Volunteer

Looking to lend a helping hand? Here are the latest opportunities available at CCS-supported nonprofits:

America SCORES New York Game Day

America SCORES New York serves as a driving force in promoting fair play, self-expression, commitment, and teamwork for youth in under-resourced communities in New York City. Through a combination of soccer, poetry, and service learning, their unique after-school program shines a spotlight on poet-athletes, helping them develop the skills necessary to lead successful lives off the field and outside the classroom.

Role: Game Day Volunteer

Responsibilities: America SCORES New York needs volunteers to set up, support, and breakdown equipment on soccer game days.

Location: West Harlem. Exact addresses will be provided.

Days and Times: Game Days are on every Thursday starting October 19, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: Good, positive attitude.

ContactJohn Riordan, Director of Development

Arts & Minds provides art programming for people with dementia and their care partners. This is an excellent position for anyone interested in community organizing, public health, social work, medicine, arts in health and anyone interested in making the world a better place.

Role: Promote the work of Arts & Minds through 1) Community Outreach, and 2) Fundraising and Grant Research. They are also in need of a photographer for events at art museums and community centers. A digital SLR camera will be provided. 

Responsibilities: Arts & Minds needs especially need volunteers to staff information and outreach tables at community health fairs this summer. They also need help with grant research, fundraising and social media communications. The volunteer will promote the work of Arts & Minds to community members and potential participants. Work is both remote and in person. Tasks may involve crafting effective emails, placing announcements in community outlets, developing social media networks, telephone outreach, etc.  Creative ideas are welcome!

Days and Times: Flexible schedule.

Special skills or requirements: The successful candidate should have a warm, friendly demeanor that comes across in person and via telephone and email.  Excellent general communication skills and a passion for the well-being of older adults are required. 

Contact: Carolyn Halpin-Healy or call 646-873-0712.

Association to Benefit Children (ABC)

A champion for all children, Association to Benefit Children (ABC) offers every child a joyful, beloved life by creating compassionate programs in urgent response to the needs of New York City’s most vulnerable families.

Role: After-school Helper

Responsibilities: Volunteers work beside skilled youth workers, family specialists, and educators to create a safe and stimulating space where children are motivated to develop the academic skills and emotional strengths necessary for success in the classroom and in life. Day to day volunteer tasks could include providing homework help, teaching a new skill, or participating in scheduled activities.

Days and Times: Monday to Friday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm at 1841 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035

Special skills or requirements: No special skills needed, but any special subject that a volunteer wants to teach is welcomed and background check may be required.

Contact: Jessica Casanova


Role: Study Buddy

Responsibilities: Study Buddies Connect (SBC) is a virtual tutoring program that offers individualized tutoring sessions in Math and English to school-aged children. Volunteers teach children online at a designated time each week, and they receive curricular support from SBC staff members. Volunteers make a year-long commitment to tutoring so they can minimize interruptions to the children's education.

Days and Times: Flexible, but 1-2 hours weekly in the afternoon/evening is needed.

Special skills or requirements: Background check will be required and ability to help with homework and reading is essential.

Contact: Erica Choi

Community Table

Broadway Community sets an abundant table, believing that everyone deserves justice, dignity, health, and wholeness. They serve nourishing food in a welcoming environment and provide shelter, clothing, showers, and medical care. They serve others – breaking down barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege – until all are fed, in body and spirit.

Role: Food Pantry Volunteer

Responsibilities:

  • Help pack and distribute pantry packages to more than 40 participants of the pantry program.
  • Stock shelves; other duties as assigned.

Days and Times: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00-5:00pm

Special skills or requirements:

  • Empathy, patience, and compassion.
  • Ability to work in a team, follow instructions, and stay calm in a fast-paced environment.
  • For some volunteers, the ability to lift 30 pounds.

Contact: Nicolette Tartaglia, Director of Volunteer Services


Role: Food Preparation Volunteer

Responsibilities: Assist the chef and sous chef with the preparation of food for guests; collaborate with chef and volunteers to create meals for lunch menu; clean dishes and other working areas; other duties as assigned.

Days and Times: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 to 5:00pm

Special skills or requirements:

  • Empathy, patience, and compassion.
  • Ability to work in a team, follow instructions, and stay calm in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to use a knife to chop and prepare food.
  • For some volunteers, the ability to lift 20 pounds.

Contact: Nicolette Tartaglia, Director of Volunteer Services.


Role: Soup Kitchen Volunteer

Responsibilities:

  • Help prepare, pack, and distribute breakfast and lunch to guests at soup kitchen.
  • Clean dishes and other work areas; other duties as assigned.

Days and Times: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm

Special skills or requirements:

  • Empathy, patience, and compassion.
  • Ability to work in a team, follow instructions, and stay calm in a fast-paced environment.
  • For some volunteers, the ability to lift 20 pounds.

Contact: Nicolette Tartaglia, Director of Volunteer Services

Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet

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

Responsibilities:  A volunteer is needed to assist with sorting and shelfing donations and assisting clients on shopping days.

Days and Times: Shopping days are 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

Common Denominator's mission is to help in-need middle school students love math and build confidence through tutoring and mentor-ship. Their goal is to ensure that students identify with math, build confidence through math tutoring and mentor-ship, and develop a keen interest in math as it relates to the world around them.

Role: Math Tutor (In-person or Virtually)

Responsibilities: This opportunity focuses on building basic math numeracy and socio-emotional development. No experience is required, trainings and professional development workshops will be provided. Commitment: one time a week, 90-minutes a session, for 22 weeks. All materials for each session are uploaded in advance to the tutor hub to provide tutors with the ability to get familiarized with the weekly topic. Students feel like they matter to their tutors both in session and in life.

Days and Times:

  • Wednesday 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Virtual)
  • Thursday 6:00pm - 7:30pm (Virtual)
  • Saturday 10:00am - 11:30am (Virtual & In-Person)
  • Saturday 1:00pm - 2:30pm (Virtual & In-Person)

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

Contact: Allison Price, Volunteer Coordinator


Role: Social Media Marketing Intern

Common Denominator is seeking a Social Media Marketing Intern to help elevate online presence, engage the audience, and drive brand awareness through innovative strategies and creative content.

Responsibilities: The Social Media Marketing Intern will play a pivotal role in the organization by crafting compelling and visually appealing content across multiple social media platforms, encompassing text, images, videos, and info-graphics. This individual will be responsible for maintaining a vigilant presence on the organization's social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, ensuring prompt responses to comments and messages, and enabling the creation of visually striking materials that resonate with our mission and engage our audience.

Days and Times: Times and dates to be discussed and agreed upon with C/D staff.

Special skills or requirements: 

  • Proficiency in Google Suite (Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc.)
  • Knowledge in Social Media management & Content Creation
  • Video editing

Contact: Yordy Rosa, Program Operations Director


Role: Development Intern

The Development Intern will research and vet potential funders, contacts, individuals for solicitation and/or grant submission. Working collaboratively with the Associate Development Director, to identify, secure, and grow partnerships and funding from individuals, corporate and foundation donors.

Responsibilities: The duties outlined below are the most significant responsibilities of the Development Intern, ones that are essential for effective performance in this position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Identify new donors for the Power of One Gala, Solving Solutions with Style fundraisers, and third-party events. . 
  • Research for competitive proposals, track, and report on grants. 
  • Attend fundraising events as needed.
  • Produce high-quality written communication letters, emails; and other forms. 
  • Maintain corporate and foundation donor and fundraising content in database and other development functions. 
  • Participate in conceptual planning processes for Common Denominators fundraising events. 

Days and Times: Times and dates to be discussed and agreed upon with C/D staff.

Special skills or requirement: Special Event Planning, Research, Strategic Vetting, Outreach. 

Programs/Equipment Used:

  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Advanced proficiency with Constant Contact, Social Media Platforms, Canva

Contact: Wendy Wilkins, Associate Development Director


Role: Education Research Intern

The Education Research Intern will help support the development of C/D curriculum and training resources. 

Responsibilities: The Intern would be responsible for the following:

  • Researching Pedagogy and Education Studies to develop a library of literature that supports our methodology and pushes it to meet the evolving needs of students. 
  • Developing “Tutor Tool-kits” to support Tutors with different Learning Strategies to help maximize student engagement.
  • Enhancing C/D Staff & Tutor Trainings to be rooted in researched best practices in the math education space.

Days and Times: The Education Research Intern would be responsible for specific tasks each week but can complete tasks on their own schedule. Times and dates to be discussed and agreed upon with C/D staffing.

Special skills or requirements: 

  • Proficiency in Google Suite (Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc.)
  • Knowledge of Research Search Engines and how to effectively filter searches. 
  • Ability to cite in APA and/or MLA Style Format 
  • Experience in synthesizing large amounts of information 

Contact: Manroocha Singh, Content Design Manager

DOROT

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 W 85th 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: Legacy Project Volunteer

Responsibilities: Older adults engaged with DOROT have lived full and interesting lives. Help them share their life lessons, values, hopes for the future, and special memories to ensure they will not be forgotten. Each Legacy Project Volunteer is matched with an older adult to help gather and record their legacy stories in writing or through other media (video, audio, collage, etc.) as agreed upon. Most projects involve 3-4 interviews, either in-person or by phone/video chat. Volunteers are also expected to spend time on their own creating a draft of the project and making revisions as requested by their match.

Days and Times: Meetings are scheduled at mutually convenient times for volunteers and older adults.

Special skills or requirements: Good listening, conversation and writing skills. Photography, videography, and/or design skills are also a plus. Ages 18+; two electronic references; background check; US Government issued photo ID. A commitment of approximately 15 hours for interviews and independent project work is typical.

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]

Harlem Educational Activities Fund (H.E.A.F)

High School students at Harlem Educational Activities Fund (H.E.A.F) are empowered through exceptional tutoring delivered by dedicated volunteers who are committed to uplifting the Harlem community. They aim to provide invaluable support, aid students in conquering homework assignments, and prepare them for upcoming tests throughout their academic journey.

Role: Tutor

Responsibilities: Tutors work with one-on-one with students over Zoom to support them with homework assignments, test preparation, and the development of strong study skills.

Days and Times: Bi-weekly schedules, starting on October 11, 2023

Special skills or requirements: High School Math, High School English Language Arts, High School Spanish, High School Science, High School History, College Level Physics, College Level Trigonometry.

Contact: Cianell Ynoa, Manager of Partnerships, and Special Projects

Harlem Grown

Harlem Grown's mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition. Since healthy habits start young, they target low-income Harlem youth ages 5-18 across their programming.

Today, the organization operates 13 urban agricultural sites, seven intensive school partnerships, weekly Saturday programming from April to October, a year-round after-school program, a 7-week intensive Summer Camp, farm-based education tours for hundreds of schools and community organizations, monthly community events, and a Mobile Teaching Kitchen that travels throughout Harlem to carry out their mission.

Role: Individual Volunteering

Responsibilities: By volunteering on their farms, volunteers will be supporting the agriculture team as they seed, nurture, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the season. Each crop planted and vegetable harvested brings them one step closer to fulfilling the mission of inspiring youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives.

Days and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00pm-4:00pm; Saturdays from 10:00am-3:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: No special skills are necessary! Bring yourself and a positive, can-do attitude.

Contact: Please use the Volunteer Hub to sign up.

Harlem Wellness Center (HWC)

Harlem Wellness Center's mission 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: Harlem Wellness Center (HWC) Outdoor Adventure Guides

Responsibilities: The HWC Outdoor Adventure Guides work as a team to research, plan and co-lead outdoor excursions that connect Harlem residents to the healing and energizing power of the natural outdoors.

Activities take place in all seasons and are aimed to increase eco-consciousness and mitigate the pressures, noise and demands of everyday life in the City. Guides help build awareness, market, and organize excursions that offer access to outdoor recreation opportunities available in New York State.Year-round activities may include cross country skiing, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, swimming, biking, boating, and horseback riding.

Days and Times: The Guide team will plan two outdoor adventures in 2024.  Team leaders will collaborate to determine days and times based on the schedules of members.

Special skills or requirements: 

  • Responsible, committed, organized, logistically minded, people person.
  • Confidence in navigating the activities you are guiding.
  • The ability to meet constituents where they are at varying comfort levels in nature.
  • A desire to develop and incorporate engaging eco-learning activities into events.
  • Experience and ability to thrive in an inclusive and diverse community.
  • Conscious awareness of one’s own identity/positionality and interest in elevating equitable cultural practices inspired by the ideas of Ubuntu and beloved community.  
  • Enthusiasm for developing mutually beneficial relationships where we exchange and learn from each other’s backgrounds, stories, gifts and perspectives.
  • A lover of nature.

Contact: Vivian Williams-Kurutz, Executive Director

The Legal Outreach educational program serves low-income, mostly minority, and/or first generation urban youth from under-served neighborhoods in New York City. The law-based curriculum focuses on providing students with the necessary tools to achieve at a high academic level and gain the confidence and social skills to pursue their professional goals. The goal is to provide social and academic support to students so they can matriculate to competitive colleges and pursue their career interests.

Role: Virtual Grammar Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Grammar Tutors will support students in tackling their Legal Outreach Freshmen Grammar Homework. Students are required to meet with their tutor to work through the required reading, identify grammar rules and produce examples for each rule.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 4:30-7:30pm or at an agreed upon time that works for the student and tutor.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to work with students who are struggling academically. General grasp of the English Grammar is sufficient as the tutor would get a brief training and will have to use the grammar book assigned to the student.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Operations


Role: Virtual Math Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Math Tutors will support students in tackling high school math course work of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and/or Calculus classes.  Tutors will work with students to complete homework assignments and prepare for upcoming quizzes and exams.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 4:30-7:30pm for at least 2 hours.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, a strong grasp of the subject matter (at least one), and willingness to work with students who are struggling academically.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Operations


Role: Virtual Science Tutor

Responsibilities: Virtual Science Tutors will support students in tackling high school science course work of Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry and/or Physics classes.  Tutors will work with students to complete homework assignments and prepare for upcoming quizzes and exams.

Days and Times: Each tutor should be available twice a week between Monday and Thursday from 4:30-7:30pm for at least 2 hours.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers should have strong interpersonal skills, a strong grasp of the subject matter, and willingness to work with students who are struggling academically.

Contact: Massiel Ramos, Managing Director of Program Operations

 

 

Lifeforce In Later Years

Lifeforce In Later Years (L.i.L.Y) is helping to change the tide for frail elders, many living alone, who often face dire challenges when families aren’t available.

Role: Friendly Visitor and Virtual Helper

Responsibilities: Help home-bound seniors

Days and Times: Flexible schedule

Special skills or requirements: Fully vaccinated volunteers are needed to pay friendly visits, take a walk with a senior, 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, FaceTime, etc. Seniors can benefit from technical support in person or over the phone. Spanish speaking is also helpful as some seniors are monolingual Spanish speakers.

Contact: Paula Seefeldt, Program Director or call 646-734-0182.

National Dance Institute

National Dance Institute's mission is to provide children with joyful, participatory dance and music classes that support their physical health, social-emotional well-being, and intellectual development. Professional careers in dance are not our end-goal; instead, dance and music are the vehicles for connection, self-discovery, and personal and collective growth.

Role: Prospect Research Volunteer

Responsibilities: 

  • Conduct research to determine if private businesses, public corporations, and philanthropic foundations are a good potential funding source for NDI.
  • Organize research to create prospect profiles.

Days and Times: At volunteer’s convenience.

Special skills or requirements: Access to internet and personal laptop (if planning to work in the center).

Contact: Sophie Wang, Institutional Giving Coordinator


Role: Music Artist Volunteer 

Responsibilities

  • Help with the transfer, upload and download of video archive footage to back up drives.
  • Help create procedures for backup, catalog and storage of archival footage.

Days and Times: Flexible between 9:00am -5:00pm, Monday through Friday at the National Dance Institute (217 West 147th Street, New York, NY 10039). 

Special skills or requirements: Basic knowledge of data management, archival procedures, and computer use. 

Contact: Sophie Wang, Institutional Giving Coordinator

NY Common Pantry

New York Common Pantry fights hunger and food insecurity through programs that establish long-term independence for its clients.

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 Program. NYCP’s Pantry-on-Wheels serves as many families as their brick-and-mortar location in Harlem.

Location: 1285 Oak Point Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474

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

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must be able to stand for 3.5 hours while lifting 30lb bags of groceries. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Contact: Erin WilliamsVolunteer Manager


Role: Harlem Hot Meals

Responsibilities: Volunteers assist our on-site chef with the preparation and serving of his nutritious hot meals. Other volunteers may pack cold lunches. 

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

Days and Times: All Hot Meals volunteer opportunities can be found here: volunteerHub 
Monday through Friday.

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must be able to stand for 3.5 hours while lifting 30lb bags of groceries. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Contact: Erin WilliamsVolunteer Manager


Role: Bronx and Harlem Choice Pantries

Responsibilities: Volunteers are called upon to assemble packages of produce and shelf-stable foods for clients who are experiencing food insecurity. 

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

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must be able to stand for 3.5 hours while lifting 30lb bags of groceries. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Contact: Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager

Riverside Hawks Leadership Academy

The goal of the Riverside Hawks Leadership Academy is to prepare young students in grades 5-8 for high school, through Positive Youth Development Experiences with a focus on Social and Emotional Learning.

Role: Leadership Academy Aide

Responsibilities: Volunteers will assist staff and tutors by recording attendance, helping middle school students with homework, test prep, activities such as debate, and board game tournaments, and other education-related needs, as they arise. 

Days and Times: Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday from 4:00 -7:00pm

Special skills or requirements: No special skills or requirements required.

Contact: Andy Destin Program Coordinator and Director of Operations Christopher Snell

Riverside Language Park

The Riverside Language Program's mission 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 & 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 and, if eligible, have the booster.

Contact: Lynda Metmer, Office Manager

SNACK

The mission of SNACK* (Special Needs Activity Center for Kids and *Adults) is to fill a void for children, teens, and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities by providing unique programs designed and staffed to address their needs. SNACK* also provides vocational training and supported employment opportunities and welcomes those with physical disabilities, verbal and non-verbal language abilities, across all socio-economic, race, and ethnic backgrounds. 

Role: SNACK* Visual Aid Warrior

Responsibilities:  SNACK* Visual Aid Warriors help create and post visual aid materials throughout SNACK*s facilities.  These visual aid materials will help assist the non-verbal population of kids we serve on the Autism Spectrum with daily activities, i.e. making requests through use of visual support and assist them to find and put away items independently.  

Days and Times:  Weekdays 10:00am-4:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Requirements include taking photographs with cameras/iPhones; creating sign on computers; laminating and posting all of the materials.

Contact: Email Katie Coombs, Program Director & Facility Manager


Role: SNACK* 21+ Program Volunteer

Responsibilities:  SNACK* 21+ Program Volunteer help with class set up and shut down, assemble supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, take pictures of programming, model tasks for members, and give praise/encouragement.

Days and Times: Weekdays 9:00am-3:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Katie Coombs, Program Director & Facility Manager


Role:  SNACK* Snacktivities Program Volunteer

Responsibilities:  SNACK* Snacktivities Program Volunteer responsibilities include helping with class set up and shut down, assembling supplies so lead teachers can run classes without interruption, light cleaning, take pictures of programming, model tasks for members, and give praise/encouragement.

Days and Times: Weekends 10:00am-3:00pm

Special skills or requirements: Smile and have fun! Your positive energy will influence the energy of others around you.

Contact: Katie Coombs, Program Director & Facility Manager

The Community Initiatives of NY (TCIONY)

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

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

The Morningside Players (TMP) is a Collective Performing Arts Company dedicated to presenting an affordable theater of vibrant new work and classic plays to our Morningside Heights/Manhattanville community.

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: Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director


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: Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director


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: Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director


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: Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director

The Parris Foundation (TPF)

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

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

Responsibilities: Assist with teaching students S.T.E.M.

Days and Times: During the upcoming spring cycle volunteers are needed every Saturday, February 24 to June 1, 2024 (Easter weekend not included) from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Volunteers are invited for the whole day, or in shifts, online or in-person.

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

Contact: Sara Jane Wellock, Director


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

Responsibilities: Tutors typically work individually with students on zoom and provide assistance to students requiring support.

Days and Times: Tutors typically meet with students on zoom, based on the tutor’s schedule and the schedule of the student.

Special skills or requirements: S.T.E.M skills; experience working with middle and high school students.

Contact: Sara Jane Wellock, Director

The Reading Team

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 to Program Director (Harlem)

Responsibilities:

  • Answer the phone
  • Help distribute snacks
  • Read 1-on-1 with children
  • Perform occasional typing

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

Special skills or requirements: Knowledge of Google Docs and Sheets.

Contact: David Marion, Director of Institutional Giving


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.

Triple F Empowerment operates the beloved STEAM education program known as Ms. Steph’s Science Club. They have been inspiring, empowering, and encouraging young people to pursue education and careers in the STEAM fields since 2012, over a decade, in Harlem.

Role: Saturday Science Club Volunteer

Responsibilities: Help 10 -16 elementary school students safely enjoy STEAM education activities. Three to four volunteers are needed every Saturday.

Days and Times: February 3rd through May 25th, 11:50 am to 2:20 pm, on most Saturdays.

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

West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH)

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 86th Street, New York, NY 10024
  • 549 West 180th 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