Volunteer Opportunities for All Ages
Welcome to the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan's resource for ways you can put your time and talents to work on behalf of our community. Learn about volunteer opportunities on the Upper West Side for all ages, abilities, and interests. Options include tutoring schoolchildren, packing food packages at West Side Campaign Against Hunger, sorting clothing donations, and much more.
Ongoing volunteer opportunities
In Person | For ages 14+
Support NYC public school students from low-income backgrounds in grades 1–5. Tutor students in literacy and math during the school day and/or provide homework help and play-based learning after school. All tutoring sessions take place in person on the Upper West Side. Commitments start at 50 minutes per week.
Learn More
In Person | For all ages
Donate items like clothing, e-waste, and food to partner organizations in our neighborhood. It’s easy to participate—just drop by the JCC lobby while we are holding a drive and drop off your item in the indicated area.
In Person | For ages 10–13
Make a difference in your community by joining us for tween-focused programs that combine hands-on community service projects with Jewish service learning.
Questions? Email JessAnn Smith.
Virtual + In Person | For ages 14+
Help teens and adults ages 14-75 with disabilities make meaningful connections to each other in social and recreational programs.
Interested in participating? If you are between the ages of 14–21, please fill out this form. If you are 22 and older, please email Michelle Wexler.
Virtual | For adults
Reach out to older adults in our community to combat the persistent epidemic of loneliness and help connect them with essential services.
Interested in participating? Email Sherri Lerner.
Virtual | For older adults
Help Israeli high school students in Jerusalem practice conversational English and prepare for their required English exam that they take towards the end of their 12th grade year.
Questions? Email Rabbi Brian Fink.
One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the warm clothes they need this winter. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).
Pet Partner Handler Information Workshop
Pet Partner Handler Information Workshop
In Person. Have you thought about volunteering with your dog? Find out what makes a therapy dog, how to get registered, and where you can volunteer.
Learn about training, certification, and volunteer opportunities. Determine if your dog might be a good fit! This is a human-only event.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In Person. Assemble bags of fresh and/or shelf-stable food products to be distributed to food insecure New Yorkers at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), one of the largest emergency food providers in New York. Spots are limited.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
In Person. This project takes place at WSCAH's new state of the art warehouse located on 180th street and Amsterdam Ave (594 West 180th Street) in the historic Washington Heights, steps from the #1 train 181st street stop.
Beyond the Ballot: Mobilizing Jewish Voices for Democracy
Beyond the Ballot: Mobilizing Jewish Voices for Democracy
In Person. In an era where our democracy is facing unprecedented threats and division, the Jewish community’s commitment to social justice and civic engagement is more crucial than ever.
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger
In Person. Assemble bags of fresh and/or shelf-stable food products to be distributed to food insecure New Yorkers at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), one of the largest emergency food providers in New York. Spots are limited.
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothes they need this summer. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
Volunteer with West Side Campaign Against Hunger - 180th Street
In Person. This project takes place at WSCAH's new state of the art warehouse located on 180th street and Amsterdam Ave (594 West 180th Street) in the historic Washington Heights, steps from the #1 train 181st street stop.
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothes they need this summer. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Sort Clothing Donations for New Immigrants
Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothes they need this summer. Volunteers will accept and sort donations, and set them up for a free distribution taking place the following day.
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants Sort Clothing Donations + Assist New Immigrants at Resource Fair
In Person. Ensure that new immigrants who have recently arrived in New York City have the clothing they need. Volunteers will stock items, greet and assist customers, and sort donations during a monthly clothing distribution at St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church (SPSA).