Volunteer

A champion for all children, the Association to Benefit Children 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. With wide-ranging, research-based programming in early childhood education, year-round youth development, children’s mental health treatment, family preservation, community outreach, and supportive housing, ABC serves as a refuge and a network of support for families living in poverty.

Role: Virtual Tutor

ABC's Study Buddies Connect (SBC) is an innovative virtual tutoring program that provides free, one-on-one, educational support to under-resourced, school-aged children experiencing academic challenges. Students are paired with volunteer tutors who meet weekly to review foundational reading/math skills, work on homework, and, for older students, practice organizational skills for the future.

Responsibilities: 

• Commit to at least one full academic year (September to June).
• Meet with your student at least once a week between 45 mins to 1 hour consistently.
   

Days and Times: Tutors and students will agree upon a time that works for them, generally after school on weekdays. 

Special skills or requirements: 

• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience teaching or tutoring children.
• Have a passion for working with under-served communities.
   

 Click Here to fill out the Volunteer Form.

Contact: Guadalupe Nufio, Director of Study Buddies with questions. 

Behind the Book inspires young people to cultivate their vast potential through programs centered on diverse books and their authors. Students build a love of reading while strengthening critical thinking and social-emotional skills through interactive, culturally responsive literacy experiences.

Role: Classroom Workshop Volunteer

Responsibilities:  Volunteers support youth in interactive, classroom-based literacy workshops that may include writing workshops, art workshops, or research-based learning activities. Volunteers serve as motivators and classroom supports as students engage with the themes and ideas of the book they are working on.

Volunteers assist students during hands-on activities, small-group discussions, and creative exercises, helping foster confidence, curiosity, and a love of reading. After attending their first workshop, volunteers may be invited by the Program Coordinator to support additional opportunities such as author visits, field trips, or celebratory workshops.

Specific role expectations and workshop details are shared by the Program Coordinator after volunteers sign up for a workshop.

Days and Times Needed: Volunteer opportunities take place during weekday school hours and vary by program and school partner. Scheduling is flexible and based on volunteer availability. Once on-boarded, volunteers receive access to available opportunities along with a volunteer calendar to help visualize upcoming workshops.

Special skills or requirements:

• A love of reading and openness to supporting youth
• Must be 18 years or older
• Willingness to complete a GoPass background check
• Comfort engaging with children in a classroom setting
   

Contact: Sophia Taziny at [email protected] or call 212-222-3627 

Please complete their Volunteer Interest Questionnaire. After completing the form, Sophia will follow up with brief on-boarding steps. Once on-boarding is complete, volunteers will receive a link to available opportunities and a volunteer calendar outlining what to expect.

Broadway Community is dedicated to serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Broadway Community sets an abundant table, believing that everyone deserves justice, dignity, health, and wholeness. They empower one another with nourishing food, a welcoming environment, shelter, medical care, life skills practice, and faithful accompaniment through challenging times. They serve one another - breaking down barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege - until all are fed, in body and spirit.

Role: Food Pantry Volunteer

Responsibilities: The Food Pantry distributes nourishing food to 120+ families each Thursday. Volunteers play a crucial role in receiving deliveries, preparing pantry packages, stocking shelves, and creating a welcoming environment for all who enter our doors. 

Days and Times: Every Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm.

Special skills or requirements:  No prior training is necessary -- volunteers will be guided every step of the way. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to serve independently; those under 13 are welcome with a parent or guardian. 

Contact: Ashley Lynch , Volunteer Administrator

Role: Soup Kitchen Volunteer

Responsibilities: Volunteers play a vital role in serving the most vulnerable neighbors with dignity, care, and compassion. Each day, they prepare and serve gourmet, multi-course meals -- completely free of charge -- to guests experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or other serious life challenges. 

As a volunteer, you’ll assist with preparing and distributing breakfast and lunch, serving beverages, receiving deliveries, washing dishes, maintaining a clean workspace, and supporting our kitchen team in crafting thoughtful, nourishing meals. All meals are designed and prepared under the leadership of our talented Chef, Timothy Fields. 

Days and Times: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm or 12:00pm to 3:00pm.

Special skills or requirements:  Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to serve independently; those under 13 are welcome with a parent or guardian. 

Contact: Ashley Lynch , Volunteer Administrator

The Broadway Mall Association engages and connects the diverse communities along the five-mile stretch of landscaped malls from Washington Heights to Manhattan’s Upper West Side to create visually beautiful and culturally vibrant public spaces open and accessible for all to enjoy.

Role: Broadway Malls Champion

Responsibilities for each role: The Broadway Mall Association hosts monthly Volunteer Days. Volunteers who attend three events will receive a “Broadway Malls Champion” certificate and swag. During Volunteer Days, responsibilities may include planting trees and native plants, mulching, composting, and general cleanups. This is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact in the community while supporting local green spaces.

Days and Times Needed: Volunteer Days take place once a month and typically last between two to four hours. For upcoming dates and details, please visit our Instagram(@broadwaymallassociation) or the website at Broadway Mall Association.

Special skills or requirements: No prior experience is required. They welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their community. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Don’t forget to have fun!

Contact: Email Ian Olsen or [email protected]

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 is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to teach math to middle-school children from low-income backgrounds in New York City. Their belief is that math may empower and help children grow into more confident adults, opening doors while increasing the chances that they may become more numerate and pursue their education. 

Role:  Volunteer Tutor 

Responsibilities: Volunteer tutors are paired with middle-school children and spend between one and two hours a week with their assigned child explaining math topics on the basis of a program which the organization provides. The role involves attending an introduction / training session at the beginning of the school year, receiving regular updates, and providing regular feedback on the child’s progress. 

The organization provides support, and the role may also involve – depending on preference – assisting with the development of teaching content and technical support. Classes may be online or in person. 

Special skills or requirements: An ability to communicate with children and to understand basic math is required, as well as an interest for the mission. In-person classes can take place in various places in NYC, and an ability to go there in person once a week for an hour is required. Tutors are subject to background checks so that they may be allowed to work with children. 
 

Contact: [email protected]

Dances for a Variable Population (DVP) is a multi-generational dance company and educational organization that promotes strong and creative movement among adults of all ages and abilities, with a special focus on seniors.  

Role: Event Support for REVIVAL 10 - RETROSPECTIVE at two locations.

         1. Queensbridge Park at 41st and Vernon Avenues, Long Island City,              New York
         2. Grant's Tomb National Memorial at West 122nd Street & Riverside              Park, New York                                  

Responsibilities: Enthusiastic volunteers with a passion and appreciation for community arts and creative aging are needed to assist with a free outdoor performance and dance workshop series. Tasks include set-up, check-in, food distribution, merchandise sales, ushering and audience polling, as well as load out.

Days and Times Needed:  Availability during performances or dress rehearsal as noted below:

• Queensbridge Park Dress Rehearsal & Performance: Saturday, June 6, 11:00 - 7:00pm
• Grants Tomb Dress Rehearsal:  Wednesday, June 17, 1:00 - 5:30:pm
• Grants Tomb Performance: Saturday, June 20, 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
   

Special skills or requirements: No special skills – just enthusiasm and passion for the community and the arts!

Contact: Ellen Sackoff at [email protected]

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, 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]

Graham Windham provides life-changing tools and resources for children, young adults, and families who face some of the most difficult obstacles caused by poverty, racial injustice, and lack of access to educational opportunities, living wage employment, quality healthcare, and affordable housing. They collaborate with communities and strong partners to create and implement innovative strategies so everyone can lead healthy, joyful, and successful lives.

Role: Program Support - Webster Avenue Youth and Family Center

Responsibilities:  Volunteers will assist staff with ongoing projects, including event planning and maintaining the community closet and facility. They will also help create flyers for upcoming community events and provide general support as needed.

Days and Times: Flexible; 2 times per week on site preferred (1946 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY)

Special skills or requirements: None

Contact: Aaron Uppal at [email protected] 

Role: Tutors

Responsibilities:  Volunteers will support Graham's SLAM program by providing tutoring and mentorship to high school youth, helping to support their academic and interpersonal success!

Days and Times: Flexible; 2 times per week on site, on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30pm-6:00pm (1946 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY)

Special skills or requirements: None

Contact: Aaron Uppal at [email protected] 

The Harlem Wellness Center (HWC)  was created to provide health programming in communities that are consequently most vulnerable to adult-onset diseases (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, heart disease) preventable by lifestyle choices. The goal is to make high quality holistic health and wellness services accessible for all.

Role: Food Box Distribution

Responsibilities: In collaboration with Corbin Hill Food Project/Food as Medicine initiative, HWC will distribute 60 local farm fresh vegetable boxes weekly from June 2026 - August 2026.

1. From 12:00pm-1:00pm, accept delivery of 60 pre-packed produce boxes at Plowshares Coffee Harlem 1351 Amsterdam Ave at 126th Street side door.
2. Transport boxes to the front of the café for pickup through the store front door.
3. Document pickup on spreadsheet.
4. Distribute boxes to registered community members between 3:00pm-5:00pm.
    

Days and Times Needed: 
                    
        Every Wednesday, beginning June 3
        Farm Box Delivery Window: 12:00-1:00pm
        Pick Up Window: 3:00-5:00pm 

Special skills or requirements: Be able to transport 15-lb produce boxes from the room to the front of the room. Accurate data input.  

Contact: Vivian Williams-Kurutz, Director or call 646-682-7993

Hit the Books (“HTB”) aims to provide 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’. 

Role(s):  Math & Literacy Tutors

Responsibilities: Tutors will spend 90 minutes a week helping students by:

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

Days and Times Needed:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday between 10:00 am – 3:30 pm  

Special skills or requirements: A complete background check will be processed. 

Contact: Jhae Thompson at [email protected] or 646-901-7867

Role(s):  Math & Literacy Tutors 

Responsibilities:  Tutors will spend 90 minutes a week helping students by:

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

Days and Times Needed:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday             during 2:00 – 6:30 pm or Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm   

Special skills or requirements:  A complete background check will be processed. 

Contact: Jhae Thompson at [email protected], 646-901-7867

Legal Outreach motivates and prepares urban youth to compete at high academic levels by implementing legal educational programs that foster vision, enhance academic skills, and build self-confidence.  

Role:  Post-Production Assistant

This role is a hands-on opportunity for emerging media professionals looking to gain real-world experience in editing, digital content, and media management within a collaborative creative environment. This position offers exposure to professional post-production workflows, archival organization, content preparation, and digital storytelling across marketing and production teams, making it an ideal entry point for those interested in careers in editing, media asset management, digital production, or post operations.

Responsibilities: 

• Watch down archival footage and tag assets with metadata.
• Build a document that organizes tagged content for searchability.
• Assist in identifying standout images and video clips ideal for reels or promotions.
• Assist in creating short promotional videos from selected clips.
   

Days and Times Needed: 

• Flexible schedule
• Minimum of 7 hours per week
• Primarily remote
• Two mandatory 30-minute check-ins per week (top and bottom of the week)
   

Special skills or requirements: 

• Must be organized with documentation.
• Familiarity with video and image formats and editing.
• PAM, DAM, MAM, or archival footage experience preferred.
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite (Premiere Pro, Photoshop).
• Bonus: Familiarity with Canva or other post-production environments.
   

Contact: Email Kristina Leath-Malin, Director of Brand Marketing and Digital Strategy or call (917) 992-9829

Role: Salesforce Data Entry Volunteer

The volunteer will be responsible for accurately entering donation records from provided spreadsheets (covering September 2025–June 2026) into the organization’s donor database. This role ensures that donor information is consistently and accurately recorded to support reporting, stewardship, and organizational operations.

Responsibilities for each role: 

• Enter donation records from Google Sheets into the donor database accurately and consistently
• Review data for completeness and correct obvious errors or formatting issues before entry
• Maintain high attention to detail to ensure the integrity of the organization’s donation records
• Follow provided data entry procedures and formatting guidelines for donor records
• Maintain data integrity and confidentiality while handling sensitive donor information
   

Days and Times Needed: 

• Flexible schedule. Work is fully remote and can be done on your own time.
   

Special skills or requirements: 

• Strong attention to detail is required, as this role supports the organization’s primary donor records system. Must be able to access either Google Sheets or Excel on your personal computer.
• Familiarity with data entry and comfort working in spreadsheets is helpful but not required.
• A personal laptop or computer is required. Access to Google Sheets (preferred) OR Microsoft Excel is necessary.
   

Contact: Email Rhiannon Connor, Executive and Communications Coordinator.

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 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 (NYCP) 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

Reading Team, Inc. 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

The mission of Riverside Immigrant Services & Empowerment (R.I.S.E) 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: 520 Eighth 8th Avenue, Suite 2005, New York, NY 10018.

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.

Please use the Volunteer Interest Form to sign up.

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: Email Rachael Butkiewicz, Program Coordinator or call 212-439-9996

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: Email Rachael Butkiewicz, Program Coordinator or call 212-439-9996

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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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 Morningside Players, also known as Morningside Theater Co., is dedicated to presenting a very affordable theater of vibrant new work and classic plays to Morningside Heights, Manhattanville and West Harlem. 

Role: Create data base for new Mail Chimp campaign

Responsibilities: Add the names and emails of new visitors and people who inquired on the website into a database so that mass mailings related to new shows and events can be done. Help move production photos to iCloud Storage.

Days and Times Needed: Freelance and Remote before February 2026

Special skills or requirements: Computer knowledge of database platforms a plus.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer or call (646) 713-4502   

Role: On-site help with storage room 

Responsibilities: Help organize props and costumes for listing. 

Days and Times Needed: Weekdays or weekend afternoons -  on site at 100 La Salle St  New York,NY 10027

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer or call (646) 713-4502   

Role: Assist with theatrical productions

Responsibilities: Cue lines for actors and set up sets and props.

Days and Times Needed: Fall and Spring on some weekdays, evenings and weekends during production.

Contact: Email Susanna Frazer or call (646) 713-4502   

Triple F Empowerment operates the 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: Usually 3 to 5 volunteers are needed every Saturday, to help 12-18 elementary school students, safely enjoy STEAM education activities. 

Days and Times:  All volunteer opportunities for the Winter and Spring 2026 are listed below. Unless otherwise noted, the sessions will be held at Wadleigh Secondary School from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.

• June 12, 2:30pm to 6:00pm at NYC Kidsfest Day 1, Harlem
• June 13, 2:30pm to 6:00pm  at NYC Kidsfest Day 2, Harlem
   

Special skills or requirements: Volunteers must like science and work well with children. An interview screening process with the director is required for the safety of the children.

Contact: Stephanie E. Farmer, Executive Director 

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 86th Street 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 10033

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