Community Service Database: Children & Youth
Association to Benefit Children
What is the Association to Benefit Children?
Association to Benefit Children defends the right of every child to a joyful and nurturing childhood by creating compassionate programs in urgent response to the needs of New York City's most vulnerable children and families. ABC's youth programs, including after school and summer day camp, provide the structure, encouragement, and consistency that at-risk school-aged children need to build academic skills, develop strength of character, resilience, and positive self-esteem. A dedicated staff, together with devoted volunteers, expertly mentor and tutor children both individually and in small groups in reading, dance, math, music, writing, and science.
How can I get involved?
Youth Services: ABC’s Youth Services offers year-round programming for at-risk young people, giving them the tools they need to stay in school and thrive. As a volunteer, you might provide homework help, teach kids a new skill, or participate in scheduled activities. Click here to read more about program offerings or to contact a site coordinator.
Bunny's Garden: ABC’s community garden is a space that provides children and families with an urban oasis in which to grow their own food, learn about healthy eating habits, and explore nature. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and upkeep, planting, harvesting, and composting. Capacity for garden events in 2023 may be limited because of staffing constraints.
Early childhood: Work with kids ages 0-5 at one of ABC’s five early childhood sites. Volunteer responsibilities include playing with, feeding, holding, and reading to the children. Click here to learn more or to get in touch with a site coordinator.
Contact information:
www.a-b-c.org
Jessica Casanova: 646-459-6175, jcasanova@a-b-c.org
Empatico
What is Empatico?
Empatico, an initiative of The KIND Foundation (a separate philanthropic entity started by KIND Healthy Snacks), is a free, online tool that connects students across the country and the world. The tool is a one-stop-shop for matching classrooms, global scheduling, seamless live video connection, and research-based activities on universal topics - such as play and helping others - to expand kids' world views and promote curiosity and kindness.
How can I get involved?
Empatico is being offered for free in classrooms with students ages 7-11. Empatico’s singular mission is to build a valuable tool that connects thousands of teachers and students around the world. Teachers can sign up at empatico.org now to get matched with a class. All teachers need is an internet connection and a laptop with a camera to get started.
Contact information:
www.empatico.org
George Khalaf: 917-756-9088
East Harlem Tutorial Program
What is the East Harlem Tutorial Program?
East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP) began in 1958 as a children's reading group and has since grown into a multi-site after-school program for public school students and a network of charter schools focused on significantly increasing the college graduation rate in East Harlem.
How can I get involved?
East Harlem Tutorial Program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities through our public charter schools, after-school, and summer programs. The program opportunities range from subject-matter tutoring, providing students with homework help, mentoring, and preparing high school students for college success. Volunteers support our scholars, prepare them for academic success, encourage their social enrichment, and help them gain the confidence they will need to succeed in college and in life. With the help and support of our community of over 350 volunteers, EHTP is able to reach more students in East Harlem. Volunteer with EHTP and make a lasting impact on our scholars!
Apply to be a volunteer here.
Contact information:
2050 Second Avenue
NY, NY 10029
Phone: (212) 831-0650
https://www.ehtp.org/contact-us
The 52nd Street Project
What is The 52nd Street Project?
The 52nd Street Project is a community-based arts organization that has been in Hell's Kitchen since 1981. The Project brings kids from the neighborhood (between the ages of 9 and 18) together with adults (volunteer professional artists) to create art, as equal partners, and to establish and sustain long-term mentoring relationships. By building on the core experience of accomplishment and collaboration, the Project fosters a sense of inclusion in a place where the kids belong, and where their creative work is the driving force.
How can I get involved?
Apply to volunteer here. Read more about the opportunities here.
Contact information:
www.52project.org
Gus Rogerson: 212-333-5252, rogerson@52project.org
Program Director Garrett Kim (gkim@52project.org) or Associate Artistic Director Kat Almiranez (almiranez@52project.org)
BYKids
What is BYKids?
Talented young storytellers from around the world are paired with seasoned filmmakers to create powerful documentaries about their lives.
In partnership with public television and education innovators, BYKids shares the films and their activation resources to help make global issues feel personal, relevant, and actionable for millions of students.
How can I get involved?
There are 2-3 internships available for qualified high school students with an interest in social justice and film.
Contact information:
www.bykids.org
Holly Carter: 212-362-2001, holly@bykids.org
Ramapo for Children
What is Ramapo for Children?
Through direct service youth programs and highly regarded training programs for adults, Ramapo works on behalf of children who face obstacles to learning, including children with special needs, enabling them to succeed in the classroom, at home, and in life. At the heart of our work is the conviction that all children seek the same things: to learn, feel valued, and experience success. Ramapo helps young people learn to align their behaviors with their aspirations.
How can I get involved?
Summer Camp Counselors at Camp Ramapo As Ramapo staff members, summer camp counselors will develop the skills needed to succeed with a broad range of children and will benefit from the same state-of-the-art training that Ramapo provides to educators and other industry professionals around the world. Counselors will emerge with a heightened ability to meet children’s needs and will learn how to create environments that celebrate strengths and enable all children to feel a sense of belonging. Through hands-on work with children who have varying degrees of needs and abilities, counselors can earn up to six college credits and will receive a stipend and free room and board. Counselors make a 9-week commitment from mid-June to mid-August with a limited number of short-term, 5-week positions available from late July to late August. Find the application on our website at: http://ramapoforchildren.org/about-ramapo/employment/summer-staff.
RamaYear is Ramapo’s year-round position that offers college graduates an outstanding opportunity to hone their leadership and communication skills before embarking on their career paths. RamaYears work alongside permanent staff members to assist with students and educators who participate in Ramapo’s on-site, adventure-based retreats, and board with and serve as mentors to the organization’s Staff Assistants: young adults with special needs who are seeking to become self-sufficient while building social and job skills. RamaYears receive an annual salary, health benefits, paid vacation time and free room and board. All Ramapo staff members are also provided ample opportunity to explore Rhinebeck and its surrounding area, which offers access to a wealth of outdoor adventures, attractions and entertainment. Find the application on our website at: http://ramapoforchildren.org/ramayear.
Contact information:
www.ramapoforchildren.org
Kate Wrightington: 845-876-8423, kwrightington@ramapoforchildren.org
George Jackson Academy
What is the George Jackson Academy?
GJA is a school for bright boys, grades 4-8 which focuses on academic achievement and brotherhood. Every GJA student attends on scholarship and no boy is ever denied admission because of family income level. With a 100% high school graduation rate, GJA boys matriculate to the nation's best boarding and day schools.
How can I get involved?
Tutoring: We are always looking for qualified math and English tutors to work with boys, grades 4-8. Tutors should be available 7:30-9 AM or 4-5 PM. We need 10-15 volunteers annually. Volunteers should be at least 15 years of age.
Contact information:
Opportunities are flexible and available upon request. Please send an email to Jay Underwood to inquire.
gjacademy.org
Sara Murphy: 212-228-6789, smurphy@georgejacksonacademy.org
The Bloomingdale Family Program
What is the Bloomingdale Family Program?
The Bloomingdale Family Program is an educational program for young children from low-income families in Upper Manhattan. Bloomingdale offers an education program for three and four-year olds, on-site therapeutic support services for children with special learning needs, continuing support for children after they transition into elementary school, and a number of parent programs.
How can I get involved?
Volunteer in the classrooms or after-school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6pm with Bloomingdale's Homework Help/tutoring program.
Contact information:
Email Maria Rivera (mrivera@bloomingdalefamilyprogram.org) for any questions about Homework Help or volunteering at Bloomingdale.
Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC)
What is the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC)?
Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan child advocacy organization. We educate and mobilize New Yorkers to make the city a better place for children. Our advocacy combines public policy research and data analysis with citizen action. We cast light on the issues, educate the public, engage allies, and identify and promote practical solutions to ensure that every New York City child is healthy, housed, educated, and safe.
How can I get involved?
The Community Leadership Course (CLC) is a 10-week course for adults offered every Fall. Participants spend one day a week immersed in different children’s issues and learn about effective child advocacy campaigns. Upon completion, participants often join CCC’s Advocacy Council for additional civic engagement opportunities.
Contact information:
https://www.cccnewyork.org/
Laura Jankstrom: 212-673-1800 ext 20, ljankstrom@cccnewyork.org
Time In
What is Time In?
Time In is a groundbreaking opera and visual arts initiative that for the past 14 years has been bringing some of New York’s youngest, most at-risk public school children out of underserved classrooms, and into the world of the living arts every week of the school year as part of their normal school day. Every child, every classroom. No exceptions.
How Can I get involved?
Reach out!
Contact information:
director@timeinkids.org,
or directly by phone at +1 917-318-9499
The GO Project
What is the GO Project?
The GO Project (“GO”) helps New York City public school children thrive in the earliest stages of their education through year-round academic, social-emotional, and family support. Since 1968, GO’s out-of-school time programming has equipped thousands of children with the confidence and skills needed to make academic gains, enroll in high-performing middle and high schools, graduate on time, and achieve college success. By harnessing New York’s physical, financial, and intellectual resources, GO has grown from a group of volunteers serving 30 students on the Lower East Side into a $3 million organization creating equal opportunity for more than 700 students citywide.
How can I get involved?
GO Getter Summer Internship: The GO Getter summer internship is an opportunity for high school students to learn and develop leadership skills while working with GO Project students in academic and/or enrichment classes. During the five-week GO Summer program, interns will be supporting instruction in one of our K – 4 classrooms under the guidance of a Head Teacher or Enrichment Teacher. Read more about the role here and submit an application by April 21, 2023.
Committed Classroom Volunteer: Sign up to provide ongoing support in GO classrooms during the school year. Volunteers commit to most Saturday mornings during the fall and/or spring semesters. Learn more about the opportunity here and submit your application: GO School Volunteer Application.
Group and Corporate Volunteer Days: Organize a community service day for employees of your company, student groups, friends, or family. Group volunteers support student enrichment classes on weekday afternoons in July and Saturday mornings during the school year. To schedule your volunteer day, email info@goprojectnyc.org.
Specialized Workshops: GO welcomes the opportunity to leverage corporate professional skills and expertise to develop one-time or a series of targeted learning workshops for GO middle school students or for parents and caregivers of our students. Past learning workshop topics have included finanical literacy, introduction to digital coding, and nutrition and healthy eating. Find out more by emailing info@goprojectnyc.org.
Book Drive: Organize a book drive for GO students! To help facilitate a successful collection, please reference this list of age-appropriate books or Amazon WishList, as well as a promotional flyer. Volunteers have the opportunity to help distribute books to students and families at our book fairs at the end of the school year in May or before winter break in December. Activate your networks today to help build student home libraries. Email info@goprojectnyc.org with questions or assistance with delivery coordination.
Translation Support:
Provide translation assistance for GO parents and caregivers whose primary language is Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, or Chinese Cantonese. Assistance includes translation of documents shared with families (periodic, on-call basis) and/or joining Parent Teacher Conferences on Zoom. If you are fluent, sign up here: Volunteer Translator Sign Up Form.
Contact information:
https://www.goprojectnyc.org/get-involved/volunteer
