10 Places For Kids To Volunteer Around Brooklyn
We’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks talking about being thankful, and instilling that feeling of gratitude in our children. Another wonderful element of the autumn season, though, is philanthropy.
It’s never too early to start talking to your children about giving. Maybe your preschooler has a box of toys that they’re too old for, or their favorite pants are suddenly too short. Start by finding a place to donate those items, and then bring the kids along so that they can see how their actions result in gratitude from the recipients.
If you’re devoted to a particular cause or event, share that passion with your children. When kids see that you’re excited about giving, they’re more likely to jump on board and help — or better still — seek out causes that they’re equally as passionate about.
Volunteering is a wonderful way for families to spend time together, and if you’re looking to celebrate this season of giving, Brooklyn has a number of nonprofits that could use a hand.
We’ve pulled together a list of 10 organizations that welcome child and teen volunteers. If you have any other suggestions, please share the details in the comments below.
Arab American Family Support Center
Mission: “To provide comprehensive social services to Arab-American immigrant families. To strengthen families, foster healthy development of youth, encourage civic participation, and ensure their well-being as they adapt to life in the U.S.”
Minimum Age: 16
Volunteer Needs: Teens provide Arab-American immigrant youth with one-on-one homework help and engage youth in social and cultural enrichment activities. In addition to the satisfaction of helping kids settle into their new communities, volunteers will learn about their peers Arab heritage. Note that tutors must have basic reading, writing, and math skills.
Contact: info@aafscny.org
Fixer’s Collective
Mission: “To repair the world by fostering a culture of repair, and by teaching repair skills.”
Minimum Age: 13
Volunteer Needs: If your teen is handy with tools (or wants to be), make your way to the Fixer’s Collective. On the third Thursday of every month, folks bring their broken things to the “fixing table” for collective consideration. Lead by Master Fixers, the assembled group shares ideas and techniques for repairing, mending, enhancing or repurposing the objects. It’s a wonderful way for kids to develop an appreciation for the “things” in our lives.
Contact: info@fixerscollective.org
Gallop NYC
Mission: “To improve the lives of children and adults in NYC facing developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges through the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship, by creating harmonious bonds between horses and our NYC community of people with disabilities and special needs.”
Minimum Age: 14 (with parent supervision)
Volunteer Needs: Teens who love working with animals will jump at the chance to volunteer with Gallop NYC. Working directly with special needs riders, volunteers will help guide horses throughout a therapeutic riding session (one lead guide, and two on each side of the rider). All training is provided, and no experience is necessary.
Contact: volunteer@gallopnyc.org
Grand Army Plaza Market Textile Recycling
Mission: To reduce the strain on landfills by limiting the amount of textiles that are thrown in the garbage.
Minimum Age: No minimum
Volunteer Needs: We all know your kid’s closet and/or drawers could use a good clear out. Textile recycling is great way to show our young Brooklynites how their junk could be another person’s treasure. The group accepts clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, linens, handbags, belts, and other reusable textiles. No scraps, rugs, carpeting, pillows, comforters, or luggage. For more information and drop off schedules, visit the Grow NYC website.
Contact: Office of Recycling Outreach and Education, 212-788-7964
Greenpoint Church Hunger Program
Mission: “Our mission is to ensure that no one goes hungry.”
Minimum Age: 16, though younger children may volunteer with approval and proper supervision.
Volunteer Needs: Greenpoint Church operates both a food pantry and a community kitchen, and accepts volunteers on a weekly basis. The kitchen operates every Wednesday from 6 to 7pm. Volunteers can arrive anytime between 3 and 7:30pm to help cook, clean, set up, and serve. The pantry runs on Thursdays from 8am to 11am, so this would be a better option for kids during school holidays.
Contact: If you are bringing a child below the age of 16, please contact Pastor CB first at CB@greenpointchurch.org.
Kids For Wish Kids
Mission: Kids For Wish Kids is an educational program that enables students to work together and develop leadership skills while raising money to help fund the wishes of critically ill children. Kids can come up with their own fundraisers, managing it from start to finish, or run with existing ideas.
Minimum Age: No minimum
Volunteer Needs: The possibilities are endless. Help the kids get creative and come up with a fun and unique way to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.
Contact: Kathie Lombardi, 516-944-6212 or klombardi@metrony.wish.org
Little Essentials
Mission: This is a community-based organization, founded by Park Slope resident Sandie Trombert, that helps keep families together by providing free baby and toddler (to age 4) clothing, gear, toys, and other essential items to Brooklyn families living in poverty. Little Essentials helps keep children safe (in cribs, cars seats, and clothing); lifts the spirits and provides hope to their parents; and takes care of our environment by reusing items that are only briefly used.
Minimum Age: 10 (with parent supervision)
Volunteer Needs: Volunteers are needed to help sort through donations from 10am-1pm and 2-5pm on November 21, December 5, and December 12. The warehouse is located in Gowanus, 24 15th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
Contact: info@littleessentials.org
Sean Casey Kennel Attendant
Mission: “The purpose of this endeavor is to aid unfortunate animals in the interest of a higher quality of life. We take in rescued, confiscated, neglected, injured, ill, unmanageable, or otherwise unwanted animals from private owners, zoos, shelters, and other public organizations. These animals are cared for, and/or rehabilitated to the best of our ability and means until which time they can be found healthy, happy homes – whether it be through adoption to qualified candidates or legally released into habitats suitable to the specific species in conjunction with licensed wildlife rehabilitators.”
Minimum Age: 14
Volunteer Needs: Another great option for Brooklyn’s young animal fans! Sean Casey accepts kennel interns ages 14 and up to help clean, feed, water, and care for rescued animals at the shelter.
Contact: internship@nyanimalrescue.org, attention: SCAR Intern Program – Individual
Sparks For Life
Mission: To bring a smile to the faces of patients at New York Methodist Hospital.
Minimum Age: 16
Volunteer Needs: Does your teen have a passion for the arts? Sparks For Life might be right up their alley. The program invites musicians, singers, artists, puppeteers, certified yoga instructors, clowns, magicians, and other creatives to entertain patients in the pediatric, physical rehabilitation, geriatric and acute psychiatry, and oncology units. From art projects to performances, there are a number of volunteer options to chose from.
Contact: 718-780-5397
Spoke The Hub
Mission: “To nurture both individual and community health and happiness through providing the general public with affordable creative arts study, contemplation, and practice opportunities of the highest caliber.”
Minimum Age: 13
Volunteer Needs: Another great arts volunteering option, but this time with opportunities for younger kids. Volunteer positions include stage crew for events, publicity, studio maintenance projects, digitally archiving photos and videos, and summer camp counseling. Best of all, volunteers can exchange work hours for class time.
Contact: spoke@spokethehub.org