• ECC News

Volunteer Stories | October 7, 2016

by Shaina Birkhead (The Children's Book Council, Inc)

Volunteering in NYC can be hard. It sometimes feels impossible to find the time and energy for it in such a fast-paced city, let alone finding the right place or organization to volunteer with. Some people are natural humanitarians who love to volunteer; it’s what they do for fun in their spare time. And then there are people like me who want to do good and make a difference, but maybe aren’t quite as selfless and really like to sleep in on Saturdays. That is why it is so important to find a volunteer opportunity that’s the right fit personality-wise, goal-wise, and schedule-wise; an activity that is not only fun, but will keep you coming back.

For me, I’ve found that activity within the hodgepodge of people and places that make up the 20 odd blocks that I walk every day: my community. And one of those places is my local park. It is a magical place that really supports and uplifts the entire neighborhood. Events are held there. Kids play there. Lifetime residents stroll there. Homeless people sleep there. The farmers market is there. Life is there. Supporting the park gives me a chance to connect and sustain what I think is the heart of my neighborhood.

From social media to soliciting neighborhood business support for events to event planning and park clean up, there are a million different ways to volunteer at your local park. Many NYC parks are supported by a dedicated group of community members who work with the NYC Parks department, their local politicians, and other non-profit groups to make a difference. There are so many little parks and squares located all over the five boroughs, and the Parks department can’t do it all. These groups need people of all talents to help them keep our parks open and well-maintained. Donating your time can be as simple as showing up to a weekly park cleanup, or offering to design the poster for an upcoming park-oriented event. You will be surprised at all the things you can do to make a difference. And many of those things don’t even involve getting your hands dirty!

Click the links below to discover some resources to help you get in touch with the right people at your neighborhood park:

• https://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/volunteer
• https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/partners
• http://www.cityparksalliance.org/
• https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org617209.jsp