Sometimes in big cities like New York, companies can seem like intimidating, faceless entities. That’s why we love engaging companies in volunteer service: it gives them a chance to pull back the curtain and give the community a glimpse into the warm and generous culture that characterizes so many of our corporate partners.

On Friday, May 11th, advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi showed its true colors during its second annual True Blue Day. Nearly 300 volunteers pitched in to improve the city, by delivering meals to the hungry, weeding and mulching a waterfront park, bowling with senior citizens, as well as teaching third-grade students about healthy eating with “Top Chef” activities.

As creative professionals, Saatchi & Saatchi leveraged some of their artistic energy into beautiful new mural designs at a school in Brooklyn and orchestrated an improvisiational theater workshop for elementary students from the Bronx. One group of teens even got to visit the agency’s beautiful office headquarters in the West Village, and had the chance to talk about their career goals with some inspirational industry leaders. We’d like to send a huge thanks to Saatchi & Saatchi for an exciting and meaningful day of service!

Especially in fields like advertising and other service industries, volunteering can provide a way to form genuine relationships with the community by exercising an employee’s skills and creativity. The projects may be outside of your employee’s usual comfort zone, but overcoming and facing new challenges just may play a part in helping your company grow and stay innovative.

Want to get your company involved in corporate volunteering? Learn more here, or contact us at 212.228.5000.

By Joshua Winata

One thing we learned this month – you’re never too old to throw a good party. 

On May 5-6, New York Cares mobilized more than 250 volunteers to support the Partners in Preservation Open House. During the citywide event, historic sites in all five boroughs opened their doors for free special programming, performances, prizes, scavenger hunts, behind-the-scenes tours, live music, food, and much more! Our volunteers were on hand to greet and facilitate activities and encourage guests to vote for their favorite sites.

Aside from the historic significance at each location, we found visitors also had deep, emotional connections with the sites that they were eager to share. For one woman, the historic Woodlawn Cemetery is not only the resting place of legendary artists, athletes, and civic leaders, but also where beloved family members now lie.

In addition to being a historic government building, the Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center today provides inspirational classes and cultural opportunities that give talented youth a chance to shine. These sites have not only formed the backdrop of our city’s storied past, but also set the scene for many milestones in the lives of thousands of New Yorkers. Beyond defining our cultural heritage, these iconic treasures continue to be an active and living part of our community today. 

Is there a historic site that has special significance to you? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to vote for them at the Partners in Preservation website or Facebook page from now through May 21. The top four most popular sites will be awarded grant funding from American Express to complete vital preservation projects!

By Joshua Winata

We love hearing from our volunteers. Whether you tell us about a special project you participated in, your reason for volunteering, or how you got involved with us, we want to hear from you. Send us an email at blog@newyorkcares.org, and you can see your story on the blog. Today, one of our volunteers wanted to share how she celebrated her birthday by giving back.

Some folks celebrate by throwing parties, being with family, or having special meals on their birthday. For my 53rd birthday, I celebrated by volunteering at Beauty Spa with Jewish Home Lifecare.  

While I have no experience in the area of manicuring, I felt I could still give back. I’ve been volunteering with New York Cares since November 2011, and I personally wanted to celebrate my birthday by giving back, so that’s just what I did. I learned how to give a manicure, was surrounded by loving people who sang Happy Birthday to me, not once, but twice, and I had a terrific time. It was absolutely perfect in every way, and I had so many loving seniors and other New York Cares volunteers to share my birthday with.  

Even during a year when I vowed to celebrate my birthday in a new way, I must admit that some things never change. I did indeed stop at Haagen Daz on the way home for some Pralines and Cream. It was a great way to end my special birthday celebration.

By Rachel Watstein

Yorkville Common Pantry (YCP) is New York City’s largest community-based food pantry. Located in East Harlem, the pantry is open every Thursday through Saturday delivering grocery packages to 1,700 households every week. Since its creation in 1980, YCP has grown into a full-service community asset providing hot meals, shelter, hygiene, medical and social services to New York’s homeless and hungry neighbors.

YCP’s Pantry Program relies heavily on its dedicated volunteer base. Originally requiring only 15 daily volunteers, expansions to the program have increased the amount of volunteers needed. Introduction of the new Client Choice program, which allows clients to choose which groceries they receive, will now need up to 50 daily volunteers for the program to run smoothly. To achieve their goals, volunteer organizers at Yorkville Pantry turn to New York Cares as a dedicated and reliable volunteer source.

“Our Saturday program is not fully staffed, so [New York Cares] Team Leaders take a strong leadership role in organizing and directing the volunteers. Because we have so many volunteers, it is important to have regulars that can help staff,” says Liz Nellis, Development Associate at Yorkville Common Pantry. “The money we save by using Team Leaders instead of paid staff goes to more food and social services.”

Forty percent of work hours are done by volunteers – and the number continues to grow. In 2010, volunteers had saved Yorkville Common Pantry $400,000 in billable hours. This was money better spent serving 17,928 individuals and 2,027,941 hot meals that same year.

When asked to describe New York Cares, Nellis replied: “The three words that stand out when I think of New York Cares are communication, support and meaning. Not only meaning for volunteers who get excited about the mission, but for organizations as well. The program creates a way for nonprofits to fully utilize the skills volunteers have to offer.”

Have you ever volunteered at YCP? Let us know about your experience in the comments. If you haven’t made it there yet, sign up for a project today.

By Megan Taub

As the crossroads of the world, New York City has a vibrant and colorful past, rich with characters and stories worth remembering and sharing with future generations. Our city is filled with iconic landmarks and obscure treasures, all waiting to be explored by modern audiences.

That’s why we’re excited to be partnering with American Express on their Partners in Preservation program, NYC’s first-ever citywide preservation effort powered by social media. From now through May 21st, the public is invited to visit the 40 participating historic sites, enjoy special programming, and cast votes online for their favorites. At the end of the month, the top four most popular vote winners will be awarded their grant request from American Express to complete important preservation projects! You can learn more and vote online here, or watch this video about the program.

New York Cares volunteers have already helped revitalize several sites in the past few weeks by collecting debris at the Rocket Thrower in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, washing historic airplanes at Gateway National Recreation Area, and mulching trails and reseeding lawns at the stunning Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.

We have more beautification projects lined up for next week, and we will also need your help on May 5th and 6th to provide event support during a fun open house weekend packed with activities, tours, workshops, performances, and exhibits. You can sign up to volunteer here.

Historic preservation is more than just remembering the past—it’s also about shaping the future. By preserving New York City’s history, we instill pride in the community and define our culture. This unique identity is what draws in visitors and businesses, driving our ongoing economic growth and making this city a better place to live and work. We’re pleased to offer projects that help promote historic preservation and look forward to having you join us on a project this month!

By Josh Winata

I never considered myself to be someone with a green thumb. I observed my grandmother and uncle preparing their vegetable gardens and flower beds, and sometimes would join in. That was the extent of my experience with gardening until this event called New York Cares Day Spring. So, when the email came around from our wonderful annual events staff soliciting site captains for April 21st, I figured it was a perfect opportunity to get my hands dirty.

A couple weeks later, I had my first of several site visits. While there, my park contact Kean spent time walking me through the park, explaining what the tasks would be. Then, he asked about getting more Liriope. My first thought was “What the heck is Liroipe?” Kean was a step ahead, pointing out the beds along the rock wall that had a cluster of vibrant green plants growing before I could stop to ask. It was the first of many lessons I learned along the way as I prepared for NYCDS at Fort Tryon Park (you know, the place where the Cloisters is located).

Of course, there’s a lot more to the park than that. There’s 67 beautiful acres of sprawling land, with staggering hills as you walk west toward the Hudson River. Like many parks, people run with their dogs and kids play on the playground and in the grass with parents. Teens can be found rollerblading their way along the paths and hanging out alongside the older patrons of the park. It’s an amazing space that’s difficult to maintain with the small staff, but they do the best that they can.

Read the rest of this entry »

We like to think we make volunteering easy at New York Cares. But if you ever have a question, our Volunteer Relations Department is right there to help you. They also work with our Community Partners to make sure all project needs are met. Get a closer look at how our VR Department works this month on the blog.

Our Executive Director was in the elevator recently when a fellow rider asked where he worked. After responding, “New York Cares”, the rider’s response was “Oh, you work at the place where everyone smiles.” This couldn’t be truer for our department, Volunteer Relations. We have the privilege of interfacing with volunteers and Community Partners on a daily basis, which results in a very entertaining job. No matter where you are in your relationship with New York Cares, a new volunteer, a seasoned veteran, or a nonprofit we partner with, we’re the customer service gurus who talk to them all.

Want to know how to get started as a new volunteer? You’d talk to our Volunteer Relations Assistant, Glenn.  Finding your first project after orientation? That’s our Volunteer Relations Associate, Emily. Received a message thanking you for your service? Our Volunteer Relations Manager, Heather, was behind that. Read the rest of this entry »

Twenty five years ago this month, a small group of friends wanted to help their community and ended up changing the world.

It all started in 1986, a tough time in New York City. Poverty and crime were at record highs. A group of college friends moved to the Big Apple to start their careers. They saw terrible inequities and wanted to help. They attended benefits and galas, where their money went to worthy causes, but it didn’t feel like enough. They wanted to DO something, but didn’t know where to go.

The friends got together and tried to volunteer at different types of organizations – schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, and more. After a few months, they compared notes. Not one person landed a volunteer gig. Some organizations only used volunteers from 9-5, which conflicted with work. Others required lengthy commitments that young working people with irregular schedules couldn’t make. Many groups didn’t have anyone to supervise untrained do-gooders.

Read the rest of this entry »

Need some new accessories for summer? From now until May 4th, if you shop with Stella and Dot you can get the latest fashions while supporting New York Cares. 40% of sales during this period will benefit New York Cares.

Start shopping today by clicking here, or find even more fashions here. Just select New York Cares as the “hostess” at check out.

Stella & Dot stylist, Anna Moretto Cramer, will also donate 10% of sales from any Stella & Dot trunk show booked from this promotion to New York Cares. Contact Anna, at anna.cramer@msn.com or 917-853-4616.

Shop knowing that your purchase helps support New York Cares in its mission to make the city a better place.

Treat yourself or that special someone to a fabulous gift. Perfect for a birthday, anniversary, or Mother’s Day. Getting shopping today!

The approach of summer as a child often brings promise of many days spent running around and playing, a chance to enjoy the outdoors, or go to camp. For thousands of kids in the city, these opportunities are available because of the Beacon centers located in all five boroughs. These free youth programs help develop a community among peers and neighbors during hours when parents and guardians are working.

Unfortunately, the prospect of another summer at the Beacon center is now uncertain for hundreds of kids. Last month, facing continuing budget deficits, Campaign for Children published Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s decision to close seven centers on June 30, 2012. The decision is based on the locations of the centers. Read the rest of this entry »