I owe 600 people an apology for not saying thank you.

It’s the holidays – the time of giving back – and as often happens for me, my mind turns to gratitude. But this season I feel a little guilty about 600 volunteers whom New York Cares never thanked. These dedicated New Yorkers helped underserved kids learn to read; gave warm meals to people living on the streets; visited lonely residents of nursing homes, and more. And we never said thank you.

A while back, we received a grant from Points of Light Institute to test strategies to increase volunteer engagement. We had a theory that if we thanked volunteers and let them know we appreciated them, they’d feel even better about their experience and be more likely to do it again. We wanted proof that saying thank you really matters. And we wanted to measure it.

So we did.

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Here at New York Cares, we continually work to address the social issues affecting our city’s students. This need became even more apparent based on a report that was released last week by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. This report highlights some of the causes associated with the growing epidemic in childhood obesity and specifically, focuses on the increase in the frequency of sugary drink advertisements produced between 2008 and 2010, which targeted children and teens.

As the most comprehensive assessment of sugary drink nutrition and marketing ever conducted, the report analyzed the marketing practices of more than 14 major companies and the nutritional content of nearly 600 products. The findings concluded that children’s exposure to full-calorie sodas doubled from 2008 to 2010. Advertisements specifically targeted at minorities also significantly increased.

What is New York Cares doing to combat the trend of childhood obesity? With programs such as our Snacktivities and Culinary Explorers, we work to teach healthier food options to children and teens in a Do-It-Yourself format. In some cases, students even utilize herbs and produce from local community gardens in their dishes and snacks! Children of all ages across the city are participating, and we are continually looking to expand these programs. Opportunities for volunteers abound during the day, weekday evening or weekend. Sign up to make New York City youth healthier today.

If you would like to read the full report, please click here. 

Americans today are facing a growing obesity epidemic. This trend has spurred many to action both locally and federally – all the way up to First Lady Michelle Obama – who has championed her “Let’s Move!” campaign since it began in February 2010. The program aims to educate parents and children alike on the importance of working exercise and proper nutrition into everyday routines.

Unfortunately, external forces – including the continued economic recession – are prohibiting children from receiving ample opportunity to be active and healthy. A recent article in The New York Times reported that an audit of 77 schools throughout the five boroughs revealed public schools are not meeting physical education requirements. Read the rest of this entry »

One of Broadway’s most legendary rock musicals is back! For every Godspell ticket purchased, $10 will be donated to New York Cares. Buy your ticket today using code GSNYC105 to ensure your purchase supports our projects.

Prepare ye for Godspell, the beloved classic from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composer of Wicked and Pippin. Enjoy one of the most enduring shows of all time as it comes to Broadway in a brand new, one-of-a-kind production. Sing along to the Tony®-nominated score, filled with popular hits like Day By Day, Learn Your Lessons Well and Turn Back, O Man.

This timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love has touched the hearts of countless theatergoers all over the world. Now, you can join the celebration as a spectacular ensemble of Broadway’s best, including Hunter Parrish (Showtime’s “Weeds”, Spring Awakening), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (“Hannah Montana”, “Camp Rock”) and Telly Leung (“Glee”, Wicked, Rent),  perform the greatest story ever told. So, be a part of the fun, and come sing about love at Godspell.

Support New York Cares by purchasing tickets today. To buy your ticket:

*   Call 212.947.8844, and mention code GSNYC105.
*   Visit www.BroadwayOffers.com, and use code GSNYC105 when you fill out your order.
*   Bring a print out of this to the Circle in the Square Theatre Box Office, located at 1633 Broadway at 50th Street.

One of New York Cares’ most dedicated volunteers, Linda Blacken, was a guest on The John Gambling Show this morning, spreading the word about the great projects she’s been a part of and giving a shout out to our organization. Linda has been a volunteer since 2004 and has worked on an astounding 797 projects!

While visiting WOR NewsTalk Radio 710, Linda explained the important work she’s done teaching homeless and disabled adults valuable computer skills, providing companionship to senior citizens, bringing low-income children to cultural spots throughout New York City and more. As Linda says in the interview, “You just need to see one smile on one face to be hooked.” 

Listen to the whole interview here and you can hear more about Linda’s time serving as well as New York Cares and our upcoming service days. 

New York Cares is honored to be recognized at the 1st annual Well Done! NYC Award Benefit. The event will honor nonprofit leaders and community activists for “their outstanding work making New York City communities a better place one initiative at a time.” The benefit is taking place Wednesday, September 7th at Libations NYC. Tickets are still available, and all proceeds benefit New York Cares and the other honorees.

The event will feature celebrity guest speakers, a 2 hour food and wine bar, a silent auction, fabulous goodie bags and more. Don’t miss out on this fun event – buy your tickets today!

Last Friday, instead of heading to their cubicles and computers, employees at Performics in Atlanta, Chicago and New York went to work volunteering. All three offices at the marketing company were closed for the day, as employees gave back to their communities by feeding the hungry, painting public schools, weeding community gardens and assisting at youth summer camps.

Employees in New York coordinated with New York Cares to engage with students at a summer program. In addition to serving as “honorary gym teachers” for a day, the employees also donated sporting equipment. Find out more about Performics and what projects employees worked on in Atlanta and Chicago here.

Volunteering is an experience that stays with you – sometimes even long after the project is over. The author of the AdventuresseTravels Blog knows this, and even though she is off traveling the world, she remembers her time at New York Cares fondly. 

While living in New York City, Sally was especially active in projects that involved animals, children and seniors. In her blog, she explains how volunteering can benefit everyone: “If you can’t have animals in your apartment or don’t consistently have time to take care of a pet, but love and miss them, then volunteer helping out at a humane society. If you love nature but don’t get to spend enough time outdoors, then volunteer to help revitalize parks.” Check out the whole post here, and get inspired to get involved!

We have recently been informed that there have once again been illegal requests for donations made on the behalf of New York Cares. If you’re asked to donate money to New York Cares in a train station or on the street, please don’t do it. If someone approaches you, please let us know by contacting info@newyorkcares.org.

While we rely on donations from caring New Yorkers to do our work, we do not ask youth or other street teams to solicit donations on our behalf. Make a secure online donation to New York Cares instead.

This week, we announced 5 New York City nonprofits that will participate in our new Volunteer Impact Partnership program (VIP).  These Community Partners will be part of an intensive 3-year volunteer impact study to identify and measure the benefits of multi-level volunteer services on nonprofit capacity.

The organizations will benefit by expanding and enhancing their programming through volunteer resources delivered by New York Cares.  The program is free to the organizations, which will collectively receive services valued at $750,000 over three years.

Participants:

• * Gallop NYC - a nonprofit that uses therapeutic horseback riding to bring new levels of confidence, coordination, communication skills, and emotional connections to children and adults with various developmental, emotional, social and physical challenges.
• * Jewish Home Life Care – a Manhattan-based non-profit pioneer in caring for the elders of New York, offers a full range of skilled nursing, rehabilitative, housing and home and community-based health services at its three campuses.
• * PS 188M, The Island School - a New York City K-8 public school on the Lower East Side.
• * Sunnyside Community Services - a multi-service organization in Queens that provides a continuum of services to community members of all ages, including programs for seniors and educational and recreational programs for children.
• * Women in Need – a comprehensive service provider offering transitional shelter housing, permanent supportive housing, and substance abuse treatment to over 10,000 of New York City’s homeless and disadvantaged women and children each year.

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