Orange Book
Your Guide to Volunteerism
in Westchester, Putnam & Rockland
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About Us
The core mission of Volunteer New York! is to mobilize our community to address its greatest 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 35,000 volunteers to take action and mobilized 445,000 hours of service to 300+ local nonprofits, creating an impact of $15.6 million in value for our community.
Our values and our beliefs guide our work every day.
These are our values:
• WE VALUE VOLUNTEERISM
• WE VALUE COMMUNITY
These are our beliefs:
• WE BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN SERVE
• WE BELIEVE VOLUNTEERING IS TRANSFORMATIONAL
• WE BELIEVE RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
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 help you turn your good intentions into action.
Join us on this journey to connect, serve, and grow. Let’s build a more vibrant, resilient, and equitable community—together.
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 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.
GET STARTED: Scan here to create your 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.
Volunteering is good for you
THERE'S A REASON VOLUNTEERS SMILE MORE
Volunteering is a powerful way to advance connection to one’s community and create diverse ties among community members.
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
Surgeon General raises alarm about the devastating impact of loneliness and isolation in the United States and views volunteerism and social connection as a strategy to tackle this.
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
Community organizations provide opportunities to foster social connections. Higher levels of social connectedness suggest better community outcomes, ranging from population health to community safety, resilience, prosperity, and representative government.
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
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 60 who volunteer 100 hours a year have a lower risk of loneliness compared to non-volunteers.
https://www.futurity.org/older-adult-volunteering-loneliness-2876332-2
Youth
Youth Volunteer Guidebook
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 service projects. In preparation for a Confirmation, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or any other service requirement, we can help! Schedule a conversation today with a placement specialist: volunteernewyork.org/schedule
Schools
Volunteer New York! provides Civic Engagement Workshops to select high schools 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
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.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE
RSVP OF WESTCHESTER
A Volunteer Program for Adults Age 55+
Across our nation, over half a million AmeriCorps Seniors members ages 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 enroll in the program: 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 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
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: info@volunteernewyork.org
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 Leadership Westchester program also includes exclusive networking events and continuing education workshops for alumni. Classes are limited to 20 participants a year. More info: volunteernewyork.org/
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. Learn more about board service: volunteernewyork.org/bootcamp
volunteernewyork.org • 914-948-4452
Corporate Partnerships
COMMUNITY IMPACT • TAILORED CSR SOLUTIONS • PROJECTS IN A BOX
Companies who partner with Volunteer New York! work closely with our experienced Corporate Partnerships Team to build or enhance a successful employee volunteer program.
Volunteer New York! is the go-to resource for community-minded companies looking to build and expand effective employee volunteer programs.
With our local network of 300+ nonprofit partners and a team of subject matter experts, we can help you utilize the power of volunteerism to:
• Deepen employee engagement
• Expand your brand visibility
• Strengthen the community where your employees work and live
• Celebrate community service
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 corporate social responsibility goals, visit volunteernewyork.org/lead or call 914-227-9317 to get started.
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.
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 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