New York Cares
New York Cares was founded by a group of friends in 1987 who wanted to take action against social issues in New York City. Today, the organization engages 59,000 volunteers in service each year, helping 400,000 New Yorkers in need. The organization works with 1,300 community agencies, called Community Partners, to organize projects and bring the organization volunteers so they can complete their mission. It plans and manages 1,500 volunteer projects each month. Each project is led by a dedicated volunteer Team Leader.
New York Cares' mission is to meet pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service. It is now the largest local volunteer organization in New York City. The Hands On Network (originally called City Cares) and its affiliate organizations in the United States and around the world are modeled on New York Cares' flexible approach to volunteering.
New York Cares' volunteer projects include children's literacy, education, and recreation; adult education; seniors; health and wellness; revitalizing public parks and schools; preparing meals for the homebound and homeless; walking shelter dogs; distributing coats and holiday gifts to those who would otherwise go without and more. New York Cares is also a member of the Points of Light Foundation. The New York City Mayor's Volunteer Center lists New York Cares as one of its primary partners.[1]
Signature Programs
The New York Cares Coat Drive is one of the largest coat drives in the US and is known for its iconic 'Shivering Statue of Liberty' logo. It has collected and distributed over 1.2 million coats to people in need since 1989.
New York Cares Day Fall is the organization's largest volunteer day, mobilizing 6,000 volunteers to over 90 NYC public schools. The event is a 'serve-a-thon', in which volunteers raise money in honor of their work they do (like a traditional walk-a-thon). Volunteers paint, organize, clean, and revitalize classrooms to make them more inviting for students.
New York Cares Day Spring is New York Cares' spring volunteer day. Each year it mobilizes over 4,000 volunteers to revitalize over 80 parks, gardens, and community spaces around New York City.
Winter Wishes provides holiday gifts to over 32,000 disadvantaged people each year who might otherwise receive little or nothing for the holidays. Kids, teens, seniors, and families write letters to New York Cares, which then gives the letters to individuals who buy gifts for those who requested them. Unlike many 'Secret Santa' programs, gifts are distributed through other non-profit organizations to protect individuals' privacy.
External links
References
- ↑ "Mayor's Volunteer Center of New York". Retrieved 2007-02-03.