Your Guide To Volunteerism in Westchester, Putnam & Rockland This book is produced on sustainably-sourced paper and is 100% recyclable.
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About Us
The core mission of Volunteer New York! is to mobilize our community to address its most pressing challenges. We have big challenges to tackle in our community. At Volunteer New York! we believe that harnessing people power through volunteerism and civic engagement can help.
Founded by volunteers in 1950, in just the last year Volunteer New York! inspired over 37,000 volunteers to take action and mobilized 388,000 hours of service to 300+ local nonprofits, creating an impact of $13.7 million in value for our community.
These are the values and beliefs that guide our work every day:
• WE VALUE VOLUNTEERISM
• WE VALUE COMMUNITY
• WE BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN SERVE
• WE BELIEVE VOLUNTEERING IS TRANSFORMATIONAL
• WE BELIEVE RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
We envision a community that is vibrant, resilient, and equitable.
Now that you've gotten to learn a bit more about us, we hope that we'll get the chance to learn more about your interests and connect at some point along your volunteer journey! While there are hundreds of ways to volunteer every year, it only takes one person at the right place and at the right time to change the world!
Jeanette Gisbert, Executive Director Volunteer New York!
WELCOME!
We’re here 365 days a year to make the process of finding a volunteer opportunity and connecting to local nonprofits in your community easy.
You can use our website anytime to search our database of volunteer opportunities. Visit volunteernewyork.org to create a free volunteer profile and to sign up for or express interest in upcoming local volunteer opportunities. You can also customize your volunteer profile with your skills and interests, as well as use your Volunteer New York! profile to track your volunteer hours and print your volunteer history.
If you’ve never volunteered before, or are new to the area, you can start by calling us at 914-948-4452 or by visiting volunteernewyork.org/schedule to set up a conversation with a volunteer placement specialist who will help you find a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and interests.
Connect. Serve. Grow.
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GET STARTED: Scan here to create your free Volunteer New York! account
Volunteering is Transformational
The backbone of a strong, resilient community is its volunteers. Volunteers help many local nonprofits achieve their missions and increase the quality of life for all. Volunteers are the gears needed to keep our community running smoothly.
A large team of one-time volunteers who come together for a day of service can help make a nonprofit’s seemingly impossible project, suddenly possible.
And a single ongoing volunteer dedicated to one nonprofit can expand that nonprofit’s capacity to create a larger, sustainable impact over time.
From saving lives, holding a stranger’s hand, delivering meals and serving on boards, volunteers help fill important gaps.
volunteernewyork.org • 914-948-4452
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Volunteering is good for you
THERE'S A REASON VOLUNTEERS SMILE MORE
Volunteers have a 27% higher odds of finding a job than those without volunteer experience on their resume.
https://www.americorps.gov/sites/default/files/evidenceexchange/FR_2013_VolunteeringasaPathwaytoEmployment_1.pdf
Volunteering is one of the best ways to network, meet likeminded people, and to find common ground with others in your community.
Volunteering is an opportunity to learn new skills or gain experience in a field that you’re interested in.
Volunteering feels good and can increase your sense of purpose in life. Acting generously is known to trigger your brain to release chemicals that can help lower stress and improve mood.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/generosity-might-keep-us-healthy-10-10-26/
Volunteers over age 55 who volunteer 100 hours a year are known to live longer and go to the hospital less often than those who do not volunteer.
https://www.prb.org/volunteering-and-aging-2/
Connect. Serve. Grow.
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Youth Volunteer Guidebook (A Free App)
Volunteering is a great way for youth to gain experience, try new things, and expand their worldview. Our free Youth Volunteer Guidebook app is a comprehensive local guide to volunteering for youth under 18. Download the app today: volunteernewyork.org/youth
Youth Service Projects
Throughout the year many youth and parents contact us about faith-based service projects. In preparation for a Confirmation or Bar/Bat Mitzvah a young person may be asked to complete a certain amount of service hours or a service project. We can help! Schedule a conversation today with a placement specialist: volunteernewyork.org/schedule
Schools
Volunteer New York! provides Civic Engagement Workshops to high schools in underserved areas throughout Westchester to encourage youth engagement, advocacy, and local volunteerism. Any high school interested should contact: volunteer@volunteernewyork.org
Families
There’s never a better time for families to volunteer together, create lasting memories and impart strong social values. Throughout the year we feature opportunities on our website and in our newsletter that are family-friendly. Subscribe now to stay informed: volunteernewyork.org/newsletter
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Youth
Teach To Learn Foundation
Business Council of Westchester
Teatown Lake Reservation
The Carver Center
The Center for Aging in Place,
The Friends of Scarsdale Parks
The Guidance Center of Westchester
Each year, we work with 300 nonprofits!
The League of Women Voters - Rye, Rye Brook & Port Chester
The LOFT: Lesbian & Gay Community Services
The Lustgarten Foundation
The Mary J. Blige Center for Women
The New Dawn Foundation
The New Jewish Home/Sarah Neuman Center
The Picture House
The Rye Arts Center
The Salvation Army - White Plains
The Salvation Army - Yonkers
The Shikuri Project
Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers
Together Our Unity Can Heal, INC.
Tommie Cares
Topfield Equestrian Center
Town of Greenburgh
Connecting To The Right Opportunity
The Power of Search
With hundreds of local nonprofits and unmet needs in our community, there is an opportunity for everyone (regardless of age or ability) to serve in a meaningful way.
Our website features an opportunity search engine that helps bring our community’s volunteer needs into one central location and makes navigating hundreds of choices or discovering new nonprofits easy.
Community members can search for local volunteer opportunities by issue area, nonprofit, distance, age, skill or date. Whatever you are looking for, each search is its own opportunity to learn about local needs and explore new ways you can use your unique talents and time to make a difference. Get started at volunteernewyork.org or head directly to volunteernewyork.org/search to conduct an advanced search.
Connect. Serve. Grow. A -HOME AARP - Tax Aide Program Abbott House Academic Pathways Acorn Organics Afya Foundation of America: Supplies for Life Aisling Irish Community Center Alexander Hamilton High School Allied Community Enterprises, Inc. ALS Association Alternatives to Violence Project Alzheimers Association American Cancer Society Hudson Valley Region American Diabetes Association American Heart Association American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter Amy’s Greenhouse Andrus Children’s Center Andrus on Hudson Angelman Syndrome Foundation Anne M. Dorner Middle School April’s Child ARC of Westchester Areyvut, Inc. Arthritis Foundation, The ArtsWestchester Asociacion de Familias Hispanas of Tarrytown At Home In Somers At Home on the Sound Atria Senior Living - Briarcliff Manor Autism Science Foundation Autism Speaks Bear Mountain Toll House Visitor Center Bedford Audubon Bethel Nursing, Rehab, and Retirement Homes Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Rockland County Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester Birthright of Rockland County, Inc. Blue Door Artists Association Blythedale Children’s Hospital Boy Scouts of America Westchester-Putnam Council Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon NY Bread of Life BRiDGES Bridges to Community Brieant Youth Alliance, The Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Cabrini Eldercare Camp Herrlich Cancer Support Team Caramoor Center for Music and The Arts Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Inc. Caritas of Port Chester Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charities Community Services Center for Safety and Change Child Advocacy Center of Putnam County Child Care Council of Westchester Children of Promise Stable, Inc. Children’s Village, The City of New Rochelle Parks & Recreation Department Claremont School Clay Art Center CLUSTER Community Services Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation Community Awareness Network for a Drug-free Life and Environment (CANDLE) Community Cats Community Center of Northern Westchester Community Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Community Housing Innovations, Inc. Community Service Associates Community Synagogue of Rye Compassion & Choices of New York Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester Continuum of Care Partnership Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County Corporate Angel Network County Harvest Creative Response to Conflict, Inc. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America - Fairfield / Westchester Chapter Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Daybreak Independent Services, Inc. Destination: College Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry at South Presbyterian Church DOROT, Inc. Educated Canines Assisting with Disablilities Educational Opportunity Center Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute Elinor Martin Residence for Mother & Child, The Elisa Lanera Foundation (ELF) Elizabeth Seton Children?s Foundation Emelin Theatre Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. Family Service Society of Yonkers Family Services of Westchester (FSW) Family YMCA at Tarrytown Family-to-Family, Inc Federated Conservationists of Westchester County Ferncliff Manor First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Food Bank for Westchester Inc. FoodSync Fordham University Foster Kids Unite, Inc. Friends of Karen Friends of the New Rochelle Library Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct Furniture Sharehouse Future Leaders 4 Success Inc Garito Manor Gilda’s Club Westchester Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc Girls Inc. Westchester Give More HUGS Graham Windham Graph It Forward Today Green Chimneys Greenburgh Evergreen Club Greenburgh Nature Center Greenburgh Public Library Groundwork Hudson Valley Guiding Eyes for the Blind Gullotta House Inc H.O.M.E. Inc. Habitat for Humanity of Rockland Heartsong, Inc. Helping Hands Rockland Hillside Elementary School Hillside Food Outreach Hilltop Hanover Farm Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, Inc. Hope Community Services Hope’s Door Hospice Care of Westchester and Putnam Housing Action Council, Inc. Hudson River Museum Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art Hudson Valley Community Services, Inc. Hudson Valley Honor Flight Hudson Valley Justice Center Hudson Valley Singers, The Hudson Valley Special Olympics Hugh Doyle Senior Center Humane Society of Westchester IFCA Housing Network Infinite Family Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc. Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care Jawonio Jay Heritage Center JCC of Mid-Westchester JCY Westchester Community Partners Jewish Child Care Association (JCCA) John A. Coleman School Junior League of Central Westchester Keep Rockland Beautiful Keon Center/ CARC, Inc. Kids X-Press, Inc Larchmont/Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force Latino U College Access, Inc. Leake & Watts Service, Inc. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Let’s Get Ready! Let’s Play It Forward Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Leviticus Fund ‘LIFE’ Progressive Services Group Inc. Lifting Up Westchester Lighthouse Guild Lincoln Depot Foundation Literacy Volunteers of the Tarrytowns (LVT) Live On New York Living Transformation International Center Lois Bronz Children’s Center LPSS,Inc. (Lambda Peer Support Services) MAC Angels Foundation Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center March of Dimes March of Dimes National Office Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Foundation Martin Luther King Multi Purpose Center Meals On Wheels of New Rochelle, INC. Meals on Wheels of White Plains Meals on Wheels of Yonkers Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland, Inc. Meals on Wheels-Bronxville Meals on Wheels-Mamaroneck Meals On Wheels-Scarsdale Mental Health Association of Westchester County Mercy College Montefiore Health System Montefiore New Rochelle Mount Carmel Baptist Church Mount Kisco Child Care Center Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, The Mount Vernon Animal Shelter Mount Vernon Armory Senior Center Mount Vernon Youth Bureau My Brother’s Keeper My Second Home of FSW My Sisters’ Place NAMI Westchester National Kidney Foundation Serving Greater New York National MS Society Neighbors Link Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Neuberger Museum of Art New Rochelle Cares AIP New Rochelle Chamber Of Commerce New Rochelle Council on the Arts New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority New Rochelle Public Library New Rochelle YMCA New Rochelle Youth Bureau New Westchester Symphony Orchestra New York Basket Brigade New York Blood Center New York State Veterans Home at Montrose NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Division Nonprofit Westchester Northern Westchester Hospital NSSA at Mt. Vernon Nyack Center One Change at a Time One Sandwich At a Time Open Door Family Medical Center Operation Gratitude Ossining Food Pantry Ossining Micro Fund Ossining School District Our New Way Garden Pace University Pace Women’s Justice Center Pajama Program - Westchester Chapter, The PALS Programs Parents Place Parks & Trails New York Pass It On Kid’s Kloset Passage to Excellence Corporation Paws Crossed Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Pelham PACT Coalition Pet Rescue of Larchmont Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Port Chester Cares Community Coalition Port Chester Middle School Posh Pets Animal Rescue Pound Ridge Land Conservancy Pro Bono Partnership Providence House- New Rochelle Shelter Purchase Free Library Putnam Arts Council Putnam Children’s Discovery Center Putnam Family and Community Services Putnam Hospital Center Putnam LGBTQ Mentorship Program Putnam Valley Community Food Pantry Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center Reform Temple of Putnam Valley Regency Extended Care Center Richmond Community Services RideConnect Rivertown Artists Workshop Rivertown Runners Rivertowns Village Green Rockland Interfaith Breakfast Program Rockland Psychiatric Center Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley Rye Nature Center Rye YMCA Salvation Army - Port Chester Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak Save The Sound Schaffer Extended Care Center Schnurmacher Center for Rehab and Nursing SCORE - Westchester Selfhelp Community Services, Inc. Sensory Bullets Sheldrake Environmental Center SNAP Somers Nutrition Program Somers Manor Nursing Home Songcatchers Inc. Soup Angels South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc. SPARC, Inc - Special Program And Resource Connection SPELLBINDERS, Peekskill Chapter Sprain Brook Manor Rehab and Nursing Facility SPRYE, Inc. St. Christopher’s, Inc/Our New Way Garden St. John’s Riverside Hospital St. Joseph’s Medical Center Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture Student Assistance Services Suffern Farmers’ Market Sunshine Children’s Home and Rehab Center Support Connection Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Community Food Pantry TaSH Farmer’s Market Teach To Learn Foundation Teatown Lake Reservation The Business Council of Westchester The Carver Center The Center for Aging in Place, The Friends of Scarsdale Parks The Guidance Center of Westchester The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center The League of Women Voters - Rye, Rye Brook & Port Chester The LOFT: Lesbian & Gay Community Services The Lustgarten Foundation The Mary J. Blige Center for Women The New Dawn Foundation The New Jewish Home/Sarah Neuman Center The Picture House The Rye Arts Center The Salvation Army - White Plains The Salvation Army - Yonkers The Shikuri Project Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers Together Our Unity Can Heal, INC. Tommie Cares Topfield Equestrian Center Town of Greenburgh Town of Greenburgh NY Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Town of Mamaroneck Community Services Office Toys for Tots - Westchester Transplant Support Organization, Inc. United Community Center of Westchester United for the Troops United Hebrew United Hospice of Rockland United Way of Westchester and Putnam VA Hudson Valley Health Care System VCS Inc. Venture Foundation Volunteer Action Center Rockland - Chore Service Volunteer Association for Bangladesh (VAB) Volunteer New York! Wainwright House Ward Acres Community Garden Wartburg Adult Care Community WESPAC Foundation Westchester Children’s Association Westchester Children’s Museum Westchester Community College Foundation Westchester County - Department of Social Services Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. (WestCOP) Westchester County Amateur Radio Emergency Service/Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service Westchester County Department of Health Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Westchester Cycle Club Westchester End-of-Life Coalition Westchester Hispanic Coalition Westchester Independent Living Center Westchester Jewish Community Services Westchester Land Trust Westchester Library System Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence Westchester Medical Center Westchester One Stop Employment Center Westchester Parks Foundation Westchester Philharmonic Westchester Putnam School Boards Association Westchester Residential Opportunities Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board Westchester-Rockland Project Linus Westchester’s Christmas Dinner WestCOP Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP) WestFair Rides WESTHAB White Plains Hospital White Plains Youth Bureau Woodlawn Conservancy WordStart Early Literacy Foundation Worldwide Community First Responder, Inc. YCOP of Mount Vernon Yes She Can Inc. YMCA of White Plains YoFi Fest, Inc Yonkers African American Hertiage Committee Yonkers Community Action Program Yonkers Humane Society Yonkers Partners in Education Foundation Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra Yonkers Thrives Yorktown Teen Center, Inc. Youth Shelter Program of Westchester YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester YWCA Yonkers Zion’ Place, Inc
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VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE
RSVP OF WESTCHESTER
A Volunteer Program for Adults Age 55+
Across our nation, over half a million AmeriCorps Seniors members age 55 and over are making an impact in their communities where they are needed most. Locally, RSVP members help provide economic opportunities, tutor kids, assist veterans with services, and more.
Our RSVP of Westchester program for adults age 55+ makes it easy to stay active and give back in a meaningful way. Learn more about how to join the club at: volunteernewyork.org/adults
RSVP of Westchester is an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee and receives funds through their RSVP program. Additional support for RSVP of Westchester is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, New York State Office for the Aging, and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.
RISE Everyone Can Serve
The Readiness thru Integrated Service Engagement program connects groups of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to local nonprofits where they build skills while volunteering in an inclusive environment. Find out more: volunteernewyork.org/RISE
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Volunteer New Rochelle!
In partnership with the City of New Rochelle, we’re proud to help encourage volunteerism and support local New Rochelle nonprofits at volunteernewyork.org/newrochelle
National Days of Service
Project Leaders are needed to help others have positive volunteer experiences.
Each year Volunteer New York!’s signature community-wide action days (#911Day, #MLKDay) bring thousands of volunteers together to address local needs. Trained project leaders help direct volunteer power to more organizations to increase impact. To learn more, please contact: nicole@volunteernewyork.org
Connect. Serve. Grow.
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Leadership Westchester Are you ready to lead?
Since 1996, Leadership Westchester has been the signature leadership development program of Volunteer New York!. It is designed to sharpen your leadership skills, build your network, and teach you to leverage your strengths so you can make a lasting and powerful impact on Westchester and beyond.
The LW program also includes exclusive networking events and continuing education workshops for alumni. Classes are limited to 20 participants a year. More info: volunteernewyork.org/leadership
Nonprofit Board Boot Camp & Board Speed Dating
Your Path to Board Service
Not sure if you’re ready or have the experience needed to volunteer on a nonprofit board? This specialized annual program has helped prepare and connect hundreds of professionals to serve on local nonprofit boards. Find out more at volunteernewyork.org/bootcamp.
As featured in
volunteernewyork.org • 914-948-4452
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Corporate Social Responsibility
COMMUNITY IMPACT • TURNKEY CSR SOLUTIONS • PROJECTS IN A BOX
Companies who partner with Volunteer New York! work closely with our experienced corporate engagement team to build or enhance a successful Employee Volunteer Program.
Volunteer New York! leverages its ongoing relationships with 300 community partners to identify pressing local needs that are aligned with each company’s philanthropic goals and pillars of engagement. Corporate service with Volunteer New York! helps local companies contribute to and strengthen the community in which they do business. Volunteer New York! works with our partners to plan projects that meet their needs. Whether one-time efforts or a calendar of customized projects, we create custom volunteer programs for each company we support. Learn more at: volunteernewyork.org/corporate-programs
Encouraging volunteerism among employees builds morale, boosts employee retention, deepens leadership and team-building skills, and has been shown to raise workforce productivity.
To request a custom corporate engagement proposal or to learn more about the ways Volunteer New York! can help you meet your CSR goals, visit volunteernewyork.org/lead or call 914-227-9317 to get started.
Connect. Serve. Grow.
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2023-2024
VNY! EVENTS CALENDAR
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Nonprofit Partners
How Deep Is Your Impact?
Nonprofit Support and Capacity Building
Volunteer New York! helps nonprofits build and grow sustainable volunteer programs. Organizations are encouraged to use our online volunteer management tool, HandsOn Connect, to recruit volunteers.
To register your 501(c)(3) certified nonprofit and to start submitting your volunteer needs to be published on our website go to: volunteernewyork.org/nonprofitservices
Live training sessions and professional workshops are also available throughout the year for our community partners. Need an army of short-term volunteers to take on a big project? Consider being a part of one of our annual community-wide days of service.
Haven’t checked your Volunteer New York! nonprofit profile in a while? Make sure your listings and contact info are up-to-date to improve sign-up rates.
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We’re In This Together
A Hands On Approach
We routinely visit local organizations to help assess their needs and challenges. We also help promote our partners’ volunteer opportunities through our website, Youth Volunteer Guidebook, monthly newsletters, collateral distribution and social media, and at outreach events and presentations.
Looking to build a strong board for your organization? We can help. Visit our nonprofit services page to submit your board openings. Through our Leadership Westchester Alumni Association and Nonprofit Board Boot Camp we are building a pipeline of candidates who are ready and interested in local board service.
To start a conversation about how we can work together to deepen your impact or to schedule a site visit with your agency, call 914-9484452 or email info@volunteernewyork.org.
Volunteer Recognition
Extraordinary volunteer efforts deserve special recognition. We encourage nonprofits to nominate their outstanding volunteers each year during the fall for our annual Volunteer Spirit Awards event. The awards presentation typically takes place in April during Global Volunteer Month. For over 40 years it has been one of the largest and most important volunteer recognition events in our region. For more info: volunteernewyork.org/awards
volunteernewyork.org • 914-948-4452
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220 White Plains Road Ste. 220, Tarrytown, NY 10591 • We Make Volunteering Easy @volunteerNYnow • 914-948-4452
