If community service is on your list of resolutions, you’ve got plenty of options for giving back right here in the neighborhood. Here are some worthy causes that can use your time and talents.
826NYC, 372 Fifth Avenue between 5th & 6th Streets
The non-profit organization founded by Dave Eggers is always looking for volunteers to help out, from providing homework help for students after school, to creating weekend writing workshops, to working in the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. The majority of the programs run during or right after the school day, which means they especially need volunteers with weekday availability.
Contact: Call for more information at (718) 499-9884, or fill out an application form here.
CENTER FOR ANTI-VIOLENCE EDUCATION, 327 Seventh Street (Second Floor) at 5th Avenue
The CAE has been working for over thirty years to help women, girls, and LGBT individuals build skills to enable them to heal from, prevent, and counter violence. The group develops and implements comprehensive violence prevention programs for individuals and organizations, including self-defense classes. They are always looking for volunteers to put up flyers, stuff letters, and help with administrative assistance. Also, skilled volunteers are also greatly appreciated for light electrician work, site maintenance, and database work.
Contact: Call (718) 788-1775
CHIPS SOUP KITCHEN, 200 4th Avenue between Sackett & Degraw Streets
Chips serves over 200 meals daily to people in need, and they rely on volunteers to help them do it by cooking, baking, and meal-planning. Volunteers are urgently needed at the moment, specifically between 9am and 3pm Monday through Saturday.
Contact: Call (718) 237-2962 between 8am and 1pm to set up an interview, or email at mchipfran@aol.com
NEW YORK METHODIST HOSPITAL, 506 Sixth Street at 7th Avenue
The Sparks of Life volunteer program is a great way to use your specific skills to brighten the days of patients on the pediatric, physical rehabilitation, geriatric and acute psychiatry, and oncology units. Volunteers are talented, creative, and enthusiastic, have included professional musicians, singers, artists, puppeteers, certified yoga instructors, clowns, magicians, and more. The program accepts both ongoing and episodic volunteers.
Contact: Reach volunteer services at (718) 780-5397, or fill out an application here.
PROSPECT PARK, Park Circle entrance
The Park relies on volunteers to help clean and beautify the land. Though their weekly volunteer events are on hiatus during these cold winter months, there are still opportunities to help in the meantime– this weekend, for instance, at MulchFest. Volunteers assist in collecting trees, removing decorations, spreading mulch, and distributing it to the public. Six slots are open on Saturday, Jan 12 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Contact: Email event organizer at volunteers@prospectpark.org, or call the volunteer office at (718) 965-8960. Register for the event here.
SANDY RELIEF AT CBE, 274 Garfield Place at 8th Avenue
Congregation Beth Elohim is still delivering meals to families in need at PS 197 in Far Rockaway, and they’re still looking for volunteers to help with food preparation and delivery. Food preparation shifts are two hours long, with two shifts between 8am and 12pm, Tuesday through Friday. For delivery, they’re looking for volunteers with a car from 11am-1pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Contact: Call at (718) 768-3814, or register for open slots here.
Photo via 826nyc.org
