Volunteer Opportunities

CGSHB has a wealth of opportunities available to individuals, educational institutions, and corporate sponsors wishing to donate their time and talent for the benefit of the people we are privileged to serve. All volunteers must satisfy CGSHB’s clearance and screening criteria before volunteer activities may begin. Below is a sample list of the engaging and useful volunteer opportunities that exist within our continuum of services. We hope that you will consider at least one of them.

If you would like to learn more about these and other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Human Resources Department at (212) 371-1011, extension 2160.

Volunteer Opportunity	Population To Be Served	Volunteer Assignments	Logistical Considerations
*“A Day at the Games”* CGSHB’s version of Special Olympics	Persons who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled	Conduct relay races Cheer on competitors donate t-shirts and awards present awards to participants blow up balloons, set up and break down tables serve food, hand out bottles of water to participants help to under-write the event	Saturday, September 6, 2008 Approximately 10 AM – 4 PM Outdoors, in a park setting # of volunteers: 10-25
*“Winter Extravaganza”* – formal dinner dance	Persons who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled	serve food decorate venue help to apply make-up and corsages dance with consumers usher people to their tables help to under-write the event	Flexible: Weekday or weekend event Approximately 5 PM – 9 PM indoors, in a formal banquet setting # of volunteers: 10-25
Mentoring	Adolescents in foster care	speak at “Preparing Youth for Adulthood” mentoring groups; tutor youth in math and writing; offer career and education guidance;	Flexible: weekday and weekend opportunities available Time: after school hours for 1 to 2 hours indoors, in an office setting
Youth Employment and Internships	Adolescents in foster care	provide summer employment and internship opportunities for youth in foster care	Approximately 30 – 40 youth annually in need of employment and internship opportunities

Volunteer Opportunity	Population To Be Served	Volunteer Assignments	Logistical Considerations
Children’s Christmas Party	Children in foster care	donate Christmas gifts for children help to wrap and distribute gifts at Christmas party serve food; decorate venue; help to under-write the event	weekday event before Christmas indoors # of volunteers: 10-25
Foster Parent Appreciation Ceremony	Foster and Adoptive Parents	greet foster and adoptive parents decorate venue usher people to their tables assist in the awarding of certificates and gifts help to under-write the event	weekend event Approximately 11 AM – 4 PM indoors, in a formal banquet setting # of volunteers: 5-15
Summer Recreation Events	Children in foster care	Conduct relay races; Cheer on competitors donate t-shirts and awards present awards to participants blow up balloons, set up and break down tables serve food, hand out bottles of water to participants; help to under-write the event	Flexible: Weekday or weekend event Approximately 10 AM – 4 PM Outdoors, in a park setting # of volunteers: 10-25
Necktie donation and “dress for success” program	Youth in Non-Secure Detention (NSD) Group Homes	Ask employees to donate their used neckties to youth in our 2 NSDs so that they are better prepared for court appearances and other public events. Teach 20 youth how to “dress for success” and how to tie a necktie.	Flexible: weekday and weekend opportunities available Time: after school hours for 1 to 2 hours indoors, in an office setting # of volunteers: 5 - 10

Volunteer Opportunity	Population To Be Served	Volunteer Assignments	Logistical Considerations
“Green Up Days”	Persons who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled; children in foster care, and homeless families	Help to plant shrubs, ground cover, and flowers at residential facilities in the spring and summer times in order to provide clients with attractive environments to live in, skills, and mentoring opportunities Help to under-write the events	Flexible: Weekday or weekend events Outdoors, in residential settings in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, and Suffolk County # of volunteers: 5 per site
Pastoral Care	Persons who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled	Escort consumers to houses of worship for weekend religious services	Weekends during religious service hours 1 or 2 volunteers per consumer
Community Inclusion	Persons who are mentally retarded and developmentally disabled	Accompany consumers into the community to allow for greater community inclusion (e.g., go to a museum, go shopping, go to the hair and nail salon, etc.)	Flexible: weekday and weekend opportunities available Time: afternoon for 1 to 2 hours Outdoors, in community settings # of volunteers: 1 or 2 volunteers per consumer