Volunteer Opportunities

Get Involved

Volunteers are an essential part of the RNH Community. Whether it’s packing a meal for The Neighborhood Fridge, making wellness calls to homebound older adults, helping out in the garden — there are several ways for individual or group volunteers to get involved at RNH.

Registration is required.

The first step to volunteering for an RNH event is filling out our volunteer application. Register today!

Volunteer Opportunities

FAQ

  • Everyone is welcome! Our volunteer opportunities do vary, but we try to host events that every age group can participate in.

    When we post upcoming volunteer events, we try to be as specific as possible including activities, time frame, and age range.

  • Yes! We are delighted to host students when we have the capacity to do so.

    If you are a student looking for volunteer hours, or a school counselor looking for opportunities for your students — please send Natalie Cruz, the Community and Volunteer Program manager, an email at ncruz@riverdaleonline.org so that we can better support your needs.

  • Yes, if you are interested in organizing a volunteer day for your group, please contact Natalie Cruz (ncruz@riverdaleonline.org).

    We also organize community volunteer days. Fill out the volunteer form and sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch.

  • The best way to stay up to date is to register through our volunteer form.

    Also sign up for our mailing list to stay in touch.

  • Everyone is always welcome to drop food off in the Neighborhood Fridge anytime. As always, it's give what you want, take what you need. Other than that, we are not accepting material donations at this time.

    As a 501C3, we also always accept monetary donations through our website on Kindful. All donations are tax deductible.

    Click here to learn more!

Questions?

Contact Natalie Cruz, Community and Volunteer Program Manager

ncruz@riverdaleonline.org | (718) 549-8100 ext. 114

Learn More

Gardening

In April 2021, we dug up and transformed 3,000 square feet of concrete into a garden for our participants, families, and neighbors to engage with and learn from. Our goal is to continue to expand our green spaces and collaborate with community partners along the way.

Commitment

As the seasons change, our volunteer opportunities will also vary. We have just put the garden to rest for the Winter, but will send updates as opportunities open up at RNH or with our community partners. Individuals can volunteer as little or as much as they are available.

Sign Up to volunteer


The Neighborhood Fridge

By providing free food 24/7 to any community member in need, the Neighborhood Fridge is working to combat food insecurity in the NW Bronx and reduce food waste. Volunteer responsibilities can include making meals, rescuing meals from local restaurants, cleaning the fridge, helping with outreach, and more.

Current Thanksgiving Opportunity: From

November 20th-27th, stop by RNH to pick up containers and labels to pack up leftovers for the Neighborhood Fridge or The Friendly Fridge on 242nd Street. It’s a great way to reduce food waste and share a meal with a neighbor! Please refrain from bringing leftovers after November 30th, to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Students can receive one hour of community service for participating in this initiative. Students should email Natalie Cruz (ncruz@riverdaleonline.org) pictures of themselves packing up the food and dropping it off, and she will send a confirmation lett.

Commitment

Once trained and given information, volunteers will receive a monthly update with the volunteer opportunities available with the fridge. Individuals can volunteer as little or as much as they are available.

Sign Up To Volunteer

Telephone Reassurance Program

We connect trained volunteers with older adults who are homebound, fostering relationships and working to prevent loneliness and the effects of social isolation through weekly phone calls. Volunteers play a vital role for our clients’ social workers as well, as they become advocates and another voice for their clients’ concerns and health needs.

Commitment

For this volunteer opportunity, we ask for deeply committed individuals, as they will be building consistent relationships with our clients. (1 hour per week)

Sign Up to volunteer

P.U.L.S.E Club

P.U.L.S.E Club (Positive Understanding of Love, Sexuality, and Empowerment) is dedicated to raising awareness on issues of teens’ health, well-being, and relationships. Office hours for the club are Wednesday-Friday.

We are looking for Executive Board members in the following positions:

  • President

  • Vice President

  • Secretary

  • Public Relations

As executive board members, teens will plan events, share ideas and positively impact their community on the topics of teen health and relationships. Executive Board members can also earn service hours through their involvement with the club.

If teens are interested in joining, please email a letter about why you want to join P.U.L.S.E Club Executive Board to Silkisha Sneed (ssneed@riverdaleonline.org.)

Group Volunteering

Whether you are a school group, corporate group, or a bunch of neighbors looking to get involved, we can work with you to create a high impact volunteer event.

Please contact Natalie Cruz for group inquiries:

ncruz@riverdaleonline.org

(718) 549-8100 ext. 114