New York Cares helps many borough schools

New York Cares has developed a stronger presence in the borough of Queens, and hopes to continue to provide necessary services to community members.
&#8220New York Cares was founded in 1987 by a group of friends who wanted to take action against the social problems facing New York City,” the organization's website, www.nycares.org, explains.
The organization, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in January, helps provide services by coordinating volunteers and placing them where they are needed. Some of its many programs help with SAT prep, adult education, job readiness, senior companionship and English speaking skills, among others.
Gary Bagley, the senior director of programs at New York Cares, said that there has been more of a push to increase its presence in Queens with approximately 250 projects currently going on all over the borough.
&#8220We've always had a strong ethic here that New York City is more than the island of Manhattan,” Bagley said.
One main project that takes place every year is New York Cares Day. This year, on October 21, about 8,000 volunteers conducted a revitalization program in more than 100 public schools. At the schools, volunteers performed tasks such as cleaning, gardening and painting.
Joshua Garcia, a resident of Jackson Heights, is a Community Outreach manager with New York Cares and has since begun volunteering on some of its projects, including SAT prep at Flushing High School. He said that the program, worth close to $1,000 per student, is free and that, by looking at the school's librarian who assists them, it is having a positive impact.
&#8220All she can do is smile every time we come in,” Garcia said.
New York Cares, which works with a yearly average of about 33,000 volunteers, also encourages people to make a difference where they live.
&#8220We want people to do more in their neighborhoods,” Garcia said. &#8220You get a lot out of helping the people who live around the block.”
Bagley said that New York Cares is in the process of creating a program to encourage more people who are 60 or older to volunteer, with Queens being the first borough it is going into. They are working with information from focus groups to see how to best set up the program.
To volunteer with New York Cares, you must be 18 or older and attend one orientation session. The next orientation session in Queens will be on Monday, November 20, at Queensboro Hall, which is located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
For more information on New York Cares and to see a complete list of upcoming orientation sessions, visit www.nycares.org. The organization can also be reached by calling 212-228-5000.