New York City Volunteering

Though New York is often portrayed as a city of opulence and opportunity, it also is home to substantial disadvantaged populations that lie hidden beneath the city's bright lights. As a result, New York is a city rich with volunteer opportunities—so you, too, can be a part of it in old New York. Most people who volunteer in New York City do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. There are two main types of volunteer organizations—religious and nonsectarian—though there are rarely restrictions on participating in either. The Volunteer Referral Center (☎212-889-4805 www.volunteer-referral.com) places individuals in volunteer positions at organizations throughout the city based on detailed personal interviews. New York Cares (☎212-228-5000 www.newyorkcares.org) also specializes in public service placements. The Mayor's Volunteer Center ( www.nyc.gov/html/mvc) has an extensive list of community service organizations. United Way of New York City (☎212-251-2500 www.unitedwaynyc.org) directs both corporate partners and individuals toward volunteer opportunities. As always, read up before heading out.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. Websites like www.volunteerabroad.com, www.servenetorg, and www.idealist.org allow you to search for volunteer opening both in your country and abroad.

Homelessness

Homelessness is one of New York City's major social challenges. In any given year, some 100,000 New Yorkers experience homelessness for at least one night, and every night of the year, the city's shelters ...more

Food Assistance

In a city as wealthy as New York, hunger is a daily concern for an astonishing number of people. More than one million New Yorkers require food assistance annually, and one in four New York City children ...more

Youth And Community Programs

All five of New York City's boroughs boast exciting tourist attractions. The unfortunate truth, however, is that there is a great disparity in resources and opportunities from neighborhood to neighborhood ...more

Other Concerns

City Of New York Parks And Recreation: Volunteers can participate in recreational programs, join community groups, or work to maintain local parks. (☎212-NEW-YORK www.nycgovparks ...more

Art And Culture

The New York Alliance for the Arts has created www.nyckidsarts.org as a resource for finding arts and culture events throughout the city. The website lists a range of volunteer opportunities with New York's ...more