Needs From: Engage UAlbany - Get Connected to Volunteer Opportunities

In 2014, a group of dedicated UAlbany students created the Heritage Garden, designed to highlight culturally and historically signifcant crops in the Albany area. Today, students continue the tradition of the care and maintenance of the garden. Volunteers will assist in weeding and planting late summer crops. Participants will also clean up the grounds surrounding the garden. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

Location: Students will meet in Lecture Center 3A and walk to the garden with the Project Leader.

Learn more at: UAlbany Office of Sustainability

Blankets of Hope was created by a UAlbany Alumni and his brother to provide blankets to those living on the streets of NYC. Join the Groove Phi Groove fraternity as they lead the Kindness Workshop and craft letters of hope to accompany blankets that will be donated to local homeless shelters.

The activity will be held in Campus Center Assembly Hall (2nd floor). 

Learn more at: Blankets of Hope Project

Everyone can help save a life! Come learn from one of our Office of Health Promotion educators on how you can easily and quickly make our community a safer place by learning the skills to intervene and administer naloxone.

The training will take place in Science Library 206. 

Learn more at: Office of Health Promotion

RED (Read Each Day) Bookshelf is a local organization that distributes repurposed books to area children. Volunteers will clean and mend books that have been donated from throughout our community, making them ready for their new homes! Windex, Goo Gone, lots of different tape, colored pencils, and participants' own ingenuity will be used to make these books look special!

Location: Campus Center Boardroom (upstairs from Starbucks)

Learn more at: The RED Bookshelf

Statistically speaking, many students will be in a position where they are impacted by power-based personal violence (sexual or intimate partner violence) directly or indirectly. In this session, an Office of Health Promotion educator will teach foundational skills for supporting survivors and connecting them with resources that feel right for them.

Location: Lecture Center 20

Learn more at: Office of Health Promotion

Many people take access to clean water for granted but it is a rare commodity in many parts of the world. One way students can help is by joining the Fill It Forward program. This organization tracks the environmental impact of using refillable bottles and provides funding for global clean water projects around the world. Students will receive bottle tags and training on how to use the Fill It Forward app.

Location: Lecture Center 19

Learn more at: UAlbany Office of Sustainability

The City of Albany's Love Your Block program is dedicated to improving resident's quality of life. One of their large fall service projects is providing weatherization services for community members. In this session, students will learn techniques, such as insulating pipes and windows, and preparing homes for winter. Participants will be eligible to participate in November service days weatherizing homes in the community.

Location: Taconic 132

Learn more at: City of Albany Love Your Block Program

The UAlbany Career Advisory Network (UCAN) is a free and powerful networking tool that connects students with UAlbany alumni to learn more about their potential career field. Students will set up an account and make connections with alumni who can provide career advice. Information will also be provided on how to become Purple and Gold Ambassador.

Location: Lecture Center 13

Learn more at: UAlbany Alumni Association

Bring on the Spectrum supports neurodiverse individuals with opportunities to achieve their best quality of life as a respected member of the Capital Region. Participants will be assembling sensory bags which will be incorporated into a tourism project, bringing families from 90-120 miles away to Albany County for a much-needed family get-away.

Location: Lecture Center 12

Learn more at: Bring on the Spectrum

Interested in biking? On-campus running paths? Want to know how to get around the community without a vehicle? This session will review the free transportation services available to students. Participants will walk around the multi-use Purple Path on campus and assist in cleaning up any debris.

Location: Students will meet at Lecture Center 1, then walk to the Purple Path with the Project Leader.

Learn more at: UAlbany Grounds

Students learn about the Climate Reality Project and discuss environmental justice examples.

Location: Taconic 118

Learn more at: Climate Reality Project

Students will learn about Parker Pond's ecosystem. Participants will assist in cleaning up around the pond. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting a little dirty.

Location: Students will meet in Lecture Center 3C and walk to Parker Pond with the Project Leader.

Learn more at: UAlbany Stormwater Coordinator

Students will learn about the Wilton Preserve trails, events, and volunteer opportunities. Students will learn about Leave No Trace principles and then participate in a campus clean up. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting a little dirty.

Location: Meet in Lecture Center 2, then walk to the Purple Path with the Project Leader

Learn more at: Wilton Wildlife Park and Preserve

This workshop will explore the foundations of power based personal violence and the key components of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. You will explore your personal values around relationships and your values around supporting others in developing healthy relationships with their peers and overall community and learn about resources, knowledge, and skills to develop an action plan based on empowered bystander intervention and support.

Location: Science Library 205

Learn more at: Office of Health Promotion

Stars for our Troops converts flags into stars that are distributed to veterans. Students will assist in cutting out stars and packaging for distribution. Students will also receive stars to hand out to veterans.

Location: Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room (lower level near Starbucks)

Learn more at: Stars for our Troops

Citizen Action of New York will provide a workshop on how to effectively engage and meet with your local legislators on the issues that matter most to you. Students will learn the basics of engaging their local elected leaders to share their unique stories in effective advocacy via different forms of strategic communication, such as letter writing, call-in drives, petitions, and face-to-face meetings.

Location: Taconic 122

Learn more at: Citizen Action of New York

Students will learn about UAlbany's effort to reduce single use plastic and how they assist in educating others to make sustainable swaps and holding supply exchanges by becoming an Eco-Rep peer educator. Students attending will assist in setting up and running a free market to thrift for clothes and residence hall items.

Location: Campus Center Ballroom (Second Floor)

Learn more at: UAlbany Plastic Reduction Partner Program

Flexible position, variety of duties to assist staff during Fest, running errands, etc. including delivering water to volunteers, delivering t-shirts, festival surveys distribution onsite, and collection of paper survey copies. Distribute festival programs.

Physical work. Set up tables and chairs behind the stage. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds for tables. This position is during the morning. Shift options: 10am-1pm or 9am-11am.

Physical work. Post-festival tear-down. Stack tables and chairs together. May be expected to lift up to 50 pounds for tables. Shift: 4pm-7pm.

People-friendly. After verifying ID, apply Wristband to the guest at the sign-in table. Assist with placing a wristband. Shift options: 10am-1pm, 1pm-4pm, 3pm-5pm, 4pm-7pm. Only 1 person per shift needed.

Ensure access through designated/authorized intersections of Washington Park for authorized vehicles and prevent access at designated intersections. Volunteers for this shift must arrive at 7 AM. 7am-10am, 9am-11am, 10am-1pm, 1pm-4pm.

Assist with Vendors entering Washington Park. Some knowledge of Spanish may be helpful. Follow the guidance of the Vendor Chairperson. Volunteers for this shift must arrive at 7am.  Shift options: 7am-10am, 9am-11am.

Alert vendors of breakdown time. Follow guidance from the Vendor chairperson. Volunteers for this shift are expected to remain until all chairs/tables/tents are collected and stacked (7 PM). Shift: 4pm-7pm.

Join UAlbany's Off-Campus Student Services and Omega Phi Beta in helping to clean up Pine Hills. This is a great opportunity to help give back to a neighborhood that hosts many of our fellow Great Danes!

As a Volunteer Counselor/Advocate and/or intern with our agency, you will answer calls that come into our 24-hour sexual assault and crime victim’s crisis hotline. You will help victims and secondary victims regain control of their lives by providing emotional support, information and referrals, active listening, and crisis intervention, and will complete an initial screening of clients for an elder abuse shelter. Additionally, you will be available to meet survivors at local hospitals where they receive medical treatment following a violent crime. Volunteers and interns are required to take 3 twelve-hour shifts per month on our hotline, attend monthly case meeting/in-services, and complete 10 hours of continuing education credit annually.

LPRSP is seeking mentors and tutors to provide support to youth in grades 6-12 at our partner schools. We are seeking interested individuals to help mentor and/or tutor youth once or twice per week for 2-8 hours per week. Mentors help support youth, encourage them to complete coursework and attend class and be a positive role model. Tutors will help provide support for youth based on academic needs (i.e. completing homework, studying for exams, etc.).

Our program serves students through lunch time programming 10am-2pm and afterschool 3pm-5pm Mondays- Thursdays.

We also have some volunteer opportunities on some weekends to help chaperone trips.

Goal Of The Program:  The goal of the program is to pair up 75 high school aged students from the Albany school district with local college students for a mentor/mentee relationship.  The high school students participating in this program are often labeled “troubled”, however it is our goal that through the mentorship program, these middle school youth will be able see their full potential and achieve at their fullest capacity through the guidance of a current college student.   It is our hope that they gain insight on steps they need to take to graduate from middle school and high school and build the confidence to know that college may be an option following High School. To participate in the mentorship program, please fill out the attached Student Volunteer Application form and submit it to Reverend Maurice Drowns (518)424-8787 or by email at Mauricedrown267@gmail.com  Once you have submitted the form, you will be contacted and given your mentee assignment. 

Days, Times, and Location Of Need: Once you receive your mentee assignment, it is recommended that you reach out to them and schedule to meet with your mentee for at least 1 hour a week during a day and time that works best for both of you.   We also recommend that this weekly meeting be held in the Arbor Hill Library located on 148 Henry Johnson Blvd.

The Church is working closely with youth from Edmund J. Oneal Middle School Of Excellence (There Website is: https://www.albanyschools.org/schools/O'Neal/O'Neal.htm)

Are you passionate about nature? Eager to pass that love on to others? Then an Environmental Education Internship may be for you!
Also known as interpreters, environmental educators teach students about the natural world around them.

The Albany Pine Bush Environmental Education Internship is a volunteer seasonal program. We offer a 10-week program in both spring and fall with a minimum requirement of 40 hours per semester. We also offer a 12-week full time summer position, 37.5 hours per week. There is a Friends of the Pine Bush Community internship stipend upon completed requirements. Housing available.

The Albany Pine Bush Education Intern represents the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission in many different facets. This position requires interaction with people of all ages in a variety of settings in an interpretive capacity. Interns must possess an interest in the ecology of the Albany Pine Bush, environmental education/interpretation and an enthusiastic attitude. Experience as an educator or with public speaking is helpful but not required. Training will be provided.

Intern Responsibilities

Requirements

APPLICATION DEADLINES
SPRING: NOVEMBER 1
FALL: AUGUST 1
SUMMER: MARCH 1

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to the
Lead Educator, Jackie Citriniti, at jcitriniti@albanypinebush.org. Jackie can also be reached at 518-456-0655 ext. 1227. 

We are in need of volunteers to help with social media.

We need volunteers to help with recruitment

We need volunteers to help with programming

We need groups to sponsor blood drives on campus.  There is no cost associated.  We need groups to do sign up tables to recruit and sign up blood donors, hang posters, volunteer the day of the blood drive. 

Please email UAlbany Red Cross President: smondesir2@albany.edu

RISSE offers 4 levels of  English as a New Language instruction to adult refugees and immigrants.  In-person volunteers provide one-on-one or small group tutoring to adult students.  Online training is provided and required.  Volunteer as little as one hour a week.  RISSE requests a 3 month minimum volunteer commitment.

Classes meet mornings and afternoons; various volunteer times are available.

Capital District LATINOS is looking to bring more visibility to the organization and work in the community. We want our community to know what resources we offer and they have access to. (Both online and in real life)

If you want to get to know the Albany area and are outgoing, easy to talk to and great with people this volunteer opportunity is for you!

We need help flyering at local shops, businesses and organizations. Volunteers will learn about CDL, our mission and goal. After we will provide volunteers with flyers and brochures to take to the designated locations in the Albany area.

WE ALSO need help on social media platforms, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tock and even other forms of communications, if volunteers would like to share. If you love creating content, playing with images and video to perfect and image or message this experience is for you!!

At Capital District LATINOS we believe every vote counts and YOUR voice matters.

We are looking for volunteers to help set up and promote a voter registration event at CDL. The goal is to inspire excitement for the voting process, educate others on the importance of voting and register community members to vote!!

If you are passionate about community empowerment, organizing, politics and ensuring everyone is counted and matters, this event is for you!!!

It's easy! We provide free online training & support - all you need is an internet connection to get started.

Call for Volunteers: People are coming together, now more than ever, and we invite you to join our volunteer team as we remain open to meet a growing need for our services. For more information or to volunteer, please:

call 518-449-7119

email volunteers@albanydamiencenter.org

or visit http://albanydamiencenter.org/volunteer.html

Help is needed with staffing the front desk, preparing and delivering meals, assembling and delivering pantry bags.

Volunteers are needed between Noon and 3 pm to pack supply bags to be distributed the following day. There is no heavy lifting involved. A supervisor will instruct volunteers as to the contents that should be in each bag. Typically, we pack one set of bags with perishable items (meats, produce) and a second set of bags with non-perishables. Perishables are kept in a refrigerated truck over-night. We anticipate packing 600 – 800 bags per day.

and other volunteers are needed:

Volunteers that have certification to operate a forklift are needed periodically, to assist in transferring product that is delivered from the Regional Food Bank to our on-site storage trucks.

We are operating out of the new Boys & Girls Club located on Education Drive in Mont Pleasant, adjacent to Mont Pleasant Middle School and Pleasant Valley Elementary. Parking is plentiful. The facility is large, enabling us to ensure that volunteer work spaces are physically distant, and operated with the safety of volunteers and staff as our priority. All volunteers are asked to wear masks, which can be provided upon request. We also have hand sanitizer, gloves and other protective measures in place to ensure safety.

It's easy! We provide free online training & support - all you need is an internet connection to get started.

VISIT:  HTTPS://WWW/7CUPS.COM/    TO LEARN MORE AND TO REGISTER FOR SERVICE.

Membership Classifications:
-Exterior Firefighter- 18 or older; NYS Basic Exterior Ops and in house training
-Interior Firefighter- 18 or older; NYS Firefighter 1 or equivalent
-Service Loan- maintain membership in your home fire department while studying or working in the area

**All SUNY students may apply regardless of permanent residency.**

Transporting patients, via wheelchairs, throughout all departments within the medical facility. 

Please contact backpack@connectcenterforyouth.org to sign up for Backpack shifts.

Help us package and deliver meals for students in Cohoes through our BackPack program! In conjunction with the Regional Food Bank, we provide qualifying students with healthy weekend meals to ensure that they are able to start school each week, ready to learn.

Volunteers will assist in packing each BackPack and then deliver the bags to the student's home in Cohoes. Other tasks that we may ask people to help with include breaking down boxes we receive and moving our overstock inventory to ensure that we are following a "first in, first out" system with the food we receive.

There are two available Friday shifts for interested BackPack volunteers:
From 7:30 to 8:30 am, we package dry goods and produce
From 8:30 to 9:00 am, volunteer drivers deliver a route of 3-5 BackPacks to homes in Cohoes (Vehicle needed)
Volunteers may sign up for one or both shifts. If you have any questions or would like to sign a large group up to volunteer, please reach out to us by emailing us at info@connectcenterforyouth.org.

Are you looking for volunteer and leadership opportunities on campus? Consider joining the Project ACCESS Peer Advisory Board!

Project ACCESS is an organization on campus that strives to promote student well-being through sexual health, substance use, and general wellness education and resources. Project ACCESS offers 1:1 appointments with students to help them find the relevant resources for their current concerns (e.g., tutoring, mental health counseling, STI testing). We also offer campus-wide events and workshops.  

A great way to get involved with Project ACCESS is by becoming a member of our Peer Advisory Board.

What is the Peer Advisory Board? The Peer Advisory Board is a group of undergraduate UAlbany students who attend meetings with members of the Project ACCESS team.

When are the meetings? There are two meetings a month, and meetings last about one hour.

What are the meetings like? In these meetings, we ask for your feedback about our work (e.g., merchandise design, tabling events, workshops, etc.) and offer opportunities to participate in our work. 

Being involved in the Peer Advisory Board is a great item to include on your resume and is a rewarding way to get involved on campus! 

Fill out our interest form today! 

Join the Connect Pantry and help us provide families in the community with year-round food assistance, school supplies and access to a period pantry, diaper closet and community closet. At Connect Pantry we are committed to serving our communities diverse needs and ensuring that we address the holistic well-being of our neighbors!

Volunteers help the Connect Pantry to:

Restock food/supplies

Greet and assist clients

Assist with pantry client orders

This service opportunity is available Tuesdays and Thursdays and there are two shifts:
1. 9:45am-12:30pm
2. 9:45am-2:00pm

Our pantry is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am-2:00pm. Feel free to reach out to our pantry coordinator by emailing pantry@connectcenterforyouth.org
Join our volunteer team and begin making an impact and a difference in your local community!

Please contact backpack@connectcenterforyouth.org to sign up for Backpack shifts.

Help us package and deliver meals for students in Cohoes through our BackPack program! In conjunction with the Regional Food Bank, we provide qualifying students with healthy weekend meals to ensure that they are able to start school each week, ready to learn.

Volunteers will assist in packing each BackPack and then deliver the bags to the student's home in Cohoes. Other tasks that we may ask people to help with include breaking down boxes we receive and moving our overstock inventory to ensure that we are following a "first in, first out" system with the food we receive.

There is one available Wednesday shift for interested BackPack volunteers:
From 7:30 to 9:30 am, Volunteers will meet the backpack coordinator at the Regional Food Bank in Latham, NY, pack up their vehicle with dry goods and produce, and unload at the Connect Center.

Volunteers for this shift must have a vehicle.

Volunteers may sign up for one or both shifts. If you have any questions or would like to sign a large group up to volunteer, please reach out to us at info@connectcenterforyouth.org.

Connect with a senior once a month on your own schedule to provide a friendly social connection. Social isolation for seniors is an epidemic and you can make a huge difference in the life of one person who will be so grateful for your outreach. Our training is online and one hour with 30 minute video and electronic paperwork. 

Your time and expertise can make a profound difference in someone's life. 

The Surrogate Decision-Making Committee Program (SDMC) is an alternative to the court system. It provides a personalized approach to medical decision-making for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care for people with disabilities who are unable to give their own informed consent and do not have someone to do so for them. 

What does a volunteer do?

Instead of going to court for consent, a panel of four volunteers review a written request then join an online hearing with the person in need of services and their care providers. The panel asks questions about the person's capacity, surrogate availability, and the proposed treatment. Panel members work together to make an informed decision on the request.

Who can volunteer?

NYS residents who fit one or more of these categories:

What are the benefits of dedicating your time to SDMC?

What is the time commitment? 

Ready to make a difference? Became an SDMC volunteer:

To learn more, visit

https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/volunteer

This volunteer opportunity requires organizational skill and flexibility.  Our case managers would love to have your help in managing paperwork and receiving clients to the office.  A commitment of at least 3 months 1 3 hour shift per week is required. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Do you enjoy working outdoors? RISSE needs help maintaining plantings and gardens around the property.  Mowing, trimming, weeding and planting are the primary tasks with grounds clean up needed occasionally.  All tools will be supplied.

Conversation Club provides opportunities for refugees and immigrants to practice their conversation skills.  It is a drop-in neighborhood session open to the public.  Conversation starters are provided for volunteers to break up into smaller groups to facilitate discussion.  It is a low-stress, fun way to meet our new neighbors.  

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is seeking volunteers to join our volunteer base. NYIC Volunteers currently support the following types of activities but are not limited to:

People interested in volunteering with the NYIC must:

If you would like to join one or more of our NYIC volunteer bases please fill out the form here and then you’ll be redirected to sign up for a volunteer orientation!

Bilingual in English and Spanish, French, Arabic, or Pulaar is a plus but not required!

Please email volunteer@nyic.org if you have any questions or concerns. 

Weekend Academic Support offers refugee youth, one-on-one or group tutoring sessions, assisting with completing homework and school assignments. Also, conducting study session to prepare for upcoming tests and quizzes. All volunteers must fill out an application and pass a background check. USCRI Albany Volunteer Application

Every Thursday USCRI Albany works with a local food pantry and capital roots to help deliver food to families in need. We have a particular need to get food delivered to a few of our Ukrainian families. The pantry is in Troy, and the families live in Cohoes and Latham. 
All volunteers must fill out a volunteer application. USCRI Albany Volunteer Application

The Emma-Treadwell Thacher Nature Center is home to multiple education ambassadors, including two snakes, three turtle, a lizard, stick bugs, hissing cockroaches, and a few fish! The Nature Center staff performs most of the animal care themselves, but is always happy to accept help from volunteers. Animal care is performed primarily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and takes roughly an hour altogether. This care includes feeding, humidity control, general cleaning, and handling. If you'd like to learn the routine to lend a hand, feel free to reach out and we can set up some brief training!

NOTE: All volunteers must fill out at Volunteer Service Agreement, available at The Nature Center.