broadway Community sets an abundant table, believing that everyone deserves justice, dignity, health, and wholeness. They empower each other with nourishing food, a welcoming environment, shelter, medical care, life skills practice, and faithful accompaniment through challenging times. They serve each client - breaking down barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege - until all are fed, in body and spirit.  They serve.

Role: Soup Kitchen Volunteer

Responsibilities: 

• Help prepare breakfast and lunch for hundreds of neighbors experiencing homelessness.
• Wait tables.
• Wash dishes.
• Socialize with Guests and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.

Days and Times:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm (Shift A) or 12:00pm to 3:00pm (Shift B).

Special skills or requirements:  None.

Contact: Isaac Adlerstein, Executive Director

Cathedral Community Cares' (CCC) mission is to combat and alleviate poverty through preventive services, education, and advocacy, specifically targeting the issues of health and hunger. 

Role: Support the Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet and Pantry

Responsibilities: A volunteer is needed to assist with sorting and shelving donations, assisting clients on shopping days, and handing out daily lunches.

Days and Times: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30am -12:00pm.  

Special skills or requirements: Willingness to do occasional heavy lifting. Volunteers must be vaccinated. Spanish speaking helps but is not required.

Contact: Vanessa Greco, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator or call 212-316-7584.

Common Denominator's mission is to help in-need middle school students excel in math and build confidence through tutoring with a mentorship approach. The goal is to ensure students connect math to their everyday experiences and develop a keen interest as it relates to themselves and the world around them.

Role:  Math Curriculum Designer

Responsibilities: Common Denominator is seeking a creative math major, who understands the complexities of instilling math fundamentals and has a curiosity about reforming math for disconnected public school youth. They need someone who is committed to providing math education equity to underserved youth. This special volunteer will incorporate themes of cultural responsiveness, real-world math application, shared power, and expanding possibilities in a fun-filled curriculum, aimed to widen apertures and create opportunities for exploration, connection, and self-discovery.

The volunteer will partner with C/D staff to design meaningful math content (i.e. presentations, lesson plans, and curricula for units of the course that are aligned to both the internal vision of C/D and the academic core standards of the DOE). Content development will lean heavily towards the union of rich Connectivism Learning Theory and Culturally Responsive Education to ensure that students learn and grow as they form connections to math and real-world experiences, while enhancing their multi-year math program.

Days and Times: Flexible (Remote)

Special skills or requirements: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of Mathematics, with demonstrated expertise in Algebra and Geometry.
• Strong writing skills.
• Exceptional work ethic and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Creative, out-of-the-box thinker.

Contact: Allison Price, Volunteer Coordinator

Role: Math Tutor (In-person or virtually)

Responsibilities: Common Denominator is seeking a compassionate individual with a basic understanding of math fundamentals. They need someone who is committed to providing math education equity to underserved youth. This special volunteer will provide math support, shared power, positive reinforcement, and expand possibilities in a fun-filled environment aimed to create exploration, self-discovery, and ah-ha moments. In partnership with potential-rich middle schoolers, they seek to reinforce common core math skills and foster socio-emotional development.

C/D provides ongoing training and professional development to ensure that tutors have the tools they need to succeed and ensure the success of their students. The time commitment for this opportunity includes participation in one weekly session for 20 weeks during the school year. The program is scheduled to begin in mid-October and end in May. The duration of each session ranges from 1 hour to  90 minutes based on the program design.

Cohorts are hosted both in-person and virtually. Tutors can select their preference. Sessions are typically hosted during the school day, after school and on Saturdays. Tutors can commit to one or more cohort.

 Days and Times for Virtual Sessions:

• Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
• Saturdays from 1:00pm - 2:30pm

 Days and Times for In-Person Sessions:

• Saturdays from 11:00am - 12:30pm at Boys and Girls Club in Harlem
• Saturdays from 11:00am - 12:30pm at Brooklyn Public Library in Bushwick

Special skills or requirements: Kindness, compassion, and patience.

Contact: Allison Price, Volunteer Coordinator

DOROT alleviates social isolation among older adults. They do this by bringing generations together in a mutually beneficial partnership of elders, volunteers, and professionals.

Role: Ambassador Volunteer

Responsibilities: Become a DOROT Ambassador Volunteer and represent DOROT in the community, welcome older adults and assist with in-person/zoom programs, or lead card-making volunteer projects for groups in the community. This volunteer role is for someone who is friendly, warm, loves to interact with a variety of people, is tech capable, is comfortable speaking to large groups, and passionate about DOROT’s mission.

Days and Times: Volunteers choose to sign up for opportunities that fit their schedule.

Special skills or requirements: Ages 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID.

Contact: [email protected]

Role: Card-making Volunteer

Responsibilities: Brighten an older adults’ day by crafting a card. DOROT distributes hundreds of cards each month as a way to socially connect with older adults. Volunteers will support this program by creating cards (ex. birthday cards, seasonal cards, etc.) that DOROT staff will address and mail to the older adult. Details on how to create cards can be found on the website - https://www.dorotusa.org/cardmaking.

Days and Times: This project can be completed at any time and is great for both individuals and groups.

Special skills or requirements: When your cards are completed, please mail/deliver completed cards to DOROT (171 West 85^th Street) with a completed Card-making Project Form.

Contact: [email protected]

Role: Friendly Visiting Volunteer

Responsibilities: DOROT’s Friendly Visiting program matches volunteers and older adults to form lasting friendships. Volunteers elect to make weekly home visits or monthly home visits with a monthly call. During the visits, volunteers and older adults share conversation, opinions, hobbies, and other experiences. The DOROT social work team matches each older adult and volunteer pair, based upon mutual interests, availability, and geographic convenience. Visits take place in seniors' homes, located on Manhattan’s East and West Sides and in Westchester. Volunteers and older adult participants are asked to make a one-year commitment to this program.

Days and Times: Friendly visits are schedule at mutually convenient times for volunteer and older adults.

Special skills or requirements: Enthusiasm for engaging with an older adult! Age 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. A one-year commitment is required for all participants (both volunteers and older adults).

Contact: [email protected]

Role: Response Team Volunteer

Responsibilities: The Response Team Volunteer will engage with and support DOROT older adults in a variety of tasks that you choose to fit your schedule. Common requests from older adults for look like: reading aloud; organizing paperwork or mail; taking neighborhood walks; running errands; and calling or visiting to celebrate a birthday. Volunteers will be notified of new opportunities as they arise and can sign up through our online system for the opportunities that are of interest to you.

Days and Times: Volunteers receive regular emails and can sign up for the opportunities that are most convenient.

Special skills or requirements: Be willing and able to travel in Manhattan to complete the various tasks. Ages 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. A commitment to 8 activities and/or 6 months is asked for this volunteer role.  

Contact: [email protected]

Role: Tech Coach Volunteer

Responsibilities: Ensuring older adults can cross the digital divide has never been more important. As a Tech Coach Volunteer, you will support and guide late tech adopters in one-on-one coaching sessions. In these sessions you will help with specific questions and with helping your older adult gain general comfort with using their devices. Your assistance will help your match stay in touch with friends and loved ones, access information, and learn necessary tech skills for everyday life. 

Days and Times: Volunteers schedule mutually convenient times that work for both them and the older adult match.  

Special skills or requirements: Comfort (expertise not required!) with the following technology: computers, tablets, and/or smartphones. Volunteers will need to be patient and comfortable with troubleshooting. Ages 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. A commitment of 6 months in which time you’ll meet with a number of older adults.

Contact: [email protected]

The mission of the Harlem Wellness Center (HWC) is to close the racial health gap through access to innovative holistic wellness programs that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create environments where all can connect, heal, and thrive. 

Role:  Healthy Living content creator- for newsletters and social media awareness building, inspiration and call to action.

Responsibilities: To develop a creative presentation of evidenced based health interventions for a variety of digital platforms using Canva.

Days and Times Needed: This is an ongoing project. Volunteers may meet remotely via zoom and set their own schedule based upon agreed deadlines.

Special skills or requirements: Computer knowledge of creative design platforms such as Canva. Must be a self-starter, interested in holistic health and wellness, public health, and health equity.

Contact: Vivian Williams-Kurutz, Founder and Executive Director

Hit the Books (HTB) aims to bring additional educational resources to underserved communities through a sports-based development approach, with tutoring and mentorship at its core and mixed martial arts as the ‘hook’. HTB serves as an after-school community center to facilitate career development and help make any and every goal achievable for its students.

Role:  Administrative Support Volunteer

Responsibilities:

• Perform clerical duties such as data entry, filing, and organizing documents.
• Create and manage enrollment documents and maintain accurate records.
• Support inventory with tracking and supply management as needed.
• Make phone calls and send follow-up emails to parents, guardians, and community partners.
• Support recruitment efforts for new students by communicating with prospective families.
• Assist with drafting and distributing internal and external communications.
• Greet and direct visitors, students, and staff.
• Answer phone calls and assist with inquiries or route calls as needed.
• Notify staff of visitor arrivals and assist with coordinating student pickups.
• Use Canva to design promotional materials, including flyers, brochures, and digital content for program initiatives.
• Assist in planning and executing recruitment campaigns for student enrollment.
• Support other projects aligned with HTB’s mission and operational needs as assigned.

Days and Times Needed: Monday to Friday 9:30am – 6:00 pm.

Special skills or requirements: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite O365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Canva.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and a solutions orientation to challenges
• Experience working with youth or in a nonprofit setting is a plus but not required.

Contact: Jhae Thompson or call 646-901-7867

Role:  Martial Arts Assistant Coach

Responsibilities:

• Martial Arts Coach participates in developing, implementing, supervising and evaluating educational, recreational, and social programs to meet needs and interests of students ages 7-13.
• The candidate will also assist in managing the daily classes within facility, helping to lead the martial arts component of the summer program-leading classes in exercise, martial arts and healthy choices.
• The Martial Arts Assistant Coach will help supervise indoor martial arts activities and help lead outdoor fitness activities when permitted.

Days and Times Needed: Monday to Friday, 2:30pm – 7:00pm or Saturday,10:00am – 4:00pm. Flexible schedule is available with hours ranging from 3-10 per week.

Special skills or requirements: 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and a solutions orientation to challenges.
• Experience working or teaching children is a plus but not required.

Contact: Jhae Thompson or call 646-901-7867

Role: Math Tutor and Literacy Tutor

Responsibilities: Volunteer spends 1.5 hours per week helping students by:

• Providing guidance and sharing helpful advice beneficial to the student's academic future.
• Using their expertise and experience to help students with academic skills that empower them and build up their confidence.
• Assessing the needs of the student and creating a curriculum specifically designed to meet their academic needs.
• Reviewing the student's classroom or curriculum topics, assignments, and teaching them the skills to improve academic performance.
• Tracking student's progress.

Days and Times Needed: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:00 - 6:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: A background check is required.

Contact: Jhae Thompson or call 646-901-7867

Lifeforce In Later Years is helping to change the tide for frail elders, many living alone, who often face dire challenges when families and other support isn't available.

Role: Friendly visitor to older adults with the goal of reducing loneliness and isolation.

Responsibilities: Provide support to older adults who are aging in place and need help to stay safe at home and socially connected to the community.

Days and Times: Flexible schedule

Special skills or requirements: Fully vaccinated volunteers are needed to pay friendly visits, take a walk with a senior or a fun outing, run an errand, or escort a senior to a doctor visit. Technology skills are helpful as many seniors are struggling to use a smartphone, Zoom, and Face-Time, etc. Seniors can greatly benefit from one on one technical support at home. Spanish speaking is also helpful as some seniors are monolingual Spanish speakers.

Contact: Paula Seefeldt or call 646-734-0182

New York Common Pantry fights hunger and food insecurity through programs that establish long-term independence for its clients. Its Mobile Pantry serves food-insecure New Yorkers in areas where public transportation can be a barrier. With the help of their partners, NYCP is able to provide more New Yorkers with the same fresh, nutritious foods that are offered at their brick-and-mortar locations.

Role: Mobile Pantry

Responsibilities: Volunteers are needed at New York Common Pantry's new Hub in Hunts Point, Bronx to pick and pack bags of fresh produce and shelf-stable foods for their Mobile Pantry for their Mobile Pantry Program delivery across the city.

Location: 1285 Oak Point Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474. (Please enter the Hub around the corner on Coster Street.)

Days and Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00am to 1:30pm. All Hub volunteer opportunities can be found here. 

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers are expected to stay through the duration of the shift and must be able to stand for 3.5 hours while lifting 30lb bags of groceries. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be standing for the duration.

Contact: Greg Mensah, Volunteer Program Associate

Role: Harlem Hot Meals

Responsibilities: Volunteers assist NYCP's on-site chef with the preparation and serving of nutritious hot meals. This program operates in two shifts. In the morning volunteers prepare hot lunches for the afternoon volunteers to serve. Other roles include guest check-in, ticket system management, and to-go box plating. Volunteers may also pack cold lunches to go.  

Location: 8 East 109th Street, New York, NY 10029

Days and Times: All Hot Meals volunteer opportunities can be found here. Hot Meals operates in two volunteer shifts, Monday through Friday:

• Morning Shift runs from 10:00am - 12:00pm
• Afternoon Shift runs from 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers are expected to stand and stay for the duration of their shift.

Contact: Greg Mensah, Volunteer Program Associate

Role: Bronx and Harlem Choice Pantries

Responsibilities: Volunteers will help package and distribute free packages of groceries to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. Specific tasks include taking program participants' grocery orders, packing produce, assembling and distributing each pantry package, and other activities as needed. 

Days and Times: All Choice Pantry volunteer opportunities for Harlem can be found here and opportunities in the Bronx can be found here. Help is needed in Harlem, Wednesday through Saturday, and in the Bronx, Wednesday through Saturday. 

• Morning Shift runs from 9:00am - 12:30pm
• Afternoon Shift runs from 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers are expected to stay through the duration of the shift and must be able to stand for 3.5 hours while lifting 30lb bags of groceries. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be standing for the duration.

Contact: Greg Mensah, Volunteer Program Associate

The mission of Riverside Immigrant Services & Empowerment is to help new immigrants successfully integrate into life in the U.S. by providing immersive English language education, workforce development and digital literacy training, and many other support services that help students to be better positioned to access job training, employment, higher education and resources that can help them with their life in the US.

Role: Conversation Partner

Responsibilities: The responsibility of the Conversation Partner is to conduct conversations with ESL learners for an hour and a half to build confidence when speaking as they improve their English fluency.

Days and Times: Volunteers are needed anytime from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (1 ½ hour sessions).  Language labs are held in person at the following locations: 270 West 89th Street, 4th floor, and St. Paul and St. Andrew Methodist Church at 263 West 86th Street.

There is no minimum or maximum number of volunteers.  Individuals interested in participating in the Language Lab are invited to attend an orientation before joining.

Special skills or requirements: No special skills or requirements are needed to volunteer. However, all volunteers must be fully vaccinated.

Contact: Lynda Metmer, Office Manager

The mission of SNACK*, a 501(c)(3)vnot-for-profit organization, is to enrich the lives of children, teens, and young adults by providing diverse classes and activities designed so everyone has the opportunity to make progress at their own pace. They offer opportunities to make friends, have fun, learn skills, work and participate in activities that ensure participant well-being so they may lead more independent, purposeful lives.

Role:  SNACK* 21+ Program Volunteer

Responsibilities of Volunteer: Volunteer responsibilities include helping with class set up and shut down, assembling supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, taking pictures of programming, modeling tasks for members, and giving praise/encouragement. 

Days and Times: Monday - Friday, 9:00am-3:00pm

Special Skills or Requirements: A smile and fun attitude. A positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Rachael Butkiewicz, Program Coordinator / ABA Specialist.

Role: SNACK* Snacktivities Program Volunteer

Responsibilities: Volunteer responsibilities include helping with class set up and shut down, assembling supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, taking pictures of programming, modeling tasks for members, and giving praise/encouragement. 

Days and Times: Saturday and Sundays, 10:00am-3:00pm

Special Skills or Requirements: A smile and fun attitude! A positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Rachael Butkiewicz, Program Coordinator / ABA Specialist.

Role(s): SNACK* Program Volunteer

Responsibilities for each role: Spend the day helping SNACK* and its 21+ members organize and clean up the facility. Tasks would include helping to organize and move furniture and equipment.

Days and Times Needed: January 20th, 2025 from 10:00am - 3:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: A smile and a fun attitude. A positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Rachael Butkiewicz, Program Coordinator / ABA Specialist.

The mission of StreetSquash is to provide consistent, long-term, and reliable support to the children, families, and schools in Harlem. By exposing students to a broad range of experiences and maintaining the highest standards, StreetSquash helps all participants realize their academic, athletic, and personal potential.

Role: Volunteer Squash Assistant

Responsibilities: Under the guidance of StreetSquash coaches, volunteer squash assistants conduct drills on the courts and offer tips and coaching to students as needed. Volunteers usually work with groups of 3 to 5 students at a time. Squash assistants must be at least 16 years old.

Days and Times Needed: 

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30pm-6:30pm. 
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30pm-7:30pm.
• Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm

Volunteers are needed for only one hour per week but can work more if they choose to do so.

All volunteer opportunities are needed at the end of September but the on-boarding of new volunteers will continue for the entire 2024-2025 school year.

Special skills or requirements: Prior experience playing squash as part of a team in high school or college is required. Squash Assistants must have the ability to teach squash fundamentals to students. Having patience is a must. Behavior management skills are a plus.

Contact: Mark Wishnia, Manager of Communications & Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

Role: Volunteer Tutor

Responsibilities: Tutors select subject areas in which they possess extensive knowledge and are matched with middle or high school students seeking help in those same areas. They work in one-hour sessions, primarily aiding students with homework assignments or answering questions on IXL, a learning platform that offers assessments in various subjects. Tutors must be at least 16 years old.

Days and Times Needed: 

• Mondays - Fridays from 3:30pm - 6:30pm

Volunteers are needed for only one hour per week but can work more if they choose to do so.

All volunteer opportunities are needed at the end of September but the on-boarding of new volunteers will continue for the entire 2024-2025 school year.

Special skills or requirements: Tutors need to excel in the subjects they teach and be capable of effectively instructing students who may be struggling. Prior tutoring and teaching experience is not required, but is a plus. Having patience is a must. Behavior management skills are a plus.

Contact: Mark Wishnia, Manager of Communications & Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

The Community Initiatives of NY (TCIONY) is a team of activist consisting of business owners, judges, officers, therapist, religious leaders, credible messengers and psychologist all committed to the emotional and mental health of the community in which they serve.

Role: Bookkeeper

Responsibilities: Volunteer will help input Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR) into QuickBooks and reconcile monthly.

Days and Times: One to two days per week. Flexible hours.

Special skills or requirements: Must have some knowledge of QuickBooks.

Contact: Janet Cohen, Program Director

The Meeting House (TMH) inspires social and emotional development through community and connection. They strive to provide a smaller and gentler social environment where children can thrive and be part of a community that they might not find elsewhere.

Role: Social Media Intern

Responsibilities: Create and share content-driven posts for Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn that showcases the importance of social and emotional intelligence and explains why skill-building around Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is impactful and helpful.  Use TMH's existing Blogs and Insights & Awakenings articles to educate a growing audience and build engagement with new and existing followers.

Days and Times: Flexible

Special skills or requirements: Expertise on social media required. Interest in mental health, child development and/or the SEL field a plus.

Contact: Olga Daniel, Administrator

The Morningside Players (TMP) is a collective performing arts company dedicated to presenting an affordable theater of vibrant new work and classic plays to the Morningside Heights/Manhattanville community.

Role(s): Data Entry for new Mail Chimp Campaign

Responsibilities for each role: Create a database of names and email addresses of new visitors to Morningside Players Theater Co. that will be used for mass mailings announcing new shows and events.

Days and Times Needed: Freelance and remote; to be completed by September 24

Special skills or requirements: Basic knowledge of computers.

Contact: Artistic Director, Susanna Frazer or call 646-713-4502

Role: Graphic Artist

Responsibilities: Help create posters, flyers and publicity artwork for productions.

Days and Times: Very flexible.

Special skills or requirements: Graphic and theatrical design skills.

Contact: Artistic Director, Susanna Frazer or call 646-713-4502

Role: Marketing 

Responsibilities: The Marketing volunteer will create online content and strategies for reaching audiences; maintain a database of audience emails.

Days and Times: Flexible and can be mostly remote.

Special skills or requirements: Microsoft Mail Merge, social media savvy, Facebook, Survey Monkey, and familiarity with websites.

Contact: Artistic Director, Susanna Frazer or call 646-713-4502

Role: Props Master

Responsibilities: The Props Master will find and maintain theatrical props for stage productions.

Days and Times: Flexible

Special skills or requirements: Sense of period, the play’s “world” and the items that would be in that world.

Contact: Artistic Director, Susanna Frazer or call 646-713-4502

Role: Stage Manager

Responsibilities: The Stage Manager will run the sound and light board console during shows and all cues needed. Check props, actors, etc. Attendance may be needed at most rehearsals.

Days and Times: Performances are usually held on weekends, Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 5:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm for three weekends in a row.  Rehearsals are usually evenings and weekends, with some flexibility.

Special skills or requirements: Computer savvy with Mac, comfortable with theater atmosphere and needs.

Contact: Artistic Director, Susanna Frazer or call 646-713-4502

The Parris Foundation (TPF) is dedicated to promoting educational opportunities and fostering awareness in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) primarily among historically disadvantaged and under-resourced youth.

Role: The Parris Foundation: S.T.E.M.ulating Minds Tutor

Responsibilities: Tutors offer assistance to students requiring support and work with them individually on zoom.

Days and Times: Tutors meet with students based on both schedules.

Special skills or requirements: S.T.E.M. skills; ability to work with middle and high school students.

Contact: Tonya Parris, President and Founder

Role: The Parris Foundation: S.T.E.M.ulating Minds Volunteer

Responsibilities: To assist with teaching students S.T.E.M every Saturday in-person and/or online.

Days and Times: Volunteers are needed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, every Saturday starting October 5 through December 14, except Thanksgiving weekend. Volunteers can assist in-person or online for the full day or in shifts.

Special skills or requirements: S.T.E.M. skills; ability to work with middle and high school students.

Contact: Tonya Parris, President and Founder

The Reading Team helps children in New York’s underserved neighborhoods become strong readers and develop the skills and habits that will support their success in school and in life.

Role: Assistant Teacher (Harlem)

Responsibilities:

• Rotational support for classroom teachers (grades K-5).
• Small group and 1-on-1 reading.
• Homework help.
• Assist teacher with classroom management (lowering teacher to student ratio to 1:7).

Days and Times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 3:30pm-5:30pm

Special skills or requirements: Patience

Contact: David Marion, Director of Institutional Giving

Role: Digital Communications Manager (remote)

Responsibilities: 

• Help update social media (e.g. Instagram, etc.).
• Send public relations announcements to media sources.
• Occasionally draft emails to supporters.

Days and Times: Flexible

Special skills or requirements: Excellent writing, spelling, and grammar skills.

Contact: David Marion, Director of Institutional Giving

Triple F Empowerment, Inc. transforms the lives of young people by making science fun and accessible to them. They respond to the gap in hands-on science education in Harlem with the beloved program, Ms. Steph’s Science Club. Through it they inspire, empower, and encourage young people to pursue education and careers in the STEAM fields.

Role: Saturday Science Club Volunteer

Responsibilities: Three to four volunteers are needed every Saturday to help10-16 elementary school children safely enjoy STEAM education activities.

Days and Times: Most Saturday afternoons from 12:00-2:00pm at Wadleigh Secondary School, 215 West 114 Street, Manhattan, NY 10026 on the following days:

• January 11, 18, 25 (special off-site event, location to be provided)
• February 1, 8, 15, 22 (special off-site event, location to be provided)
• March 1, 8, 15, 22 (special off-site event, location to be provided)
• April 5, 12
• May 3, 10, 17

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must like science and work well with children and community members.

Volunteers are required to go through an interview/screening process with the director for the safety of the children.

Contact: Stephanie E. Farmer, Executive Director

The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation empowers underserved youth by improving their physical and emotional health through gymnastics. The Foundation has provided programs for youth ages 3-17 for more than 17,000 children through community gymnastics classes, summer camp, competitive teams and sports clinics. 

Role:  Part-time Volunteer Coordinator

Responsibilities: Identify and recruit volunteers using different methods. Gather details on their availability and skills, then create daily schedules and assign tasks. Coordinate teams, keep in touch with volunteers to ensure they know their roles, and share event updates. Keep clear records and work closely with the Meet Director to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Days and Times: February 21-February 23, 2025

Special skills or requirements: Proven volunteer coordination experience with skills in recruiting, volunteer management, and effective communication across diverse groups. Proficient in databases and Google Workspace tools (Drive, Docs, Sheets) with strong organizational and team coordination abilities.

Contact: Email Jenna Qian or call 212-316-0315
 

West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) is on a mission to alleviate hunger by ensuring that all New Yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive services.

WSCAH has pioneered a model that invites customers to choose food from an array of healthy options - fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy.

Food insecurity is pervasive in NYC, affecting people in every borough. They believe that all people, regardless of income, should have access to the same quality options available in any supermarket, for free.

Role: Volunteer

Responsibilities: Support WSCAH by unloading deliveries, packing food, setting up, and distributing healthy food to customers. 

Last year, WSCAH volunteers generously donated over 19,000 hours of their time serving over 70,000 New Yorkers.

• Set up WSCAH’s onsite distribution: Volunteers will help set up tents, tables and move food from the inside of the church to the sidewalk of 86thStreet for the day’s distribution. After the distribution is set up, volunteers may assist with repackaging bulk bakery items into individual household bags.
• Pack food bags: Volunteers will work in an indoor environment, either by themselves or as part of a small team to assemble individual household food bags of fresh produce and/or shelf-stable food products.
• Direct food distribution: Volunteers will distribute packaged bags of healthy food and fresh produce to WSCAH’s customers on the sidewalk of 86th Street. Volunteers will be standing under tents in the same general spot for the entire shift, and should feel comfortable interacting with the public. Spanish proficiency is helpful, but not necessary.
• Unload food deliveries: Volunteers will manually break down palletized food deliveries on the sidewalk of 86th Street, use carts to bring product(s) inside the church and store food in the correct areas, as designated by WSCAH staff. This is a very physically labor-intensive role that requires continuously lifting 15-30 pounds, maneuvering carts loaded with roughly 500 pounds of produce with the assistance of a partner. ​​​

Location:  WSCAH offers individual volunteer opportunities at two convenient locations:

• Church of St. Paul’s and St. Andrews, 263 West 86^th Street, New York, NY 10024
• 549 West 180^th Street, New York, NY 10003

Days and Times:

• Set up food pantry: Tuesday – Friday, 7:00 am- 9:00 am
• Unload food deliveries: Monday - Friday, 8:45 am - 11:00 am, and 10:45 am - 1:00 pm
• Pack food bags: Monday - Friday, 8:45 am - 11:00 am, and 10:45 am - 1:00 pm
• Direct distribution: Tuesday - Friday, 8:45 am - 11:00am, and 10:45 am - 1:00 pm

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must be 18 years or older, feel comfortable lifting around 20 pounds and working on their feet for the entire shift.

Special Note when signing up for volunteer shifts:

WSCAH partners with New York Cares, a leader in providing volunteer opportunities in the NYC area. We are always seeking committed and passionate volunteers.

• WSCAH partners with New York Cares, a leader in providing volunteer opportunities in the NYC area, to facilitate volunteer sign ups.
• You can visit this link to view the WSCAH page on NYCares, which lists all available volunteer opportunities. 
• Please note you will need to create a free account with NYCares in order to volunteer with WSCAH.
• All shifts are filled on a first come, first served basis, and you may volunteer as often as you like.   
• After signing up for a shift through NYCares, your spot is confirmed.

Contact: Chenoa Evans, Volunteer Engagement Manager