Volunteer Opportunities for All Ages
Welcome to the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan's resource for ways you can put your time and talents to work on behalf of our community. Learn about volunteer opportunities on the Upper West Side for all ages, abilities, and interests. Options include tutoring schoolchildren, packing food packages at West Side Campaign Against Hunger, sorting clothing donations, and much more. Questions? Email Jay Charriez.
One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the warm clothes they need this winter. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In Person. Assemble bags of fresh and/or shelf-stable food products to be distributed to food insecure New Yorkers at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), one of the largest emergency food providers in New York. Spots are limited.
Volunteer for Recycling Day at the JCC: Special Shift
Volunteer for Recycling Day at the JCC: Special Shift
Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at the JCC’s pop-up recycling event. Volunteers will accept and sort clothing donations for distribution to families in transitional housing or for recycling.
Volunteer for Recycling Day at the JCC: Shift 1
Volunteer for Recycling Day at the JCC: Shift 1
Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at the JCC’s pop-up recycling event. Volunteers will accept and sort clothing donations for distribution to families in transitional housing or for recycling.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
In Person. This project takes place at WSCAH's new state of the art warehouse located on 180th street and Amsterdam Ave (594 West 180th Street) in the historic Washington Heights, steps from the #1 train 181st street stop.
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the warm clothes they need this winter. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In Person. Assemble bags of fresh and/or shelf-stable food products to be distributed to food insecure New Yorkers at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), one of the largest emergency food providers in New York. Spots are limited.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
In Person. This project takes place at WSCAH's new state of the art warehouse located on 180th street and Amsterdam Ave (594 West 180th Street) in the historic Washington Heights, steps from the #1 train 181st street stop.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In Person. Assemble bags of fresh and/or shelf-stable food products to be distributed to food insecure New Yorkers at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), one of the largest emergency food providers in New York. Spots are limited.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
In Person. This project takes place at WSCAH's new state of the art warehouse located on 180th street and Amsterdam Ave (594 West 180th Street) in the historic Washington Heights, steps from the #1 train 181st street stop.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer with Mitzvah Sundays for Tweens
In Person | For ages 10–13 | Register Here
Do you want to regularly make a difference in your community? Join us for a tween-focused program that combines a hands-on community service project with Jewish service learning. Questions? Email Naomi Skop Richter.
Tutor NYC Schoolchildren
In Person | For ages 14+ | Interested? Email litmath@mmjccm.org.
Volunteer to become a tutor and change a life! The Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math Program offers two options for volunteers to support children in grades K–5, with time commitments starting at either 50 or 90 minutes per week. During the day, tutor students in literacy and math, and after school, use games and other fun, engaging activities to help English Language Learners gain conversation skills. All Fall 2023 tutoring sessions will take place onsite at public schools on the Upper West Side. Learn more about The Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math Tutoring Program.
Volunteer with The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs
Virtual + In Person | For ages 14+ | Interested? If you are between the ages of 14–21, fill out this form. If you are 22 and older, email Michelle Wexler. We will get to know you and match you with the right volunteer experience.
The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs builds and nurtures an inclusive and accepting community where individuals with disabilities and their families have opportunities to make meaningful connections to each other and their communities. Learn more about The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs. We are proud to offer several opportunities for typical teens and adults to volunteer with our programs for ages 14+.
Make Caring Calls to Older Adults
Virtual | For adults | Interested? Email Sherri Lerner.
Make a call, make a day. Through the JCC's Caring Calls program, volunteers have checked in with thousands of older adults in our community during a time that has been extremely solitary for many. As a volunteer, you will be given a short list of people to call and check in with.
Help Israeli High School Students
Virtual | For older adults | Interested? Email Rabbi Brian Fink.
English Overseas connects high school students in Jerusalem with older adults who are native English language speakers, providing Israeli students an opportunity to practice and build their English skills with someone who is interested in them and in sharing the experience.
Contribute to Donation Drives
In Person | For all ages | Interested? Learn more at this page.
Throughout the year, the JCC holds drives to collect items like clothing, e-waste, and food for partner organizations in our neighborhood. It's easy to participate—just drop by the JCC lobby while we are holding a drive and drop off your item in the indicated area. See dates and learn more.