New Yorkers Volunteer - New York Volunteer Opportunities and Information

The New York State Commission on National and Community Service congratulates all AmeriCorps and National Service programs in New York State as well as our ten new Regional Volunteer Centers for leading “A Day On, Not a Day Off” service projects in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through the efforts of these organizations, thousands of New York State citizens were provided the opportunity to “Remember! Celebrate! and Act!” on January 16, 2012.

Some examples of service throughout the state are as follows:

Genesee County AmeriCorps partnered with RSVP of Genesee County and the Genesee County YMCA on the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Volunteers were recruited to complete several projects that will improve the YMCA’s facilities, which are used by families from throughout the area. AmeriCorps members and RSVP volunteers served as project team leaders. In addition to these projects, a dedicated area was set up for younger volunteers. Youth created cards of appreciation that will be sent to active members of the military as well veterans residing at local facilities. Supplies were collected for the Genesee Veterans Support Network, a group that assembles “welcome home” baskets for returning veterans. In order to promote economic opportunity, information about affordable housing, tax assistance, career services, “aging in place” and emergency preparedness was distributed to volunteers as well as patrons of the YMCA.

Rockland County AmeriCorps coordinated Project Night Night, donating over 25,000 Night Night Packages, free of charge, to homeless children who need childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal – all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag. By providing objects of reliable comfort, Project Night Night reduces trauma and advances the emotional and cognitive wellbeing of the children.

AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks members will participated in one of four events hosted either during the week prior to MLK Day or on MLK Day.

AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks collaborated with SUNY Plattsburgh to assist in the MLK Day activities hosted at SUNY’s Newman Center. AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks members acted as ushers assisting with seating event attendees. Most importantly, AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks members assisted with the food drive taking place at this event. AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks members then delivered all donations collected to a local Food Pantry in Plattsburgh, NY.
AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks in partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Clinton County, assisted with the development and implementation of a Literacy booth and/ or table set up in the local shopping mall. Staff, tutors, learners, and AmeriCorps members operated the booth to inform the public about the benefits and advantages derived from increasing their literacy level.
AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks members assisted with a youth- focused event at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, NY. The event was adventure-based with a focus on community service and volunteerism.
AmeriCorps for the Adirondacks, in partnership with CV-TEC, worked with youth to use poetry as a form of social justice awareness and volunteerism in the community. AmeriCorps members and CV-TEC staff worked with the Ted K. Center, a local youth program in a government assisted housing program, to provide this opportunity to local children. AmeriCorps members worked with the children prior to MLK Day and worked with SUNY Plattsburgh to display students’ work on MLK Day at the event hosted at SUNY Plattsburgh Newman Center.

The Volunteer Center at the Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc. celebrated MLK Day 2012 in partnership with The King Center Charter School. Over 200 AmeriCorps members, students, and community volunteers mobilized to turn Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action. With the efforts from The American Red Cross Buffalo Chapter, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, Meals on Wheels, Project Naomi, and The King Center Charter School, volunteers helped raise awareness and tackle social problems on the East Side of Buffalo.

Volunteers delivered food to the elderly, provided assistance for elderly and physically disabled individuals with home repairs/maintenance, built bird houses for urban gardens, engaged in fire prevention outreach, constructed picnic tables for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition, and assisted in the expansion of The King Center Charter School with a large scale painting project.

Long Island Regional Volunteer Center, an affiliate of HandsOn Network and one of 10 New York State designated regional volunteer centers, sponsored a gently-used sports equipment drive for at-risk children in partnership with Modell's and Children's Sport Connection (cscny.org). Volunteers helped staff the drive and sort donations were secured through Global Team Players (teamplayers.org) and Chaminade High School Service Club as well as LIVC registered volunteers. Contributing to the Corporation for National and Community Service strategic objective to increase economic opportunities, this drive launched on MLK Jr. Holiday on January 16, 2012 and ends on January 21, 2012. Four Modell's sporting goods stores are participating (2 in Nassau County, 2 in Suffolk County). Miss Long Island 2012 made an appearance to encourage youth volunteerism. SCO Family of Services (sco.org) and other youth program across Long Island benefited.

As a part of New York State’s Volunteer Generation initiative, the newly formed Regional Volunteer Center of the Southern Tier made $2,500 in grants to local organizations participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. This diverse group of projects from across the region allowed volunteers of all ages to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by participating in a day of service to address the needs of our local communities. “The MLK Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides – today and throughout the year,” explains Alan Hertel, Executive Director of United Way of Broome County. “National Days of Service provide each of us with an opportunity to join neighbors and local leaders to tackle community challenges and strengthen the nation.”

For a more detailed listing of these and other MLK Day of Service projects in New York State, please click here.