Free Virtual Youth Empowerment Retreat: Deadline to Register Is Today!
Mark your calendars, people: a popular youth retreat is going virtual this year. But you'll need to act fast, because registration closes today!
Sleepy Hollow High School Students Tell Us How They Really Feel About Civic Engagement
There are plenty of ways teens can get involved during election season—even when they're not yet old enough to vote. But putting those ideas into practice isn't always easy. Thankfully, Sleepy Hollow High School students show us how it's done.
Webinar: How to "Be the Change" by Volunteering
Heads up, changemakers! On Wednesday, December 16, Volunteer New York! is delivering a webinar entitled "Be the Change." Co-presented by Briarcliff Library, this virtual event will show you why volunteering locally is so important—and how to use Volunteer New York! as a tool to make a positive impact right in your own backyard.
Local Teens Bridge Generations to Support Hospice Patients
Community service comes in many forms, and while it's always nice to drop off canned goods at a food pantry, it can seem a bit... impersonal. For volunteers who want to feel that their efforts are making a real impact, consider Youth for Hospice.
#GivingTuesdaySpark: How to Help a Nonprofit in Need This Giving Tuesday
As we munch on our Thanksgiving leftovers and prepare for the parade of spending events this week—Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday—we should be mindful of the most important date of them all: Giving Tuesday.
Teen Spotlight: Ellie Zimmerman at Interns 4 Good
Westchester teen Ellie Zimmerman founded her own nonprofit, Interns 4-Good, while struggling to find internships in high school. Now, her organization connects 8,000 students internationally with 180 nonprofits—including Volunteer New York!—and there's no sign of stopping!
How to Volunteer for the Holidays
With Diwali behind us and Thanksgiving only a week away, it's safe to say that the holiday season is in full swing! Of course, our seasonal celebrations will look a lot different this year as many families are struggling to make ends meet. And with recent spikes in COVID-19 all across the country, it will be tough to carry on the traditions we're used to, such as gathering for family dinners and participating in turkey trots.
REMINDER: Volunteer Spirit Awards Nomination Deadline
Don't miss out! Nominations for the 2021 Volunteer Spirit Awards—our annual celebration of outstanding volunteers—are open until Monday, November 16. If you volunteer for a nonprofit organization in Westchester, Rockland, or Putnam County and you think you're deserving of an award, be sure to let your volunteer supervisor know!
Harmful Effects of Marijuana on the Teen Brain
We already know that vaping and smoking—whether tobacco or marijuana—can put us at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 by weakening our lungs and immune systems. Now, teens have another reason to steer clear of the green stuff: it could be damaging their brains.
Election Day 2020
Happy Election Day, Volunteers! If you're 18 or older and you've registered to vote, be sure to visit your local polling place on November 3, 2020 in order to cast your ballot. (Find all information—including whether you're registered, where to go to vote, and more—at the New York State Board of Elections website.)
Halloween Volunteer Challenge: Share Your (Good) Volunteer Mischief
Trick-or-treating might look different this year due to COVID-19, but that doesn't mean we can't don our Halloween masks (our cloth ones, that is) and make our mark on our neighborhoods!
In Case You Missed It: Check Out Our Webinar on Volunteering
On Wednesday, October 21, Volunteer New York!'s Volunteer & Nonprofit Engagement Manager, Jessica Friedlander, delivered an informative presentation about volunteering—and how community service is more than just checking off a box on a form for your school. In fact, volunteers can use their service as a tool to reach their personal and professional goals.
Applications For 2021 Volunteer Spirit Awards Now Online
Volunteer New York! is once again preparing for its annual celebration of outstanding volunteers—and if you're a youth leader, now's your time to shine!
Graduation Gowns Given a Second Life to Benefit Essential Workers
Recent grads may not have been able to don their caps and gowns for a traditional ceremony this year, but they're getting an A-plus for finding a clever way to put their robes to good use!
3 Ways Teens Can Make a Major Impact This Election Day
Election Day falls on November 3 this year. If you're an American citizen (or you meet your state's residency requirements) and you're at least 18 years of age, you're legally allowed to vote. But what about teens who are underaged and still want to stay involved somehow? Here are three ways:
How High School Students Can Help End Dating Abuse in Rockland County
Dating abuse is, sadly, all too common; according to breakthecycle.com, one in three high school students experience physical or sexual violence—or both—from a dating partner. It can have devastating effects, such as being a factor in depression, leading to a dependency on drugs and alcohol, engaging in violent relationships, and even suicide.
Can't-Miss Event: An Open Conversation on Youth With George Latimer
Tired of not feeling heard? Local teens in Westchester County now have a chance to say what's on their minds.
Tech-Savvy Teens: Volunteer to Help Seniors Learn Zoom
Calling all tech-savvy teens! If you're patient, a pro at video conferencing, and you want to help others (while demonstrating those fire leadership skills), Volunteer New York!'s RSVP Westchester program needs you.
Back to School Safety Tips from Westchester's Favorite Mascots
The start of the school year is a struggle for many of us—can't we sleep in just a little longer?—but it's especially challenging when COVID-19 is still in the air. Whether you're attending classes in person or your school is following a hybrid model, you'll inevitably have a lot of new questions: can I hug my friends? Do we wear face masks even when sitting at our desks? How do we wash our hands clean if we don't have a sink in our classroom?
Camp Vollo: Deadline to Submit Activity Sheets
Heads up, Camp Vollo campers! The deadline to submit your Camp Vollo activity sheet is Monday, August 31. Submitting your activity sheet is the only way to claim your Changemaker Certificate for all of the great activities you completed during your summer camp experience. You'll also be able to receive limited-edition stickers and an exclusive invite to an upcoming volunteer project. Find all of the details in your activity books—hope you enjoyed summer camp at Camp Vollo!
Salute the Start of September With #911Day Service Projects
Summer may be winding down, but student volunteers are busier than ever as they ramp up for the new semester. Whether you've got community service hours to fulfill or you're looking to address your neighborhood's most pressing needs, there's no better time to kick your activism and community engagement into high gear than now.
#YouthCanGetIt2: How Rockland County Students Are Fighting Fake News About COVID-19
The country is gearing up for the new school year, but there's one teeny little problem: coronavirus hasn't actually gone anywhere. And as parents and school board members battle over whether it's safe to return to class—and what that return would even look like—students are getting caught in the crossfire. This photo of unmasked students in one crowded Georgia hallway gained so much negative attention that school administrators threatened to suspend students who called out the school for its lax personal protective equipment rules. Yikes.
Join the ArtsWestchester Young Adult Leadership Council
ArtsWestchester launches a new program for youth leaders who love art Teen leaders and art lovers, take note!
Meet the Gen Z Activists Leading the Lockdown Revolution
These 10 teens refuse to settle for a life in lockdown; instead, they're finding ways to make an impact this summer, from launching their own nonprofit organizations to organizing protests. One of the greatest misconceptions about the COVID-19 virus is that younger people are “immune”—or, at least, they don’t experience the same kind of effects that their parents and grandparents do. We now know that's not true—the virus can severely harm younger generations—but it's becoming clear that harm extends well beyond their immune systems.