Volunteer on 7/17 to Canvass Sandy Survivors in Brooklyn

Sheepshead Bay needs your help! Individuals and groups are needed on Wednesday 7/17 from 6:00-8:30pm to survey residents door-to-door to assess current needs in this recovering community. Training and materials will be provided on-site. Ages 16 and up.

Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Turkish speakers are especially needed for this project, although language skills are not required. Volunteers of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.

For more info or to sign up, contact Alex at metcouncilvolunteer@gmail.com or 212-453-9526.

Jobs, Careers and Volunteering... seeing how they are all connected

We all know that finding a job in the current economy is tough, but did you know that volunteering is now proven to give you a leg up in the hiring processes? Check out this new study from the Corporation for National and Community Service to learn more. If this inspires you to want to volunteer, Met Council is always in need of great volunteers. 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/impact-our-nation/research-and-reports/volunteering-pathway-employment-report

How Service Can Save Us

Have you seen this past week's TIME magazine cover? Just in case you haven't, here is is:
 

In the cover story "Can Service Save Us?", Joe Klein argues that public service programs like The Mission Continues, can be therapeutic for returning troops by giving them back a sense of purpose. It is a really great, quick article to read that I would recommend.

Such a story has larger implications for public service programs like AmeriCorps, PeaceCorps, and The Mission Continues, just to name a few. These programs have such a profound impact on the volunteers serving and the communities in which they work. Such programs provide an invaluable experience, skills training, and an ultimate sense of purpose for their participants and ultimately better our local, state, and national community. Check out more information on national service programs here.

BBYO Stand UP and Rebuild Day of Service

Check out the great day of service that BBYO had with us. They even blogged about it. Read their post here: http://bbyo.org/blog/pep/bbyo_stand_up_rebuild_service/

URGENT- Volunteers needed for "Fancy Food Show"- July 2nd

North America’s Largest Specialty Food & Beverage Event will be in New York City from June 30 - July 2, 2013. Each year, the Fancy Food show exhibits over 180,000 food products and attracts thousands of attendees from around the world.

But have you ever wondered what happens to all that food once the show has wrapped up? It gets rescued!

On Tuesday, July 2nd, help City Harvest and Met Council collect thousands of pounds of kosher food products from generous vendors as they wrap up their exhibit.We need your help collecting, packing, and loading the food onto our Food Rescue truck be shipped to Met Council's Food Warehouse. Ultimately, your efforts will directly benefit Met Council and the thousands of families who receive supplemental nutrition assistance from our food pantry each year.

Want to get involved? Here are the details:
When: July 2nd, 2pm to 8pm
Where: Jacob Javitz Center- 655 W 34th St
Who: Volunteers 18 and older, must be able to lift, ability to walk and stand on your feet for extended periods of time (there is a lot of ground to cover!)
How: For more info or to sign up, contact Rebecca Glass at rglass@cityharvest.org or 646-412-0710

Bay Ridge Jewish Center Chesed Day

On Sunday, June 23rd, 10 children and 12 adults from the Bay Ridge Jewish Center volunteered their weekend at our low-income senior housing in Seagate, Brooklyn. Our Abraham residences I and II, were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy last year, so the outpouring of support and volunteers has been a welcome treat for seniors. Volunteers shared their artistic talents in several projects to benefit our clients.

 

 The children painted clay pots and planted herbs to be hand delivered to the residents to enjoy basil and parsley year round. Then they took the time to make art to be hung in the community room to brighten up the space for all to enjoy!

 

On behalf of our seniors and residences, thank you! 

You and your group can take part in similar projects this summer as well! Fill out our group questionnaire here. For individuals, click here.

Volunteer to increase awareness of public benefits for those who need it most!

SNAP Farmers Market Outreach

If you want to help alleviate food insecurity and poverty in NYC, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you! Met Council, in partnership with the Food Bank and NYC Coalition against Hunger, aim to reach individuals and families who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefits, but are unaware. This summer, you can help us engage customers at farmer’s markets across the city and inform the general public about SNAP eligibility and Met Council services.  Volunteer roles will include tabling with flyers, canvassing throughout the market, and pre-screen potential clients using our web app.

This program targets hard-to-reach groups that are eligible but not enrolled in the Food Stamp Program help to inform members of the community about SNAP eligibility and benefits. Increased access to public benefits such as SNAP can be a powerful tool to combating hunger and poverty in New York City

Up to 600,000 New Yorkers are eligible, but do not participate in the Food Stamp Program. Through printed materials and oral presentations Met Council’s volunteers and enrollment specialists make eligibility rules easier to understand, clear up myths that surround the program, and encourage those eligible for benefits to submit an application.

Volunteer Qualifications:
Age:18 and older
Group or individual: Individual or groups of up to 3
Qualities: Outgoing, not afraid to engage strangers
Commitment: 2 hour orientation, tabling at chosen market at least twice a month

Time and Location: Days and times depend on location of market. Locations include: Forest Hills and Jackson Heights, Queens; Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; Poe Park, Bronx

For more information contact Tiffany Doris at tdoris@metcouncil.org or 212-453-9648