Volunteer Opportunities by Interest
There are many opportunities to get involved in volunteer positions and service projects both on and off campus throughout Long Island and New York City. Opportunities can range from a commitment of a few hours a week to a full-time service position, and encompass all industries including healthcare, education, environmental, and more. To learn about additional opportunities, check out Handshake.
Explore On Campus Volunteer Opportunities
Advocacy
The Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter is here to help families throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties who are facing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. They provide education and support for people throughout our community, including those living with the disease, caregivers, health care professionals and families. They are also committed to advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
Alzheimer's Association volunteers deliver support and education, raise funds, advocate for Alzheimer’s and more to help achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Whatever your skills and whatever time you have available, there are in-person and virtual opportunities to provide vital support for people living with Alzheimer's and their families. To learn more about how to get involved, visit their website.
SEPA Mujer, Inc. has been working to support immigrant women on Long Island since 1993 by bringing together community members and advocates to speak out against injustice, provide access to opportunities and services, take a stand against domestic violence and other abuses, and push for social change. Their objective is to raise and unite our voices to be heard by social and political systems in our communities and to nurture and improve civic engagement by way of leadership skills and legal representation.
Volunteers can get involved in various hotline, health education, and citizenship programming. To learn more, visit Sepa Mujer Inc.'s website.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, NYCLU is a not-for-profit,nonpartisan organization with eight chapters and regional offices, and more than 160,000 members across the state. Their mission is to defend and promote the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality and due process of law, with particular attention to the pervasive and persistent harms of racism.
The NYCLU is a movement of people fighting together for justice, freedom, and equality, and our activists help turn our fundamental values into reality. Interested in advocating for change? Visit the NYCLU website to learn how.
Animals/Environmental
Coastal Steward Long Island works to preserve and protect Long Island's precious marine environment through Education, Preservation, and Restoration.
Volunteers can get involved in marine education, beach cleanups, shellfish restoration, outreach, marketing, or administrative support. Visit their website to learn more.
For 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation has trained and placed guide dogs and service dogs to provide increased independence and enhanced mobility to individuals who are blind, have low vision, or other disabilities.
Volunteer work as puppy raisers, individuals who act as advisers on our board of directors, work in our kennels, and host events to raise money for our programs. They help out in the office or transport puppies and adult dogs. They also go on speaking engagements and lead tours, help serve meals when class is in session, and socialize with students during free time. Visit the website to learn more.
The LES Ecology Center has pioneered community-based models in urban sustainability since 1987. They provide unique e-waste and composting services, environmental stewardship opportunities, and educational programming to all New Yorkers who want to learn about environmental issues and take responsibility for creating solutions through action.
Opportunities to get involved with LES Ecology Center include volunteering at compost drop-off sites and stewarship. Explore the LES Ecology Center website to learn how to get involved.
New York City Audubon is a grassroots community that works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. New York City Audubon envisions a day when birds and people in the five boroughs enjoy a healthy, livable habitat. For over 40 years, New York City Audubon has championed nature in the City’s five boroughs through a combination of engaging and entertaining programs and innovative conservation campaigns. Through these efforts, we protect the more than 300 species of birds living in the 30,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and grasslands of New York City.
NYC Audubon could not be successful in carrying out its mission of protecting the wild birds and habitats of New York City without the help of its corps of brilliant community scientists and dedicated volunteers. There are several ways you can help birds, with varying time commitments to fit your schedule. No bird knowledge is required; anyone can help! For more information on volunteer opportunities, check out NYC Audobon's website.
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing. Populations include children and adults with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.
Volunteers are the backbone of Pal-O-Mine. Volunteers assist with side-walking in riding lessons, grooming and walking mini horses and donkeys, animal care, barn chores, and event support. For more information, visit their website.
Sweetbriar Nature Center is situated on 54 acres of varied garden, woodland, field and wetland habitats on the Nissequogue River. Hundreds of species of plants and animals make homes here.
Volunteers can assist with leading nature programs for schools and other groups, gardening activities in both the formal garden and/or the Butterfly and Moth Vivarium, assisting with animal care and rehabilitation, and more. Visit their website to learn more.
Volunteers for Wildlife, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit Wildlife Hospital & Education Center dedicated to the preservation of Long Island's wildlife & natural habitats through education & rehabilitation since 1982. Volunteers for Wildlife strives to educate the public about Long Island's native fauna and the importance of preserving these species along with their habitats.
Volunteers for Wildlife offers several types of volunteer opportunities to help support our ever-growing organization. Volunteers may provide daily care for our permanent animal ambassadors, work alongside our rehabilitators caring for current wildlife patients, or go out in the field rescuing and transporting sick, injured, and orphaned animals in need. For more information, check out their website.
Children/Education/Mentorship
Since 1977, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island has believed that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, both as individuals and citizens. By doing so, they will not only do well, they will also do great things.
Become a Big: In just a few hours a month, you can directly impact a child’s future.By simply grabbing a slice of pizza, taking a trip to the library or the park, you can make a difference in the life of a child. Become a big today!
Girls Inc. of Long Island focuses on the development of the whole girl using a combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming to equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barries, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.
Short term volunteers can volunteer as part of a special event. Long term volunteers work with students during after school hours (1 weekday afternoon per week for 2 hours) at one of our school or community-based locations and assist in administering Girls Inc. activities and curriculum while building a fun and comfortable atmosphere for the girls. Six month commitment is kindly requested. For more information visit Girls Inc.!
Long Island Children’s Museum is a not-for-profit learning space devoted to the busy work of play. At the Museum, children master skills and uncover passions that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Long Island Children's Museum welcomes volunteers who want to become involved by assisting children and those who care for them as they connect with one another and the world around them. Volunteers have an emormous impact on our museum and our community. Our volunteers are a critical part of providing support to inspire children. To learn more, visist LICM's website.
Stony Brook Child Care is an early childhood education center that fosters learning, creativity, and individuality in children while serving as a teaching model.
Enjoy working or playing with young children? Join the team at Stony Brook Child Care Services! Opportunities include working alongside professional teaching staff with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers.
Youth Enrichment Services (YES) enriches the lives of the youth and their families residing in the Bay Shore, Brentwood, Central Islip, and West Islip communities. YES will provide services and programs aimed at youth development, empowerment and delinquency prevention with a special emphasis on at-risk and hard-to-reach youth and families. All services will be provided free of charge and inclusive of all children.
YES programs include: tutoring, after-school programs, beautification projects, community cleanups, and more! Mentors must have a car in order to participate in this program. For more information, visit YES's website.
Food Insecurity
Hunger Free America is a nonpartisan, national nonprofit group working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food. As a direct service provider, Hunger Free America assists low-income families obtain aid from goverment programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Hunger Free America also connects families nationwide with private food resources.
Higher impact volunteer work, like volunteering professional skills at an anti-hunger organization or advocating for a stronger safety net or higher wages can make a bigger difference in the fight to end hunger. Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Hunger Free America on their website.
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization with a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food and product collection and distribution systems, enhanced hunger awareness and nutrition education programs, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, targeted services for specific populations, outreach activities and advocacy initiatives.
Volunteer opportunities include warehouse support, food collection event support, community food distribution, food rescues, healthy harvest farm, and office support. To get involved, contact Diana Russo, Volunteer and Community Relations Coordinator, at volunteersupport@islandharvest.org or call us at 631-873-4775.
The Stony Brook University Food Pantry serves community members (students, staff and faculty) who are food insecure, or who are at risk of food insecurity. Shelves are stocked with healthy and nutritious food options located in the Stony Brook Union, Suite L-20 (lower level).
To become a Stony Brook University Food Pantry volunteer, please complete this application. This position, while voluntary, typically calls for a semester-long commitment, at minimum.
An independent Not-for-Profit corporation, “Welcome Friends of Greater Port Jefferson” (dba “Welcome Friends”) is self-sustaining with a solid foundation of local community support. The volunteers form an outstanding team that addresses hunger in our Greater Port Jefferson community—and work hard to expand relationships with individual supporters, local food markets, farm stands, religious institutions, community leaders, local village government and other agencies. Teams also create a sense of community for neighbors affected by hunger and poverty by serving in a safe hospitable environment.
Volunteers can assist by working as cooks, assistant cooks/food prep, and pick up/delivery. This position typically requires a long-term commitment. To learn more, visit the Welcome Friends Soup Kitchen website.
Health/Disaster Relief
American Red Cross Long Island is based in Mineola and serves Nassau, Suffolk countries and Shelter Island by responding to emergencies and disasters across the region including home fires, floods, and buildling collapses. American Red Cross also provides shelter, food, clothing, and emotional support at no cost to those in need.
American Red Cross has a variety of disaster relief volunteer opportunities available including blood collection support and disaster action team. Learn more about opportunities on the American Red Cross website.
When blood is donated at Stony Brook University Hospital Blood Bank, it is given directly to a patient in need in the hospital. To give blood, donors must be between 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Even people on blood pressure and cholesterol medications with conditions under control and insulin-taking diabetics can give blood.
Help the Therapeutic Recreation Department to implement the philosophy of “Food and Fun!” They believe that enjoying life and being engaged are very important and that you are never too old to learn new things. You can assist by helping residents stay active in the community, and engaged in life. There are a wide variety of recreation programs offered, you can help by encouraging and motivating residents to attend and participate. You may also provide residents with assistance to and from programs. Opportunities range from games, crafts, exercising, walking, entertainment, community day trips, and more. Projects can include one on one projects or group projects. One example of a one on one project is creating small wood projects which may include assisting with assembling, sanding, and or painting. Fine motor skills and good vision is a must for a project like this.
There are many different ways to volunteer at the LI State Veteran’s Home, from ongoing to one time events. To view more information or to submit an application visit LISVH Volunteer Services.
The Safe Center LI, Inc. is a creation of two former non-profit agencies that separately served the victims of domestic abuse and child abuse. Located in a historic Grumman building in Bethpage, it was created in 2014 through the merger of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV)and the Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect (CCAN). The Safe Center offers a broad spectrum of free & confidential services from counseling to housing, from advocacy to referrals, etc. through a highly trained, nurturing and compassionate staff of professionals well qualified to provide the highest level of services to enhance the recovery of trauma victims and their non-offending family members.
To learn more about volunteering with the Hospital Advocacy (SAFER) program or with CAPS, check out The Safe Center Long Island's website.
- SBU Hospital is always seeking volunteers to assist with various tasks in different departments! No matter what your major or future career goals are volunteers can volunteer in the SBU hospital! Volunteer positions can vary from administrative type work to interacting with patients.
Volunteers who can commit to a minimum of three hours a week for at least eight months or a total of 100 hours are encouraged to apply! No car required! SBU Hospital is within walking distance! Interested? Visit Stony Brook University Hospital Volunteers for more information!
- The Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as a registered organization at Stony Brook University, is committed to promoting a safe and vibrant campus community. SBVAC shall render emergency medical care to any and all persons within their primary territory requiring such assistance and shall transport such persons to the nearest emergency medical receiving facility as necessary. Interested in joining SBVAC? Learn more on the SBVAC page!
- The Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) is an off-shoot of FEMA’s Citizen Corps’ CERT program, designed to mold CERT’s basic principles to an academic institution setting. CERTs are formed by members of a community who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their area. Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. Students, faculty, and staff can participate!
Sunrise on Wheels provides a day filled with Sunrise fun to children awaiting treatment in pediatric oncology units of participating hospitals. Volunteers wheel a rainbow trunk bursting with toys, games and activities right into many of our affiliated hospitals and change what could have been a bleak and depressing day into a day of camp fun!
Sunrise on Wheels, which launched in 2009, currently brings fun to more than 4,000 children in 35 hospitals — in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland (Horizon on Wheels), Atlanta (Aurora on Wheels), and in Israel. Each Sunrise on Wheels location serves a large number of children ranging from toddlers to young adults.
For information on how to donate or volunteer, please contact Bonnie Flatow, Senior Vice President, Hospital & Community Service.
YAI and its network of affiliate agencies offer children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) a comprehensive range of services. Committed to seeing beyond disability, YAI provides opportunities for people to live, love, work, and learn in their communities.
Volunteers support YAI’s core mission by taking part in established programming and events, as well as by creating new opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live, love, work, and learn. To learn more visit YAI's website.
Homelessness
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) was originally founded in 1985 as a grassroots local advocacy effort to bring non-profits and other community partners together to unite around the cause of homelessness, seeking to expand and enhance services to meet local needs. LICH has expanded services to continually align with local community needs and approaches that evidence shows to be most effective in addressing homelessness. These services include street outreach, housing navigation, system data management and outcomes tracking, all parts of what has become the local "Coordinated Entry System." Coordinated Entry is a person-centered, housing-focused approach to streamline access to housing and services and prioritizes those homeless longest and most in need of housing and support.
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless has volunteer positions at the Distribution Center, Community Garden, and more. Visit their website to learn how to get involved.
Founded in 2015 as the first furniture bank on Long Island, Open Door Exchange connects donated furniture to individuals and families in need at no cost to help families build a safe and comfortable home. Open Door Exchange accepts donated furnishings from the local community and displays them in their Port Jefferson Station warehouse. Guests are offered the dignity of selecting their own furnishings. No one who visits is ever required to prove their level of need.
Open Door Exchange is run entirely by an amazing group of volunteers. All ages and abilities are welcome! Ther volunteer program is flexible to accommodate any schedule. You can volunteer one time or on a regular basis, by yourself or with a group. Learn more about volunteer opportunities on their website.
Social Services
Family Service League (FSL) helps individuals, children, and families to mobilize their strengths and improve the quality of their lives at home, in the workplace, and in the community. There are a number of ways to get involved and help strengthen our communities, from administrative support and transporting food and toy drive goods to special event assistance, tutoring, computer literacy, and translators. Training is also provided for volunteers who want to advocate for the seniors in our communities. Learn more on their website.
- The VITA Program offers free tax help to low to moderate income persons. Volunteers help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Vita sites throughout Long Island are located at community centers, libraries, schools and other convenient locations. For information on how to become a VITA volunteer, check out their website.
STEAM
The Long Island Science Center is a 501(c)3 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Learning Museum with a mission to prepare young people for the challenges of a 21st century economy built on advanced technology and innovation.
The Long Island Science Center is seeking energetic, engaged and thoughtful adults with a passion for learning and exploration. Teaching/education, museum and prior experience working with children a bonus, but NOT required.
If interested, please send an email (office@sciencecenterli.org) with your resume and a brief note describing your interest.
RSVP exists so that someone like you, with the energy, life experience and knowledge to share, can make a big difference where you are most needed - in your community.
Volunteers are needed in Nassau and Suffolk Counties for the Community Computer Connections Program which takes donated computers and refurbishes them under in a Microsoft Refurbishing License. The computers are then delivered to the homes of families, students, seniors and veterans who would otherwise not be able to afford a computer. Most of the work you do can be done in the comfort and safety of your home. And deliveries to clients can be done in a contactless manner. Assignments are scheduled at the pace desired by and convenience of the volunteers, who work out of their own homes. You do, however, need to be based on Long Island.
Program Coordinator: Robin Fertig (631) 979-9490 ext. 13 or cccp.coordinator@gmail.com