Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Volunteer Opportunities

Here are some examples of RSVP volunteer assignments in all five boroughs. For information on these and hundreds of other opportunities, please contact Gajtana Simonovski, Project Director, at gsimonovski@cssny.org (212) 614-5563.

Volunteers must be at least 55 years old.

Bronx Volunteer Opportunities | Brooklyn Volunteer Opportunities
Manhattan Volunteer Opportunities | Queens Volunteer Opportunities
Staten Island Volunteer Opportunities | Meeting Community Needs

Bronx Volunteer Opportunities

Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry Volunteers — Help others less fortunate to stay healthy. Volunteers needed at soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the Bronx to assist with food preparation, serving, clean-up and/or meal delivery.

Grandfriend Head Start Program, Grandfriend Volunteer — Help make a difference in the life of a child. Volunteers needed to foster intellectual, social and emotional growth of three and four year olds in preparation for kindergarten in Head Start Programs. Training provided.

Hospital Volunteer, Various Assignments — Caring individuals needed to assist at hospitals throughout the Bronx. Assignments include greeting and providing clerical support. Training is provided.

Riverdale Neighborhood House, Various Assignments — Help make a difference in the lives of children and older adults. Volunteers needed to: make weekly phone calls to homebound older adults; lead special event workshops; or tutor children from grades K-12 in an after-school program. All assignments are flexible and training will be provided.

Kings Harbor Multi-Care Center, Friendly Visito – Help make a nursing home resident feel loved.  Make friendly visits to residents and encourage them to engage in recreational activities.  You never know, a beautiful friendship could develop too!  Training and orientation provided.

RAIN East Bronx Hunger Program, Food Pantry Volunteer - Help others less fortunate to stay healthy. Volunteers needed at this food pantry to assist with packaging meals and/or interviewing recipients.  Spanish-speaking a plus, but not required.

Brooklyn Volunteer Opportunities

LIFT – Legal Information for Families Today, Education and Information Site Volunteer - Help New Yorkers navigate Criminal Court. Volunteers with experience or interest in criminal law are needed to provide practical legal information, compassionate guidance, and referrals to all who request services.  The Education and Information Site will be located in the lobby of the court.  Training and Metrocards will be provided.

Shore Hill Houses - Put your love for arts and crafts and the elderly to use.  Arts and Crafts Assistant needed.  Work closely with Recreational Director at this Senior Housing Residence in helping older adults to create various art projects.

Services for the Underserved Home Attendant Program, Customer Service Assistant Volunteer — Help make sure homebound individuals are getting the quality assistance they deserve. Volunteers are needed to phone agency clients to inquire about their satisfaction with their home attendant services and document client's responses. An orientation and training will be provided.

The Doll & Toy Museum of NYC, Museum Assistant Volunteer — Still a kid at heart? Share your love of toys with others. Volunteers are needed to lead museum tours, organize museum exhibits, and provide general museum information to visitors. Orientation and training will be provided.

Chance for Children, Food Pantry Volunteer/Volunteer Driver — Help keep children and adults from going hungry. Volunteers are needed to drive and deliver food to homebound Brooklyn residents.

Reach Out and Read at Long Island College Hospital — Help teach children ages 1-12 a love of reading. Volunteers are needed to read aloud and interact with children, encouraging them to identify pictures, add their own experiences and create new stories.

Lighthouse International Brooklyn, Read Aloud Volunteer — Make a difference in the life of someone with a visual impairment. Volunteers are needed to read aloud to visually impaired individuals.

Imani House, Inc., Tutor Volunteer/Office Assistant/Youth Development Volunteer — Help someone learn English and find a better job. Volunteers are needed to help individuals from other countries learn English, perform light office duties, or help manage classes.

Metropolitan Hospice of Greater New York, Friendly Visitor/Office Assistant Volunteer — Volunteers are needed to make friendly visits to residents. Volunteers are also needed to assist with general office duties including scheduling rooms for staff meetings, doing mailings, and attending community events.

Brooklyn/Staten Island Blood Service, Donation Center Assistant Volunteer — Assist others who give blood. Volunteers are needed to greet donors, assist with their registration, and provide them with juice and snacks. Volunteers will not handle blood.

Kings County District Attorney's Office, Social Worker Assistant Volunteer — Help youth get the help they need. Volunteers are needed to conduct assessments of youth to determine mentor match and types of services needed, assist in case management, provide support for youth, mentors, and parents, and make referrals. Training will be provided.

YWCA of Brooklyn-Greeter Volunteer or Administrative Assistant Volunteer — Help guide visitors or help this recreational nonprofit stay organized. Volunteers are needed to welcome all visitors to YWCA and help them find their destination. Volunteers also needed to assist with filing and interoffice correspondence. Training will be provided for both assignments.

SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Hospital Liaison Volunteer — Help ease others' distress. Volunteers with good interpersonal skills are needed to greet patients and families visiting the hospital. Training and orientation will be provided.

Four Seasons Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Recreation Volunteer — Put a smile on a nursing home resident's face. Volunteers are needed to engage nursing home residents in recreational activities including music, art, educational lectures, and games. Training will be provided.

Joint Action in Community Service/Mentor Volunteer - You can help someone get a jump start on a better life while volunteering from the comfort of your own home. Volunteer mentors are needed to provide assistance, guidance, and support to a recent job corps graduate. Each volunteer speaks with a mentee on the phone for a minimum of once a month for one year. Training and resources will be provided. Flexible schedule.

St. John's Bread and Life Food Pantry / Several Volunteer Positions Available - Be part of an organization that helps low-income individuals meet their nutritional needs. Volunteers are needed to assist in distributing bags of food to clients, input intake and referral information, type referral letters/letters of recommendation, and assist the Director with clerical assignments, including setting up a filing system, developing handbooks, and updating resource listings. Training will be provided.

CAMBA (Church Avenue Merchants Block Association)/Job Coach Volunteer - Help prepare someone to find a job and a better life. Volunteers are needed to edit and create resumes, coach clients for interviews, and encourage them to succeed. Volunteer training on interviewing skills and resumes will be provided.

The Center for Family Life in Sunset Park/Youth Mentor Volunteer - Be a positive force in a young person's life. Volunteer mentors are needed to engage youth in games, conversation, projects, group games and trips, and to provide homework help. A 4-6 hour training covering child development, communication, cultural diversity and tolerance will be provided.

Long Island College Hospital, Gift Shop Assistant — Help with the cash register, transport letters and packages to the mailroom, greet customers in the shop, stock and clear various items. Training will be provided.

The Doe Fund, GED/Pre-GED/Adult Education Tutor - Knowledge is power.  As an Adult Education Tutor you'll empower adults who are formerly homeless and/or adjusting to life post-incarceration to gain a level of knowledge they may have once thought unattainable.  Inspire these individuals to reach their full potential in an exciting and dynamic educational environment.

Elders Share of the Arts - Elders Share of the Arts/National Center for Creative Aging, Various Assignments — If you believe, that "Art knows no age. The body may change, but the imagination still burns bright," consider helping this arts organization with clerical support, data entry, or assist with graphic design of their promotional materials.

Manhattan Volunteer Opportunities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC - Volunteers needed to mentor children on the Upper West and Upper East Side of Manhattan. Mentor children at their school for one hour per week to talk, bond, and do skill-building activities. Training and orientation provided.

Blood Mobile Services - Help save lives by volunteering at Blood Donation Centers.  Without these centers running smoothly, people may not get the blood they need to save their lives.  Welcome donors and assist with their registration forms, observe donors after they donate for any post donation problems while providing refreshments and a friendly smile, assist the nursing staff by preparing blood collection packs to be used in the donation process. Training will be provided.

Girl Scouts of America - Do more than buy their cookies.  Help shape a young girl’s life in many ways.  Volunteer for Girl Scouts of America and help girls build their self-esteem, provide fun activities for them, and be a caring role-model to continually inspire them.

Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry Volunteers — Help others less fortunate to stay healthy. Volunteers needed at soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Manhattan to assist with food preparation, serving, clean-up and/or meal delivery.

Interfaith Neighbors, Inc.-Tutor Volunteer — Help a child learn to read. Volunteers needed to tutor students once or twice a week during the school year. Training will be provided.

New York City Coalition Against Hunger-Graphic Design Volunteer — Put your artistic talents to good use. Volunteers needed to design and edit informational pamphlets and newsletters, write press releases, and possibly edit grant proposals and/or help produce annual reports.

Medicare Rights Center-Volunteer Hotline Coordinator — Help others get the health assistance they need. Volunteers needed to assist Medicare Beneficiaries with health related issues. Training will be provided.

WEME Mainstream Nutrition and Health Center-Greeting Card Creator Volunteer — Do you have a knack for creating fun greeting cards for your friends and family? Volunteers needed to create handmade greeting cards for homebound seniors. No artistic background needed.

Visiting Nurse Services of New York Administrative Clerical/Administrative Assistant Volunteer — Assist an organization which helps homebound individuals receive medical help. Volunteers needed to provide clerical assistance including phones, filing, and keeping track of monthly reports.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum-Volunteer Translator -- Put your language skills to good use. Work at home transcribing and translating phonograph records into English.

The Doe Fund, Adult Education/Job Prep Volunteer - Do you believe in opportunity?  Here’s your chance to provide opportunities to formerly homeless adults who need them most.  Empower these individuals by tutoring them in basic reading and math and/or providing them with mock interviews and job preparation lessons.

FEGS, Resource Volunteer- Help various populations in need be connected to appropriate resources.  FEGS needs assistance with their intake line.  Answer phone calls, provide referrals to appropriate community services, help develop a resource manual.  Training and orientation provided.

Housing Works, Various Assignments- Be a part of ending the AIDS epidemic.  You can make a difference by providing the support this organization needs in order to continue the fight against AIDS. Volunteer at Housing Works Thrift Shop, Bookstore Café, or assist with distributing literature.  Other volunteer opportunities may be available in the future.  Training and orientation provided.

Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare Systems, Friendly Visitor- Friendly Visitors needed to provide companionship to homebound elderly.  Many seniors are alone and isolated at home.  You can make a tremendous difference in their lives just by making a visit to play a board game, read to them, or discuss current events.  It’s also a great chance to develop a beautiful friendship.  Ongoing support and training provided.

Kateri Nursing Home, Computer Instructor- Give nursing home residents the chance to learn computers.  It’s never too late to learn!  Provide one-on-one help or work with small groups teaching basic computer and internet navigation.

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Computer Instructor- Conduct computer classes to seniors and low-income individuals or assist with this community center’s childcare.  Training and orientation provided.

Lighthouse International, Clerical and Read Aloud Volunteer- Do you have a passion for helping the blind and visually impaired?  Assist in Lighthouse International’s Braille department with various tasks including data entry, filing, copying, and collating.  No knowledge of Braille needed.  Volunteers also needed to read aloud to blind and visually impaired individuals.  Training will be provided.

New York Parks and Recreation Computer Labs, Computer Instructor- Are you computer literate and enjoy teaching?  You can lead or assist computer classes at community centers around New York City.  Give various populations, including seniors, immigrants, and low-income adults, the opportunity to enhance their computer skills.  Training and orientation provided.

Neighborhood Housing Services, Clerical Volunteer- Help this organization continue to provide affordable housing and revitalize neighborhoods by volunteering in their office.  Volunteer needed to work on the computer, answer phones, and help with mass mailings.  Training and orientation provided.

Seamen’s Church Institute, Tour Guides, Gallery Assistants, and Gift Shop Workers--  needed at The All Available Boats exhibit.  This exhibit tells the little-known story of the everyday heroes who participated in the maritime evacuation of lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001.  Help them educate the public about these honorable heroes. Training and orientation to the gallery provided.

Sequoia Community Initiatives, Various Assignments- Be part of an organization that provides support and housing to homeless individuals.  Many volunteer opportunities are available including special events, fundraising, grantwriting, teaching art or computers to residents of their transitional housing, or organizing their lending library.  Training will be provided.

St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, Clerical Volunteer- If you have basic knowledge of computers and enjoy working in an office environment while making a difference in Cancer research, this volunteer opportunity is for you.  Assist this hospital office with filing, data entry, and general mailings.  Orientation provided.

STAR Learning Center, Volunteer Tutor- If you want to volunteer with a nonprofit whose mission is to “foster a community of people who pursue justice, encourage self-reliance, help youth achieve their potential...” then STAR is for you.  Become a tutor and help children from ages 2 to 12 with reading, writing and math.  Afternoon and early evening hours are available.

Queens Volunteer Opportunities

Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry Volunteers — Help others less fortunate to stay healthy. Volunteers are needed at soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Queens to assist with food preparation, serving, clean-up and/or meal delivery.

Queens Wildlife Center, Wildlife Guide Volunteer — If you like learning about animals and meeting people from different places, this is the place for you! Volunteers are needed to give tours to visitors, explain different animal exhibits, assist instructors with children's zoo education programs and do arts and crafts with children.

Queens Centers for Progress, Gift Shop Aide Volunteer — Volunteers are needed to sell items at gift shop, benefiting individuals with developmental disabilities.

Dress for Success New York, Personnel Shopper and Merchandising Aide Volunteer — Do people always tell you what a great dresser you are? Put your fashion savvy to use. Volunteers are needed to assist women in putting together outfits and building their confidence as they look for work. Volunteers are also needed to keep the store merchandise organized.

Visiting Nurse Service of NY Hospice Care, Office Assistant Volunteer — Help this home health agency by assisting with filing, charting, and compiling packets.

Legal Aid Society, Legal Assistant Volunteer — Help provide legal assistance to others. Volunteers are needed to obtain information and assist in preparing cases for trial.

St. John's Queens Hospital, Emergency Room and Gift Shop Volunteer — Provide services to patients and families at a hospital. Volunteers are needed to assist in the emergency room or serve in the gift shop.

Trump Pavillion Nursing Home, Clerical Assistant Volunteer – Help a nursing home in Jamaica run smoothly. Volunteers are needed to do filing and answer telephones. Training will be provided.

New York Hospital of Queens, Emergency Department Volunteer -- Improve hospital visitors’ emergency room experience. Volunteers are needed to provide hospitality and information to emergency room patients and their families. Training will be provided.

Hospice of New York, Clerical Volunteer and Friendly Visitor- Provide clerical support to this Healthcare Facility.  No computer skills necessary.  Volunteers needed for assistance with mailings, filing, copying, and collating.  For those interested in volunteering with patients directly, Patient Care Volunteers also needed.  Make friendly visits and provide companionship to individuals at the end-of-life stage.  Training and orientation provided. 

Housing Works, Various Assignments- Are you interested in fighting AIDS?  Do you enjoy clothing and fashion?  Here’s where both interest can be combined.  Volunteer as a Clothing Sorter at the Clothing Center for Housing Works, an organization dedicated to the fight against AIDS.  Training and Orientation will be provided.

Peach Cobbler Pantry, Food Pantry Volunteer- Be part of an organization that helps low-income individuals meet their nutritional needs.  Volunteers are needed to assist in distributing bags of food to clients, input intake, and referral information.  Training and orientation provided.

SNAP of Eastern Queens, Friendly Visitors, needed to provide companionship to homebound elderly in various areas of Queens.  Make someone’s day by providing a friendly smile and companionship.  Training and orientation provided.

Staten Island Volunteer Opportunities

Eger Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Gift/Coffee Shop Assistant Volunteer — You can help put a smile on the face of a nursing home resident. Volunteers are needed to help with duties in the gift/coffee shop. Physical and PPD test a must.

Safety City, Traffic Safety Volunteer
— Help keep children safe. Volunteers are needed to assist with teaching children traffic safety. Training will be provided. Clerical assistant volunteer opportunity also available.

Richmond Senior Services Food Mart, Various Assignments — Help older adults on a tight budget get the nutrition they need. Volunteers are needed to help customers with in-take information and with the selection and packaging of food purchases. Volunteers are also needed to answer telephones, respond to basic inquiries, schedule appointments, and assist with statistical reports. Volunteers are needed Mon-Fri.

Project Hospitality Soup Kitchen, Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry/Clerical Volunteers — Help individuals and families receive a nutritious meal. Soup kitchen volunteers are needed to help prepare food, serve and clean up after a hot lunch is served. Food pantry volunteers are needed in the food pantry to stock shelves, help clients shop and check them out after they have made their selections. Clerical volunteers are needed to answer phones, perform general clerical duties. Computer literate volunteers are preferred. Days and times are flexible.

Adult Protective Services (APS), Clerical Assistant Volunteer
Help things run smoothly. Volunteers are needed to assist the director with clerical tasks and reception. Computer skills are helpful, but not necessary.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), Small Business Counselor Volunteer and Assistant Office Administrator Volunteer — Help small businesses succeed in today's economy. Volunteers are needed to provide counseling and workshops on planning, organizing, financing, marketing and developing strategies for new or established small businesses. Commitment of two mornings a month plus monthly meetings and committee assignments required. Volunteer also needed two mornings a week to assist in organizing and streamlining office functions. Days flexible.

Safe Horizon's S.I. Child Advocacy Center-Office Volunteer and Playroom Assistant Volunteer — Help this child advocacy center accomplish its mission. Volunteers are needed to assist with office tasks including filing, data entry, and general assistance. Playroom Assistant volunteers are needed to oversee children while their parents are in counseling sessions.

Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home-Friendly Visitor Volunteers and Transporter Volunteers — Put a smile on the face of a nursing home resident. Friendly visitor volunteers and transporter volunteers are needed to interact with residents. Days and times are flexible.

Staten Island Botanical Garden, Various Assignments — Gift shop volunteers needed. Days and hours are flexible. Receptionist volunteers needed to answer telephones and clerical volunteers needed to type lists, memos, and letters. Some experience with computers preferred for clerical position.

University Hospice, Various Assignments -- Help others who are less fortunate. Compassionate and caring good listeners needed to visit patients at a nursing facility, hospital, or in their home; assist with clerical work; or assist with special events and fundraising. All volunteers are required to complete the volunteer training program provided by hospice staff and have a recent exam.

Singing and Swinging Seniors,Entertainment Volunteer -- Use your musical talent to help put a smile on the face of someone who is infirm or in recovery. Volunteers are needed to join a dynamic nonprofit entertainment troupe that entertains patients in nursing homes and hospitals throughout Staten Island.

Staten Island Aid DBA Community Resources, Gardening Assistant -- Use your green thumb to help beautify an organization assisting individuals with developmental disabilities. Gardening Assistant Volunteers are needed to help beautify a community greenhouse and outdoor garden.

Meeting Community Needs

Mentor-Youth of Promise
Lead. Inspire. Become a mentor.  Spend one day a week mentoring a child with an incarcerated parent or an adolescent in need of intervention.  Mentors will work one-on-one with young people, ages 8-18, on academic enrichment projects and/or career goal setting activities. All mentoring is site-based in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens.  For more information, contact Mary Anne Flanagan, (212) 614-5555 or mflanagan@cssny.org.

Planned Reentry for Incarcerated Adolescents (PRIA)
Do you believe in second chances? As a career/life coach you can help make the difference in the life of an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated youth, ages 18 – 21. Receive training and help him plan for and support his reentry to the community. Program is on-site with an academic and career focus. Coaches can serve in teams or one-on-one for six hours a month. For information, contact Hazel Beckles Young Lao at (212) 614-5556 or hbeckles@cssny.org.

Advocacy, Counseling and Entitlement Services (ACES)
Help neighbors get back on their feet. Be trained to help elderly and low-income clients receive government benefits to which they are entitled. Every year volunteers help thousands of people navigate the public benefits maze. For information: Becky Haase, (212) 614-5482 or rhaase@cssny.org.

Click here for the ACES Newsletter

Experience Corps Project (Literacy Tutoring)
Change young lives. Help elementary school children in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens learn how to read and write. Volunteers assist in the classroom and tutor children one-on-one. Volunteers commit to 16 hours a week. For information: Kemba Tamar, (212) 614-5499, or ktamar@cssny.org.

Grandfriend Head Start Program
Many school children lack verbal skills and other basic knowledge. Assist Head Start teachers in helping three and four year-olds develop language and social skills, in preparation for kindergarten. For information: Janelle Poe, (212) 614-5548 or jpoe@cssny.org.

Prejudice Reduction Program
Fight prejudice. Conduct workshops to help elementary school children understand and appreciate human differences, while providing them with tools for effective problem solving and communication. For information: Deirdre Ryan-Spirakis, (212) 614-5536 or dryan@cssny.org.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE)
Receive one week of intensive training and IRS certification in the preparation of tax returns. Provide free tax services to older adults, low-and moderate-income citizens, the disabled, and the homebound in New York City. For information on TCE, please contact Becky Haase, (212) 614-5482 or rhaase@cssny.org

Special Events

Nonprofit and Public Agencies: Need Short-term Volunteer Assistance? Volunteers: Want to make a difference in the community with limited free time?

For work with telephone, bulk mailings, hosting entertaining, surveying/polling, and more, RSVP Special Event Volunteers can help! For more information, contact Gajtana Simonovski at (212) 614-5563 or at gsimonovski@cssny.org.