Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in volunteering with Union Settlement or if you have any questions, please contact our Volunteer Relations Office at 212-828-6125 or volunteers@unionsett.org.

Please select one of the following interest areas in which you would like to volunteer:
Children and Youth
Adult Education
Seniors
Office Support
Special Activities
Internships

Children and Youth

After-school tutor/homework helper (Rising Stars) - CURRENTLY FILLED
Work with 5 to 10-year-old students of local elementary schools to develop their math, science, and writing skills during our Rising Stars after-school program. Volunteers are needed in the classrooms from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. for up to 3 days a week; volunteers are also encouraged to assist with the activity portion of the program from 4:30 to 5:30 P.M.
Location: Washington Community Center, 1775 3rd Avenue (at 98th street)
Time Commitment: one hour, from 1 to 3 times a week over the course of 3 months
Requirements: experience with youth preferred, but not required

Pre-GED Math tutoring for out-of-school teenagers (E3)
Help prepare out-of-school youth for the GED exam by getting them caught up on basic math concepts through our E3 program (“Education, Employment, Empowerment”). Volunteers, preferably current education students, are needed to assist the head teacher and provide one-on-one or small group tutoring to the students during the class. Classes run from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Monday to Friday, and volunteers can begin immediately at any preferred time. Scheduling is flexible, please contact us if interested. Experience with or sensitivity to diverse, at-risk youth necessary.
Location: Washington Community Center, 1775 3rd Avenue (at 98th street)
Time Commitment: Program runs from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Monday through Friday; volunteers needed at least 2 hours per week, flexible scheduling
Requirements: Some familiarity with basic math concepts (arithmetic, algebra)

Career Workshop Presenter
Present and discuss the details of your profession with 10-15 students enrolled in our Union Works or College Readiness programs.
Location: Washington Community Center, 1775 3rd Avenue (at 98th street)
Time Commitment: 2 hour one-time commitment or several workshops
Requirements: experience within a specific professional field that you would like to discuss

• Come speak to the high school students in our STEP Program!
  STEP is an academic program in our local high schools that works with students interested in science and math oriented professions. In March we will invite interested professionals into our classes to speak to students about their chosen career paths. First hand exposure to different ideas is the best way to create opportunity for students that are unsure of what they would like in the future. Your talk could include the education needed for your position, the different roles in your work environment, why you chose your career, etc.
  Location: East Harlem schools TBD
  Time Commitment: 1-2 hour talk/discussion with a class of high school students
  Requirements: Experience with a science or math related field that you would like to discuss; comfortable speaking to a group of students
 
• Share your experience with students of our Home Health Aide class!
  Our Home Health Aide class focuses on the training and knowledge necessary to become a Home Health Aide. 30 students have already completed this pilot program and 19 have been successfully placed in jobs as a result. We would like to provide as much knowledge and as many opportunities as we can through this class, therefore we would like to invite any health related professionals to speak to our students about their career paths. This could include but is not limited to nurses, certified nurse assistants, phlebotomists, x-ray technicians, etc.
  Location: 237 E. 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.)
  Time Commitment: 1 to 2 hour one-time commitment or several workshops
  Requirements: experience within a specific health-related field that you would like to discuss

College Readiness Mentor
Serve as a mentor to an East Harlem high school student by developing a trusting relationship and encouraging their interest in college.
Location: TBD; most likely in the high school
Time Commitment: regular meeting and communication with the student during the school year
Requirements: routine screening procedures (fingerprinting and references)

SAT Tutor
Tutor a student or small group of students from an East Harlem high school in SAT preparation. Work under the supervision of our SAT Preparation Coordinator.
Location: TBD; most likely in the high school
Time Commitment: Roughly one hour per week for several months, with flexible scheduling
Requirements: experience in SAT tutoring

Early Childhood Classroom Aide
Assist the head teacher in providing age-appropriate learning activities in a class of two, three, or four year old children in this Head Start/Childcare program. Tasks include storytelling, assisting with meal service, and small group activities such as art, block building, imaginative play, etc. Training and orientation will be provided.
Location: 237 E. 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave.)
Time Commitment: 2 hours in the afternoon, at least 2 days per week (no volunteers for this position between 1:30 and 3:00 P.M.)
Requirements: Screening and fingerprinting, high school diploma, minimum age 18; childcare experience preferred, but not necessary
*Out of pocket expense for a medical co-pay may be necessary to complete the required medical form

Adult Education

GED Tutor
Serve as a GED tutor for the Adult Education program of Union Settlement. Work one-on-one or with small groups of students on the subject material and test-taking skills.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
Time Commitment: TBD
Requirements: cultural sensitivity; some knowledge of GED subject matter, especially math

Conversation Partners
Serve as a conversation partner with students of our Adult Education ESL classes. Chat with groups of students in a relaxed café-style setting in order to improve their communication in English. We are seeking patient, enthusiastic, and understanding volunteers for this fun activity that allows students to practice what they learn in class. Topics may be provided to facilitate conversation.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
Time Commitment: 6 to 8 one-hour sessions over the course of a semester. Groups of conversation partners will be organized to work with classes; please contact us if interested and we can add you to either an existing group or a waiting list for next semester.
Requirements: cultural sensitivity, patience; experience with or interest in adult education

Seniors

Friendly Visiting Volunteer
Spend time with a senior citizen in an effort to strengthen the social aspects of his/her life. You will be matched with an individual whose home you will visit on a regular basis, although depending on his/her mobility, you are encouraged to engage the senior in outdoor activities in accordance with his/her interests. Common activities include engaging in conversation, reading to the senior, strolls through a nearby park or garden, running errands with the senior, or going on recreational trips together. For more information, contact Carmen Febres at 212-828-6103.
Location: the home of the senior with whom you are matched
Time Commitment: at least two hours, roughly once per week over the course of 6 months
Requirements: basic screening procedures

Exercise Facilitator
Instruct an exercise class for a group of seniors. Classes may be on Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga or any other type of exercise.
Location: one of our five senior centers in East Harlem
Time Commitment: one hour from one to three times a week for at least 2 months
Requirements: ability to instruct an exercise class

Writing/Reading Club Facilitator
Help start a reading club that will include literature in which the participants are interested. Facilitate a writing club that fosters creativity and keeps the seniors’ minds active.
Location: one of our 5 senior centers located throughout East Harlem
Time Commitment: one hour, once a week over the course of at least 2 months
Requirements: interest in running a writing or reading club for seniors

Journalism Volunteer
Document volunteer and participant stories for Senior Services. Take pictures of the different activities that take place in our senior centers and write accompanying short excerpts. Create success stories on volunteers and participants. These stories will be used in different outreach materials and publications.  
Location: one of our 5 senior centers located throughout East Harlem
Time Commitment: may vary according to how long it takes to complete the task
Requirements: writing and photography skills

Office Support

Clerical Assistant/Event Planner - Mental Health Services
Assist the staff of Mental Health Services with record keeping, community outreach, and data management. Also help them plan their numerous community events and fundraisers, including flea markets, the Ethnic Festival, shoe and bag sales, and others. Develop administrative, programmatic, and communications job skills in a friendly office environment.
Location: 2089 3rd Avenue (at 114th street)
Time Commitment: At least 4 hours per week
Requirements: clerical and administrative skills; event planning skills; computer proficiency (Word, Excel, internet savvy); high level of maturity

Resource/Outreach Assistant - Mental Health Services - CURRENTLY FILLED
Mental Health Services refers its clients to a wide variety of social, legal, and psychiatric resources throughout the city. A volunteer Resource Coordinator is needed to maintain and update our records of these resources on a continual basis, which entails contacting the organizations and city agencies that provide the resource, researching new services, and working closely with staff. This volunteer will also help raise awareness of the services we offer to East Harlem residents, primarily through canvassing, flyer distribution, attendance at community events, and building an internet presence.
Location: 2089 3rd Avenue (at 114th street)
Time Commitment: At least 4 hours per week
Requirements: communications and administrative skills; computer proficiency (Word, Excel, internet savvy); high level of maturity

Special Activities

Gardening
Help us maintain the gardens at our program centers by joining our gardening crew in weeding, planting, and landscaping. Commitment is flexible, contact us if interested.
Locations: James Weldon Johnson Senior Services Center, 114th and 1st; Union Settlement building, 104th and 3rd
Time Commitment: one-time or continual service
Requirements: none

Activity Specialist
Work with a group of 10-15 students either from our Rising Stars, Bridges, or Union Works programs (elementary through high school) to facilitate sessions of your chosen activity. A curriculum for these activities is not provided, but creativity and enthusiasm is welcomed. Program would be scheduled from 4:30- 6:00 P.M. during the after-school program.
Location: Washington Community Center, 1775 3rd Avenue (at 98th street)
Time Commitment: at least 1-2 hours per week for a school semester (Sept. - Dec. / Jan. - June)
Requirements: experience with youth preferred, but not required; knowledge of a specific skill or subject that will be interesting and educational for the children (i.e. dance, music, media, arts, sports, fashion, preventative measures, etc.)

Financial Literacy Workshop Assistant
Assist the Union Settlement Federal Credit Union (USFCU) in the facilitation of financial literacy workshops for Union members and the community. Advise on curricula and partake in two to four weekly seminars. Recent and ongoing workshops include Budgeting and Money Management, Saving to Build Wealth, Opening an Account, and Budgeting for Youth.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
Time Commitment: several meetings and seminars a month
Requirements: professional background in the financial or money management fields preferred

Internships

Development and Public Relations Intern (Development Department)
Research community media and marketing opportunities, community partners and public relations resources. Collect research and statistics on the neighborhood and its services. Research funding opportunities and potential donors. Assist with marketing and logistics on events. Provide support for fundraising projects.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves)
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
Requirements: strong communications skills, ability to synthesize information, innovative thinker, diligent, detail-oriented, and ability to work with others. Have a background interest in community development and social services. Possess computer skills.

Junior Database Programmer (Technology Department)
Help finalize the design and functionality of agency database project, which tracks participants across Human Services programs. Programming and data capturing required. Volunteer will interface with department personnel and off-site database personnel.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
Requirements: Experience in MySQL, Java Application Server- Tomacat, Java IDE. MS Excel

Microsoft Office/Internet/Email Training Instructor (Technology Department)
Provide basic instruction to agency staff on how to use Office applications and safely use Internet and email. Develop structured lessons to increase the student's ability to use the various programs and computer systems. Complete follow-up evaluations, getting feedback and modifying instruction. Provide some crisis intervention or support help for individuals that have taken the course but are having difficulty with aspects of the training.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Time Commitment: 10 hours/week
Requirements: High School Graduate with 6 months of computing, problem solving, and or troubleshooting. A+ certification preferred. Possess strong interpersonal and communications skills. Experience working with Office applications, Internet technologies, and email.

IT Helpdesk Technician (Technology Department)
Provide telephone incident intake service to agency. Create and route incident tickets. Follow up with customer base to ensure tickets have been closed or addressed to satisfaction.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week
Requirements: High School Graduate with 6 months of computing, problem solving, and or troubleshooting. The following is preferred: A+ certification. Possess very strong interpersonal and communications skills. Experience working in a customer service environment. Experience troubleshooting TCP/IP applications in the Windows, Macintosh, or Unix environments.

HIV CARE Network Program Assistant
The office of The Manhattan HIV CARE Network, under Union Settlement, is seeking a short term Intern to assist with the daily operations of the office and facilitate the organization of the Networks documents and files. In addition, the intern will assist in the creation of an electronic Resource Inventory and update the filing system. Additional responsibilities include: filing and data entry, developing resource inventory, organizing files, developing electronic record keeping system, answer telephones, sort mailing
Location: HIV Care Network Office located in the Department of Health Building
Time Commitment: 9-12 hours per week (min. of 3-4 hours per day) for 6 months- 1 year
Requirements: Possess strong computer skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office and online research, good oral and written communication skills, ability to be a team player, able to work independently, able to problem solve, good organizational and office skills.

Member Service/Financial Literacy Outreach Representative
The intern will work with Financial Literacy Manager at the Union Settlement Federal Credit Union to:
     • Assist with member retention strategy
     • Monitor member welcome procedure
     • Engage participation from all areas of the Credit Union (teller, managers, outreach team)
     • Collaborate on improving our Financial Education Program
     • Assist Financial Literacy Manager to track, monitor, and report outcomes
     • Assist in coordinating our newsletter and yearly annual meeting
     • Assist in the development of the Credit Union’s outreach strategy
This is an opportunity to be involved with a well established organization serving the diverse East Harlem community. A creative and diligent individual will have the opportunity to gain insight into and to be involved with the coordination and development of financial literacy programs in the Union Settlement Federal Credit Union.
Location: 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Aves)
Time Commitment: 16-20 hours per week for at least 6 months
Requirements: High school diploma or GED (Bachelors Degree is a plus), bi-lingual in Spanish a plus, innovative thinker, diligent, detail-oriented, and ability to work with others. Computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft office and online research.
Compensation: Travel stipend for MetroCard.