Volunteering can be a great experience and chances are you can find an opportunity to help with something you feel passionate about.
More than 100 places in the borough need help every month and to find out what exactly is available, the public can attend one of several hour-long orientations throughout Queens, said Nikita Umnov, community outreach manager at New York Cares, Inc., which helps recruit volunteers for city organizations.
More information about these orientations is at the end of this article.
Besides helping others, volunteering brings personal satisfaction, said Umnov. “It gives people a really great sense of purpose and they get to meet New Yorkers that are like-minded,” Umnov explained.
Rego Park Senior Center, on 93-29 Queens Boulevard, is one of many places in Queens relying on help. The Center has only six staff members and about 40 volunteers, said Irina Sarkisova, director of the Center.
“If we don’t have volunteers, we won’t be able to provide quality services,” Sarkisova said, explaining that certified volunteers run most of the programs available to seniors.
“Volunteers can utilize their skills here,” Sarkisova added.
Dorothy Adams is one of the people who help. She is in charge of the blood pressure program, which provides blood screenings, and the bingo program, which recruits volunteers who spend time playing bingo with the elderly, Adams said.
“I enjoy it - you’re interacting with people, you’re keeping yourself busy,” explained Adams.
Other Queens organizations that need volunteers include the Animal Center of Queens, which provides shelter for homeless dogs and cats, the East River Development Alliance, which helps residents of public housing developments, and the Women for Afghan Women, which works toward ensuring the human rights of women in Afghanistan.
Two volunteer information sessions will be held at the following times and dates:
To sign up for volunteer work, visit www.nycares.org or call 212-228-5000.
