Volunteer

Looking to lend a helping hand? Please review the latest opportunities at CCS-supported nonprofits below; then complete and submit our Volunteer Form. A staff member will contact you regarding your request.

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.

Roles: Assist educators with in-person workshops at senior centers, community outreach, social media outreach and photography. A digital SLR camera will be provided.

Responsibilities:

1) Create digital documentation and social media posts for Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and expanding social media networks. Work can be both remote and in person.

2) Support Arts & Minds educators at workshops, which include help with set-up and break-down of the classroom, and as an engaged participant, model behavior during each session.

3) Engage with the public while promoting Arts & Minds programming at community health fairs and other tabling events.

Special skills or requirements: The successful candidate should have a warm, friendly demeanor, excellent general communication skills, and a passion for the well-being of older adults. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

Contact: Tony Gonzalez or call 212-923-2803

Mission Statement (2-4 sentences): 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

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'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 W 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: Package Delivery

Responsibilities: Volunteers sign up to deliver a package to an older adult’s home in Manhattan and have a friendly visit with them – either in-person or over the phone. This is one-time volunteer commitment happens at least four times each year.

Days and Times:

Sunday, September 22 from 10:00am–1:00pm
Sunday, November 24 from 10:00am–1:00pm

Special skills or requirements: None

Contact: Please visit DOROT's Package Delivery and fill out the form or email [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) brings additional educational resources to students in the Harlem community through after-school educational programs, which include academic excellence, mentorship, and mixed martial art classes.

Role(s): Math Tutor and Literacy Tutor

Responsibilities for each role: 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 between 3:00pm - 6:00pm.

Special skills or requirements: A background check.

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.

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 Williams, Volunteer 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 Williams, Volunteer 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 Immigrant Services & Empowerment (R.I.S.E)

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 501c3 not-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: Katie Coombs, Program Director

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: Katie Coombs, Program Director

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 3:30-6:30pm.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-7:30pm.
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(s): 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
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: 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.