New York Cares introduction (NYC)

[Hilary Zackroff]

Happy New Year to you all.  We've been participating on this list for a few
months and have enjoyed the many interesting and informative articles, tips
and programs described.

New York Cares' mission is to unite and enable caring New Yorkers to help
people in need and improve New York City through volunteer service and
creative giving.  Participating in hands-on projects, New York Cares
volunteers tutor children, feed the hungry, assist people living with
HIV/AIDS, revitalize community gardens, take homeless children on cultural
and recreational outings, bridge the Digital Divide, visit the elderly and
make real differences every day in the lives of New Yorkers in need.

PROGRAMS:
New York Cares coordinates projects 365 days a year that address a wide
range of issues in New York City: homelessness, literacy, hunger, advancing
technology in schools and social service agencies, youth and adults with
special needs, senior citizens, caring for animals, community
revitalization, education, building children's self-esteem and skills and
more.

Some of the areas we are currently expanding include:
Through New York Cares' Children and Teen Programs, New York Cares
volunteers expand the horizons of at-risk youth and offer children positive
alternatives to the negative influences that jeopardize their chances for
academic achievement and personal success. Volunteers work with children
from shelters, housing facilities, community centers, schools and hospitals
to help the children develop skills, engage their imaginations, build
self-esteem and grasp new and different experiences. Our Arts Enrichment
Programs introduce children to activities in which they normally may not be
involved, such as sculpture, painting, photography, cooking and other arts
and crafts.  The Sports & Fitness Programs help children develop athletic
skills and learn about teamwork through activities ranging from basketball
and soccer clinics to karate lessons.

The New York Cares Road to Reading program mobilizes volunteers to tackle
different aspects of the literacy crisis -  with a particular focus on
bringing books and a love of reading into children's lives. Partner schools
benefit from enriching, free programming, and volunteers have the
opportunity to make a significant contribution to a child's reading
development.  The Bedtime Stories brings reading and fun to kids aged 6-12,
fostering a love of reading and making books and related activities a
regular part of their lives. Volunteers read and play with a small group of
children on weekday evenings. A regular volunteer commitment is not
required, but is encouraged. Love A Library projects bring volunteers into
schools and community centers on Saturdays to help clean, organize and
revitalize these important learning spaces.

The Partners In Technology Program (PITP) enables volunteers to bring
technology to community organizations and schools in some of New York's
most under-resourced neighborhoods, giving adults and children access to
computers, the Internet and a brighter future.  Through the PITP, New York
Cares is able to direct computer hardware and provide the volunteers
necessary to ensure that this equipment is installed and utilized properly
on weekday
evenings and weekends.  The PITP volunteer programs provide assistance in
computer classes; set up and provide maintenance to computer labs in
conjunction with technology staff; and assist with wiring and networking
computers.

If you are interested utilizing volunteers in any of these program areas
within New York City, please let me know.


--
Hilary Zackroff
Director, Education & Technology Partnerships

Please give a warm coat to the New York Cares Coat Drive in December and
help make this an easier winter for people in need. For drop-off locations
visit http://www.nycares.org or call 212-598-5800.

New York Cares, Inc. (http://www.nycares.org)
116 East 16th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone (212) 228-5000
Fax (212) 228-6414

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