You Want to Volunteer in New York City - but Where Do You Go?

Over 9 million people live in New York City and you are one of them. You want to volunteer your time and services somewhere. Where should you go? Who would want you as a volunteer? Where would you be happiest and feel the most satisfaction ? These are some of the questions that need to be answered so that your volunteer experiences are enjoyable and rewarding. Do you want to spend your volunteer time with children, the elderly, the homeless? Perhaps working with animals or plants is more appealing to you. New York City is full of volunteer opportunities of all kinds. The following are just a few of the many places where you can donate your time, knowledge and skills in New York City.

1. HOPE 2007 : The New York Street Survey - On January 29, 2007, teams of volunteers will conduct the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE - 2007). These volunteers will canvass streets, parks, and subways to count the number of people living on city streets. This is being done by the Department of Homeless Services to gather information that will be used to help homeless people find permanent housing and hopefully a better life. Teams will be trained and lead by an experienced team leader. Each team will consist of 4-5 volunteers assigned to a small study area of New York City. They will be responsible for determining how many homeless people are in that area. Transportation will be provided for any street homeless person that wants to go to a shelter. Information for volunteering can be found on the New York City government website - Department of Homeless Services.

2. The Bowery Mission - Located at 227 Bowery, New York City, the Bowery Mission is a Christian based group of services. For over 125 years they have offered compassionate care to New York's impoverished men, women and children. Among their services are Chapel services and counseling; cooked meals three times a day; shower and clothing programs; medical clinics and overnight shelter. They also have an outreach program and special programs for children. There are many volunteer opportunities at this New York City Mission including; tutoring, serving both single and group meals, mission trips, administration, driving and assisting with the shower and clothing program. For volunteer information call1-800-871-6347.

3. Food Bank For New York City - There are many volunteer opportunities at the Food Bank of New York City. This organization and their network of more than 1,200 community food programs provide free meals daily to New Yorkers in need. Volunteers at their Bronx Warehouse break down, assess the quality of the food and repackage both food and non-food products into sizes that are suitable for distribution to the city's food programs. Other volunteers assist in soup kitchen and food pantry operations across the city by preparing and providing the food that goes directly to hungry. The Food Bank also looks for volunteers with special skills sets such as - administration, accounting, construction and computers. To volunteer email Grace Carey at gcary@foodbanknyc.org.

4. CAW (Creative Arts Workshops For Kids) - Over the past 20 years CAW has worked with hundreds of homeless and underprivileged children. It is based in East Harlem and serves one of the most under resourced areas of New York City. Creative Arts Workshops For Kids uses both the visual and preforming arts to help children aged 5 -17 confront and deal with life issues. CAW operates out of donated office space with 1 full time and 3 part time employees. They have a network of volunteers. Volunteers are needed to work directly with the children. Training is provided. To volunteer with CAW call 646-424-0392.

4. DOROT - DOROT provides programs and services for more than 10,000 elderly and their caregivers every year in New York City and the surrounding areas. The people they serve range in age from 59 to 108. Many of these elders live alone with no one to talk to or tend to their everyday needs. Dorot is a Hebrew word meaning "generations" and this agency brings together the generations with volunteers ranging in age from 5 -100. DOROT volunteer's receive training and provide many services. These include visiting the elders, escort them to and from appointments, shopping for food and other needs, delivering and serving their meals. Volunteers talk, listen, comfort, and care for the elderly. To volunteer at DOROT call 212-769-2850.

5. ASPCA (The American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals) - The ASPCA had it's early beginnings in New York City in 1866 and has grown into a national organization. This organization is dedicated to making New York a no-kill city. It also provides free/low-cost spay/neuter services, investigates and protects animals from cruelty and abuse, provides animal assistance in the event of a disaster and operates a 24/7 poison control hot line. The New York City ASPCA has a great need for volunteers in many areas. These include assisting in the care and placement of the animals housed in their shelter, educating the public, providing support for administrative programs, and helping with fund raising events. To volunteer call 212-876-7700.

6. New Yorkers For Parks (NY4P) - This organization is the only independent watchdog for all the city's parks, beaches and playgrounds. For over 100 years New Yorkers For Parks has worked to ensure that New York City parks are greener, safer and cleaner . Volunteers are needed in many areas including, administration, hosting events, community education and planting. The Daffodil Project, which began after 9/11 in New York City is one example of the NY4P's activities. This Project is made possible by the generosity of a Dutch bulb supplier who has pledged to donate 500,000 daffodil bulbs to the project each year as long as there are volunteers willing to plant them. Over 20,000 volunteers have responded so far. Because of this 3 million yellow daffodils will bloom in over 2,000 individual sites across the five boroughs in the spring of 2007. To volunteer with NY4P call 212-838-9410.

These are just a few of the hundreds of volunteer opportunities that are available in New York City. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience. When you volunteer, you enrich another person's life as well as your own.