This National Volunteer Month, Here Are 6 CCS Grantees That Need Your Help

April is National Volunteer Month! If you're looking for something to do with your time, look to these great Columbia Community Service grantee organizations that need help with everything from meal preparation at soup kitchens to online tutoring and event support.

Columbia Community Service (CCS) supports nonprofit organizations through the generosity of faculty, staff, and retirees of Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College. In last year's 76th Annual Appeal, CCS raised more than $275,000 to support organizations in the Harlem and Morningside Heights communities. By volunteering your time, you can offer hands-on support to the vital work of our grantees.

The following organizations have roles that are open to volunteers now:

Advancing the Community of Tomorrow (ACT)

Advancing the Community of Tomorrow provides a safe haven for children (toddlers to teens) from many faiths, cultures, and economic backgrounds to gather, learn, play, and grow. They participate in a broad range of programs, supervised by highly trained and caring adults, to develop leadership and intellectual skills through hands-on experiences.

ACT needs volunteers to move many large boxes of documents that are no longer used and that have to be stored or discarded. This work can happen on any weekday between 10:00am-5:00pm. Email Executive Director Marie Del Tejo or call 212-316-7530.

America SCORES New York

Love soccer? America SCORES New York serves as a driving force in promoting fair play, self-expression, commitment, and teamwork for youth in under-resourced communities in New York City. Through a combination of soccer, poetry, and service learning, their unique after-school program shines a spotlight on poet-athletes, helping them develop the skills necessary to lead successful lives off the field and outside the classroom.

America SCORES needs volunteers to set up, support, and breakdown equipment on soccer game days, Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:00 to 5:00pm.

They also need volunteers to support multiple tasks at the second annual Jackie Robinson Day, Saturday April 15, 2023, 12:00 to 2:00pm or 12:00 to 5:00pm.

Email John Riordan, Director of Development, to sign up.

Broadway Community

Broadway Community works to break down the barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege by working to transform society until all people are fed.

They needs volunteers to help prep bags for indoor guests who eat breakfast in the morning. Volunteers will also serve coffee, prep bags for takeout service, and act as waiters while serving lunch directly to indoor dining guests. Help is also needed with transporting food to the takeout area, cleaning the floors/counters, breaking down empty boxes, taking out the trash, and washing dishes. This work is needed Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30am to 2:00pm.

In addition, Broadway Community needs volunteers to assist its chef and sous chef with the preparation of food for guests, and the food pantry manager also needs help organizing the pantry and handing out food to guests who come in. This work is needed Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 to 5:00pm.

Email Nicolette Tartaglia, Director of Volunteer Services, to sign up.

DOROT

DOROT alleviates social isolation among older adults and provides services to help them live independently as valued members of the community. They do this by bringing the generations together in a mutually beneficial partnership of elders, volunteers, and professionals.

DOROT receives birthday and other greeting cards from volunteers all over the country who send cards to the older adults in the community. Sometimes the volume is overwhelming, so DOROT would like help from one or two volunteers with sorting and organizing the cards. Volunteers are needed for three hours on the preferred day of the week, which is Wednesday.

Email Krista Starrett, Senior Grant Writer, to learn more.

Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF)

Harlem Educational Activities Fund, Inc. (HEAF) identifies scholars in middle school and supports them through a variety of after-school and summer programs until they are admitted to four-year colleges.

HEAF needs tutors who will support students online as they tackle homework assignments and prepare for tests with the goal of building supportive relationships and having a positive impact on their academic achievement. Tutors work with students in small groups over Zoom to support them in the development of strong study habits. Tutors support students in subject areas ranging from Math, English Language Arts, Physics, Spanish, and Algebra.

Tutors work one hour per week at the following times:

• Middle school: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 4:30pm-5:30pm or 5:30pm-6:30pm.
• High school: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Email Marie Hu, Director of Career Connections, to volunteer.

NY Common Pantry

NYCP fights hunger and food insecurity through programs that establish long-term independence for its clients. They are seeking volunteers at their new hub in Hunts Point to pick and pack bags of fresh produce and shelf-stable foods for their Mobile Pantry Program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00am to 1:30pm.

• Tuesdays from 12:30pm-4:00pm
• Wednesdays from 9:00am-12:30pm
• Wednesdays from 12:30pm-4:00pm
• Thursdays from 9:00am-12:30pm

Email Erin Williams, Volunteer Manager, to learn more.